Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	12208
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,017,399
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,116,828

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$425,728	$413,251
Short-term investments	284,958	284,384
Accounts Receivable, Net	342,223	377,640
Inventories:
Raw materials	108,616	106,028
Work in process	126,436	131,783
Finished goods	243,323	233,186
Total inventories	478,375	470,997
Other current assets	170,560	170,095
Total current assets	1,701,844	1,716,367
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,076,843	1,089,098
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-648,543	-660,262
Property, plant and equipment, net	428,300	428,836
Goodwill, net	503,422	500,441
Purchased intangibles, net	242,970	254,228
Other investments	400,262	389,309
Other assets	49,398	52,097
Total assets	3,326,196	3,341,278
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable, accrued payroll and employee benefits	250,813	282,034
Current maturities of long-term debt	264	265
Income and other taxes payable	31,926	35,165
Other current liabilities	133,879	129,297
Total current liabilities	416,882	446,761
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	435,661	435,710
Other long-term liabilities	275,140	273,652
Total liabilities	1,127,683	1,156,123
Stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	278,385	271,346
Retained earnings	1,712,780	1,694,962
Accumulated other comprehensive income	207,446	218,945
Total stockholders' equity	2,198,513	2,185,155
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,326,196	3,341,278
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	2	2
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1	1
Treasury Class A [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Treasury Stock, Value	-12	-12
Treasury Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Treasury Stock, Value	($89)	($89)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Class A [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	24,016,121	23,971,808
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	24,015,999	23,971,686
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	5,118,745	5,098,799
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	5,117,828	5,097,882
Treasury Class A [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares	122	122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares	917	917

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net sales	$472,821	$509,344
Cost of goods sold	202,715	234,055
Gross profit	270,106	275,289
Selling, general and administrative expense	188,555	202,275
Research and Development Expense	47,202	52,543
Segment profit (loss)	34,349	20,471
Interest expense	5,002	3,857
Foreign exchange losses, net	3,806	2,737
Other (income) expense, net	-1,153	-661
Income before income taxes	26,694	14,538
Provision for income taxes	-8,876	-7,870
Net income including noncontrolling interests	17,818	6,668
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	$17,818	$6,668
Basic earnings per share:
Net income per share basic attributable to Bio-Rad	$0.61	$0.23
Weighted average common shares - basic	29,092	28,791
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income per share diluted attributable to Bio-Rad	$0.61	$0.23
Weighted average common shares - diluted	29,289	29,059

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$17,818	$6,668
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-19,470	5,527
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	1,041	61
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments net of tax expense	6,930	26,293
Total other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax	-11,499	31,881
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$6,319	$38,549

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$478,479	$544,447
Cash paid to suppliers and employees	-453,986	-471,452
Interest received (paid), net	471	-292
Income tax refunds (payments)	1,503	-6,909
Investment proceeds and miscellaneous receipts, net	1,175	1,283
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	-1,212	-182
Proceeds from (payments for) forward foreign exchange contracts, net	3,016	-1,325
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,446	65,570
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-27,080	-22,581
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	4	114
Payments for purchases of long-term investments	-895	-1,364
Payments for purchases of intangible assets	-1,307	-12,358
Payments for purchases of marketable securities and investments	-66,568	-45,273
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments	27,356	24,402
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities and investments	40,499	21,490
Net cash used in investing activities	-27,991	-35,570
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments on line-of-credit arrangements and notes payable	0	-50
Payments on long-term borrowings	-66	-66
Payments of contingent consideration	-2,983	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,506	3,424
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,212	182
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-331	3,490
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	11,353	-534
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,477	32,956
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	413,251	331,551
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	425,728	364,507
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net income	17,818	6,668
Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by Operating Activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	32,283	36,671
Share-based compensation	4,071	3,701
(Gains) losses on dispositions of securities	-214	100
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	-1,212	-182
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration	-1,192	-4,893
Decrease in accounts receivable	15,567	39,569
Increase in inventories	-29,469	-14,780
Increase in other current assets	-5,076	-11,390
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities	-7,747	7,318
Increase in income taxes payable	6,106	1,621
Net decrease/increase in other long-term assets/liabilities	-1,489	1,167
Net cash provided by operating activities	$29,446	$65,570

1_Organization_Consolidation_a

1. Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure	1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND USE OF ESTIMATES
	Basis of Presentation
	In this report, “Bio-Rad,” “we,” “us,” "the Company" and “our” refer to Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Bio-Rad have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly state the results of the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, with the exception of the adjustments noted below. Results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.  The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	We evaluate subsequent events and the evidence they provide about conditions existing at the date of the balance sheet as well as conditions that arose after the balance sheet date but through the date the financial statements are issued.  The effects of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date are recognized in the financial statements. Events and conditions arising after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued are evaluated to determine if disclosure is required to keep the financial statements from being misleading.  To the extent such events and conditions exist, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Bio-Rad bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other market-specific and other relevant assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Correction of Immaterial Errors - Statement of Cash Flows
	During the third quarter of 2014, we identified errors in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (and for all interim periods therein), and in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Cash Flows as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, all related to the recorded amounts of Inventories and Property, plant and equipment, net. During these periods, we inappropriately reduced Inventories by all of the profit on intercompany transactions related to certain equipment, however, a portion of that profit should have reduced capital additions and been reflected in Property, plant and equipment, net. The equipment is a Bio-Rad product provided to customers under reagent rental agreements, whereby Bio-Rad retains ownership of the equipment and charges the customer for test kits purchased for use with this equipment. Depreciation was calculated correctly, and there was no impact to Net income for any period presented.
	The associated reclassification entries within the Statements of Cash Flows were to increase Cash paid to suppliers and employees, and decrease Capital expenditures by $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. These reclassifications resulted in a decrease in Net cash provided by operating activities and a decrease in Net cash used in investing activities by $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. There was no change to the net increase or decrease in Cash and cash equivalents for any period presented.
	Management evaluated the materiality of the errors described above from a qualitative and quantitative perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality (SAB 99). Based on such evaluation, we have concluded that while these errors were significant to the periods impacted, their correction would not be material to any individual prior period nor did they have an effect on financial results.
	Recent Accounting Standards Updates
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No.  (“ASU”) 2015-05, “Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement." ASU 2015-05 was issued to include specific guidance about a customer's accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. The guidance indicates that hosting arrangements that do not meet both the following criteria are service contracts and hence ASU 2015-05 is not applicable. The following criteria must be met to account for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement as a purchase of, or convey a license to, software: (a) the customer has the contractual right to take possession of the software at any time during the contract period without significant penalty, and (b) it is feasible for the customer to either run the software on its own hardware or contract with another party to host the software. ASU 2015-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2015-05 will have, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 was issued to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring debt issuance costs to be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. This will make the presentation of debt issuance costs consistent with the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. Under current U.S. GAAP, debt issuance costs are reported on the balance sheet as assets and amortized as interest expense. Under ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2015-03 will affect our presentation of our debt and we do not plan to early adopt.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective. On April 29, 2015, the FASB issued a proposal to defer the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption would be permitted as of the original effective date in ASU 2014-09, which is annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within the annual periods. Comments on the proposal are due by May 29, 2015. The new standard is to be applied retrospectively and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

2_Acquisitions

2. Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	2.ACQUISITIONS
	GnuBIO, Inc.
	In April 2014, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding stock of GnuBIO, Inc. (GnuBIO). This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination as GnuBIO represents an integrated set of activities and assets capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return and therefore constitutes a business in accordance with GAAP. The amount of acquisition-related costs was minimal as Bio-Rad primarily represented itself during the acquisition process. This business acquisition is included in our Clinical Diagnostics segment's results of operations from the acquisition date. We believe that GnuBIO's innovative DNA workflow is well-suited for the clinical diagnostics sequencing market and will leverage our leadership role in the area of droplet digital PCR.
	The final fair values of the net assets acquired from GnuBIO as of the acquisition date were determined to be $46.4 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets (specifically in-process research and development or "IPR&D"), $13.5 million of goodwill and $9.5 million of net tangible liabilities. We do not expect the goodwill recorded to be deductible for income tax purposes.
	The fair value of the consideration as of the acquisition date was $50.4 million, which includes $39.7 million paid in cash at the closing date and $10.7 million in contingent consideration potentially payable to GnuBIO's shareholders. The contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach that could reach $70.0 million upon the achievement of all development/regulatory and sales milestones. The contingent consideration for the development/regulatory milestones was valued at $10.7 million, based on assumptions regarding the probability of achieving the milestones, with such amounts discounted to present value. The contingent consideration for the sales milestones was determined to be negligible, using the risk-neutral probability of being in the money based on a Black-Scholes framework. The contingent consideration was recognized at its estimated fair value of $9.0 million as of March 31, 2015 See Note 3 for further discussion of the contingent consideration valuation and underlying assumptions.

3_Fair_Value_Measurements

3. Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	3.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	We determine the fair value of an asset or liability based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The identification of market participant assumptions provides a basis for determining what inputs are to be used for pricing each asset or liability.  A fair value hierarchy has been established which gives precedence to fair value measurements calculated using observable inputs over those using unobservable inputs. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:
	•	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments
	•	Level 2: Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments)
	•	Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs (including assumptions in determining the fair value of certain investments)
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents:
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	5.1	$	—			$	5.1
	Municipals	—				0.3		—				0.3
	Bonds	—				0.6		—				0.6
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				0.8		—				0.8
	Foreign time deposits	55.8				—		—				55.8
	Money market funds	1.5				—		—				1.5
	Total cash equivalents (a)	57.3				6.8		—				64.1
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Corporate debt securities	—				138.7		—				138.7
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				5.2		—				5.2
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				50		—				50
	Foreign government obligations	—				3.8		—				3.8
	Municipal obligations	—				6.5		—				6.5
	Marketable equity securities	345.2				—		—				345.2
	Asset-backed securities	—				47.1		—				47.1
	Total available-for-sale investments (b)	345.2				251.3		—				596.5
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				1.5		—				1.5
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	402.5			$	259.6	$	—			$	662.1
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.6	$	—			$	1.6
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		23.5				23.5
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.6	$	23.5			$	25.1
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents:
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	4	$	—			$	4
	Foreign time deposits	16.5				—		—				16.5
	Money market funds	2.2				—		—				2.2
	Total cash equivalents (a)	18.7				4		—				22.7
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Corporate debt securities	—				139.9		—				139.9
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				5.2		—				5.2
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				47.5		—				47.5
	Foreign government obligations	—				4		—				4
	Municipal obligations	—				6.5		—				6.5
	Marketable equity securities	334.4				—		—				334.4
	Asset-backed securities	—				48.4		—				48.4
	Total available-for-sale investments (b)	334.4				251.5		—				585.9
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				0.6		—				0.6
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	353.1			$	256.1	$	—			$	609.2
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.7	$	—			$	1.7
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		27.7				27.7
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.7	$	27.7			$	29.4
	(a)	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(b)	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		March 31,				December 31, 2014
		2015
	Short-term investments	$	285			$	284.4
	Other investments	311.5				301.5
	Total	$	596.5			$	585.9
	(c)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(d)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(e)	Contingent consideration liability is included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
Other current liabilities	$	15.6			$	13.1
Other long-term liabilities	7.9				14.6
Total	$	23.5			$	27.7
During the third quarter of 2012, we recognized a contingent consideration liability of $44.6 million upon our acquisition of a new cell sorting system from Propel Labs, Inc. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach related to the achievement of certain development and sales milestones. The development milestone was achieved and paid in 2013. In the third quarter of 2014, the first sales milestone was reached with cell sorting system purchase orders resulting in payments of $2.4 million and $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, respectively. During the first quarter of 2015, the contingent consideration was revalued by a reduction of $0.2 million to Selling, general and administrative expense to its estimated fair value of $14.5 million as of March 31, 2015.
During the second quarter of 2014, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of GnuBIO. At the acquisition date, the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach that could reach $70.0 million upon the achievement of all development/regulatory and sales milestones. The contingent consideration for the development/regulatory milestones was valued at $10.7 million at the acquisition date based on assumptions regarding the probability of achieving the milestones, with such amounts discounted to present value. During the first quarter of 2015, the development/regulatory contingent consideration was revalued by a reduction of $1.0 million to Selling, general and administrative expense to its estimated fair value of $9.0 million as of March 31, 2015. The contingent consideration for the sales milestones at the acquisition date and at March 31, 2015 was determined to be negligible, using the risk-neutral probability of being in the money based on a Black-Scholes framework.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the Level 3 contingent consideration liability measured at estimated fair value based on original valuations and updated quarterly for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in millions):
	2015
1-Jan	$	27.7
Cell sorting system:
Payment of sales milestone	(3.0		)
Decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(0.2		)
GnuBIO:
Decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(1.0		)
31-Mar	$	23.5
The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for fair value measurement of our contingent consideration liability as of March 31, 2015. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
			Range
	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	From	To
Cell sorting system	Probability-weighted income approach	Sales milestones:
		Credit adjusted discount rates	0.93%	1.34%
		Projected volatility of growth rate	9%	10%
		Market price of risk	1.25%	N/A
GnuBIO	Probability-weighted income approach	Development/regulatory milestones:
		Milestones probability	—%	90%
		Discount Rate	0.27%	0.39%
		Sales milestones:
		Milestones probability	—%	0.00%
		Discount Rate	0.76%	1.72%
To estimate the fair value of Level 2 debt securities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our primary pricing provider uses S&P Capital IQ as the primary pricing source. Our pricing process allows us to select a hierarchy of pricing sources for securities held. The chosen pricing hierarchy for our Level 2 securities, other than certificates of deposit and commercial paper, is S&P Capital IQ as the primary pricing source and then our custodian as the secondary pricing source. If S&P Capital IQ does not price a Level 2 security that we hold, then the pricing provider will utilize our custodian supplied pricing.
For commercial paper as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, pricing is determined by a straight-line calculation, starting with the purchase price on the date of purchase and increasing to par at maturity. Interest bearing certificates of deposit and commercial paper are priced at par.
In addition to the above, our primary pricing provider performed daily reasonableness testing of the S&P Capital IQ prices to custodian reported prices. Prices outside a tolerable variance of approximately 1% are investigated and resolved.
Available-for-sale investments consist of the following (in millions):
	March 31, 2015
	Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
	Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
											Value
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	$	138.4			$	0.4	$	(0.1	)		$	138.7
Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	5.2				—		—				5.2
Municipal obligations	6.5				—		—				6.5
Asset-backed securities	46.9				—		(0.1		)		46.8
U.S. government sponsored agencies	49.7				0.3		—				50
Foreign government obligations	3.8				—		—				3.8
Marketable equity securities	29.3				4.9		(0.2		)		34
	279.8				5.6		(0.4		)		285
Long-term investments:
Marketable equity securities	54.5				256.7		—				311.2
Asset-backed securities	0.3				—		—				0.3
	54.8				256.7		—				311.5
Total	$	334.6			$	262.3	$	(0.4	)		$	596.5
	December 31, 2014
	Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
	Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
											Value
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	$	139.7			$	0.4	$	(0.2	)		$	139.9
Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	5.2				—		—				5.2
Municipal obligations	6.5				—		—				6.5
Asset-backed securities	48.2				—		(0.2		)		48
U.S. government sponsored agencies	47.4				0.1		—				47.5
Foreign government obligations	4				—		—				4
Marketable equity securities	29				4.5		(0.2		)		33.3
	280				5		(0.6		)		284.4
Long-term investments:
Marketable equity securities	54.5				246.6		—				301.1
Asset-backed securities	0.4				—		—				0.4
	54.9				246.6		—				301.5
Total	$	334.9			$	251.6	$	(0.6	)		$	585.9
The following is a summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value (in millions):
	March 31,				December 31, 2014
	2015
Fair value of investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	7			$	8.4
Fair value of investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	58.2			$	90.7
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	0.1			$	0.2
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	0.3			$	0.4
The unrealized losses on these securities are due to a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, changes in economic conditions and changes in market outlook for various industries, among others.  Because Bio-Rad has the ability and intent to hold these investments with unrealized losses until a recovery of fair value, or for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015 or at December 31, 2014.
As part of distributing our products, we regularly enter into intercompany transactions.  We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign exchange risk of future movements in foreign exchange rates that affect foreign currency denominated intercompany receivables and payables.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.  We do not seek hedge accounting treatment for these contracts.  As a result, these contracts, generally with maturity dates of 90 days or less and denominated primarily in currencies of industrial countries, are recorded at their fair value at each balance sheet date.  The notional principal amounts provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and do not represent the amount of Bio-Rad's exposure to loss. The estimated fair value of these contracts was derived using the spot rates from Reuters on the last business day of the quarter and the points provided by counterparties.  The resulting gains or losses offset exchange gains or losses on the related receivables and payables, both of which are included in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The following is a summary of our forward foreign exchange contracts (in millions):
	March 31,
	2015
Contracts maturing in April through June 2015 to sell foreign currency:
Notional value	$	75.6
Unrealized loss	$	0.8
Contracts maturing in April through June 2015 to purchase foreign currency:
Notional value	$	262.3
Unrealized gain	$	0.7
The following is a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our debt securities at March 31, 2015 by contractual maturity date (in millions):
	Amortized				Estimated Fair
	Cost				Value
Mature in less than one year	$	108.2			$	108.3
Mature in one to five years	103.9				104.1
Mature in more than five years	38.7				38.9
Total	$	250.8			$	251.3
The estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not recognized at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are included in Other investments, are presented in the table below. Fair value has been determined using significant observable inputs, including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments.  Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange as considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data used to develop estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions or estimation techniques could have a material effect on the estimated fair value.  Other investments include financial instruments, the majority of which have fair value based on similar, actively traded stock adjusted for various discounts, including a discount for marketability.  Long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities, has an estimated fair value based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues.
The estimated fair value of the financial instruments discussed above and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized are as follows (in millions):
	31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
	Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	Amount				Fair				Amount				Fair
					Value								Value
Other investments	$	83.5			$	415.4	2		$	82.6			$	401.1	2
Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities	$	423.5			$	465.6	2		$	423.5			$	454.9	2
We own shares of ordinary voting stock of Sartorius AG (Sartorius), of Goettingen, Germany, a process technology supplier to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and food and beverage industries.  We own over 35% of the outstanding voting shares (excluding treasury shares) of Sartorius as of March 31, 2015.  The Sartorius family trust and Sartorius family members hold a controlling interest of the outstanding voting shares. We do not have any representative or designee on Sartorius’ Board of Directors, nor do we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Sartorius.  We account for this investment using the cost method.  The carrying value of this investment is included in Other investments in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As the stock is thinly traded and in conjunction with the valuation method discussed above, we have classified the estimated fair value as Level 2. The Level 2 classification is appropriate given the valuation method employed, which incorporates an observable input of the fair value of the Sartorius’ actively traded preferred stock.

4_Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_a

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure	4.GOODWILL AND OTHER PURCHASED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Changes to goodwill by segment were as follows (in millions):
		Life				Clinical				Total
		Science				Diagnostics
	Balances as of January 1, 2015:
	Goodwill	$	207.7			$	320.9			$	528.6
	Accumulated impairment losses	(27.2		)		(1.0		)		(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net	180.5				319.9				500.4
	Currency fluctuations	(0.3		)		3.3				3
	Balances as of March 31, 2015:
	Goodwill	207.4				324.2				531.6
	Accumulated impairment losses	(27.2		)		(1.0		)		(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net	$	180.2			$	323.2			$	503.4
	Information regarding our identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives is as follows (in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Average		Purchase				Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price				Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)										Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	10-Mar		$	87.5			$	(43.6	)		$	43.9
	Know how	10-Jan		186.7				(109.1		)		77.6
	Developed product technology	12-Apr		102.1				(44.3		)		57.8
	Licenses	11-Jan		39.4				(26.9		)		12.5
	Tradenames	10-Jan		3.5				(2.2		)		1.3
	Covenants not to compete	8-Mar		4.8				(1.3		)		3.5
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			424				(227.4		)		196.6
	In-process research and development			46.4				—				46.4
	Total purchased intangible assets			$	470.4			$	(227.4	)		$	243
		December 31, 2014
		Average		Purchase				Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price				Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)										Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	10-Mar		$	89.4			$	(43.0	)		$	46.4
	Know how	11-Jan		184.7				(102.5		)		82.2
	Developed product technology	12-May		103.9				(42.8		)		61.1
	Licenses	11-Jan		39.4				(26.5		)		12.9
	Tradenames	10-Jan		3.6				(2.1		)		1.5
	Covenants not to compete	8-Mar		4.9				(1.2		)		3.7
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			425.9				(218.1		)		207.8
	In-process research and development			46.4				—				46.4
	Total purchased intangible assets			$	472.3			$	(218.1	)		$	254.2
	Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Amortization expense	$	9.2			$	10.9

5_Product_Warranty_Liability

5. Product Warranty Liability	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty Liability	5.PRODUCT WARRANTY LIABILITY
	We warrant certain equipment against defects in design, materials and workmanship, generally for a period of one year.  Upon delivery of that equipment, we establish, as part of Cost of goods sold, a provision for the expected costs of such warranty based on historical experience, specific warranty terms and customer feedback.  A review is performed on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of our warranty accrual.
	Components of the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, were as follows (in millions):
	January 1, 2015	$	17.8
	Provision for warranty	8.3
	Actual warranty costs	(10.4		)
	March 31, 2015	$	15.7

6_LongTerm_Debt

6. Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	6.    LONG-TERM DEBT
	The principal components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
		March 31,			December 31, 2014
		2015
	4.875% Senior Notes due 2020, net of discount	$	423.5		$	423.5
	Capital leases and other debt	12.4			12.5
		435.9			436
	Less current maturities	(0.2		)	(0.3		)
	Long-term debt	$	435.7		$	435.7
	Senior Notes due 2020
	In December 2010, Bio-Rad sold $425.0 million principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020 (4.875% Notes).  The sale yielded net cash proceeds of $422.6 million at an effective rate of 4.946%.  The 4.875% Notes pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.875% per year.  We have the option to redeem any or all of the 4.875% Notes at any time at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount (plus a specified make-whole premium as defined in the indenture governing the 4.875% Notes) and accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.  Our obligations under the 4.875% Notes are not secured and rank equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness.  Certain covenants apply at each year end to the 4.875% Notes including limitations on the following: liens, sale and leaseback transactions, mergers, consolidations or sales of assets and other covenants. There are no restrictive covenants relating to total indebtedness, interest coverage, stock repurchases, recapitalizations, dividends and distributions to shareholders or current ratios.
	Credit Agreement
	In June 2014, Bio-Rad entered into a $200.0 million unsecured Credit Agreement, replacing the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of June 2010, which expired on June 21, 2014. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are on a revolving basis and can be used to make permitted acquisitions, for working capital and for other general corporate purposes. We had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2015, however $5.0 million was utilized for domestic standby letters of credit that reduced our borrowing availability. The Credit Agreement matures in June 2019. If we had borrowed against our Credit Agreement, the borrowing rate would have been 1.52% at March 31, 2015 .
	The Credit Agreement requires Bio-Rad to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants, among other things. These ratios and covenants include a leverage ratio test and an interest coverage test, as well as restrictions on our ability to declare or pay dividends, incur debt, guarantee debt, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate, sell assets, make investments and create liens.  We were in compliance with all of these ratios and covenants as of March 31, 2015.

7_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens

7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
accumulated other comprehensive income [Text Block]	7.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Accumulated other comprehensive income included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of the following components (in millions):
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Foreign other post-employment benefits adjustments			Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments			Total accumulated other comprehensive income
	Balances as of January 1, 2015:	$	71.2		$	(16.3	)	$	164		$	218.9
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	(19.5		)	0.9			11.2			(7.4		)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	—			0.2			(0.3		)	(0.1		)
	Income tax effects	—			—			(4.0		)	(4.0		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes	(19.5		)	1.1			6.9			(11.5		)
	Balances as of March 31, 2015:	$	51.7		$	(15.2	)	$	170.9		$	207.4
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Foreign other post-employment benefits adjustments			Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments			Total accumulated other comprehensive income
	Balances as of January 1, 2014:	$	189.4		$	(8.1	)	$	159.4		$	340.7
	Other comprehensive income, before reclassifications	5.5			—			41.6			47.1
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	—			0.1			—			0.1
	Income tax effects	—			—			(15.3		)	(15.3		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	5.5			0.1			26.3			31.9
	Balances as of March 31, 2014:	$	194.9		$	(8.0	)	$	185.7		$	372.6
	The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income into the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, with presentation location, were as follows:
		Income before taxes impact (in millions)
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
	Components of Comprehensive income		2015				2014				Location
	Amortization of foreign other post-employment benefit items		$	(0.2	)		$	(0.1	)		Selling, general and administrative expense
	Net holding gains on available-for-sale investments		$	0.3			$	—			Other (income) expense, net
	Reclassification adjustments are calculated using the specific identification method.

8_Earnings_Per_Share

8. Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	8.    EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Bio-Rad by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for that period.  Diluted earnings per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock, and uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of potential common shares that are to be added to the weighted average number of shares outstanding.  Potential common shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation if the effect of including such securities would be anti-dilutive.
	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share, and the anti-dilutive shares that are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,092	28,791
	Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards	197	268
	Diluted weighted average common shares	29,289	29,059
	Anti-dilutive shares	106	94

9_Other_Income_and_Expenses

9. Other Income and Expenses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure	9.    OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET
	Other (income) expense, net includes the following components (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Interest and investment income	$	(0.9	)	$	(0.7	)
	Net realized gain on investments	(0.3		)	—
	Other (income) expense, net	$	(1.2	)	$	(0.7	)

10_Income_Taxes

10. Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	10.    INCOME TAXES
	Our effective income tax rate was 33% and 54% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 was higher primarily due to the low pretax income and the resulting effect of losses incurred in foreign jurisdictions for which no income tax benefit was expected.
	Our foreign taxes for all periods resulted primarily from income earned in France and Switzerland. Many jurisdictions in which we operate including Switzerland, Russia, the U.K. and Singapore have statutory tax rates that are significantly lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35%. Our effective tax rate may be impacted in the future, either favorably or unfavorably, by many factors including, but not limited to, changes to statutory tax rates, changes in tax laws or regulations, tax audits and settlements, and generation of tax credits.
	Our income tax returns are audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. We are currently under examination by many of these tax authorities. There are differing interpretations of tax laws and regulations, and as a result, significant disputes may arise with these tax authorities involving issues of the timing and amount of deductions and allocations of income among various tax jurisdictions. We evaluate our exposures associated with our tax filing positions on a quarterly basis.
	As of March 31, 2015, based on the expected outcome of certain examinations or as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations for certain jurisdictions, we believe that within the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that our previously unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $6.1 million. Substantially all such amounts will impact our effective income tax rate.

11_Segment_Information

11. Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	11.    SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Information regarding industry segments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in millions):
			Life				Clinical		Other
			Science				Diagnostics		Operations
	Segment net sales	2015	$	155.9			$	313.6	$	3.3
		2014	$	161.5			$	344.3	$	3.5
	Segment net (loss) profit	2015	$	(2.4	)		$	35.2	$	(0.1	)
		2014	$	(6.6	)		$	32.4	$	0.1
	Segment results are presented in the same manner as we present our operations internally to make operating decisions and assess performance.  Net corporate operating, interest and other expense for segment results consists of receipts and expenditures that are not the primary responsibility of segment operating management and therefore are not allocated to the segments for performance assessment by our chief operating decision maker.  The three months ended March 31, 2014 included an accrual of $8.0 million associated with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations relating to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which a final settlement was reached in the fourth quarter of 2014. Interest expense is charged to segments based on the carrying amount of inventory and receivables employed by that segment.  The following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated income before taxes (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Total segment profit	$	32.7			$	25.9
	Foreign currency exchange losses, net	(3.8		)		(2.7		)
	Net corporate operating, interest and other expense not allocated to segments	(3.4		)		(9.4		)
	Other income (expense), net	1.2				0.7
	Consolidated income before income taxes	$	26.7			$	14.5

12_Legal_Proceedings

12. Legal Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings.	12.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	On January 23, 2015, the City of Riviera Beach General Employees’ Retirement System filed a new shareholder derivative lawsuit in the Superior Court of Contra Costa County against three of our current directors and one former director. We are also named as a nominal defendant. In the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that our directors breached their fiduciary duty of loyalty by failing to ensure that we had sufficient internal controls and systems for compliance with the FCPA; that we failed to provide adequate training on the FCPA; and that based on these actions, the directors have been unjustly enriched. Purportedly seeking relief on our behalf, the plaintiff seeks an award of restitution and unspecified damages, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees). We and the individual defendants have filed a demurrer requesting dismissal of the complaint in this case.
	On January 30, 2015, we received a demand pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law from the law firm of Scott + Scott LLP on behalf of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 38 Pension Fund to inspect certain of our books and records. The alleged purpose of the demand is to investigate potential wrongdoing, mismanagement, and breach of fiduciary duties by our directors and executive officers in connection with the matters relating to our FCPA settlement with the SEC and DOJ, and alleged lack of internal controls. We objected to the demand on procedural grounds by letter. On May 1, 2015, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 38 Pension Fund filed an action against us in the Delaware Court of Chancery to compel the inspection of the requested books and records.
	On March 13, 2015, we received a demand pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law from the law firm of Kirby McInerney LLP on behalf of Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System to inspect certain of our books and records. The alleged purpose of the demand is to investigate potential wrongdoing, mismanagement, and breach of fiduciary duties by our directors and executive officers in connection with the matters relating to our FCPA settlement with the SEC and DOJ, and alleged lack of internal controls. We objected to the demand on procedural grounds by letter. On April 21, 2015, Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System filed an action against us in the Delaware Court of Chancery to compel the inspection of the requested books and records.
	In addition, we are party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do not believe, at this time, that any ultimate liability resulting from any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity.  However, we cannot give any assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of these other matters and their resolution could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending on the level of income for the period.

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Tabl

3. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents:
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	5.1	$	—			$	5.1
	Municipals	—				0.3		—				0.3
	Bonds	—				0.6		—				0.6
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				0.8		—				0.8
	Foreign time deposits	55.8				—		—				55.8
	Money market funds	1.5				—		—				1.5
	Total cash equivalents (a)	57.3				6.8		—				64.1
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Corporate debt securities	—				138.7		—				138.7
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				5.2		—				5.2
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				50		—				50
	Foreign government obligations	—				3.8		—				3.8
	Municipal obligations	—				6.5		—				6.5
	Marketable equity securities	345.2				—		—				345.2
	Asset-backed securities	—				47.1		—				47.1
	Total available-for-sale investments (b)	345.2				251.3		—				596.5
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				1.5		—				1.5
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	402.5			$	259.6	$	—			$	662.1
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.6	$	—			$	1.6
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		23.5				23.5
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.6	$	23.5			$	25.1
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents:
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	4	$	—			$	4
	Foreign time deposits	16.5				—		—				16.5
	Money market funds	2.2				—		—				2.2
	Total cash equivalents (a)	18.7				4		—				22.7
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Corporate debt securities	—				139.9		—				139.9
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				5.2		—				5.2
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				47.5		—				47.5
	Foreign government obligations	—				4		—				4
	Municipal obligations	—				6.5		—				6.5
	Marketable equity securities	334.4				—		—				334.4
	Asset-backed securities	—				48.4		—				48.4
	Total available-for-sale investments (b)	334.4				251.5		—				585.9
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				0.6		—				0.6
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	353.1			$	256.1	$	—			$	609.2
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.7	$	—			$	1.7
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		27.7				27.7
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.7	$	27.7			$	29.4
	(a)	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(b)	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		March 31,				December 31, 2014
		2015
	Short-term investments	$	285			$	284.4
	Other investments	311.5				301.5
	Total	$	596.5			$	585.9
	(c)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(d)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(e)	Contingent consideration liability is included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Other current liabilities	$	15.6			$	13.1
	Other long-term liabilities	7.9				14.6
	Total	$	23.5			$	27.7
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The following table provides a reconciliation of the Level 3 contingent consideration liability measured at estimated fair value based on original valuations and updated quarterly for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in millions):
		2015
	1-Jan	$	27.7
	Cell sorting system:
	Payment of sales milestone	(3.0		)
	Decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(0.2		)
	GnuBIO:
	Decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(1.0		)
	31-Mar	$	23.5
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for fair value measurement of our contingent consideration liability as of March 31, 2015. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
				Range
		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	From	To
	Cell sorting system	Probability-weighted income approach	Sales milestones:
			Credit adjusted discount rates	0.93%	1.34%
			Projected volatility of growth rate	9%	10%
			Market price of risk	1.25%	N/A
	GnuBIO	Probability-weighted income approach	Development/regulatory milestones:
			Milestones probability	—%	90%
			Discount Rate	0.27%	0.39%
			Sales milestones:
			Milestones probability	—%	0.00%
			Discount Rate	0.76%	1.72%
Schedule of available-for-sale investments	Available-for-sale investments consist of the following (in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
		Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
												Value
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	138.4			$	0.4	$	(0.1	)		$	138.7
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	5.2				—		—				5.2
	Municipal obligations	6.5				—		—				6.5
	Asset-backed securities	46.9				—		(0.1		)		46.8
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	49.7				0.3		—				50
	Foreign government obligations	3.8				—		—				3.8
	Marketable equity securities	29.3				4.9		(0.2		)		34
		279.8				5.6		(0.4		)		285
	Long-term investments:
	Marketable equity securities	54.5				256.7		—				311.2
	Asset-backed securities	0.3				—		—				0.3
		54.8				256.7		—				311.5
	Total	$	334.6			$	262.3	$	(0.4	)		$	596.5
		December 31, 2014
		Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
		Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
												Value
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	139.7			$	0.4	$	(0.2	)		$	139.9
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	5.2				—		—				5.2
	Municipal obligations	6.5				—		—				6.5
	Asset-backed securities	48.2				—		(0.2		)		48
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	47.4				0.1		—				47.5
	Foreign government obligations	4				—		—				4
	Marketable equity securities	29				4.5		(0.2		)		33.3
		280				5		(0.6		)		284.4
	Long-term investments:
	Marketable equity securities	54.5				246.6		—				301.1
	Asset-backed securities	0.4				—		—				0.4
		54.9				246.6		—				301.5
	Total	$	334.9			$	251.6	$	(0.6	)		$	585.9
Summary of fair value of gross unrealized losses for investments with unrealized losses	The following is a summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value (in millions):
		March 31,				December 31, 2014
		2015
	Fair value of investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	7			$	8.4
	Fair value of investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	58.2			$	90.7
	Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	0.1			$	0.2
	Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	0.3			$	0.4
Discussion of current derivative risk management	The following is a summary of our forward foreign exchange contracts (in millions):
		March 31,
		2015
	Contracts maturing in April through June 2015 to sell foreign currency:
	Notional value	$	75.6
	Unrealized loss	$	0.8
	Contracts maturing in April through June 2015 to purchase foreign currency:
	Notional value	$	262.3
	Unrealized gain	$	0.7
Summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity date	The following is a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our debt securities at March 31, 2015 by contractual maturity date (in millions):
		Amortized				Estimated Fair
		Cost				Value
	Mature in less than one year	$	108.2			$	108.3
	Mature in one to five years	103.9				104.1
	Mature in more than five years	38.7				38.9
	Total	$	250.8			$	251.3
Estimated fair value of financial instruments	The estimated fair value of the financial instruments discussed above and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized are as follows (in millions):
		31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
		Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level
		Amount				Fair				Amount				Fair
						Value								Value
	Other investments	$	83.5			$	415.4	2		$	82.6			$	401.1	2
	Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities	$	423.5			$	465.6	2		$	423.5			$	454.9	2

4_Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_a1

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes to goodwill by segment	Changes to goodwill by segment were as follows (in millions):
		Life				Clinical				Total
		Science				Diagnostics
	Balances as of January 1, 2015:
	Goodwill	$	207.7			$	320.9			$	528.6
	Accumulated impairment losses	(27.2		)		(1.0		)		(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net	180.5				319.9				500.4
	Currency fluctuations	(0.3		)		3.3				3
	Balances as of March 31, 2015:
	Goodwill	207.4				324.2				531.6
	Accumulated impairment losses	(27.2		)		(1.0		)		(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net	$	180.2			$	323.2			$	503.4
Schedule of identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite lives	Information regarding our identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives is as follows (in millions):
		March 31, 2015
		Average		Purchase				Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price				Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)										Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	10-Mar		$	87.5			$	(43.6	)		$	43.9
	Know how	10-Jan		186.7				(109.1		)		77.6
	Developed product technology	12-Apr		102.1				(44.3		)		57.8
	Licenses	11-Jan		39.4				(26.9		)		12.5
	Tradenames	10-Jan		3.5				(2.2		)		1.3
	Covenants not to compete	8-Mar		4.8				(1.3		)		3.5
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			424				(227.4		)		196.6
	In-process research and development			46.4				—				46.4
	Total purchased intangible assets			$	470.4			$	(227.4	)		$	243
		December 31, 2014
		Average		Purchase				Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price				Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)										Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	10-Mar		$	89.4			$	(43.0	)		$	46.4
	Know how	11-Jan		184.7				(102.5		)		82.2
	Developed product technology	12-May		103.9				(42.8		)		61.1
	Licenses	11-Jan		39.4				(26.5		)		12.9
	Tradenames	10-Jan		3.6				(2.1		)		1.5
	Covenants not to compete	8-Mar		4.9				(1.2		)		3.7
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			425.9				(218.1		)		207.8
	In-process research and development			46.4				—				46.4
	Total purchased intangible assets			$	472.3			$	(218.1	)		$	254.2

5_Product_Warranty_Liability_T

5. Product Warranty Liability (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Components of warranty accrual	Components of the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, were as follows (in millions):
	January 1, 2015	$	17.8
	Provision for warranty	8.3
	Actual warranty costs	(10.4		)
	March 31, 2015	$	15.7

6_LongTerm_Debt_Tables

6. Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	The principal components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
		March 31,			December 31, 2014
		2015
	4.875% Senior Notes due 2020, net of discount	$	423.5		$	423.5
	Capital leases and other debt	12.4			12.5
		435.9			436
	Less current maturities	(0.2		)	(0.3		)
	Long-term debt	$	435.7		$	435.7

7_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens1

7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Foreign other post-employment benefits adjustments			Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments			Total accumulated other comprehensive income
	Balances as of January 1, 2015:	$	71.2		$	(16.3	)	$	164		$	218.9
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	(19.5		)	0.9			11.2			(7.4		)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	—			0.2			(0.3		)	(0.1		)
	Income tax effects	—			—			(4.0		)	(4.0		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes	(19.5		)	1.1			6.9			(11.5		)
	Balances as of March 31, 2015:	$	51.7		$	(15.2	)	$	170.9		$	207.4
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Foreign other post-employment benefits adjustments			Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments			Total accumulated other comprehensive income
	Balances as of January 1, 2014:	$	189.4		$	(8.1	)	$	159.4		$	340.7
	Other comprehensive income, before reclassifications	5.5			—			41.6			47.1
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	—			0.1			—			0.1
	Income tax effects	—			—			(15.3		)	(15.3		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	5.5			0.1			26.3			31.9
	Balances as of March 31, 2014:	$	194.9		$	(8.0	)	$	185.7		$	372.6
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income into the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, with presentation location, were as follows:
		Income before taxes impact (in millions)
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
	Components of Comprehensive income		2015				2014				Location
	Amortization of foreign other post-employment benefit items		$	(0.2	)		$	(0.1	)		Selling, general and administrative expense
	Net holding gains on available-for-sale investments		$	0.3			$	—			Other (income) expense, net
	Reclassification adjustments are calculated using the specific identification method.

8_Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

8. Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of weighted-average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per shares and the anti-dilutive shares	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share, and the anti-dilutive shares that are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,092	28,791
	Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards	197	268
	Diluted weighted average common shares	29,289	29,059
	Anti-dilutive shares	106	94

9_Other_Income_and_Expenses_Ta

9. Other Income and Expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of other income (expense), net	Other (income) expense, net includes the following components (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Interest and investment income	$	(0.9	)	$	(0.7	)
	Net realized gain on investments	(0.3		)	—
	Other (income) expense, net	$	(1.2	)	$	(0.7	)

11_Segment_Information_Tables

11. Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information regarding industry segments	Information regarding industry segments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in millions):
			Life				Clinical		Other
			Science				Diagnostics		Operations
	Segment net sales	2015	$	155.9			$	313.6	$	3.3
		2014	$	161.5			$	344.3	$	3.5
	Segment net (loss) profit	2015	$	(2.4	)		$	35.2	$	(0.1	)
		2014	$	(6.6	)		$	32.4	$	0.1
Reconciliation of segment profit to consolidated income before taxes	e following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated income before taxes (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Total segment profit	$	32.7			$	25.9
	Foreign currency exchange losses, net	(3.8		)		(2.7		)
	Net corporate operating, interest and other expense not allocated to segments	(3.4		)		(9.4		)
	Other income (expense), net	1.2				0.7
	Consolidated income before income taxes	$	26.7			$	14.5

1_Basis_of_Presentation_and_Us

1. Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates Immaterial Errors (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Payments to Suppliers and Employees	$453,986	$471,452
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	29,446	65,570
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	27,080	22,581
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-27,991	-35,570
Scenario, Adjustment [Member] | Immaterial Error [Member]
Payments to Suppliers and Employees		-3,400
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities		-3,400
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment		3,400
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities		$3,400

2_Acquisitions_Details

2. Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 10, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$503,422,000	$500,441,000
GnuBIO [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	46,400,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	50,400,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	39,700,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		9,000,000		10,700,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High				70,000,000
Goodwill				13,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net				($9,500,000)

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair

3. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Level Table (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$23.50		$27.70
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	596.5	[1]	585.9	[1]
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	1.5	[2]	0.6	[2]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	662.1		609.2
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	1.6	[3]	1.7	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	23.5	[4]	27.7	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	25.1		29.4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	345.2	[1]	334.4	[1]
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[2]	0	[2]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	402.5		353.1
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[3]	0	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0	[4]	0	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	251.3	[1]	251.5	[1]
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	1.5	[2]	0.6	[2]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	259.6		256.1
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	1.6	[3]	1.7	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0	[4]	0	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	1.6		1.7
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[2]	0	[2]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[3]	0	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	23.5	[4]	27.7	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	23.5		27.7
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0.8	[5]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0.8	[5]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0.6	[5]
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0.6	[5]
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	5.1	[5]	4	[5]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	5.1	[5]	4	[5]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0.3	[5]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0.3	[5]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]
Foreign Time Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	55.8	[5]	16.5	[5]
Foreign Time Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	55.8	[5]	16.5	[5]
Foreign Time Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Foreign Time Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	1.5	[5]	2.2	[5]
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	1.5	[5]	2.2	[5]
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	64.1	[5]	22.7	[5]
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	57.3	[5]	18.7	[5]
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	6.8	[5]	4	[5]
Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[5]	0	[5]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	345.2	[1]	334.4	[1]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	345.2	[1]	334.4	[1]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	6.5	[1]	6.5	[1]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	6.5	[1]	6.5	[1]
Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign Government Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	3.8	[1]	4	[1]
Foreign Government Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign Government Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	3.8	[1]	4	[1]
Foreign Government Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	138.7	[1]	139.9	[1]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	138.7	[1]	139.9	[1]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	5.2	[1]	5.2	[1]
Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	5.2	[1]	5.2	[1]
Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	50	[1]	47.5	[1]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	50	[1]	47.5	[1]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	47.1	[1]	48.4	[1]
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	47.1	[1]	48.4	[1]
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	15.6		13.1
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	7.9		14.6
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	285		284.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34		33.3
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Obligations (Member) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	6.5		6.5
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	3.8		4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	138.7		139.9
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	5.2		5.2
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	50		47.5
Short-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	46.8		48
Other Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$311.50		$301.50
[1]	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B MarchB 31, 2015B DecemberB 31, 2014Short-term investments$285.0B $284.4Other investments311.5B 301.5Total$596.5B $585.9
[2]	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3]	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[4]	Contingent consideration liability is included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B MarchB 31, 2015B DecemberB 31, 2014Other current liabilities$15.6B $13.1Other long-term liabilities7.9B 14.6 Total$23.5B $27.7
[5]	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_3_Co

3. Fair Value Measurements 3. Contingent Consideration (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 10, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$23.50		$27.70
CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration milestone payments	-3		-2.4
(Decrease) increase in fair value of contingent consideration included in SGA	-0.2
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	14.5				44.6
GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
(Decrease) increase in fair value of contingent consideration included in SGA	-1
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	9					10.7
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High						70
probability lower [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0
Discount Rate Lower [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0027
Credit Adjusted Discount Rates Lower [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0093
Credit Adjusted Discount Rate Higher [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0134
Market Price of Risk [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0125
Projected Volatility of Growth Rate [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.09
Projected Volatility of Growth Rate Higher [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.1
Probability Higher [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.9
Discount Rate Higher [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0039
probability lower1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0
Probability Higher 1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.000002
Discount Rate Lower 1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0076
Discount Rate Higher 1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Level 3 Inputs	0.0172
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	23.5	[1]	27.7	[1]
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	7.9		14.6
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$15.60		$13.10
[1]	Contingent consideration liability is included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B MarchB 31, 2015B DecemberB 31, 2014Other current liabilities$15.6B $13.1Other long-term liabilities7.9B 14.6 Total$23.5B $27.7

3_Foreign_Exchange_Forward_Con

3. Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on contracts maturing in April through June 2015 to sell foreign currency	$0.80
Unrealized gain on contracts maturing in April through June 2015 to purchase foreign currency	0.7
Forward foreign exchange contract to sell foreign currency [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional value	75.6
Forward foreign exchange contract to purchase foreign currency [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional value	$262.30

3_AvailableforSale_Investments

3. Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$334.60		$334.90
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	262.3		251.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.4		0.6
Estimated Fair Value	596.5	[1]	585.9	[1]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	138.7	[1]	139.9	[1]
Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	5.2	[1]	5.2	[1]
Municipal obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	6.5	[1]	6.5	[1]
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	47.1	[1]	48.4	[1]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	345.2	[1]	334.4	[1]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	50	[1]	47.5	[1]
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	3.8	[1]	4	[1]
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	0.3		0.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	0.3		0.4
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	54.5		54.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	256.7		246.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	311.2		301.1
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	54.8		54.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	256.7		246.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	311.5		301.5
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	285		284.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	138.4		139.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0.4		0.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.1		0.2
Estimated Fair Value	138.7		139.9
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5.2		5.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	5.2		5.2
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	6.5		6.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	6.5		6.5
Short-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	46.9		48.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.1		0.2
Estimated Fair Value	46.8		48
Short-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	29.3		29
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	4.9		4.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.2		0.2
Estimated Fair Value	34		33.3
Short-term Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	279.8		280
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5.6		5
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.4		0.6
Estimated Fair Value	285		284.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	49.7		47.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0.3		0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	50		47.5
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3.8		4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	$3.80		$4
[1]	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B MarchB 31, 2015B DecemberB 31, 2014Short-term investments$285.0B $284.4Other investments311.5B 301.5Total$596.5B $585.9

3_Amortized_Cost_and_Fair_Valu

3. Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Mature in less than one year	$108.20
Mature in one to five years	103.9
Mature in more than five years	38.7
Total Amortized Cost	250.8
Mature in less than one year	108.3
Mature in one to five years	104.1
Mature in more than five years	38.9
Estimated Fair Value	$251.30

3_Fair_Value_and_Gross_Unreali

3. Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses with Unrealized Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tolerable variance Level 2 debt security pricing	1.00%
Fair Value of Investments with Gross Unrealized Losses in loss position 12 months or more	$7	$8.40
Cost Method Investment, Percentage Owned	35.00%
Fair Value of Investments with Gross Unrealized Losses in loss position less than 12 months	58.2	90.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0.1	0.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	$0.30	$0.40

3_Fair_Value_Financial_Instrum

3. Fair Value Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	$83.50	$82.60
Total long-term debt, excluding capital leases and current maturities	423.5	423.5
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	415.4	401.1
Total long-term debt, excluding capital leases and current maturities	$465.60	$454.90

4_Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_a2

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$531,600,000	$528,600,000
Accumulated impairment loss	-28,200,000	-28,200,000
Goodwill, net	503,422,000	500,441,000
Currency fluctuations	3,000,000
Life Science [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	207,400,000	207,700,000
Accumulated impairment loss	-27,200,000	-27,200,000
Goodwill, net	180,200,000	180,500,000
Currency fluctuations	-300,000
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	324,200,000	320,900,000
Accumulated impairment loss	-1,000,000	-1,000,000
Goodwill, net	323,200,000	319,900,000
Currency fluctuations	$3,300,000

4_Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_a3

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	$424			$425.90
Accumulated Amortization	-227.4			-218.1
Net Carrying Amount	196.6			207.8
Amortization [Abstract]
Amortization expense	9.2	10.9
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	470.4			472.3
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	87.5			89.4
Accumulated Amortization	-43.6			-43
Net Carrying Amount	43.9			46.4
Know how [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	186.7			184.7
Accumulated Amortization	-109.1			-102.5
Net Carrying Amount	77.6			82.2
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	102.1			103.9
Accumulated Amortization	-44.3			-42.8
Net Carrying Amount	57.8			61.1
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	39.4			39.4
Accumulated Amortization	-26.9			-26.5
Net Carrying Amount	12.5			12.9
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	3.5			3.6
Accumulated Amortization	-2.2			-2.1
Net Carrying Amount	1.3			1.5
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Purchase Price	4.8			4.9
Accumulated Amortization	-1.3			-1.2
Net Carrying Amount	3.5			3.7
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	3 years		3 years
Minimum [Member] | Know how [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	1 year		1 year
Minimum [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	4 years		5 years
Minimum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	1 year		1 year
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	1 year		1 year
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	3 years		3 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	0 years		0 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	10 years		10 years
Maximum [Member] | Know how [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	10 years		11 years
Maximum [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	12 years		12 years
Maximum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	11 years		11 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	10 years		10 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	8 years		8 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average Remaining Life (years)	0 years		0 years
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Amortization [Abstract]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$46.40			$46.40

5_Product_Warranty_Liability_D

5. Product Warranty Liability (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Accrual at beginning of period	$17.80
Provision for warranty	8.3
Actual warranty costs	-10.4
Accrual at end of period	$15.70

6_LongTerm_Debt_Details

6. Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$435,900,000	$436,000,000
Less Current Maturities	-264,000	-265,000
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	435,661,000	435,710,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Notes 4.875% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.88%
Long-term debt	423,500,000	423,500,000	422,600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage			4.95%
Face amount of debt sold			425,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Debt 6 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities	12,400,000	12,500,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity	200,000,000
Outstanding borrowings	0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	1.52%
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity	$5,000,000

7_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens2

7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 7. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expense	($188,555,000)	($202,275,000)
Other (income) expense, net	-1,153,000	-661,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	207,446,000		218,945,000
Total other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax	-11,499,000	31,881,000
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	51,700,000	194,900,000	71,200,000	189,400,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	-19,500,000	5,500,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax	-19,500,000	5,500,000
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-15,200,000	-8,000,000	-16,300,000	-8,100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	900,000	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	200,000	100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax	1,100,000	100,000
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expense	-200,000	-100,000
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	170,900,000	185,700,000	164,000,000	159,400,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	11,200,000	41,600,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-300,000	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-4,000,000	-15,300,000
Total other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax	6,900,000	26,300,000
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other (income) expense, net	-300,000	0
Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	207,400,000	372,600,000	218,900,000	340,700,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	-7,400,000	47,100,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-100,000	100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-4,000,000	-15,300,000
Total other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax	($11,500,000)	$31,900,000

8_Earnings_Per_Share_Details

8. Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,092	28,791
Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards	197	268
Diluted weighted average common shares	29,289	29,059
Anti-dilutive shares	106	94

9_Other_Income_and_Expenses_De

9. Other Income and Expenses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest and investment income	($900,000)	($700,000)
Net realized gain on investments	-300,000	0
Other (income) expense, net	$1,153,000	$661,000

10_Income_Taxes_Details

10. Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Effective tax rate	33.00%	54.00%
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$6.10
U.S. Federal [Member]
Statutory Rates	35.00%	35.00%

11_Segment_Information_Details

11. Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$472,821	$509,344
Income before income taxes	26,694	14,538
Life Science [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	155,900	161,500
Income before income taxes	-2,400	-6,600
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	313,600	344,300
Income before income taxes	35,200	32,400
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,300	3,500
Income before income taxes	($100)	$100

11_Segment_Profit_Reconciliati

11. Segment Profit Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	($26,694)	($14,538)
NonAllocated Expense Loss Contingency [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	8,000
Other Income and Expense Non Operating [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	-1,200	-700
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	3,800	2,700
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	-3,400	-9,400
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	($32,700)	($25,900)