Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details 1) (Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Allowance, Beginning Balance	$ 30,036		$ 29,682	$ 22,644
Additions charged to income tax expense	93		1,893	6,806
(Reductions) Additions charged to other comprehensive income	466		(149)	(459)
Reductions credited to income tax expense	(1,628)		(1,533)	(1,463)
Changes due to foreign currency translation	(521)		143	2,154
Divestiture (1)	(11,765)	[1]
Allowance, Ending Balance	$ 16,681		$ 30,036	$ 29,682

[1] The reduction in 2011 reflects the valuation allowance recorded at the Barnes Distribution Europe businesses which were sold in the fourth quarter of 2011.