Information on Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Reportable Segments	2
Revenues	$ 1,169,355	$ 1,028,617	$ 923,353
Operating profit	127,555	86,398	63,475
Assets	1,440,365	1,403,257	1,351,990
Depreciation and amortization	58,904	52,770	51,487
Capital expenditures	37,082	28,759	30,502
Interest expense	10,271	19,984	22,468
Other expense (income), net	395	2,609	(1,953)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	116,889	63,805	42,960
General Electric [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percent	19.00%	20.00%	24.00%
Logistics and Manufacturing Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	492,900	443,900	428,300
Operating profit	64,800	39,100	48,700
Assets	642,600	716,500	723,600
Depreciation and amortization	27,500	24,900	24,700
Capital expenditures	7,500	10,000	13,800
Precision Components [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	687,500	595,900	501,500
Operating profit	62,800	47,300	14,800
Assets	634,300	605,800	539,600
Depreciation and amortization	29,500	26,100	24,800
Capital expenditures	29,400	18,700	16,300
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(11,000)	(11,200)	(6,400)
Operating profit	0	0	0
Assets	163,500	81,000	88,800
Depreciation and amortization	1,900	1,800	2,000
Capital expenditures	$ 200	$ 100	$ 400