Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO) 10-K 1 Mar 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 14, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	12,208
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Public Float			$ 3,001,889,921
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,460,068
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,116,824

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 456,264	$ 457,549
Short-term investments	383,176	328,718
Restricted investments	4,560	4,210
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	372,348	391,485
Inventories:
Raw materials	116,540	109,928
Work in process	125,982	114,438
Finished goods	282,439	265,858
Total inventories	524,961	490,224
Prepaid expenses	91,014	94,369
Other current assets	12,201	11,041
Total current assets	1,844,524	1,777,596
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and improvements	17,895	17,823
Buildings and leasehold improvements	290,367	276,070
Equipment	919,126	823,193
Total property, plant and equipment	1,227,388	1,117,086
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(738,774)	(679,396)
Property, plant and equipment, net	488,614	437,690
Goodwill, net	477,115	495,948
Purchased intangibles, net	161,609	214,026
Other investments	830,790	719,840
Other assets	47,852	64,618
Total assets	3,850,504	3,709,718
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable	133,109	122,391
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	163,364	157,857
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	334	298
Income and other taxes payable	28,124	29,339
Deferred revenue	31,003	29,683
Other current liabilities	115,388	101,783
Total current liabilities	471,322	441,351
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	434,186	433,883
Deferred income taxes	222,919	233,475
Other long-term liabilities	135,318	110,506
Total liabilities	1,263,745	1,219,215
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	332,911	300,408
Retained earnings	1,836,180	1,808,055
Accumulated other comprehensive income	417,766	382,138
Total stockholders' equity	2,586,759	2,490,503
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,850,504	3,709,718
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)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 23,367	$ 24,418
Preferred stock par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock authorized	7,500,000	7,500,000
Preferred stock issued	0	0
Preferred stock outstanding	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock issued	24,454,048	24,230,448
Common stock outstanding	24,453,926	24,230,326
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock issued	5,123,883	5,130,558
Common stock outstanding	5,122,966	5,129,641
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares	122	122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares	917	917

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net sales	$ 2,068,172	$ 2,019,441	$ 2,175,044
Cost of goods sold	930,085	897,771	996,527
Gross profit	1,138,087	1,121,670	1,178,517
Selling, general and administrative expense	816,724	761,990	808,200
Research and development expense	205,864	192,972	220,333
Impairment losses on goodwill and long-lived assets	62,305	0	0
Income from operations	53,194	166,708	149,984
Interest expense	21,942	21,692	22,131
Foreign exchange losses, net	4,542	10,249	9,305
Other (income) expense, net	(14,850)	(11,080)	(13,009)
Income before income taxes	41,560	145,847	131,557
Provision for income taxes	(13,435)	(32,754)	(42,712)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 28,125	$ 113,093	$ 88,845
Basic earnings per share:
Net income per share basic attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 0.96	$ 3.87	$ 3.08
Weighted average common shares - basic	29,440	29,186	28,876
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income per share diluted attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 0.95	$ 3.85	$ 3.05
Weighted average common shares - diluted	29,646	29,409	29,133

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 2,074,024	$ 1,956,084	$ 2,162,520
Cash paid to suppliers and employees	(1,810,844)	(1,730,062)	(1,806,526)
Interest paid	(21,318)	(20,793)	(20,793)
Income tax payments	(38,442)	(31,715)	(28,939)
Settlement with the SEC and DOJ relating to the FCPA, including interest	0	0	(55,050)
Investment proceeds and miscellaneous receipts, net	15,683	11,953	15,671
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(1,506)	(3,610)	(1,349)
(Payments for) proceeds from forward foreign exchange contracts, net	(1,164)	4,353	7,778
Net cash provided by operating activities	216,433	186,210	273,312
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(141,436)	(112,000)	(120,999)
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	398	79	225
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received, and long-term investments	(14,165)	(4,356)	(44,627)
Payments for purchases of intangible assets	(135)	(1,372)	(15,479)
Payments for purchases of restricted investment	(350)	(4,210)	0
Payments for purchases of marketable securities and investments	(278,071)	(294,497)	(205,746)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments	76,859	78,664	75,725
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities and investments	143,020	170,823	120,390
Net cash used in investing activities	(213,880)	(166,869)	(190,511)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings on (payments for) line-of-credit arrangements and notes payable	37	0	(1,560)
Payments on long-term borrowings	(303)	(282)	(253)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	11,280	8,236	15,051
Payments of contingent consideration	(3,500)	(2,983)	(2,374)
Debt issuance costs on long-term borrowings	0	0	(524)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,506	3,610	1,349
Net cash provided by financing activities	9,020	8,581	11,689
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(12,858)	16,376	(12,790)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,285)	44,298	81,700
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	457,549	413,251	331,551
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 456,264	$ 457,549	$ 413,251

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 2,186,722	$ 3	$ 239,986	$ (101)	$ 1,606,117	$ 340,717
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	88,845				88,845
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						(121,772)
Issuance of common stock	15,051		15,051
Stock compensation expense			14,888
Tax benefit-exercise stock options			1,421
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	2,185,155	3	271,346	(101)	1,694,962	218,945
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	113,093				113,093
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						163,193
Issuance of common stock	8,236		8,236
Stock compensation expense			16,983
Tax benefit-exercise stock options			3,843
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	2,490,503	3	300,408	(101)	1,808,055	382,138
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	28,125				28,125
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						35,628
Issuance of common stock	11,280		11,280
Stock compensation expense			19,730
Tax benefit-exercise stock options			1,493
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,586,759	$ 3	$ 332,911	$ (101)	$ 1,836,180	$ 417,766

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 28,125	$ 113,093	$ 88,845
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(32,394)	(37,536)	(118,142)
Other post-employment benefits adjustments, net of tax	2,086	(4,403)	(8,186)
Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments, net of tax	65,936	205,132	4,556
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	35,628	163,193	(121,772)
Comprehensive income attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 63,753	$ 276,286	$ (32,927)

1. Significant Accounting Polic

1. Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies	1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and all of our wholly and majority owned subsidiaries (referred to in this report as “Bio-Rad,” “we,” “us” and “our”) after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less which are readily convertible into cash. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Short-term Restricted Investments Short-term restricted investments of $4.56 million and $4.21 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, represent a money market fund for collateral that secures worker's compensation and general liability insurance. Investment income accrues to Bio-Rad and is recorded in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Available-for-Sale Investments Available-for-sale investments consist of corporate obligations, municipal securities, asset backed securities, U.S. government sponsored agencies and marketable equity securities. Management classifies investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification at each balance sheet date. Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices and other observable market data. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of any related tax effect. Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in the fair value of an individual security is determined to be other-than-temporary. We review our available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary losses on a quarterly basis. Realized gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairments on investments are included in Other (income) expense, net (see Note 10). Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, foreign exchange contracts and trade accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents and investments are placed with various highly rated major financial institutions located in different geographic regions. Bio-Rad has not sustained significant losses from instruments held at financial institutions. The forward contracts used in managing our foreign currency exposures have an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We attempt to minimize this risk by limiting the counterparties to a diverse group of highly-rated domestic and international financial institutions. In the event of non-performance by these counterparties, the carrying values of our financial instruments represent the maximum amount of loss we would have incurred as of our fiscal year-end. However, we do not expect to record any losses as a result of counterparty default. We perform credit evaluation procedures related to our trade receivables and with the exception of certain developing countries, generally do not require collateral. As a result of increased risk in certain developing countries, some Bio-Rad sales are subject to collateral letters of credit from our customers. Credit risk for trade accounts receivable is generally limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas. However, a significant amount of trade receivables are with national healthcare systems in countries within the European Union. Accounts Receivable We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The amount of the allowance is determined by analyzing known uncollectible accounts, aged receivables, economic conditions in the customers’ country or industry, historical losses and our customers’ credit-worthiness. Amounts later determined and specifically identified to be uncollectible are charged or written off against this allowance. Inventory Inventories are valued at the lower of actual cost or market (net realizable value) and include material, labor and overhead costs. The first-in, first-out method is used to relieve inventory for products sold. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Included in property, plant and equipment are buildings and equipment acquired under capital lease arrangements, reagent rental equipment and capitalized software, including costs for software developed or obtained for internal use. Property, plant and equipment are assessed for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and leasehold improvements are amortized over 15 - 30 years or the term of the leases or life of the improvements, whichever is shorter. With the exception of reagent rental equipment, which is amortized over a 1 - 5 year period, equipment and capitalized software is depreciated over 3 - 12 years. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is assessed for impairment by applying fair value based tests annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments. Our reporting units are identified as components for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. Goodwill amounts are assigned to reporting units at the time of acquisition. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a projected discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not required. The second step, if required, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Long-Lived Assets For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, a long-lived asset or assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets (including identifiable intangible assets) quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include: • significant under-performance relative to expected, historical or projected future operating results; • significant changes in the manner of use of the long-lived assets, intangible assets or the strategy for our overall business; • a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of at a loss before the end of its previously estimated useful life; and • significant negative industry, legal, regulatory or economic trends. When management determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we test for any impairment based on a projected undiscounted cash flow method. Projected future operating results and cash flows of the asset or asset group are used to establish the fair value used in evaluating the carrying value of long-lived and intangible assets. We estimate the future cash flows of the long-lived assets using current and long-term financial forecasts. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If this is the case, an impairment loss would be recognized. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. They are determined using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We record deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. To the extent we determine that we are able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which may reduce the provision for income taxes. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period that determination to change the valuation allowance is made. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements on a particular tax position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted as appropriate for changes in facts and circumstances, such as significant amendments to existing tax law, new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, or resolution of an examination. We recognize both accrued interest and penalties, where appropriate, related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and title has passed to the customer or product has been delivered absent specific contractual specifications. Revenue associated with equipment that requires factory installation is not recorded until installation is complete and customer acceptance, if required contractually, has occurred. At the time revenue is recognized, a provision is recognized for estimated product returns. Service revenues on extended warranty contracts are recognized ratably over the life of the service agreement, or as services are performed if not under contract. Net sales are the actual selling price of products to customers. Any taxes billed to the customer (sales tax, value added tax, etc.) shall be credited to the tax liability accounts and excluded from net sales. Reagent agreements are a diagnostic industry sales method that provides use of an instrument and consumables (reagents) to a customer on a per test basis. We evaluate our reagent agreements and account for these contracts under the guidance pertaining to accounting for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Our reagent agreements represent one unit of accounting as the instrument and consumables are interdependent in producing a diagnostic result that neither has a stand-alone value with respect to these agreements. All revenues that we earn under our reagent agreements are recognized pursuant to the terms of each agreement and are based and entirely contingent upon either (i) when the consumables to conduct a fixed number of tests are delivered or (ii) as reported by the customer on a per test basis. Shipping and Handling We classify all freight costs billed to customers as Net sales. Related freight costs are included in Cost of goods sold. Warranty We warrant certain equipment against defects in design, materials and workmanship, mostly 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. Changes in the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, were as follows (in millions): 2016 2015 January 1 $ 17.4 $ 17.8 Provision for warranty 33.4 30.6 Actual warranty costs (33.2 ) (31.0 ) December 31 $ 17.6 $ 17.4 Research and Development Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed. Foreign Currency Balance sheet accounts of international subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rates as of the end of each accounting period. Income statement items are translated at average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction gains and losses result primarily from fluctuations in exchange rates when intercompany receivables and payables are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiary that recorded the transaction. Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts 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 exchange rates that affect foreign currency denominated intercompany receivables and payables. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes, nor do we seek hedge accounting treatment for any of our 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 as an asset or liability measured at their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gains or losses offset exchange gains or losses, on the related receivables and payables, all of which are recorded in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Share-Based Compensation Plans Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant-date fair value. We recognize these compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the share-based payment awards. We estimated the forfeiture rate based on our historical experience. These plans are described more fully in Note 9. 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 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 are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 29,440 29,186 28,876 Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards 206 223 257 Diluted weighted average common shares 29,646 29,409 29,133 Anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS 113 109 122 Fair Value of Financial Instruments For certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes payable, accounts payable and foreign exchange contracts, the carrying amounts approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of financial instruments is based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. 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 (see Note 3). Recent Accounting Standards Updates In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2017-04, "Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 will provide a more stream-lined approach to evaluating future goodwill impairment and we early adopted on January 1, 2017. We have not assessed the impact that ASU 2017-04 will have on our consolidated financial statements because a goodwill impairment has not occurred after January 1, 2017. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Clarifying the Definition of a Business." ASU 2017-01 changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. If substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the acquired set is not a business. If this is not met, the entity then evaluates whether the set meets the requirement that a business include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Determining whether a set constitutes a business is critical because the accounting for a business combination differs significantly from that of an asset acquisition. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. ASU 2017-01 will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, including for interim or annual periods in which the financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We early adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2017. For our acquisition of RainDance Technologies, Inc., ASU 2017-01 did not affect the conclusion of it being a business combination (see Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements). In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Restricted Cash." ASU 2016-18 requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. We have had a limited amount of r e stricted cash of $2.0 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which was reclassified from cash to either Prepaid expenses, Other current assets or Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At the time of adoption, we cannot assure whether these same restricted cash amounts will be held or what other restricted cash we may have, or that historically reported amounts will be similar. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory." ASU 2016-16 requires immediate recognition of income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers, other than ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which finan inventory transfers. Existing GAAP prohibits recognition of income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers whereby the seller defers any net tax effect and the buyer is prohibited from recognizing a deferred tax asset on the difference between the newly created tax basis of the asset in its tax jurisdiction and its financial statement carrying amount as reported in the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-16 specifically excludes from its scope intercompany inventory transfers whereby the recognition of tax consequences will take place when the inventory is sold to third parties. cial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We do not plan to early adopt ASU 2016-16. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-16 will have on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-15 will have on our consolidated statements of cash flows, if any. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." ASU 2016-13 will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for trade and other receivables, and instruments measured at amortized cost and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount under the current other-than-temporary impairment model. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." ASU 2016-09 will require all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 and made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. We do not expect ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, "Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting," which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method in previous periods when an investor initially obtains significant influence over an investee. Under current guidance, an investor that does not consolidate an investment and initially accounts for it under a method other than the equity method is required to retrospectively apply the equity method in prior periods in which it held the investment when it subsequently obtained significant influence. ASU 2016-07 will be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. We adopted ASU 2016-07 on January 1, 2017 and do not expect it to materially affect our consolidated financial statements, unless our situation changes regarding our ability to influence the investee in the future as a result of our cost method investment in Sartorius AG (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which will require, among other items, lease accounting to recognize most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures will be enhanced to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We do not plan to early adopt. ASU 2016-02 will be adopted on a modified retrospective basis, with elective reliefs, which requires application of ASU 2016-02 for all periods presented. We are currently gathering, documenting and analyzing lease agreements related to this ASU and anticipate material additions to the balance sheet for right-of-use assets, offset by the associated liabilities. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." Amendments under ASU 2016-01, among other items, require that all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification, for which changes in fair value are reported in other comprehensive income, for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the cost method is also eliminated. However, entities will be able to elect to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, and plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes. Changes in the basis of these equity investments will be reported in current earnings. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For equity securities that would be affected by ASU 2016-01, see the available-for-sale investments table in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. At the time of adoption, we cannot assure whether these same equity securities will be held or what other equity securities we may have, or that historically reported changes will be similar. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments," which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Under ASU 2015-16, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The measurement period cannot exceed one year from the date of the acquisition. ASU 2015-16 was effective on January 1, 2016, and we adopted it at the same time as a change in accounting policy, which had no impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” Under current guidance, an entity subsequently measures inventory at the lower of cost or market, with market defined as replacement cost, net realizable value (NRV), or NRV less a normal profit margin. An entity uses current replacement cost provided that it is not above NRV (i.e., the ceiling) or below NRV less an “approximately normal profit margin” (i.e., the floor). ASU 2015-11 eliminates this analysis and requires entities to measure most inventory “at the lower of cost and NRV.” ASU 2015-11 is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. We adopted ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017 and do not expect it to have a material impact to 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 makes the presentation of debt issuance costs consistent with the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. Under prior U.S. GAAP, debt issuance costs were 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. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, "Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" to clarify the SEC staff’s position that it would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, which is our current practice. We adopted ASU 2015-03 on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis as a change in accounting policy. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of Decem

2. Acquisitions

2. Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	2. ACQUISITIONS Propel Labs, Inc. In January 2016, we acquired a high performance analytical flow cytometer platform from Propel Labs (Propel) that will enable advanced and novice users to perform basic and multi-parameter cytometry for a wide range of applications and chemistries. This asset acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, as the new analytical flow cytometer platform represented an integrated set of activities and assets that is 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 the acquisition-related cost was minimal as Bio-Rad primarily represented itself during the acquisition process. This business acquisition is included in our Life Science segment’s results of operations from the acquisition date. The fair value of the consideration as of the acquisition date was $32.8 million , which included $9.5 million paid in cash at the closing date and $23.3 million in contingent consideration potentially payable to Propel, after the effects of a calculation revision that were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2016. This revision reduced goodwill/intangibles and contingent consideration by the same amount and had no significant impact on our Consolidated Income Statement. The contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach related to the achievement of certain sales milestones, and was recognized at its estimated fair value of $25.4 million as of December 31, 2016 (see Note 3, "Fair Value Measurements"). The fair values of the net assets acquired from Propel as of the acquisition date were determined to be $32.7 million of definite-lived intangible assets and $0.1 million of goodwill. We expect the goodwill recorded to be deductible for income tax purposes. The acquired analytical flow cytometer platform fits well into Bio-Rad’s existing Life Science segment product offerings and may offer researchers greater access to this technology.

3. Fair Value Measurements

3. Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 December 31, 2016 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value: Cash equivalents (a): Commercial paper $ — $ 14.1 $ — $ 14.1 Foreign time deposits 11.8 — — 11.8 Domestic time deposits — 20.0 — 20.0 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 1.1 — 1.1 Money market funds 5.9 — — 5.9 Total cash equivalents 17.7 35.2 — 52.9 Restricted investment: 4.6 — — 4.6 Available-for-sale investments (b): Corporate debt securities — 179.4 — 179.4 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 82.5 — 82.5 Foreign government obligations — 4.4 — 4.4 Brokered certificates of deposit — 3.6 — 3.6 Municipal obligations — 15.4 — 15.4 Marketable equity securities 767.8 — — 767.8 Asset-backed securities — 62.5 — 62.5 Total available-for-sale investments 767.8 347.8 — 1,115.6 Forward foreign exchange contracts (c) — 0.6 — 0.6 Total financial assets carried at fair value $ 790.1 $ 383.6 $ — $ 1,173.7 Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value: Forward foreign exchange contracts (d) $ — $ 1.3 $ — $ 1.3 Contingent consideration (e) — — 38.5 38.5 Total financial liabilities carried at fair value $ — $ 1.3 $ 38.5 $ 39.8 Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 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 (a): Commercial paper $ — $ 33.2 — $ 33.2 Foreign government obligations — 0.6 — 0.6 Foreign time deposits 11.9 — — 11.9 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 14.6 — 14.6 Money market funds 11.3 — — 11.3 Total cash equivalents 23.2 48.4 — 71.6 Restricted investment: 4.2 — — 4.2 Available-for-sale investments (b): Corporate debt securities — 156.9 — 156.9 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 74.8 — 74.8 Foreign government obligations — 4.6 — 4.6 Municipal obligations — 6.4 — 6.4 Marketable equity securities 660.1 — — 660.1 Asset-backed securities — 54.8 — 54.8 Total available-for-sale investments 660.1 297.5 — 957.6 Forward foreign exchange contracts (c) — 0.9 — 0.9 Total financial assets carried at fair value $ 687.5 $ 346.8 — $ 1,034.3 Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value: Forward foreign exchange contracts (d) $ — $ 1.1 — $ 1.1 Contingent consideration (e) — — 19.1 19.1 Total financial liabilities carried at fair value $ — $ 1.1 $ 19.1 $ 20.2 (a) Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 Short-term investments $ 383.2 $ 328.7 Other investments 732.4 628.9 Total $ 1,115.6 $ 957.6 (c) Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (d) Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (e) Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Other current liabilities $ 14.5 $ 13.5 Other long-term liabilities 24.0 5.6 Total $ 38.5 $ 19.1 In 2012, we recognized a contingent consideration liability for certain milestones of $44.6 million upon our acquisition of a new cell sorting system from Propel. Since 2012, we have paid $28.9 million upon reaching the milestones and have reduced the valuation of the milestones by $12.6 million to its estimated fair value of $3.1 million as of December 31, 2016 . The remaining liability was paid in February 2017 . During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of a new high performance analytical flow cytometer platform from Propel. At the acquisition date, the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach related to the achievement of sales milestones, ranging from 39% to 20% for the calendar years 2017 through 2020 . The sales milestones could potentially range from $0 to an unlimited amount through December 31, 2020 . The fair value of the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date was $23.3 million , after the effects of a calculation revision that were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2016. The contingent consideration was recognized at its estimated fair value of $25.4 million as of December 31, 2016 . The following table provides a reconciliation of the Level 3 cell sorting system and analytical flow cytometer platform contingent consideration liabilities measured at estimated fair value based on original valuations and updated quarterly for the year ended December 31, 2016 (in millions): 2016 January 1 $ 9.1 Cell sorting system: Payment of sales milestone (3.5 ) Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense (2.5 ) Analytical flow cytometer platform: Acquisition of high performance analytical flow cytometer platform 23.3 Increase in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense 2.1 December 31 $ 28.5 The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for fair value measurement of analytical flow cytometer platform contingent consideration liability as of December 31, 2016 . 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 Analytical flow cytometer platform Probability-weighted income approach Sales milestones: Discount rate 10 % Cost of debt 4.7 % In 2014, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of GnuBIO, Inc.. The contingent consideration for the 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. The Level 3 contingent consideration was revalued to a fair value of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 . To estimate the fair value of Level 2 debt securities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015 , 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. Our primary pricing provider performs daily reasonableness testing of S&P Capital IQ prices. Price changes of 5% or greater are investigated and resolved. In addition, we perform a quarterly 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): December 31, 2016 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Short-term investments: Corporate debt securities $ 179.7 $ 0.2 $ (0.5 ) $ 179.4 Brokered certificates of deposit 3.6 — — 3.6 Municipal obligations 15.5 — (0.1 ) 15.4 Asset-backed securities 62.2 0.1 (0.1 ) 62.2 U.S. government sponsored agencies 83.1 0.1 (0.7 ) 82.5 Foreign government obligations 4.4 — — 4.4 Marketable equity securities 32.4 3.7 (0.4 ) 35.7 380.9 4.1 (1.8 ) 383.2 Long-term investments: Marketable equity securities 54.5 677.6 — 732.1 Asset-backed securities 0.3 — — 0.3 54.8 677.6 — 732.4 Total $ 435.7 $ 681.7 $ (1.8 ) $ 1,115.6 December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Short-term investments: Corporate debt securities $ 157.2 $ 0.1 $ (0.4 ) $ 156.9 Municipal obligations 6.4 — — 6.4 Asset-backed securities 54.8 — (0.2 ) 54.6 U.S. government sponsored agencies 74.9 0.1 (0.2 ) 74.8 Foreign government obligations 4.6 — — 4.6 Marketable equity securities 29.4 2.7 (0.7 ) 31.4 327.3 2.9 (1.5 ) 328.7 Long-term investments: Marketable equity securities 54.5 574.2 — 628.7 Asset-backed securities 0.3 — (0.1 ) 0.2 54.8 574.2 (0.1 ) 628.9 Total $ 382.1 $ 577.1 $ (1.6 ) $ 957.6 The unrealized gains of our long-term marketable equity securities are primarily due to our investment in Sartorius AG preferred shares. The following is a summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 Fair value of investments in a loss position 12 months or more $ 11.8 $ 10.4 Fair value of investments in a loss position less than 12 months $ 160.5 $ 204.0 Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more $ 0.3 $ 0.4 Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months $ 1.5 $ 1.2 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 December 31, 2016 or at December 31, 2015 . 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 December 31, 2016 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 Consolidated Statements of Income. The following is a summary of our forward foreign currency exchange contracts (in millions): December 31, 2016 Contracts maturing in January through March 2017 to sell foreign currency: Notional value $ 16.9 Unrealized loss $ 0.1 Contracts maturing in January through March 2017 to purchase foreign currency: Notional value $ 328.3 Unrealized loss $ 0.6 The following is a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our debt securities at December 31, 2016 by contractual maturity date (in millions): Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Mature in less than one year $ 156.1 $ 156.1 Mature in one to five years 141.0 140.7 Mature in more than five years 51.7 51.0 Total $ 348.8 $ 347.8 The estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not recognized at fair value in the 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 has 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): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Fair Value Hierarchy Level Other investments $ 92.8 $ 984.2 2 $ 86.5 $ 843.2 2 Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities $ 422.5 $ 454.2 2 $ 421.9 $ 454.3 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 December 31, 2016

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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): 2016 2015 Life Clinical Total Life Clinical Total Balances as of January 1: Goodwill $ 207.2 $ 316.9 $ 524.1 $ 207.7 $ 320.9 $ 528.6 Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs (27.2 ) (1.0 ) (28.2 ) (27.2 ) (1.0 ) (28.2 ) Goodwill, net 180.0 315.9 495.9 180.5 319.9 500.4 Acquisitions 0.1 — 0.1 — — — Impairment — (13.5 ) (13.5 ) — — — Currency fluctuations (0.2 ) (5.2 ) (5.4 ) (0.5 ) (4.0 ) (4.5 ) Balances as of December 31: Goodwill 207.1 311.7 518.8 207.2 316.9 524.1 Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs (27.2 ) (14.5 ) (41.7 ) (27.2 ) (1.0 ) (28.2 ) Goodwill, net $ 179.9 $ 297.2 $ 477.1 $ 180.0 $ 315.9 $ 495.9 In conjunction with the purchase of certain assets from Propel in January 2016 (see Note 2, "Acquisitions"), we recorded $0.1 million of goodwill and $32.7 million of definite-lived intangible assets: $29.7 million of developed product technology and $3.0 million of covenants not to compete, after the effects of a calculation revision that were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2016. Information regarding our identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 Average Remaining Life (years) Purchase Price Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships/lists 1-8 $ 84.4 $ (52.8 ) $ 31.6 Know how 1-9 182.6 (136.9 ) 45.7 Developed product technology 3-12 125.9 (56.3 ) 69.6 Licenses 1-9 39.0 (30.6 ) 8.4 Tradenames 4-8 3.5 (2.5 ) 1.0 Covenants not to compete 2-9 7.8 (2.5 ) 5.3 Total definite-lived intangible assets 443.2 (281.6 ) 161.6 In-process research and development — — — Total purchased intangible assets $ 443.2 $ (281.6 ) $ 161.6 December 31, 2015 Average Remaining Life (years) Purchase Price Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships/lists 2-10 $ 84.7 $ (46.8 ) $ 37.9 Know how 1-10 184.0 (121.6 ) 62.4 Developed product technology 4-12 101.3 (48.9 ) 52.4 Licenses 3-10 39.2 (28.5 ) 10.7 Tradenames 5-9 3.5 (2.4 ) 1.1 Covenants not to compete 3-7 4.8 (1.7 ) 3.1 Total definite-lived intangible assets 417.5 (249.9 ) 167.6 In-process research and development 46.4 — 46.4 Total purchased intangible assets $ 463.9 $ (249.9 ) $ 214.0 In 2016, we fully impaired goodwill and in-process research and development in the amounts of $13.5 million and $46.4 million , respectively, associated with our 2014 acquisition of GnuBIO, Inc. The impairments were based upon a revision of our Level 3 valuation inputs, i.e., expected future cash flows. There were no impairment losses recorded in 2015. Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $35.2 million , $36.5 million and $47.8 million , respectively. Estimated future amortization expense (based on existing purchased intangible assets) for the years ending December 31, 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 and thereafter is $27.2 million , $24.2 million , $21.4 million , $19.4 million , $18.4 million , and $51.0 million

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Notes Payable and Long-term Debt	5. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT Under domestic and international lines of credit, standby letters of credit and guarantee arrangements, we had $205.7 million available for borrowing and usage as of December 31, 2016 , which was reduced by $5.4 million that was utilized for standby letters of credit and guarantee arrangements issued by our banks to support our obligations. The principal components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020, net of discount $ 425.0 $ 425.0 Less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (2.5 ) (3.1 ) Long-term debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs 422.5 421.9 Capital leases and other debt 12.0 12.3 434.5 434.2 Less current maturities (0.3 ) (0.3 ) Long-term debt $ 434.2 $ 433.9 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. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2016 . 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. 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 December 31, 2016 or 2015 , however, $0.8 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 2.25% at December 31, 2016 . 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 December 31, 2016 . Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2016 are as follows: 2017 - $0.3 million ; 2018 - $0.3 million ; 2019 - $0.2 million ; 2020 - $425.3 million ; 2021 - $0.3 million ; thereafter - $10.6 million .

6. Income Taxes

6. Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	6. INCOME TAXES The U.S. and international components of income before taxes are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 U.S. $ (38.5 ) $ 48.4 $ 30.6 International 80.1 97.4 101.0 Income before taxes $ 41.6 $ 145.8 $ 131.6 The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Current tax expense: U.S. Federal $ 16.1 $ 8.7 $ 9.6 State 3.1 1.7 3.8 International 30.3 34.1 35.6 Current tax expense 49.5 44.5 49.0 Deferred tax (benefit) expense: U.S. Federal (42.4 ) (0.2 ) 1.5 State (2.8 ) 1.2 (0.2 ) International (6.0 ) (7.1 ) (7.3 ) Deferred tax benefit (51.2 ) (6.1 ) (6.0 ) Non-current tax expense (benefit) 15.1 (5.6 ) (0.3 ) Provision for income taxes $ 13.4 $ 32.8 $ 42.7 The reconciliation between our effective tax rate on income before taxes and the statutory tax rate is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 U.S. statutory tax rate 35 % 35 % 35 % Impact of foreign operations (15 ) (4 ) (4 ) Foreign dividends, net (40 ) (4 ) — Research tax credits (9 ) (2 ) (3 ) Nontaxable subsidies (4 ) (1 ) (2 ) Tax settlements and changes to unrecognized tax benefits 42 (4 ) (1 ) Goodwill impairment 11 — — Domestic manufacturing deduction (4 ) (2 ) — Stock-based compensation 3 1 1 Nondeductible executive compensation 3 1 1 Fines and penalties 2 — 3 Prior period adjustments 4 1 2 U.S. taxation on foreign income 2 — — Other 2 1 — Provision for income taxes 32 % 22 % 32 % Our effective income tax rate was 32% , 22% and 32% in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The effective tax rates for 2016 and 2015 included tax benefits from the repatriation of foreign earnings. The effective tax rate for 2016 included additional tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to the non-deductibility of interest expense in our foreign jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for 2014 included nondeductible penalties and losses that were nonrecurring. Our foreign taxes result 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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Bad debt, inventory and warranty accruals $ 28.4 $ 26.3 Other post-employment benefits, vacation and other reserves 26.3 28.1 Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards 96.4 80.2 Other 35.7 23.2 Total gross deferred tax assets 186.8 157.8 Valuation allowance (66.4 ) (58.3 ) Total deferred tax assets 120.4 99.5 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment 22.5 30.2 Investments and intangible assets 287.8 271.8 Total deferred tax liabilities 310.3 302.0 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (189.9 ) $ (202.5 ) At December 31, 2016 , Bio-Rad’s international subsidiaries had combined net operating loss carryforwards of $141.3 million . Of these loss carryforwards, $140.8 million have no expiration date. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from most of these net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized. We have provided a valuation allowance of $29.6 million relating to these net operating loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2016 , Bio-Rad had U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1.9 million as a result of acquisitions. These carryforwards are subject to limitation on their utilization and will expire between 2028 and 2033. At December 31, 2016 , Bio-Rad had U.S. Federal foreign tax credit carryforwards of $27.6 million and U.S. Federal research tax credit carryforwards of $3.6 million , $0.4 million of which are subject to limitations on their utilization. At December 31, 2016 , Bio-Rad had approximately $53 million of California net operating loss carryforwards related to the acquisition of QuantaLife. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from these net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized and have recorded a full valuation allowance against these losses. At December 31, 2016 , Bio-Rad had a deferred tax asset of $25.9 million relating to California research tax credit carryforwards, including $2.0 million from the acquisition of QuantaLife, which may be carried forward indefinitely. Based on our judgment and consistent with prior years, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset. We believe that it is more likely than not that certain of these deferred tax assets described above will not be realized in the foreseeable future. If or when recognized, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets at December 31, 2016 will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense. Our income tax returns are audited by U.S. federal, state and foreign tax authorities. We are currently under examination by many of these tax authorities. The tax years open to examination include the years 2013 and forward for the U.S., and the years 2010 and forward for certain foreign jurisdictions, including France, Switzerland and Germany. 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. We record liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions. We do not believe any currently pending uncertain tax positions will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, although an adverse resolution of one or more of these uncertain tax positions in any period may have a material impact on the results of operations for that period. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (in millions): 2016 2015 2014 Unrecognized tax benefits – January 1 $ 8.9 $ 14.2 $ 16.2 Additions to tax positions related to prior years 10.4 0.7 1.7 Reductions to tax positions related to prior years — (0.2 ) (1.5 ) Additions to tax positions related to the current year 1.4 1.5 1.6 Settlements (2.4 ) (0.5 ) (0.4 ) Lapse of statute of limitations (2.3 ) (6.3 ) (2.6 ) Currency translation 0.1 (0.5 ) (0.8 ) Unrecognized tax benefits – December 31 $ 16.1 $ 8.9 $ 14.2 Bio-Rad recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, Bio-Rad has accrued interest and penalties of $11.5 million , $3.0 million and $3.8 million as of December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The total unrecognized tax benefits and interest and penalties of $27.6 million in 2016 was partially offset by prepaid taxes of $12.7 million , for a net amount of $14.9 million . As of December 31, 2016 , based on the expected outcome of certain examinations or as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitation for certain jurisdictions, we believe that within the next twelve months it is reasonably possible that our previously unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $3.5 million . Substantially all such amounts will impact our effective income tax rate if recognized. In general, it is our practice and intention to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in their operations. As of December 31, 2016 , Bio-Rad had not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $447 million of the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. Generally, such amounts become subject to U.S. taxation upon remittance of dividends and under certain other circumstances. If these earnings were repatriated to the U.S., the deferred tax liability associated with these temporary differences would be approximately $47 million

7. Stockholders' Equity

7. Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	7. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Bio-Rad’s issued and outstanding stock consists of Class A Common Stock (Class A) and Class B Common Stock (Class B). Each share of Class A and Class B participates equally in the earnings of Bio-Rad, and is identical in all respects except as follows. Class A has limited voting rights. Each share of Class A is entitled to one tenth of a vote on most matters, and each share of Class B is entitled to one vote. Additionally, Class A stockholders are entitled to elect 25% of the Board of Directors and Class B stockholders are entitled to elect 75% of the directors. Cash dividends may be paid on Class A shares without paying a cash dividend on Class B shares but no cash dividend may be paid on Class B shares unless at least an equal cash dividend is paid on Class A shares. Class B shares are convertible at any time into Class A shares on a one-for-one basis at the option of the stockholder. The founders of Bio-Rad, the Schwartz family, collectively hold a majority of Bio-Rad’s voting stock. As a result, the Schwartz family is able to exercise significant influence over Bio-Rad. Changes to Bio-Rad's issued common stock shares are as follows (in thousands): Class A Shares Class B Shares Balance at January 1, 2014 23,681 5,097 B to A conversions 5 (5 ) Issuance of common stock 286 7 Balance at December 31, 2014 23,972 5,099 B to A conversions 18 (18 ) Issuance of common stock 240 50 Balance at December 31, 2015 24,230 5,131 B to A conversions 13 (13 ) Issuance of common stock 211 6 Balance at December 31, 2016 24,454 5,124 Treasury Shares The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $18.0 million of Bio-Rad's common stock, of which $3.3 million has yet to be repurchased in the open market as of December 31, 2016 . The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) limits our ability to repurchase our stock. In accordance with the terms of awards under the 2007 Incentive Award Plan, in June 2012, we withheld 122 shares of our Class A common stock and 917 shares of our Class B common stock to satisfy the minimum statutory tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock of certain of our employees, which is considered a repurchase of our stock. All of the restricted stock vested as of December 31, 2013, and therefore we do not anticipate any repurchasing of shares for this purpose. We had no other repurchases of our stock during 2016 or 2015

8. Accumulated Other Comprehens

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
accumulated other comprehensive income [Text Block]	8. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Accumulated other comprehensive income included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity 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 ) $ 164.0 $ 218.9 Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications (37.5 ) (6.8 ) 325.4 281.1 Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income — 1.1 (0.9 ) 0.2 Income tax effects — 1.3 (119.4 ) (118.1 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes (37.5 ) (4.4 ) 205.1 163.2 Balances as of December 31, 2015 $ 33.7 $ (20.7 ) $ 369.1 $ 382.1 Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications (32.4 ) 0.5 105.1 73.2 Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income — 2.5 (0.8 ) 1.7 Income tax effects — (0.9 ) (38.4 ) (39.3 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes (32.4 ) 2.1 65.9 35.6 Balances as of December 31, 2016 $ 1.3 $ (18.6 ) $ 435.0 $ 417.7 The increases in 2016 and 2015 for net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments were primarily from our ownership in the preferred shares of Sartorius. The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income, with presentation location, were as follows: Income before taxes impact (in millions): December 31, Components of Comprehensive income 2016 2015 Location Amortization of foreign other post-employment benefit items $ (2.5 ) $ (1.1 ) Selling, general and administrative expense Net holding gains on available for sale investments $ 0.8 $ 0.9 Other (income) expense, net

9. Share-based Compensation

9. Share-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments	9. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION/STOCK OPTION AND PURCHASE PLANS Description of Share-Based Compensation Plans We believe our share-based compensation plans align the interests of our employees with those of our shareholders. Stock Option and Award Plans We have two stock option plans for officers and certain other employees: the 2003 Stock Option Plan (2003 Plan) and the 2007 Incentive Award Plan (2007 Plan). The 2003 Plan authorized the grant of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to employees. The 2007 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other types of equity awards to employees. We no longer grant stock option grants under the 2003 Plan. Since 2007, all share-based compensation grants have been from the 2007 Plan. A total of 2,250,360 shares have been reserved for issuance of equity awards under the 2007 Plan and may be of either Class A or Class B common stock as specified within the plan. At December 31, 2016 , there were 587,509 shares available to be granted in the future. Under the above plans, Class A and Class B options are granted at prices not less than fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Generally, options granted have a term of 10 years and vest in increments of 20% per year over a five -year period on the yearly anniversary date of the grant. Stock awards issued under the 2007 Plan generally vest in increments of 20% per year over a five -year period on the yearly anniversary date of the grant. Employee Stock Purchase Plans Our 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2011 ESPP) provides that eligible employees may contribute up to 10% of their compensation up to $25,000 annually toward the quarterly purchase of our Class A common stock. The employees’ purchase price is 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the stock on the first business day or the last business day of each calendar quarter. The 2011 ESPP includes two components: a Code Section 423 Component that we intend to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and a Non-423 Component, which authorizes the grant of purchase rights that does not qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. We have authorized the sale of 600,000 shares of Class A common stock under the 2011 ESPP. Share-Based Compensation Expense Included in our share-based compensation expense is the cost related to stock option grants, ESPP stock purchases and restricted stock unit awards. Share-based compensation expense is allocated to Cost of goods sold, Research and development expense, and Selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , we recognized share-based compensation expense of $19.7 million , $17.0 million and $14.9 million , respectively. We did not capitalize any share-based compensation expense in inventory. For options and awards, we amortize the fair value on a straight-line basis. All stock compensation awards are amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods. Stock Options The following table summarizes stock option activity: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) Outstanding, January 1, 2014 629,643 $ 78.72 Granted 54,000 $ 119.71 Exercised (91,387 ) $ 63.66 Forfeited/expired (10,450 ) $ 100.29 Outstanding, December 31, 2014 581,806 $ 84.50 Granted 40,500 $ 139.56 Exercised (195,221 ) $ 61.29 Forfeited/expired (380 ) $ 62.47 Outstanding, December 31, 2015 426,705 $ 100.36 Granted 45,000 $ 159.37 Exercised (15,285 ) $ 80.70 Forfeited/expired (6,850 ) $ 127.65 Outstanding, December 31, 2016 449,570 $ 106.52 5.15 $ 34.1 Vested and expected to vest, December 31, 2016 437,350 $ 105.39 5.04 $ 33.6 Exercisable, December 31, 2016 314,330 $ 93.78 3.80 $ 27.8 Intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price. The total intrinsic value on the date of exercise of stock options exercised during 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was approximately $1 million , $13 million and $5 million , respectively. The total grant date fair value of options vested during 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $2.1 million , $2.2 million and $2.1 million , respectively. Cash received from stock options exercised during 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $1.2 million , $2.9 million and $5.8 million , respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from stock options exercised totaled $6.0 million , $9.3 million and $5.3 million in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 , there was $4.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost from stock options. This amount is expected to be recognized in the future over a weighted-average period of approximately 3 years. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Expected volatility 21 % 23 % 25 % Risk-free interest rate 1.35 % 1.90 % 2.35 % Expected life (in years) 7.4 7.7 8.7 Expected dividend — — — Weighted-average fair value of options granted $ 42.40 $ 42.74 $ 43.96 Volatility is based on the historical volatilities of our common stock for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected life represents the number of years that we estimate, based primarily on historical experience, that the options will be outstanding prior to exercise. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero. Restricted Stock Units Restricted stock units, which are rights to receive shares of company stock, were granted from 2009 through 2016 under the 2007 Plan. The fair value of a restricted stock unit is the market value as determined by the closing price of the stock on the day of grant. The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity: Restricted Stock Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) Outstanding, January 1, 2014 375,430 $ 105.44 Granted 145,695 $ 119.56 Vested (107,557 ) $ 98.52 Forfeited (36,203 ) $ 108.17 Outstanding, December 31, 2014 377,365 $ 112.60 Granted 177,110 $ 139.56 Vested (113,347 ) $ 107.62 Forfeited (28,706 ) $ 116.19 Outstanding, December 31, 2015 412,422 $ 125.30 Granted 193,025 $ 159.32 Vested (117,203 ) $ 119.33 Forfeited (39,422 ) $ 129.80 Outstanding, December 31, 2016 448,822 $ 141.09 2.16 $ 81.8 The total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $14.0 million , $12.2 million and $10.6 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 , there was approximately $46.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units. This amount is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of approximately 4 years. Employee Stock Purchase Plans The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under the 2011 ESPP was estimated using a Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Expected volatility 20 % 18 % 15 % Risk-free interest rate 0.26 % 0.02 % 0.04 % Expected life (in years) 0.25 0.25 0.25 Expected dividend — — — Weighted-average fair value of purchase rights $ 27.36 $ 25.08 $ 21.88 The major assumptions are primarily based on historical data. Volatility is based on the historical volatilities of our common stock for a period equal to the expected life of the purchase rights. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero. We sold 93,605 shares for $11.5 million , 96,634 shares for $10.8 million and 102,222 shares for $10.2 million under the 2011 ESPP to employees in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. At December 31, 2016 , 96,121 shares remain authorized and available for issuance under the 2011 ESPP.

10. Other Income and Expenses

10. Other Income and Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure	10. OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET Other (income) expense, net includes the following components (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Interest and investment income $ (14.7 ) $ (10.1 ) $ (13.5 ) Net realized gains on investments (0.8 ) (1.6 ) — Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments 0.6 0.6 0.4 Miscellaneous other (income) expense items, net — — 0.1 Other (income) expense, net $ (14.9 ) $ (11.1 ) $ (13.0 ) Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments were recorded in 2016 , 2015 and 2014

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Inf

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	11. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION The reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Net income $ 28.1 $ 113.1 $ 88.8 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 142.9 131.8 149.9 Share-based compensation 19.7 17.0 14.9 (Gains) losses on dispositions of securities (0.2 ) (1.0 ) 0.3 Losses on dispositions of fixed assets 0.6 0.3 0.4 Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation (1.5 ) (3.6 ) (1.3 ) Changes in fair value of contingent consideration (0.4 ) (5.6 ) (1.4 ) Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net 12.5 (39.0 ) 11.1 (Increase) decrease in inventories, net (57.1 ) (54.2 ) 5.8 (Increase) decrease in other current assets (6.6 ) 0.1 (5.7 ) Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities 30.1 28.6 (9.9 ) Increase in income taxes payable 10.7 12.7 20.4 Decrease in deferred income taxes (51.4 ) (6.4 ) (6.3 ) Decrease in other long term assets 12.7 0.3 3.6 Increase (decrease) in other long term liabilities 8.3 (12.2 ) (1.3 ) Impairment losses on goodwill and long-lived assets 62.3 — — Other 5.7 4.3 4.0 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 216.4 $ 186.2 $ 273.3 Non-cash investing activities: Purchased intangible assets $ — $ — $ 0.2 Purchased marketable securities and investments $ 0.6 $ 2.2 $ —

12. Commitments & Contingent Li

12. Commitments & Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Rents and Leases Rental expense under operating leases was $44.4 million , $45.0 million and $46.9 million in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Leases are principally for facilities and automobiles. We had no sublease income. Annual future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2016 under operating leases are as follows: 2017 - $42.1 million ; 2018 - $32.1 million ; 2019 - $24.7 million ; 2020 - $20.4 million ; and 2021 and beyond - $38.8 million . Deferred Profit Sharing Retirement Plan We have a profit sharing plan covering substantially all U.S. employees. Contributions are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Bio-Rad has no liability other than for the current year’s contribution. Contribution expense was $15.1 million , $14.7 million and $13.7 million in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Other Post-Employment Benefits In several foreign locations we are statutorily required to provide a lump sum severance or termination indemnity to our employees. Under these plans, the vested benefit obligation at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $68.0 million and $68.6 million , respectively, and has been included in Accrued payroll and employee benefits and Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most plans are not required to be funded, and as such, there is no trust or other device used to accumulate assets to settle these obligations. However, some of these plans require funding based on local laws in which there is a trust or other device used to accumulate assets to assist in settling these obligations. Purchase Obligations As of December 31, 2016 , we had obligations that have been recognized on our balance sheet of $142.9 million , which include purchases of goods and services that are enforceable and legally binding to Bio-Rad and that specify all significant terms and exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty. These obligations also include other post-employment benefits in some of our foreign locations as indicated above. The annual future fixed and determinable portion of our purchase obligations that have been recognized on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 are as follows: 2017 - $34.3 million , 2018 - $7.3 million , 2019 - $3.1 million , 2020 - $2.5 million , 2021 - $1.6 million and after 2021 - $94.1 million . As of December 31, 2016 , we had purchase obligations that have not been recognized on our balance sheet of $35.0 million , which include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding to Bio-Rad and that specify all significant terms and exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty. The annual future fixed and determinable portion of our purchase obligations that have not been recognized on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 are as follows: 2017 - $17.5 million , 2018 - $5.0 million , 2019 - $3.5 million , 2020 - $3.5 million , 2021 - $5.5 million and after 2021 - $0 million . Letters of Credit/Guarantees In the ordinary course of business, we are at times required to post letters of credit/guarantees. The letters of credit/guarantees are issued by financial institutions to guarantee our obligations to various parties. We were contingently liable for $5.4 million of standby letters of credit/guarantees with financial institutions as of December 31, 2016 . Contingent Consideration During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of a new high performance analytical flow cytometer platform from Propel. At the acquisition date, the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach related to the achievement of sales milestones, ranging from 39% to 20% for the calendar years 2017 through 2020 . The sales milestones could potentially range from $0 to an unlimited amount through December 31, 2020 . The fair value of the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date was $23.3 million , after the effects of a calculation revision that were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2016. The contingent consideration was recognized at its estimated fair value of $25.4 million as of December 31, 2016 . In 2014, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of GnuBIO, Inc. The contingent consideration for the 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. The Level 3 contingent consideration was revalued to a fair value of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 . In 2012, we recognized a contingent consideration liability for certain milestones of $44.6 million upon our acquisition of a new cell sorting system from Propel. Since 2012, we have paid $28.9 million upon reaching the milestones and have reduced the valuation of the milestones by $12.6 million to its estimated fair value of $3.1 million as of December 31, 2016 . The remaining liability was paid in February 2017 . Concentrations of Labor Subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements At December 31, 2016 , approximately seven percent of Bio-Rad's approximately 3,300

13. Legal Proceedings

13. Legal Proceedings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies	13. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS On January 23, 2015, the City of Riviera Beach General Employees’ Retirement System filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, 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 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("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). On April 23, 2015, we and the individual defendants filed a demurrer requesting dismissal of the complaint in this case. The demurrer was heard on August 6, 2015, and the Court granted the demurrer for failure to make a demand on our Board of Directors on August 17, 2015, but provided leave to amend. On September 4, 2015, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint and simultaneously served a litigation demand letter on our Board of Directors ("Board") via its counsel in this action. The letter demanded that we investigate and bring appropriate legal action against certain individuals, including the defendants in the City of Riviera Beach case and six current and former employees. The plaintiff also moved for a temporary stay in the proceedings, purportedly to enable the Board to respond to the demand. The Board formed a Demand Review Committee to respond to the demand. On February 24, 2016, the Demand Review Committee reported to the Board that it had concluded its investigation and unanimously determined that it is not in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to pursue litigation against any individuals named in the City of Riviera Beach’s litigation demand letter. On October 6, 2015, we and the individual defendants filed a second demurrer, seeking to dismiss the case for failure to make a timely pre-suit demand. The case was stayed pending mediation. The caption is City of Riviera Beach General Employees’ Retirement System v. Schwartz et al., Case No. C-15-00140. The lawsuit and demand letter are referred to collectively as the “California Action”. On August 13, 2015 and August 18, 2015, respectively, each of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 38 Pension Fund and Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System filed a stockholder derivative complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery against four of our current directors and one former director. We are named as a nominal defendant in the complaints. The complaints allege that the defendants failed to cause us to develop internal controls sufficient to ensure our compliance with the FCPA. The plaintiffs assert claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment and request an award of the damages we sustained as a result of the alleged violations, among other relief. The two lawsuits were consolidated on August 27, 2015. The case was stayed pending mediation. The caption of the consolidated case is In re Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 11387-VCN (Del. Ch.). The cases filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, together with the California Action, are referred to collectively as the “Derivative Actions”. The parties filed a Stipulation dated November 4, 2016 with the Superior Court of California for Contra Costa County that sets forth the terms of a proposed settlement of the Derivative Actions. The proposed settlement includes the dismissal with prejudice of all claims asserted in the Derivative Actions, an agreed-upon set of revised corporate procedures, and no monetary payment other than an award of attorneys’ fees and costs to the plaintiffs’ counsel. We and the other defendants do not admit any liability or fault in connection with the proposed settlement. On December 22, 2016 the Superior Court of California for Contra Costa County issued an order granting preliminary approval of this proposed settlement. Pursuant to the order, the Court will hold a hearing for final approval of the settlement on March 2, 2017, and any objections to the settlement were required to be filed in writing with the Court on or before February 15, 2017. On May 27, 2015, our former general counsel, Sanford S. Wadler, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, against us and four of our current directors and one former director. The plaintiff’s suit alleged whistleblower retaliation in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act for raising FCPA-related concerns. Mr. Wadler also alleged wrongful termination in violation of public policy, non-payment of wages and waiting time penalties in violation of the California Labor Code. The plaintiff sought back pay, compensatory damages for lost wages, earnings, retirement benefits and other employee benefits, compensation for mental pain and anguish and emotional distress, waiting time penalties, punitive damages, litigation costs (including attorneys’ fees) and reinstatement of employment. On July 28, 2015 we filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint and specifically requested dismissal of the claims alleged against us under the Dodd-Frank Act and California Labor Code 1102.5 and the claims against the directors under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act. On October 23, 2015, the District Court granted our motion with respect to the alleged violations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act against all the director defendants except Norman Schwartz with prejudice. The Court denied our motion to dismiss the claims under the Dodd-Frank Act as against both us and the director defendants. The parties engaged in mediation of the case on April 19, 2016 and on September 14, 2016. The mediations did not result in a settlement. The trial commenced on January 17, 2017 and concluded on February 6, 2017. Mr. Wadler was awarded $10.92 million , plus prejudgment interest of $141,608 , post-judgment interest, and Mr. Wadler’s litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees as approved by the Court. We have provided for the judgment, interest and Mr. Wadler's litigation costs. We are considering an appeal of the judgment. Bio-Rad received three notices of violations from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (“District”). The District alleges that we operated three (3) power generation units without appropriate monitoring and recordkeeping and exceeded permissible levels of emissions during those operations. We are cooperating with the District and are investigating the allegations. No formal proceeding has been initiated by the District. We are also party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. We cannot at this time reasonably estimate a range of exposure, if any, of the potential liability with respect to these matters. While 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, 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.

14. Segment Reporting

14. Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	14. SEGMENT INFORMATION Bio-Rad is a multinational manufacturer and worldwide distributor of its own life science research products and clinical diagnostics products. We have two reportable segments: Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. These reportable segments are strategic business lines that offer more than 8,000 different products and services and require different marketing strategies. We do not disclose quantitative information about our different products and services as it is impractical to do so based primarily on the numerous products and services that we sell and the global markets that we serve. The Life Science segment develops, manufactures, sells and services reagents, apparatus and instruments used for biological research. These products are sold to university and medical school laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, food testing laboratories and government and industrial research facilities. The Clinical Diagnostics segment develops, manufactures, sells and services automated test systems, informatics systems, test kits and specialized quality controls for the healthcare market. These products are sold to reference laboratories, hospital laboratories, state newborn screening facilities, physicians’ office laboratories, transfusion laboratories and insurance and forensic testing laboratories. Other Operations include the remainder of our Analytical Instruments segment. Segment results are presented in the same manner as we present our operations internally to make operating decisions and assess performance. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Significant Accounting Policies (see Note 1). Segment profit or loss includes an allocation of corporate expense based upon sales and an allocation of interest expense based upon accounts receivable and inventories. The difference between total segment allocated interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures and the corresponding consolidated amounts is attributable to our corporate headquarters. Segments are expected to manage only assets completely under their control. Accordingly, segment assets include primarily accounts receivable, inventories and gross machinery and equipment. Goodwill balances have been included in corporate for segment reporting purposes. Information regarding industry segments at December 31, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 and for the years then ended is as follows (in millions): Life Science Clinical Diagnostics Other Operations Segment net sales 2016 $ 730.7 $ 1,323.3 $ 14.2 2015 695.0 1,310.4 14.0 2014 728.3 1,432.3 14.4 Allocated interest expense 2016 $ 6.4 $ 15.5 $ — 2015 6.1 15.4 0.1 2014 5.5 15.9 0.1 Depreciation and amortization 2016 $ 31.7 $ 80.5 $ — 2015 30.7 77.8 0.1 2014 33.2 95.8 — Segment (loss) profit 2016 $ (19.2 ) $ 57.0 $ 0.9 2015 (0.7 ) 152.4 0.7 2014 (14.7 ) 167.1 1.2 Segment assets 2016 $ 381.4 $ 918.0 $ 4.9 2015 390.5 878.3 4.4 Capital expenditures 2016 $ 14.3 $ 67.1 $ — 2015 8.2 51.3 0.1 Net corporate operating expense 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. In 2014, this included the accrual of $20.1 million associated with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice investigations relating to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, for which a final settlement was reached in the fourth quarter of 2014. The following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated income before taxes (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Total segment profit $ 38.7 $ 152.4 $ 153.6 Foreign exchange losses (4.5 ) (10.2 ) (9.3 ) Net corporate operating, interest and other expense, net not allocated to segments (7.5 ) (7.5 ) (25.7 ) Other income (expense), net 14.9 11.1 13.0 Consolidated income before taxes $ 41.6 $ 145.8 $ 131.6 The following reconciles total segment assets to consolidated total assets (in millions): December 31, 2016 2015 Total segment assets $ 1,304.3 $ 1,273.2 Cash and other current assets 980.3 926.9 Property, plant and equipment, net, excluding segment specific gross machinery and equipment 81.6 46.1 Goodwill, net 477.1 495.9 Other long-term assets 1,007.2 967.6 Total assets $ 3,850.5 $ 3,709.7 The following presents net sales to external customers by geographic region based primarily on the location of the use of the product or service (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Europe $ 742.2 $ 763.7 $ 901.7 Pacific Rim 427.1 392.2 417.5 United States 770.6 735.0 704.9 Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) 128.3 128.5 150.9 Total net sales $ 2,068.2 $ 2,019.4 $ 2,175.0 The following presents Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes, by geographic region based upon the location of the asset (in millions): December 31, 2016 2015 Europe $ 221.1 $ 204.4 Pacific Rim 16.1 15.1 United States 1,084.7 962.6 Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) 12.3 9.1 Total Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes $ 1,334.2 $ 1,191.2

15. Restructuring Costs (Notes)

15. Restructuring Costs (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	RESTRUCTURING COSTS For the year ended December 31, 2016 , we recorded $12.5 million related to restructuring actions that include the elimination or relocation of various positions. These actions are generally intended to streamline and focus our efforts and more properly align our cost structure with projected future revenue streams. The following table summarizes the activity of our restructuring reserves for severance (in millions): Life Science Clinical Diagnostics Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ — $ — $ — Charged to expense 4.1 7.6 11.7 Adjustment to expense 0.3 0.5 0.8 Cash payments (1.0 ) (2.0 ) (3.0 ) Foreign currency translation gains (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (0.5 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 3.2 $ 5.8 $ 9.0 In May 2016, management announced that it will take certain actions in our Europe geographic region designed to better align expenses to our revenue and gross margin profile and position us for improved operating performance. These actions, aligned with creation and evolution of our organization structure and coordinated with the implementation of our global single instance ERP platform, are expected to be incurred through 2019. As a result, we recorded approximately $12.5 million in restructuring charges related to severance and other employee benefits for the year ended December 31, 2016 , of which $9.0 million is anticipated to be paid through 2019. The liability of $9.0 million as of December 31, 2016 encompassed a short-term liability of $6.4 million and a long-term liability of $2.6 million . The amounts recorded were reflected in Cost of goods sold of $2.1 million , and in Selling, general and administrative expense of $10.4 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2016

16. Quarterly Financial Data

16. Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data [Text Block]	16. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Summarized quarterly financial data for 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in millions, except per share data): First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter 2016 Net sales $ 471.2 $ 516.8 $ 508.7 $ 571.5 Gross profit 264.0 280.2 279.5 314.4 Net income (loss) 12.3 18.0 18.4 (20.6 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.42 $ 0.61 $ 0.63 $ (0.70 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.42 $ 0.61 $ 0.62 $ (0.70 ) 2015 Net sales $ 472.8 $ 506.1 $ 470.0 $ 570.6 Gross profit 270.1 279.6 263.5 308.5 Net income 17.8 28.4 17.4 49.5 Basic earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.98 $ 0.59 $ 1.69 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.97 $ 0.59 $ 1.68 Note: As a result of the net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2016, all potentially issuable common shares have been excluded from the diluted shares

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accoutns	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC. SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Years Ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 (in thousands) Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable Balance at Beginning of Year Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses Deductions Balance at End of Year 2016 $ 24,418 $ 3,785 $ (4,836 ) $ 23,367 2015 $ 27,973 $ 8,783 $ (12,338 ) $ 24,418 2014 $ 32,471 $ 7,164 $ (11,662 ) $ 27,973 Valuation allowance for current and long-term deferred tax assets* Balance at Beginning of Year Additions Charged (Credited) to Income Tax Expense Deductions Balance at End of Year 2016 $ 58,277 $ 8,126 $ — $ 66,403 2015 $ 58,615 $ (338 ) $ — $ 58,277 2014 $ 64,011 $ (5,396 ) $ — $ 58,615 *2014 is the only year presented that has current and long-term valuation allowances for deferred tax assets due to the adoption of ASU 2015-17 in 2015 on a prospective basis. Therefore, for the years 2016 and 2015, the valuation allowance is long-term for deferred tax assets.

17. Subsequent Event (Notes)

17. Subsequent Event (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT On February 15, 2017, we acquired all the issued and outstanding stock of RainDance Technologies, Inc. (RainDance) for approximately $87 million including certain assumed net liabilities. Cash payments at closing were $82.9 million . The acquisition will be included in our Life Science segment’s results of operations from the acquisition date and will be accounted for as a business combination. The amount of acquisition-related costs was minimal as Bio-Rad primarily represented itself during the acquisition process. The goodwill to be recorded will not be deductible for income tax purposes. We are presently unable to report the purchase price allocation or the evaluation of the transaction, as more time is needed to complete the information transfer from the seller and include all information into a valuation of individual assets and liabilities.

1. Significant Accounting Pol26

1. Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and all of our wholly and majority owned subsidiaries (referred to in this report as “Bio-Rad,” “we,” “us” and “our”) after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
Short-term Restricted Investments [Policy Text Block]	Short-term Restricted Investments Short-term restricted investments of $4.56 million and $4.21 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015
Available-for-sale Investments	Available-for-Sale Investments Available-for-sale investments consist of corporate obligations, municipal securities, asset backed securities, U.S. government sponsored agencies and marketable equity securities. Management classifies investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification at each balance sheet date. Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices and other observable market data. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of any related tax effect. Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in the fair value of an individual security is determined to be other-than-temporary. We review our available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary losses on a quarterly basis.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, foreign exchange contracts and trade accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents and investments are placed with various highly rated major financial institutions located in different geographic regions. Bio-Rad has not sustained significant losses from instruments held at financial institutions. The forward contracts used in managing our foreign currency exposures have an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We attempt to minimize this risk by limiting the counterparties to a diverse group of highly-rated domestic and international financial institutions. In the event of non-performance by these counterparties, the carrying values of our financial instruments represent the maximum amount of loss we would have incurred as of our fiscal year-end. However, we do not expect to record any losses as a result of counterparty default. We perform credit evaluation procedures related to our trade receivables and with the exception of certain developing countries, generally do not require collateral. As a result of increased risk in certain developing countries, some Bio-Rad sales are subject to collateral letters of credit from our customers. Credit risk for trade accounts receivable is generally limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas. However, a significant amount of trade receivables are with national healthcare systems in countries within the European Union.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
Inventory	Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Included in property, plant and equipment are buildings and equipment acquired under capital lease arrangements, reagent rental equipment and capitalized software, including costs for software developed or obtained for internal use. Property, plant and equipment are assessed for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and leasehold improvements are amortized over 15 - 30 years or the term of the leases or life of the improvements, whichever is shorter. With the exception of reagent rental equipment, which is amortized over a 1 - 5 year period, equipment and capitalized software is depreciated over 3 - 12
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is assessed for impairment by applying fair value based tests annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments. Our reporting units are identified as components for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. Goodwill amounts are assigned to reporting units at the time of acquisition. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a projected discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not required. The second step, if required, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, a long-lived asset or assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets (including identifiable intangible assets) quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include: • significant under-performance relative to expected, historical or projected future operating results; • significant changes in the manner of use of the long-lived assets, intangible assets or the strategy for our overall business; • a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of at a loss before the end of its previously estimated useful life; and • significant negative industry, legal, regulatory or economic trends.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. They are determined using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We record deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. To the extent we determine that we are able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which may reduce the provision for income taxes. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period that determination to change the valuation allowance is made. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements on a particular tax position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The amount of unrecognized tax
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and title has passed to the customer or product has been delivered absent specific contractual specifications. Revenue associated with equipment that requires factory installation is not recorded until installation is complete and customer acceptance, if required contractually, has occurred. At the time revenue is recognized, a provision is recognized for estimated product returns. Service revenues on extended warranty contracts are recognized ratably over the life of the service agreement, or as services are performed if not under contract. Net sales are the actual selling price of products to customers. Any taxes billed to the customer (sales tax, value added tax, etc.) shall be credited to the tax liability accounts and excluded from net sales.
Shipping and Handling	Shipping and Handling
Warranty	Warranty We warrant certain equipment against defects in design, materials and workmanship, mostly 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. Changes in the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, were as follows (in millions): 2016 2015 January 1 $ 17.4 $ 17.8 Provision for warranty 33.4 30.6 Actual warranty costs (33.2 ) (31.0 ) December 31 $ 17.6 $ 17.4
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency Balance sheet accounts of international subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rates as of the end of each accounting period. Income statement items are translated at average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts	Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
Share-based Compensation Plans	Share-Based Compensation Plans
Earnings Per Share	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 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 are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 29,440 29,186 28,876 Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards 206 223 257 Diluted weighted average common shares 29,646 29,409 29,133 Anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS 113 109 122
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments For certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes payable, accounts payable and foreign exchange contracts, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Standards Updates In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2017-04, "Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 will provide a more stream-lined approach to evaluating future goodwill impairment and we early adopted on January 1, 2017. We have not assessed the impact that ASU 2017-04 will have on our consolidated financial statements because a goodwill impairment has not occurred after January 1, 2017. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Clarifying the Definition of a Business." ASU 2017-01 changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. If substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the acquired set is not a business. If this is not met, the entity then evaluates whether the set meets the requirement that a business include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Determining whether a set constitutes a business is critical because the accounting for a business combination differs significantly from that of an asset acquisition. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. ASU 2017-01 will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, including for interim or annual periods in which the financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We early adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2017. For our acquisition of RainDance Technologies, Inc., ASU 2017-01 did not affect the conclusion of it being a business combination (see Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements). In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Restricted Cash." ASU 2016-18 requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. We have had a limited amount of r e stricted cash of $2.0 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which was reclassified from cash to either Prepaid expenses, Other current assets or Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At the time of adoption, we cannot assure whether these same restricted cash amounts will be held or what other restricted cash we may have, or that historically reported amounts will be similar. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory." ASU 2016-16 requires immediate recognition of income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers, other than ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which finan inventory transfers. Existing GAAP prohibits recognition of income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers whereby the seller defers any net tax effect and the buyer is prohibited from recognizing a deferred tax asset on the difference between the newly created tax basis of the asset in its tax jurisdiction and its financial statement carrying amount as reported in the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-16 specifically excludes from its scope intercompany inventory transfers whereby the recognition of tax consequences will take place when the inventory is sold to third parties. cial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We do not plan to early adopt ASU 2016-16. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-16 will have on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-15 will have on our consolidated statements of cash flows, if any. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." ASU 2016-13 will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for trade and other receivables, and instruments measured at amortized cost and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount under the current other-than-temporary impairment model. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." ASU 2016-09 will require all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 and made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. We do not expect ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, "Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting," which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method in previous periods when an investor initially obtains significant influence over an investee. Under current guidance, an investor that does not consolidate an investment and initially accounts for it under a method other than the equity method is required to retrospectively apply the equity method in prior periods in which it held the investment when it subsequently obtained significant influence. ASU 2016-07 will be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. We adopted ASU 2016-07 on January 1, 2017 and do not expect it to materially affect our consolidated financial statements, unless our situation changes regarding our ability to influence the investee in the future as a result of our cost method investment in Sartorius AG (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which will require, among other items, lease accounting to recognize most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures will be enhanced to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We do not plan to early adopt. ASU 2016-02 will be adopted on a modified retrospective basis, with elective reliefs, which requires application of ASU 2016-02 for all periods presented. We are currently gathering, documenting and analyzing lease agreements related to this ASU and anticipate material additions to the balance sheet for right-of-use assets, offset by the associated liabilities. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." Amendments under ASU 2016-01, among other items, require that all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification, for which changes in fair value are reported in other comprehensive income, for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the cost method is also eliminated. However, entities will be able to elect to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, and plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes. Changes in the basis of these equity investments will be reported in current earnings. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For equity securities that would be affected by ASU 2016-01, see the available-for-sale investments table in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. At the time of adoption, we cannot assure whether these same equity securities will be held or what other equity securities we may have, or that historically reported changes will be similar. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments," which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Under ASU 2015-16, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The measurement period cannot exceed one year from the date of the acquisition. ASU 2015-16 was effective on January 1, 2016, and we adopted it at the same time as a change in accounting policy, which had no impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” Under current guidance, an entity subsequently measures inventory at the lower of cost or market, with market defined as replacement cost, net realizable value (NRV), or NRV less a normal profit margin. An entity uses current replacement cost provided that it is not above NRV (i.e., the ceiling) or below NRV less an “approximately normal profit margin” (i.e., the floor). ASU 2015-11 eliminates this analysis and requires entities to measure most inventory “at the lower of cost and NRV.” ASU 2015-11 is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. We adopted ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017 and do not expect it to have a material impact to 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 makes the presentation of debt issuance costs consistent with the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. Under prior U.S. GAAP, debt issuance costs were 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. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, "Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" to clarify the SEC staff’s position that it would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, which is our current practice. We adopted ASU 2015-03 on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis as a change in accounting policy. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 was retrospectively adjusted by decreasing Other assets and Long-term debt, net of current maturities, by $1.8 million , respectively. 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 GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 to defer the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date in ASU 2014-09, which is annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, however, we will not early adopt. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers" which affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2014-09. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, "Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients," which amends and clarifies certain aspects in ASU 2014-09 that include collectiblity, presentation of sales and other taxes collected from customers, noncash consideration, contract modifications and completed contracts at transition. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which amends the guidance in ASU 2014-09 on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)," which amends the principal versus agent guidance in ASU 2014-09. The standards are to be applied retrospectively and permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We will use the cumulative effect transition method once we adopt ASUs 2014-09, 2016-20, 2016-12, 2016-10 and 2016-08 on January 1, 2018. We have completed revenue recognition diagnostic surveys across all regions in our decentralized sales contracting process, which is based on local country commercial regulations and practices. We have begun assessing individual contracts to identify performance obligations under these ASU’s, as compared with the deliverables and separate units of accounting previously identified under current U.S. GAAP, to determine the effect that these ASU’s will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

1. Significant Accounting Pol27

1. Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	Changes in the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, were as follows (in millions): 2016 2015 January 1 $ 17.4 $ 17.8 Provision for warranty 33.4 30.6 Actual warranty costs (33.2 ) (31.0 ) December 31 $ 17.6 $ 17.4
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share and the anti-dilutive shares are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 29,440 29,186 28,876 Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards 206 223 257 Diluted weighted average common shares 29,646 29,409 29,133 Anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS 113 109 122

3. Fair Value Measurements (Tab

3. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The following table provides a reconciliation of the Level 3 cell sorting system and analytical flow cytometer platform contingent consideration liabilities measured at estimated fair value based on original valuations and updated quarterly for the year ended December 31, 2016 (in millions): 2016 January 1 $ 9.1 Cell sorting system: Payment of sales milestone (3.5 ) Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense (2.5 ) Analytical flow cytometer platform: Acquisition of high performance analytical flow cytometer platform 23.3 Increase in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense 2.1 December 31 $ 28.5
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for fair value measurement of analytical flow cytometer platform contingent consideration liability as of December 31, 2016 . 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 Analytical flow cytometer platform Probability-weighted income approach Sales milestones: Discount rate 10 % Cost of debt 4.7 %
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of our forward foreign currency exchange contracts (in millions): December 31, 2016 Contracts maturing in January through March 2017 to sell foreign currency: Notional value $ 16.9 Unrealized loss $ 0.1 Contracts maturing in January through March 2017 to purchase foreign currency: Notional value $ 328.3 Unrealized loss $ 0.6
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 December 31, 2016 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value: Cash equivalents (a): Commercial paper $ — $ 14.1 $ — $ 14.1 Foreign time deposits 11.8 — — 11.8 Domestic time deposits — 20.0 — 20.0 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 1.1 — 1.1 Money market funds 5.9 — — 5.9 Total cash equivalents 17.7 35.2 — 52.9 Restricted investment: 4.6 — — 4.6 Available-for-sale investments (b): Corporate debt securities — 179.4 — 179.4 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 82.5 — 82.5 Foreign government obligations — 4.4 — 4.4 Brokered certificates of deposit — 3.6 — 3.6 Municipal obligations — 15.4 — 15.4 Marketable equity securities 767.8 — — 767.8 Asset-backed securities — 62.5 — 62.5 Total available-for-sale investments 767.8 347.8 — 1,115.6 Forward foreign exchange contracts (c) — 0.6 — 0.6 Total financial assets carried at fair value $ 790.1 $ 383.6 $ — $ 1,173.7 Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value: Forward foreign exchange contracts (d) $ — $ 1.3 $ — $ 1.3 Contingent consideration (e) — — 38.5 38.5 Total financial liabilities carried at fair value $ — $ 1.3 $ 38.5 $ 39.8 Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 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 (a): Commercial paper $ — $ 33.2 — $ 33.2 Foreign government obligations — 0.6 — 0.6 Foreign time deposits 11.9 — — 11.9 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 14.6 — 14.6 Money market funds 11.3 — — 11.3 Total cash equivalents 23.2 48.4 — 71.6 Restricted investment: 4.2 — — 4.2 Available-for-sale investments (b): Corporate debt securities — 156.9 — 156.9 U.S. government sponsored agencies — 74.8 — 74.8 Foreign government obligations — 4.6 — 4.6 Municipal obligations — 6.4 — 6.4 Marketable equity securities 660.1 — — 660.1 Asset-backed securities — 54.8 — 54.8 Total available-for-sale investments 660.1 297.5 — 957.6 Forward foreign exchange contracts (c) — 0.9 — 0.9 Total financial assets carried at fair value $ 687.5 $ 346.8 — $ 1,034.3 Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value: Forward foreign exchange contracts (d) $ — $ 1.1 — $ 1.1 Contingent consideration (e) — — 19.1 19.1 Total financial liabilities carried at fair value $ — $ 1.1 $ 19.1 $ 20.2 (a) Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 Short-term investments $ 383.2 $ 328.7 Other investments 732.4 628.9 Total $ 1,115.6 $ 957.6 (c) Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (d) Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (e) Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Other current liabilities $ 14.5 $ 13.5 Other long-term liabilities 24.0 5.6 Total $ 38.5 $ 19.1
Schedule of available-for-sale investments	Available-for-sale investments consist of the following (in millions): December 31, 2016 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Short-term investments: Corporate debt securities $ 179.7 $ 0.2 $ (0.5 ) $ 179.4 Brokered certificates of deposit 3.6 — — 3.6 Municipal obligations 15.5 — (0.1 ) 15.4 Asset-backed securities 62.2 0.1 (0.1 ) 62.2 U.S. government sponsored agencies 83.1 0.1 (0.7 ) 82.5 Foreign government obligations 4.4 — — 4.4 Marketable equity securities 32.4 3.7 (0.4 ) 35.7 380.9 4.1 (1.8 ) 383.2 Long-term investments: Marketable equity securities 54.5 677.6 — 732.1 Asset-backed securities 0.3 — — 0.3 54.8 677.6 — 732.4 Total $ 435.7 $ 681.7 $ (1.8 ) $ 1,115.6 December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Short-term investments: Corporate debt securities $ 157.2 $ 0.1 $ (0.4 ) $ 156.9 Municipal obligations 6.4 — — 6.4 Asset-backed securities 54.8 — (0.2 ) 54.6 U.S. government sponsored agencies 74.9 0.1 (0.2 ) 74.8 Foreign government obligations 4.6 — — 4.6 Marketable equity securities 29.4 2.7 (0.7 ) 31.4 327.3 2.9 (1.5 ) 328.7 Long-term investments: Marketable equity securities 54.5 574.2 — 628.7 Asset-backed securities 0.3 — (0.1 ) 0.2 54.8 574.2 (0.1 ) 628.9 Total $ 382.1 $ 577.1 $ (1.6 ) $ 957.6
Summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value	The following is a summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 Fair value of investments in a loss position 12 months or more $ 11.8 $ 10.4 Fair value of investments in a loss position less than 12 months $ 160.5 $ 204.0 Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more $ 0.3 $ 0.4 Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months $ 1.5 $ 1.2
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 December 31, 2016 by contractual maturity date (in millions): Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Mature in less than one year $ 156.1 $ 156.1 Mature in one to five years 141.0 140.7 Mature in more than five years 51.7 51.0 Total $ 348.8 $ 347.8
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): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Fair Value Hierarchy Level Other investments $ 92.8 $ 984.2 2 $ 86.5 $ 843.2 2 Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities $ 422.5 $ 454.2 2 $ 421.9 $ 454.3 2

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwil29

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes to goodwill by segment	Changes to goodwill by segment were as follows (in millions): 2016 2015 Life Clinical Total Life Clinical Total Balances as of January 1: Goodwill $ 207.2 $ 316.9 $ 524.1 $ 207.7 $ 320.9 $ 528.6 Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs (27.2 ) (1.0 ) (28.2 ) (27.2 ) (1.0 ) (28.2 ) Goodwill, net 180.0 315.9 495.9 180.5 319.9 500.4 Acquisitions 0.1 — 0.1 — — — Impairment — (13.5 ) (13.5 ) — — — Currency fluctuations (0.2 ) (5.2 ) (5.4 ) (0.5 ) (4.0 ) (4.5 ) Balances as of December 31: Goodwill 207.1 311.7 518.8 207.2 316.9 524.1 Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs (27.2 ) (14.5 ) (41.7 ) (27.2 ) (1.0 ) (28.2 ) Goodwill, net $ 179.9 $ 297.2 $ 477.1 $ 180.0 $ 315.9 $ 495.9
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major-Class	Information regarding our identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 Average Remaining Life (years) Purchase Price Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships/lists 1-8 $ 84.4 $ (52.8 ) $ 31.6 Know how 1-9 182.6 (136.9 ) 45.7 Developed product technology 3-12 125.9 (56.3 ) 69.6 Licenses 1-9 39.0 (30.6 ) 8.4 Tradenames 4-8 3.5 (2.5 ) 1.0 Covenants not to compete 2-9 7.8 (2.5 ) 5.3 Total definite-lived intangible assets 443.2 (281.6 ) 161.6 In-process research and development — — — Total purchased intangible assets $ 443.2 $ (281.6 ) $ 161.6 December 31, 2015 Average Remaining Life (years) Purchase Price Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships/lists 2-10 $ 84.7 $ (46.8 ) $ 37.9 Know how 1-10 184.0 (121.6 ) 62.4 Developed product technology 4-12 101.3 (48.9 ) 52.4 Licenses 3-10 39.2 (28.5 ) 10.7 Tradenames 5-9 3.5 (2.4 ) 1.1 Covenants not to compete 3-7 4.8 (1.7 ) 3.1 Total definite-lived intangible assets 417.5 (249.9 ) 167.6 In-process research and development 46.4 — 46.4 Total purchased intangible assets $ 463.9 $ (249.9 ) $ 214.0

5. Notes Payable and Long-Ter30

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Principal components of long-term debt [Table Text Block]	The principal components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020, net of discount $ 425.0 $ 425.0 Less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (2.5 ) (3.1 ) Long-term debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs 422.5 421.9 Capital leases and other debt 12.0 12.3 434.5 434.2 Less current maturities (0.3 ) (0.3 ) Long-term debt $ 434.2 $ 433.9

6. Income Taxes (Tables)

6. Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. and international components of income before taxes [Table Text Block]	The U.S. and international components of income before taxes are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 U.S. $ (38.5 ) $ 48.4 $ 30.6 International 80.1 97.4 101.0 Income before taxes $ 41.6 $ 145.8 $ 131.6
Provision for income taxes [Table Text Block]	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Current tax expense: U.S. Federal $ 16.1 $ 8.7 $ 9.6 State 3.1 1.7 3.8 International 30.3 34.1 35.6 Current tax expense 49.5 44.5 49.0 Deferred tax (benefit) expense: U.S. Federal (42.4 ) (0.2 ) 1.5 State (2.8 ) 1.2 (0.2 ) International (6.0 ) (7.1 ) (7.3 ) Deferred tax benefit (51.2 ) (6.1 ) (6.0 ) Non-current tax expense (benefit) 15.1 (5.6 ) (0.3 ) Provision for income taxes $ 13.4 $ 32.8 $ 42.7
Reconcilation of effective tax rate on inocme before taxes and statutory rate [Table Text Block]	The reconciliation between our effective tax rate on income before taxes and the statutory tax rate is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 U.S. statutory tax rate 35 % 35 % 35 % Impact of foreign operations (15 ) (4 ) (4 ) Foreign dividends, net (40 ) (4 ) — Research tax credits (9 ) (2 ) (3 ) Nontaxable subsidies (4 ) (1 ) (2 ) Tax settlements and changes to unrecognized tax benefits 42 (4 ) (1 ) Goodwill impairment 11 — — Domestic manufacturing deduction (4 ) (2 ) — Stock-based compensation 3 1 1 Nondeductible executive compensation 3 1 1 Fines and penalties 2 — 3 Prior period adjustments 4 1 2 U.S. taxation on foreign income 2 — — Other 2 1 — Provision for income taxes 32 % 22 % 32 %
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities [Table Text Block]	Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Bad debt, inventory and warranty accruals $ 28.4 $ 26.3 Other post-employment benefits, vacation and other reserves 26.3 28.1 Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards 96.4 80.2 Other 35.7 23.2 Total gross deferred tax assets 186.8 157.8 Valuation allowance (66.4 ) (58.3 ) Total deferred tax assets 120.4 99.5 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment 22.5 30.2 Investments and intangible assets 287.8 271.8 Total deferred tax liabilities 310.3 302.0 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (189.9 ) $ (202.5 )
Tabular reconcilation of total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits [Table Text Block]	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (in millions): 2016 2015 2014 Unrecognized tax benefits – January 1 $ 8.9 $ 14.2 $ 16.2 Additions to tax positions related to prior years 10.4 0.7 1.7 Reductions to tax positions related to prior years — (0.2 ) (1.5 ) Additions to tax positions related to the current year 1.4 1.5 1.6 Settlements (2.4 ) (0.5 ) (0.4 ) Lapse of statute of limitations (2.3 ) (6.3 ) (2.6 ) Currency translation 0.1 (0.5 ) (0.8 ) Unrecognized tax benefits – December 31 $ 16.1 $ 8.9 $ 14.2

7. Stockholders' Equity Stockho

7. Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Shares Detail (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	Changes to Bio-Rad's issued common stock shares are as follows (in thousands): Class A Shares Class B Shares Balance at January 1, 2014 23,681 5,097 B to A conversions 5 (5 ) Issuance of common stock 286 7 Balance at December 31, 2014 23,972 5,099 B to A conversions 18 (18 ) Issuance of common stock 240 50 Balance at December 31, 2015 24,230 5,131 B to A conversions 13 (13 ) Issuance of common stock 211 6 Balance at December 31, 2016 24,454 5,124

8. Accumulated Other Comprehe33

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Accumulated other comprehensive income included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity 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 ) $ 164.0 $ 218.9 Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications (37.5 ) (6.8 ) 325.4 281.1 Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income — 1.1 (0.9 ) 0.2 Income tax effects — 1.3 (119.4 ) (118.1 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes (37.5 ) (4.4 ) 205.1 163.2 Balances as of December 31, 2015 $ 33.7 $ (20.7 ) $ 369.1 $ 382.1 Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications (32.4 ) 0.5 105.1 73.2 Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income — 2.5 (0.8 ) 1.7 Income tax effects — (0.9 ) (38.4 ) (39.3 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes (32.4 ) 2.1 65.9 35.6 Balances as of December 31, 2016 $ 1.3 $ (18.6 ) $ 435.0 $ 417.7

8. Accumulated Other Comprehe34

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income, with presentation location, were as follows: Income before taxes impact (in millions): December 31, Components of Comprehensive income 2016 2015 Location Amortization of foreign other post-employment benefit items $ (2.5 ) $ (1.1 ) Selling, general and administrative expense Net holding gains on available for sale investments $ 0.8 $ 0.9 Other (income) expense, net

9. Share-based Compensation (Ta

9. Share-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock Options Activity	Stock Options The following table summarizes stock option activity: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) Outstanding, January 1, 2014 629,643 $ 78.72 Granted 54,000 $ 119.71 Exercised (91,387 ) $ 63.66 Forfeited/expired (10,450 ) $ 100.29 Outstanding, December 31, 2014 581,806 $ 84.50 Granted 40,500 $ 139.56 Exercised (195,221 ) $ 61.29 Forfeited/expired (380 ) $ 62.47 Outstanding, December 31, 2015 426,705 $ 100.36 Granted 45,000 $ 159.37 Exercised (15,285 ) $ 80.70 Forfeited/expired (6,850 ) $ 127.65 Outstanding, December 31, 2016 449,570 $ 106.52 5.15 $ 34.1 Vested and expected to vest, December 31, 2016 437,350 $ 105.39 5.04 $ 33.6 Exercisable, December 31, 2016 314,330 $ 93.78 3.80 $ 27.8
Stock Options Valuation Assumptions	The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Expected volatility 21 % 23 % 25 % Risk-free interest rate 1.35 % 1.90 % 2.35 % Expected life (in years) 7.4 7.7 8.7 Expected dividend — — — Weighted-average fair value of options granted $ 42.40 $ 42.74 $ 43.96
Resticted Stock Activity	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity: Restricted Stock Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) Outstanding, January 1, 2014 375,430 $ 105.44 Granted 145,695 $ 119.56 Vested (107,557 ) $ 98.52 Forfeited (36,203 ) $ 108.17 Outstanding, December 31, 2014 377,365 $ 112.60 Granted 177,110 $ 139.56 Vested (113,347 ) $ 107.62 Forfeited (28,706 ) $ 116.19 Outstanding, December 31, 2015 412,422 $ 125.30 Granted 193,025 $ 159.32 Vested (117,203 ) $ 119.33 Forfeited (39,422 ) $ 129.80 Outstanding, December 31, 2016 448,822 $ 141.09 2.16 $ 81.8
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under the 2011 ESPP was estimated using a Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Expected volatility 20 % 18 % 15 % Risk-free interest rate 0.26 % 0.02 % 0.04 % Expected life (in years) 0.25 0.25 0.25 Expected dividend — — — Weighted-average fair value of purchase rights $ 27.36 $ 25.08 $ 21.88

10. Other Income and Expenses

10. Other Income and Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of other income (expense), net	Other (income) expense, net includes the following components (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Interest and investment income $ (14.7 ) $ (10.1 ) $ (13.5 ) Net realized gains on investments (0.8 ) (1.6 ) — Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments 0.6 0.6 0.4 Miscellaneous other (income) expense items, net — — 0.1 Other (income) expense, net $ (14.9 ) $ (11.1 ) $ (13.0 )

11. Supplemental Cash Flow I37

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	11. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION The reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Net income $ 28.1 $ 113.1 $ 88.8 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 142.9 131.8 149.9 Share-based compensation 19.7 17.0 14.9 (Gains) losses on dispositions of securities (0.2 ) (1.0 ) 0.3 Losses on dispositions of fixed assets 0.6 0.3 0.4 Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation (1.5 ) (3.6 ) (1.3 ) Changes in fair value of contingent consideration (0.4 ) (5.6 ) (1.4 ) Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net 12.5 (39.0 ) 11.1 (Increase) decrease in inventories, net (57.1 ) (54.2 ) 5.8 (Increase) decrease in other current assets (6.6 ) 0.1 (5.7 ) Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities 30.1 28.6 (9.9 ) Increase in income taxes payable 10.7 12.7 20.4 Decrease in deferred income taxes (51.4 ) (6.4 ) (6.3 ) Decrease in other long term assets 12.7 0.3 3.6 Increase (decrease) in other long term liabilities 8.3 (12.2 ) (1.3 ) Impairment losses on goodwill and long-lived assets 62.3 — — Other 5.7 4.3 4.0 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 216.4 $ 186.2 $ 273.3 Non-cash investing activities: Purchased intangible assets $ — $ — $ 0.2 Purchased marketable securities and investments $ 0.6 $ 2.2 $ —

14. Segment Reporting (Tables)

14. Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information regarding industry segments	Information regarding industry segments at December 31, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 and for the years then ended is as follows (in millions): Life Science Clinical Diagnostics Other Operations Segment net sales 2016 $ 730.7 $ 1,323.3 $ 14.2 2015 695.0 1,310.4 14.0 2014 728.3 1,432.3 14.4 Allocated interest expense 2016 $ 6.4 $ 15.5 $ — 2015 6.1 15.4 0.1 2014 5.5 15.9 0.1 Depreciation and amortization 2016 $ 31.7 $ 80.5 $ — 2015 30.7 77.8 0.1 2014 33.2 95.8 — Segment (loss) profit 2016 $ (19.2 ) $ 57.0 $ 0.9 2015 (0.7 ) 152.4 0.7 2014 (14.7 ) 167.1 1.2 Segment assets 2016 $ 381.4 $ 918.0 $ 4.9 2015 390.5 878.3 4.4 Capital expenditures 2016 $ 14.3 $ 67.1 $ — 2015 8.2 51.3 0.1
Reconciliation of segment profit to consolidated income before taxes	he following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated income before taxes (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Total segment profit $ 38.7 $ 152.4 $ 153.6 Foreign exchange losses (4.5 ) (10.2 ) (9.3 ) Net corporate operating, interest and other expense, net not allocated to segments (7.5 ) (7.5 ) (25.7 ) Other income (expense), net 14.9 11.1 13.0 Consolidated income before taxes $ 41.6 $ 145.8 $ 131.6
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	The following reconciles total segment assets to consolidated total assets (in millions): December 31, 2016 2015 Total segment assets $ 1,304.3 $ 1,273.2 Cash and other current assets 980.3 926.9 Property, plant and equipment, net, excluding segment specific gross machinery and equipment 81.6 46.1 Goodwill, net 477.1 495.9 Other long-term assets 1,007.2 967.6 Total assets $ 3,850.5 $ 3,709.7
Net sales and assets to external customers by geographic area	The following presents net sales to external customers by geographic region based primarily on the location of the use of the product or service (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Europe $ 742.2 $ 763.7 $ 901.7 Pacific Rim 427.1 392.2 417.5 United States 770.6 735.0 704.9 Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) 128.3 128.5 150.9 Total net sales $ 2,068.2 $ 2,019.4 $ 2,175.0 The following presents Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes, by geographic region based upon the location of the asset (in millions): December 31, 2016 2015 Europe $ 221.1 $ 204.4 Pacific Rim 16.1 15.1 United States 1,084.7 962.6 Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) 12.3 9.1 Total Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes $ 1,334.2 $ 1,191.2

15. Restructuring Costs (Tables

15. Restructuring Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity of our restructuring reserves for severance (in millions): Life Science Clinical Diagnostics Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ — $ — $ — Charged to expense 4.1 7.6 11.7 Adjustment to expense 0.3 0.5 0.8 Cash payments (1.0 ) (2.0 ) (3.0 ) Foreign currency translation gains (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (0.5 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 3.2 $ 5.8 $ 9.0

16. Quarterly Financial Data (T

16. Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data [Table Text Block]	First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter 2016 Net sales $ 471.2 $ 516.8 $ 508.7 $ 571.5 Gross profit 264.0 280.2 279.5 314.4 Net income (loss) 12.3 18.0 18.4 (20.6 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.42 $ 0.61 $ 0.63 $ (0.70 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.42 $ 0.61 $ 0.62 $ (0.70 ) 2015 Net sales $ 472.8 $ 506.1 $ 470.0 $ 570.6 Gross profit 270.1 279.6 263.5 308.5 Net income 17.8 28.4 17.4 49.5 Basic earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.98 $ 0.59 $ 1.69 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.97 $ 0.59 $ 1.68

1. Significant Accounting Pol41

1. Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Other assets	$ 47,852	$ 64,618
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 434,186	433,883
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Reagent Rental Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Maximum [Member] | Reagent Rental Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	12 years
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Other assets		1,800
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,800

1. Significant Accounting Pol42

1. Significant Accounting Policies Warranty rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Warranty accrual, beginning of period	$ 17.4	$ 17.8
Provision for warranty	33.4	30.6
Actual warranty costs	(33.2)	(31)
Warranty accrual, end of period	$ 17.6	$ 17.4

1. Significant Accounting Pol43

1. Significant Accounting Policies Earnings per share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,440	29,186	28,876
Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards	206	223	257
Diluted weighted average common shares	29,646	29,409	29,133
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted EPS	113	109	122

1. Significant Accounting Pol44

1. Significant Accounting Policies Details (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other assets	$ 47,852	$ 64,618
Restricted investments	4,560	4,210
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other assets		1,800
Restricted investments	$ 2,000	$ 1,400

2. Acquisitions (Details)

2. Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 06, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 477,115	$ 495,948		$ 500,400
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		100	$ 0
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 32,800
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	9,500
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		$ 25,400		$ 23,300
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles				$ 32,700
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 100

3. Fair Value Measurements (Det

3. Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value		$ 4.6		$ 4.2
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	1,115.6		957.6
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	[2]	0.6		0.9
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value		1,173.7		1,034.3
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	[3]	1.3		1.1
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	[4]	38.5		19.1
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		39.8		20.2
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		3.6
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	179.4		156.9
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	82.5		74.8
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	4.4		4.6
Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	15.4		6.4
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	767.8		660.1
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	62.5		54.8
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents				0.6
Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	11.8		11.9
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		1.1	[5]	14.6
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	5.9		11.3
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	14.1		33.2
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	52.9		71.6
Domestic Time Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		20
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value		4.6		4.2
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	767.8		660.1
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	[2]	0		0
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value		790.1		687.5
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	[3]	0		0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	[4]	0		0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	767.8		660.1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents				0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	11.8		11.9
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0	[5]	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	5.9		11.3
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	17.7		23.2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Domestic Time Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value		0		0
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	347.8		297.5
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	[2]	0.6		0.9
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value		383.6		346.8
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	[3]	1.3		1.1
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	[4]	0		0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		1.3		1.1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		3.6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	179.4		156.9
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	82.5		74.8
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	4.4		4.6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	15.4		6.4
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	62.5		54.8
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents				0.6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		1.1	[5]	14.6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	14.1		33.2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	35.2		48.4
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Domestic Time Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		20
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value		0		0
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	[2]	0		0
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value		0		0
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	[3]	0		0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	[4]	38.5		19.1
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		38.5		19.1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	[1]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents				0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0	[5]	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	[5]	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Domestic Time Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		14.5		13.5
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		383.2		328.7
Short-term Investments [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		3.6
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		179.4		156.9
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		82.5		74.8
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		4.4		4.6
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		15.4		6.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		35.7		31.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		62.2		54.6
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments		732.4		628.9
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		$ 24		$ 5.6
[1]	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 Short-term investments $ 383.2 $ 328.7 Other investments 732.4 628.9 Total $ 1,115.6 $ 957.6
[2]	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3]	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[4]	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Other current liabilities $ 14.5 $ 13.5 Other long-term liabilities 24.0 5.6 Total $ 38.5 $ 19.1
[5]	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

3. Fair Value Measurements Fore

3. Fair Value Measurements Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Forward foreign exchange contract to purchase foreign currency [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 328.3
Loss on foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0.6
Forward foreign exchange contract to sell foreign currency [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	16.9
Loss on foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	$ 0.1

3. Fair Value Measurements Shor

3. Fair Value Measurements Short-term Investments (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 435.7	$ 382.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		681.7	577.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(1.8)	(1.6)
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	1,115.6	957.6
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	179.4	156.9
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value		3.6
Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	15.4	6.4
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	62.5	54.8
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	767.8	660.1
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	82.5	74.8
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	[1]	4.4	4.6
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value		383.2	328.7
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		179.7	157.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0.2	0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(0.5)	(0.4)
Estimated Fair Value		179.4	156.9
Short-term Investments [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		3.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		0
Estimated Fair Value		3.6
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		15.5	6.4
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
Estimated Fair Value		15.4	6.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		62.2	54.8
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0.1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(0.1)	(0.2)
Estimated Fair Value		62.2	54.6
Short-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		32.4	29.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		3.7	2.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(0.4)	(0.7)
Estimated Fair Value		35.7	31.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		380.9	327.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		4.1	2.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(1.8)	(1.5)
Estimated Fair Value		383.2	328.7
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		83.1	74.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0.1	0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		(0.7)	(0.2)
Estimated Fair Value		82.5	74.8
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		4.4	4.6
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		4.4	4.6
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		0.3	0.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		0	(0.1)
Estimated Fair Value		0.3	0.2
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		677.6	574.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		0	0
Estimated Fair Value		732.1	628.7
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		54.8	54.8
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		677.6	574.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		0	(0.1)
Estimated Fair Value		$ 732.4	$ 628.9
[1]	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, December 31, 2015 Short-term investments $ 383.2 $ 328.7 Other investments 732.4 628.9 Total $ 1,115.6 $ 957.6

3. Fair Value Measurements Amor

3. Fair Value Measurements Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Mature in less than one year	$ 156.1
Mature in one to five years	141
Mature in more than five years	51.7
Total Amortized Cost	348.8
Mature in less than one year	156.1
Mature in one to five years	140.7
Mature in more than five years	51
Estimated Fair Value	$ 347.8

3. Fair Value Measurements Fair

3. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses with Unrealized Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Price Change Debt Security	5.00%
Tolerable variance Level 2 debt security pricing	1.00%
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	$ 11.8	$ 10.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	160.5	204
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more	0.3	0.4
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$ 1.5	$ 1.2
Cost Method Investment, Percentage Owned	35.00%

3. Fair Value Investments (Deta

3. Fair Value Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	$ 92.8	$ 86.5
Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities	422.5	421.9
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	984.2	843.2
Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities	$ 454.2	$ 454.3

3. Fair Value Measurements Cont

3. Fair Value Measurements Contingent Consideration (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended			51 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 06, 2016	Apr. 10, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value		$ 28.5			$ 28.5
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability		(0.4)	$ (5.6)	$ (1.4)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	[1]	38.5	19.1		38.5
CellSorter [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			9.1
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		3.1			3.1			$ 44.6
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements		3.5			28.9
Net (decrease) increase in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in selling, general and administrative expense		(2.5)			(12.6)
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		25.4			25.4	$ 23.3
Net (decrease) increase in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in selling, general and administrative expense		2.1
GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		$ 10	$ 10		$ 10		$ 10.7
Discount rate [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		10.00%
Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout		39.00%			39.00%
Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices low [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout		20.00%			20.00%
Sales milestone minimum amount [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low		$ 0			$ 0
Cost of debt [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		4.70%
[1]	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Other current liabilities $ 14.5 $ 13.5 Other long-term liabilities 24.0 5.6 Total $ 38.5 $ 19.1

4. Goodwill and other Purchased

4. Goodwill and other Purchased Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill period start	$ 524,100	$ 524,100	$ 528,600
Accumulated impairment loss period start	(28,200)	(28,200)	(28,200)
Goodwill, net period start	495,948	495,948	500,400
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		100	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		13,500	0
Currency fluctuations		(5,400)	(4,500)
Goodwill period end		518,800	524,100
Accumulated impairment loss period end		(41,700)	(28,200)
Goodwill, net period end		477,115	495,948
Life Science [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill period start	207,200	207,200	207,700
Accumulated impairment loss period start	(27,200)	(27,200)	(27,200)
Goodwill, net period start	180,000	180,000	180,500
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		100	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		0	0
Currency fluctuations		(200)	(500)
Goodwill period end		207,100	207,200
Accumulated impairment loss period end		(27,200)	(27,200)
Goodwill, net period end		179,900	180,000
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill period start	316,900	316,900	320,900
Accumulated impairment loss period start	(1,000)	(1,000)	(1,000)
Goodwill, net period start	315,900	315,900	319,900
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		0	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		13,500	0
Currency fluctuations		(5,200)	(4,000)
Goodwill period end		311,700	316,900
Accumulated impairment loss period end		(14,500)	(1,000)
Goodwill, net period end		$ 297,200	$ 315,900
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 100

4. Goodwill and other Purchas54

4. Goodwill and other Purchased Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 06, 2016
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 443,200	$ 417,500
Future Amortization Expense, Year One		27,200
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two		24,200
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three		21,400
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four		19,400
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five		18,400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five		51,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(281,600)	(249,900)
Net Carrying Amount		161,600	167,600
Amortization [Abstract]
Amortization expense		35,200	36,500	$ 47,800
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		0	46,400
Impairment losses on goodwill and long-lived assets		62,305	0	$ 0
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)		46,400
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		443,200	463,900
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		161,609	214,026
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		84,400	84,700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(52,800)	(46,800)
Net Carrying Amount		31,600	37,900
Know how [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		182,600	184,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(136,900)	(121,600)
Net Carrying Amount		45,700	62,400
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		125,900	101,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(56,300)	(48,900)
Net Carrying Amount		69,600	52,400
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		39,000	39,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(30,600)	(28,500)
Net Carrying Amount		8,400	10,700
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		3,500	3,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(2,500)	(2,400)
Net Carrying Amount		1,000	1,100
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		7,800	4,800
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		(2,500)	(1,700)
Net Carrying Amount		$ 5,300	$ 3,100
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		1 year	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Know how [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		1 year	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		3 years	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		1 year	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		4 years	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		2 years	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		0 years	0 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		8 years	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Know how [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		9 years	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		12 years	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		9 years	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		8 years	9 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		9 years	7 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period		0 years	0 years
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles					$ 32,700
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 29,700
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 3,000

5. Notes Payable and Long-Ter55

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 434,500	$ 434,200
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal Remainder of Fiscal Year	300	300
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	434,186	433,883
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	300
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	300
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	200
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	425,300
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	300
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	10,600
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	205,700
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	5,400
Performance Guarantee [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	5,400
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Notes 4.875% due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt	425,000	425,000
Long-term debt	422,500	421,900		$ 422,600
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net	2,500	3,100
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				4.946%
Face amount of debt sold				$ 425,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				4.875%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Capital Leases and Other Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities	12,000	$ 12,300
Line of Credit [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 200,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	2.25%
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 800

6. Income Taxes (Details)

6. Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Prepaid Taxes	$ 12,700
U.S.	(38,500)	$ 48,400	$ 30,600
International	80,100	97,400	101,000
Income before income taxes	41,560	145,847	131,557
U.S. Federal	16,100	8,700	9,600
State	3,100	1,700	3,800
International	30,300	34,100	35,600
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	49,500	44,500	49,000
U.S. Federal	(42,400)	(200)	1,500
State	(2,800)	1,200	(200)
International	(6,000)	(7,100)	(7,300)
Deferred tax benefit	(51,200)	(6,100)	(6,000)
Non-current tax expense (benefit)	15,100	(5,600)	(300)
Provision for income taxes	$ 13,435	$ 32,754	$ 42,712
U.S. statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Impact of foreign operations	(15.00%)	(4.00%)	(4.00%)
Foreign dividends, net	(40.00%)	(4.00%)	0.00%
Research tax credits	(9.00%)	(2.00%)	(3.00%)
Nontaxable subsidies	(4.00%)	(1.00%)	(2.00%)
Tax settlements and changes to unrecognized tax benefits	42.00%	(4.00%)	(1.00%)
Goodwill impairment	11.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Domestic manufacturing deduction	(4.00%)	(2.00%)	0.00%
Stock-based compensation	3.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Nondeductible executive compensation	3.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Fines and penalties	2.00%	0.00%	3.00%
Prior period adjustments	4.00%	1.00%	2.00%
Other	2.00%	1.00%	0.00%
Provision for income taxes	32.00%	22.00%	32.00%
Bad debt, inventory and warranty accruals	$ 28,400	$ 26,300
Other post-employment benefits, vacation and other reserves	26,300	28,100
Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards	96,400	80,200
Other	35,700	23,200
Total gross deferred tax assets	186,800	157,800
Valuation allowance	(66,400)	(58,300)
Total deferred tax assets	120,400	99,500
Property and equipment	22,500	30,200
Investments and intangible assets	287,800	271,800
Total deferred tax liabilities	310,300	302,000
Net deferred tax liabilities	(189,900)	(202,500)
Unrecognized tax benefits period start	8,900	14,200	$ 16,200
Additions to tax positions related to prior years	10,400	700	1,700
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	0	(200)	(1,500)
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	1,400	1,500	1,600
Settlements	(2,400)	(500)	(400)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(2,300)	(6,300)	(2,600)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation	100
Currency translation		(500)	(800)
Unrecognized tax benefits period end	16,100	8,900	14,200
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	11,500	$ 3,000	$ 3,800
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	3,500
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings	447,000
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized, Cumulative Amount of Temporary Difference	47,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforward, Valuation Allowance	29,600
Operating Loss Carryforward With No Expiration Date	140,800
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 141,300
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Other	2.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 1,900
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	53,000
Including accrued interest and penalties [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits period end	27,600
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	27,600
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	3,600
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	25,900
Limitations On Use | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	400
QuantaLife [Member] | Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	2,000
Net of prepaid taxes [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits period end	$ 14,900

7. Stockholders' Equity (Detail

7. Stockholders' Equity (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares, Issued		24,454,000	24,230,000	23,972,000	23,681,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		13,000	18,000	5,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		211,000	240,000	286,000
Common Stock, Voting Rights		.10
Election Percentage for Board of Directors		25.00%
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares, Issued		5,124,000	5,131,000	5,099,000	5,097,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		(13,000)	(18,000)	(5,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		6,000	50,000	7,000
Common Stock, Voting Rights		1
Election Percentage for Board of Directors		75.00%
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	917

7. Stockholders' Equity Treasur

7. Stockholders' Equity Treasury Shares (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 18
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 3.3
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares	122	122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares	917	917

8. Accumulated Other Comprehe59

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 417,766	$ 382,138
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	35,628	163,193	$ (121,772)
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,300	33,700	71,200
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(32,400)	(37,500)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(32,400)	(37,500)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(18,600)	(20,700)	(16,300)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	500	(6,800)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	2,500	1,100
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(900)	1,300
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,100	(4,400)
Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	435,000	369,100	164,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	105,100	325,400
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(800)	(900)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(38,400)	(119,400)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	65,900	205,100
Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	417,700	382,100	$ 218,900
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	73,200	281,100
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	1,700	200
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(39,300)	(118,100)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 35,600	$ 163,200

8. Accumulated Other Comprehe60

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	$ 930,085	$ 897,771	$ 996,527
Selling, general and administrative expense	(816,724)	(761,990)	(808,200)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	14,850	11,080	$ 13,009
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expense	2,500	1,100
Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$ 800	$ 900

9. Share-based Compensation (De

9. Share-based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,200,000	$ 2,100,000
Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 19,700,000	$ 17,000,000	$ 14,900,000
2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	600,000
Stock Option and Award Plans [Member] | Incentive Award Plan (2007) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	2,250,360
Number of Shares Available for Grant	587,509
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Granted Term	P10Y0M0D
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) - Outstanding	5 years 1 month 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) - Outstanding	$ 34.1
Options - Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 106.52	$ 100.36	$ 84.50	$ 78.72
Options Granted - Weighted Average Exercise Price	159.37	139.56	119.71
Options Exercised - Weighted Average Exercise Price	80.70	61.29	63.66
Options Forfeitured/expired - Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 127.65	$ 62.47	$ 100.29
Options - Shares Vested and Expected to Vest	437,350
Options Vested and Expected to Vest - Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 105.39
Options Vested and Expected to Vest - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	5 years 14 days
Options Vested and Expected to Vest - Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$ 33.6
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Options Exercisable	$ 93.78
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) - Exercisable	3 years 9 months 18 days
Options Exercisable Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$ 27.8
Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	1,000,000	$ 13,000,000	$ 5,000,000
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	1,200,000	2,900,000	5,800,000
Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	6,000,000	$ 9,300,000	$ 5,300,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost from stock options	$ 4,900,000
Options Number Exercisable	314,330
Options Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	20.00%
Weighted average fair value of options granted, period for recognition	3 years
Expected Volatility	21.00%	23.00%	25.00%
Risk Free Interest Rate	1.35%	1.90%	2.35%
Expected life (in years)	7 years 4 months 24 days	7 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 8 months 12 days
Expected dividend	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 42.40	$ 42.74	$ 43.96
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning of period	426,705	581,806	629,643
Options - Shares Granted	45,000	40,500	54,000
Options - Shares Exercised	(15,285)	(195,221)	(91,387)
Options - Shares Forfeitures/expired	(6,850)	(380)	(10,450)
Outstanding end of period	449,570	426,705	581,806
Employee Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Available for Grant	96,121
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	$ 11,500,000	$ 10,800,000	$ 10,200,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	93,605	96,634	102,222
Employee Contribution Rate - Maximum	10.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Contribution Amount	$ 25,000
Employee Purchase Price Discount from Market Price	85.00%
Expected Volatility	20.00%	18.00%	15.00%
Risk Free Interest Rate	0.26%	0.02%	0.04%
Expected life (in years)	7 days	7 days	7 days
Expected dividend	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Weighted Average Price of Shares Purchased	$ 27.36	$ 25.08	$ 21.88
Stock Award Plans [Member] | Incentive Award Plan (2007) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	20.00%

9. Share-based Compensation Res

9. Share-based Compensation Restricted Stock (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 14	$ 12.2	$ 10.6
Total unrecognized compensation cost from restricted stock	$ 46.8
Nonvested shares - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 141.09	$ 125.30	$ 112.60	$ 105.44
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning of period	412,422	377,365	375,430
Restricted Stock Units Granted	193,025	177,110	145,695
Restricted Stock Units - Vested	(117,203)	(113,347)	(107,557)
Restricted Stock Units - Forfeited	(39,422)	(28,706)	(36,203)
Outstanding end of period	448,822	412,422	377,365
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$ 159.32	$ 139.56	$ 119.56
Restricted Stock Units Vested - Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	119.33	107.62	98.52
Resticted Stock Units Cancelled/forfeited - Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$ 129.80	$ 116.19	$ 108.17
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	2 years 1 month 28 days
Resticted Stock Units Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$ 81.8
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	4 years

10. Other Income and Expense63

10. Other Income and Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest and investment income	$ (14,700)	$ (10,100)	$ (13,500)
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	(800)	(1,600)	0
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	600	600	400
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	0	0	100
Other (income) expense, net	$ 14,850	$ 11,080	$ 13,009

11. Supplemental Cash Flow I64

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (20,600)	$ 18,400	$ 18,000	$ 12,300	$ 49,500	$ 17,400	$ 28,400	$ 17,800	$ 28,125	$ 113,093	$ 88,845
Depreciation and amortization									142,900	131,800	149,900
Share-based compensation									19,700	17,000	14,900
(Gain) loss on disposition of securities									(200)	(1,000)	300
Loss on disposition of fixed assets									600	300	400
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation									(1,506)	(3,610)	(1,349)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration									(400)	(5,600)	(1,400)
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net									12,500	(39,000)	11,100
(Increase) decrease in inventories, net									(57,100)	(54,200)	5,800
(Increase) decrease in Other Current Assets									(6,600)	100	(5,700)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities									30,100	28,600	(9,900)
Increase in Income Taxes Payable									10,700	12,700	20,400
Decrease in deferred income taxes									(51,400)	(6,400)	(6,300)
Other									5,700	4,300	4,000
Decrease in other long term assets									12,700	300	3,600
Increase (Decrease) in Other Long Term Liabilities									8,300	(12,200)	(1,300)
Impairment losses on goodwill and long-lived assets									62,305	0	0
Net cash provided by operating activities									216,433	186,210	273,312
Noncash purchased intangible assets									0	0	200
Noncash Purchased Marketable Securities and Investments									$ 600	$ 2,200	$ 0

12. Commitments & Contingent 65

12. Commitments & Contingent Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended	51 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 06, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 10, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value		$ 28.5	$ 28.5
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating leases, due next twelve months		42.1	42.1
Operating leases, due in two years		32.1	32.1
Operating leases, due in three years		24.7	24.7
Operating leases, due in four years		20.4	20.4
Operating leases, due thereafter		38.8	38.8
Post-Employment Benefits Liability		68	68		$ 68.6
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation		142.9	142.9
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Next Twelve Months		34.3	34.3
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Second Year		7.3	7.3
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Third Year		3.1	3.1
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Fourth Year		2.5	2.5
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Fifth Year		1.6	1.6
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due after Fifth Year		94.1	94.1
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation		35	35
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due in Twelve Months		17.5	17.5
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Two Years		5	5
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Three Years		3.5	3.5
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Four Years		3.5	3.5
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Five Years		5.5	5.5
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due after Five Years		0	0
Letters of Credit Outstanding Amount		$ 5.4	$ 5.4
Employees Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreements U.S., Percentage		7.00%	7.00%
Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings		$ (2.1)
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		25.4	$ 25.4	$ 23.3
GnuBIO [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		10	10		10	$ 10.7
CellSorter [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value					9.1
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements		3.5	28.9
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings		2.5	12.6
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		$ 3.1	$ 3.1				$ 44.6
UNITED STATES
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Entity Number of Employees		3,300	3,300
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	[1]	$ 38.5	$ 38.5		$ 19.1
Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout		39.00%	39.00%
Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices low [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout		20.00%	20.00%
Sales milestone minimum amount [Member] | Analytical Flow Cytometer Platform [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low		$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Other current liabilities $ 14.5 $ 13.5 Other long-term liabilities 24.0 5.6 Total $ 38.5 $ 19.1

12. Commitments & Contingent 66

12. Commitments & Contingent Liabilities Period Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 5.4
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	44.4	$ 45	$ 46.9
Contribution expense	$ 15.1	$ 14.7	$ 13.7

13. Legal Proceedings Legal Pro

13. Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	$ 10,920,000
Litigation Settlement Interest	$ 141,608

14. Segment Reporting (Details)

14. Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Products And Services									8,000
Net sales	$ 571,500	$ 508,700	$ 516,800	$ 471,200	$ 570,600	$ 470,000	$ 506,100	$ 472,800	$ 2,068,172	$ 2,019,441	$ 2,175,044
Interest expense									21,942	21,692	22,131
Depreciation and amortization									142,900	131,800	149,900
Segment profit									53,194	166,708	149,984
Total assets	3,850,504				3,709,718				3,850,504	3,709,718
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									141,436	112,000	120,999
Life Science [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									730,700	695,000	728,300
Interest expense									6,400	6,100	5,500
Depreciation and amortization									31,700	30,700	33,200
Segment profit									(19,200)	(700)	(14,700)
Total assets	381,400				390,500				381,400	390,500
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									14,300	8,200
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,323,300	1,310,400	1,432,300
Interest expense									15,500	15,400	15,900
Depreciation and amortization									80,500	77,800	95,800
Segment profit									57,000	152,400	167,100
Total assets	918,000				878,300				918,000	878,300
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									67,100	51,300
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									14,200	14,000	14,400
Interest expense									0	100	100
Depreciation and amortization									0	100	0
Segment profit									900	700	$ 1,200
Total assets	$ 4,900				$ 4,400				4,900	4,400
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									$ 0	$ 100

14. Segment Information Segment

14. Segment Information Segment Profit Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 41,560	$ 145,847	$ 131,557
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	38,700	152,400	153,600
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(7,500)	(7,500)	(25,700)
NonAllocated Expense Loss Contingency [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes			(20,100)
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	(4,500)	(10,200)	(9,300)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 14,900	$ 11,100	$ 13,000

14. Segment Information Segme70

14. Segment Information Segment Asset Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 3,850,504	$ 3,709,718
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	1,304,300	1,273,200
Other Current Assets [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	980,300	926,900
Property, Plant and Equipment excluding segment specific [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	81,600	46,100
Goodwill [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	477,100	495,900
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 1,007,200	$ 967,600

14. Segment Information Segme71

14. Segment Information Segment Information by Geographical Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 571,500	$ 508,700	$ 516,800	$ 471,200	$ 570,600	$ 470,000	$ 506,100	$ 472,800	$ 2,068,172	$ 2,019,441	$ 2,175,044
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	1,334,200				1,191,200				1,334,200	1,191,200
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									742,200	763,700	901,700
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	221,100				204,400				221,100	204,400
Pacific Rim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									427,100	392,200	417,500
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	16,100				15,100				16,100	15,100
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									770,600	735,000	704,900
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	1,084,700				962,600				1,084,700	962,600
Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									128,300	128,500	$ 150,900
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	$ 12,300				$ 9,100				$ 12,300	$ 9,100

15. Restructuring Costs (Detail

15. Restructuring Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 9	$ 0
Restructuring Charges	12.5
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	0.8
Payments for Restructuring	3
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	0.5
Restructuring Reserve, Current	6.4
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	2.6
Cost of Goods, Total [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	2.1
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	10.4
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	11.7
Life Science [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	3.2	0
Restructuring Charges	4.1
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	0.3
Payments for Restructuring	1
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	0.2
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	5.8	$ 0
Restructuring Charges	7.6
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	0.5
Payments for Restructuring	2
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	$ 0.3

16. Quarterly Financial Data (D

16. Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 571,500	$ 508,700	$ 516,800	$ 471,200	$ 570,600	$ 470,000	$ 506,100	$ 472,800	$ 2,068,172	$ 2,019,441	$ 2,175,044
Gross profit	314,400	279,500	280,200	264,000	308,500	263,500	279,600	270,100	1,138,087	1,121,670	1,178,517
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (20,600)	$ 18,400	$ 18,000	$ 12,300	$ 49,500	$ 17,400	$ 28,400	$ 17,800	$ 28,125	$ 113,093	$ 88,845
Basic earnings per share	$ (0.70)	$ 0.63	$ 0.61	$ 0.42	$ 1.69	$ 0.59	$ 0.98	$ 0.61	$ 0.96	$ 3.87	$ 3.08
Diluted earnings per share	$ (0.70)	$ 0.62	$ 0.61	$ 0.42	$ 1.68	$ 0.59	$ 0.97	$ 0.61	$ 0.95	$ 3.85	$ 3.05

Schedule II - Valuation and Q74

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accoutns (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 8,126	$ (338)	$ (5,396)
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period Start	58,277	58,615	64,011
Deductions	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period End	66,403	58,277	58,615
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Additions for Charges to Cost and Expense	3,785	8,783	7,164
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period Start	24,418	27,973	32,471
Deductions	(4,836)	(12,338)	(11,662)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period End	$ 23,367	$ 24,418	$ 27,973

17. Subsequent Event (Details)

17. Subsequent Event (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] $ in Millions	Feb. 15, 2017USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 87
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 82.9