Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Allowance, Beginning Balance	$ 5,026		$ 5,915		$ 6,174
Provision charged to income	1,623		1,784		3,322
Doubtful accounts written off (net)	(2,364)		(2,221)		(3,709)
Other Adjustments	(1,387)	[1]	(452)	[1]	128	[1]
Allowance, Ending Balance	2,898		5,026		5,915
Barnes Distribution Europe [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Other Adjustments	$ (1,267)

[1] These amounts are comprised primarily of foreign currency translation and other reclassifications. The reduction in 2011 includes $1.267 million of reserves recorded at the Barnes Distribution Europe businesses which were sold in the fourth quarter of 2011.