Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Logistics and Manufacturing Services [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 Logistics and Manufacturing Services [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Logistics and Manufacturing Services [Member] Barnes Distribution Europe [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Precision Components [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 Precision Components [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Precision Components [Member] CHF	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue sharing programs [Member] USD ($) Year	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue sharing programs [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer lists/relationships [Member] USD ($) Year	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer lists/relationships [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Patents, trademarks/tradenames [Member] USD ($) Year	Dec. 31, 2010 Patents, trademarks/tradenames [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Other [Member] USD ($) Year	Dec. 31, 2010 Other [Member] USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 384,241	$ 373,564		$ 163,988	$ 166,400		$ 220,253	$ 207,164
Goodwill acquired	167			0			167
Goodwill adjustments/derecognized	(17,200)	(50)		(17,200)	0		0	(50)
Foreign currency translation	(1,104)	10,727		(896)	(2,412)		(208)	13,139
Goodwill, end of period	366,104	384,241	373,564	145,892	163,988		220,212	220,253
Other Intangible Assets:
Range of life - minimum (in years)														5
Range of life - maximum (in years)										30				30		15
Range of life (in years)												10
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Before Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	347,320	355,429								293,700	293,700	23,506	28,578	18,622	22,746	11,492	10,405
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	4,714	4,880
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(79,942)	(69,511)								(46,367)	(36,318)	(17,292)	(17,974)	(11,829)	(12,120)	(4,454)	(3,099)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	352,034	360,309
Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2012	16,000
Amortization of intangible assets expected in 2016	15,500
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	144,067
Amortization of Intangible Assets	16,907	13,424	13,862
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid							3,495		3,140
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill amount							167
Business acquisition purchase price allocation to amortizable intangible assets							2,370
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Goodwill						$ 17,200