Dover (DOV) 10-K 13 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 06, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DOVER Corp
Entity Central Index Key	29905
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$15,139,169,562
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		163,045,137
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$7,752,728	$7,155,096	$6,626,648
Cost of goods and services	4,778,479	4,376,505	4,046,659
Gross profit	2,974,249	2,778,591	2,579,989
Selling and administrative expenses	1,758,765	1,616,921	1,520,961
Operating earnings	1,215,484	1,161,670	1,059,028
Interest expense, net	127,179	120,654	121,269
Other (income) expense, net	-5,902	-4,970	6,694
Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	1,094,207	1,045,986	931,065
Provision for income taxes	316,067	248,459	280,990
Earnings from continuing operations	778,140	797,527	650,075
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	-2,905	205,602	160,995
Net earnings	$775,235	$1,003,129	$811,070
Earnings per share from continuing operations [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per basic share)	$4.67	$4.66	$3.58
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per diluted share)	$4.61	$4.60	$3.53
Earnings per share from discontinued operations [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per basic share)	($0.02)	$1.20	$0.89
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per diluted share)	($0.02)	$1.18	$0.88
Net earnings per share [Abstract]
Net earnings (in dollars per basic share)	$4.65	$5.86	$4.47
Net earnings (in dollars per diluted share)	$4.59	$5.78	$4.41
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.55	$1.45	$1.33

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$775,235	$1,003,129	$811,070
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains during period	-144,643	34,617	38,880
Reclassification of foreign currency translation losses (gains) to earnings upon sale of subsidiaries	-6,300	-29,881	0
Total foreign currency translation, net of tax	-150,943	4,736	38,880
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Abstract]
Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period	-60,766	101,478	-56,159
Prior service cost arising during period	-354	-1,246	-4,685
Amortization of actuarial losses including in net periodic benefit cost	5,792	12,542	8,530
Amortization of prior service costs included in net periodic benefit cost	5,617	5,733	5,304
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	-49,711	118,507	-47,010
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges [Abstract]
Unrealized net gains (losses) arising during period	-137	35	482
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings, net of tax	-107	-84	-357
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	-244	-49	125
Other comprehensive income loss other adjustment, net of tax	939	-565	609
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	-199,959	122,629	-7,396
Comprehensive earnings	$575,276	$1,125,758	$803,674

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$681,581	$803,882
Receivables, net of allowances	1,186,746	1,076,641
Inventories, net	863,737	715,311
Prepaid and other current assets	101,482	62,037
Deferred tax assets	63,276	60,101
Total current assets	2,896,822	2,717,972
Property, plant and equipment, net	837,069	787,849
Goodwill	3,491,557	3,108,580
Intangible assets, net	1,369,520	1,258,911
Other assets and deferred charges	168,246	202,806
Assets of discontinued operations	327,171	2,779,063
Total assets	9,090,385	10,855,181
Current liabilities
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	777,956	229,278
Accounts payable	615,332	522,713
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	272,822	267,579
Accrued insurance	95,896	92,600
Other accrued expenses	266,277	219,609
Federal and other taxes on income	11,071	10,469
Total current liabilities	2,039,354	1,342,248
Long-term debt	2,253,041	2,599,201
Deferred income taxes	564,207	491,851
Other liabilities	482,340	508,864
Liabilities of discontinued operations	50,718	535,621
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	255,893	255,320
Additional paid-in capital	900,833	871,575
Retained earnings	7,074,782	7,954,536
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	-158,931	67,723
Common stock in treasury	-4,371,852	-3,771,758
Total stockholders' equity	3,700,725	5,377,396
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$9,090,385	$10,855,181

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$18,894	$17,203
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, par value per share	$100	$100
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value per share	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	255,892,502	255,320,345

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Common Stock in Treasury [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2011	$4,930,555	$250,592	$663,289	$6,629,116	($47,510)	($2,564,932)
Net earnings	811,070	0	0	811,070	0	0
Dividends paid	-240,959	0	0	-240,959	0	0
Common stock issued for acquisition	100,610	1,636	98,974	0	0	0
Common stock issued for the exercise of stock options and SARs	19,081	1,871	17,210	0	0	0
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	22,771	0	22,771	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	31,251	0	31,251	0	0	0
Common stock issued, net of cancellations	1,202	20	1,182	0	0	0
Common stock acquired	-748,955	0	0	0	0	-748,955
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	-7,396	0	0	0	-7,396	0
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	4,919,230	254,119	834,677	7,199,227	-54,906	-3,313,887
Net earnings	1,003,129	0	0	1,003,129	0	0
Dividends paid	-247,820	0	0	-247,820	0	0
Common stock issued for the exercise of stock options and SARs	-18,694	1,194	-19,888	0	0	0
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	25,661	0	25,661	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	30,480	0	30,480	0	0	0
Common stock issued, net of cancellations	652	7	645	0	0	0
Common stock acquired	-457,871	0	0	0	0	-457,871
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	122,629	0	0	0	122,629	0
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	5,377,396	255,320	871,575	7,954,536	67,723	-3,771,758
Net earnings	775,235	0	0	775,235	0	0
Dividends paid	-258,487	0	0	-258,487	0	0
Separation of Knowles	-1,423,197	0	0	-1,396,502	-26,695	0
Common stock issued for the exercise of stock options and SARs	-16,571	565	-17,136	0	0	0
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	15,110	0	15,110	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	31,628	0	31,628	0	0	0
Common stock issued, net of cancellations	647	8	639	0	0	0
Common stock acquired	-601,077	0	-983	0	0	-600,094
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	-199,959	0	0	0	-199,959	0
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,700,725	$255,893	$900,833	$7,074,782	($158,931)	($4,371,852)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
Net earnings	$775,235	$1,003,129	$811,070
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash from operating activities:
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	2,905	-205,602	-160,995
Depreciation and amortization	307,188	278,033	229,934
Stock-based compensation	31,628	30,480	30,884
Provision for losses on accounts receivable (net of recoveries)	4,730	5,869	3,810
Deferred income taxes	-33,866	8,275	-3,450
Employee benefit plan expense	34,627	44,311	42,681
Contributions to employee benefit plans	-24,232	-40,258	-47,584
Other, net	-21,813	3,904	-14,834
Cash effect of changes in current assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign exchange):
Accounts receivable	-87,207	-87,806	10,869
Inventories	-63,717	1,684	-16,295
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-18,527	-8,452	-1,776
Accounts payable	60,176	38,808	35,552
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	-17,731	-17,817	46,470
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	40,955	-7,353	-22,571
Accrued taxes	-40,187	-67,593	24,604
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	950,164	979,612	968,369
Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-166,033	-141,694	-146,502
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)	-802,254	-322,838	-1,080,433
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	14,373	23,801	9,332
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	191,348	76,457	0
Other	-19,991	2,597	-7,727
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	-782,557	-361,677	-1,225,330
Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
Cash received from Knowles Corporation, net of cash distributed	359,955	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs	0	403,776	0
Proceeds from exercise of share-based awards, including tax benefits	20,337	38,922	66,062
Change in notes payable, net	251,500	-381,000	607,500
Reduction of long-term debt	-6,566	-3,246	-3,582
Dividends to stockholders	-258,487	-247,820	-240,959
Purchase of common stock	-601,077	-457,871	-748,955
Payments for employee tax obligations upon exercise of share-based awards	-21,151	-31,303	-23,008
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations	-255,489	-678,542	-342,942
Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations	25,760	172,955	298,544
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	-19,753	-107,191	-127,446
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	6,007	65,764	171,098
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-40,426	-1,351	22,126
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-122,301	3,806	-406,679
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	803,882	800,076	1,206,755
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	681,581	803,882	800,076
Supplemental information - cash paid during the year for [Abstract]
Income taxes	372,446	318,402	266,517
Interest	$128,412	$123,881	$125,770

Description_of_Business_and_Su

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Description of Business - Dover Corporation (the "Company") is a diversified global manufacturer delivering innovative equipment, components, and specialty systems. The Company also provides supporting engineering, testing, and other similar services, which are not significant in relation to consolidated revenue. The Company’s businesses are based primarily in the United States of America and Europe with manufacturing and other operations throughout the world. The Company operates through four business segments that are aligned with the key end markets they serve: Energy, Engineered Systems, Fluids, and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. For additional information on the Company’s segments, see Note 17 Segment Information.
	Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations of purchased businesses are included from the dates of acquisitions. As discussed in Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations, the Company is reporting certain businesses that are held for sale at December 31, 2014 as discontinued operations.  The assets, liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of these businesses, as well as the results of Knowles Corporation prior to the spin-off, have been separately reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates may be adjusted due to changes in future economic, industry, or customer financial conditions, as well as changes in technology or demand. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, net realizable value of inventories, restructuring reserves, warranty reserves, pension and post retirement plans, stock-based compensation, useful lives for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets, deferred tax assets, uncertain income tax positions, and contingencies. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates, although management does not believe such differences would materially affect the financial statements in any individual year. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period that they are determined.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments which are highly liquid in nature and have original maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses as a result of customers' inability to make required payments. Management evaluates the aging of the accounts receivable balances, the financial condition of its customers, historical trends, and the time outstanding of specific balances to estimate the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected in the future and records the appropriate provision.
	Inventories – Inventories for the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries, including all international subsidiaries, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, or market. Other domestic inventories are stated at cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, which is less than market value.
	Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment includes the historic cost of land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, and significant improvements to existing plant and equipment or, in the case of acquisitions, a fair market value appraisal of such assets completed at the time of acquisition. Property, plant and equipment also includes the cost of purchased software.  Expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in earnings. The Company depreciates its assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: buildings and improvements 5 to 31.5 years; machinery and equipment 3 to 7 years; furniture and fixtures 3 to 7 years; vehicles 3 years; and software 3 to 5 years. Depreciation expense totaled $152,079 in 2014, $144,087 in 2013, and $128,341 in 2012.
	Derivative Instruments - The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposures to various risks, including interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes and does not have a material portfolio of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes must be designated and effective as a hedge of the identified risk exposure at inception of the contract. The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value.  For derivatives designated as hedges of the fair value of assets or liabilities, the changes in fair value of both the derivatives and of the hedged items are recorded in current earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives is recorded as a component of other comprehensive earnings and subsequently recognized in net earnings when the hedged items impact earnings.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill represents the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives (primarily trademarks) are not amortized. Instead, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, such as a significant sustained change in the business climate or a current expectation of an impending disposal. The Company conducts its annual impairment evaluation in the fourth quarter of each year. Recoverability of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level and determined using a two-step process. For 2014, the Company identified 16 reporting units for its annual goodwill impairment test. Step one of the test compares the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted cash flow method to its book value. This method uses the Company’s own market assumptions including projections of future cash flows, determinations of appropriate discount rates, and other assumptions which are considered reasonable and inherent in the discounted cash flow analysis. The projections are based on historical performance and future estimated results. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. Step two, which compares the book value of the goodwill to its implied fair value, was not necessary since there were no indicators of potential impairment from step one.
	As discussed in Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations, in connection with the sale of certain businesses held for sale, the Company recognized total impairment losses of $53,439 and $51,854, net of tax, in 2013 and 2012, respectively, within the results of discontinued operations. With respect to the fair value of businesses held for sale at December 31, 2014 each will be evaluated in subsequent reporting periods until the time of sale, and further adjustments to fair value are possible if business conditions should change.
	Similar to goodwill, in testing its other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow method to calculate and compare the fair value of the intangible asset to its book value. This method uses the Company’s own market assumptions which are considered reasonable and inherent in the discounted cash flow analysis.  Any excess of carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. No impairment of indefinite lived intangibles was indicated for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Other intangible assets with determinable lives consist primarily of customer lists, unpatented technology, patents, and trademarks. These other intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 5 to 15 years.
	Long-lived assets (including intangible assets with determinable lives) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, such as a significant sustained change in the business climate. If an indicator of impairment exists for any grouping of assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows is produced and compared to its carrying value. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
	See Note 7 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional details on goodwill balances.
	Foreign Currency - Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries, where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, have been translated at year-end exchange rates and profit and loss accounts have been translated using weighted-average yearly exchange rates.  Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss). Assets and liabilities of an entity that are denominated in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are re-measured into the functional currency using end of period exchange rates or historical rates where applicable to certain balances. Gains and losses related to these re-measurements are recorded within the Statement of Earnings as a component of other expense (income), net.
	Revenue Recognition - Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions are satisfied: a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, b) price is fixed or determinable, c) collectability is reasonably assured, and d) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated through the manufacture and sale of a broad range of specialized products and components, with revenue recognized upon transfer of title and risk of loss, which is generally upon shipment. Service revenue represents less than 5% of total revenue and is recognized as the services are performed.  In limited cases, revenue arrangements with customers require delivery, installation, testing, certification, or other acceptance provisions to be satisfied before revenue is recognized.
	Stock-Based Compensation – The principal awards issued under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans include non-qualified stock-settled stock appreciation rights and performance share awards.  The cost for such awards is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award.  The value of the portion of the award that is expected to ultimately vest is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis, generally over the explicit service period of three years (except for retirement-eligible employees and retirees) and is included in selling and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  Expense for awards granted to retirement-eligible employees is recorded over the period from the date of grant through the date the employee first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service.  See Note 13 Equity and Cash Incentive Program for additional information related to the Company’s stock-based compensation.  At the time of grant, the Company estimates forfeitures, based on historical experience, in order to estimate the portion of the award that will ultimately vest.
	Income Taxes - The provision for income taxes on continuing operations includes federal, state, local, and non-U.S. taxes. Tax credits, primarily for research and experimentation, non-U.S. earnings, and U.S. manufacturer's tax deduction are recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes on continuing operations in the year in which they are available for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided using enacted rates on the future tax consequences of temporary differences. Temporary differences include the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and the tax benefit of carryforwards. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets for which realization is not assured. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all available evidence, including the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback periods, prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, and estimated future taxable income. The valuation allowance can be affected by changes to tax regulations, interpretations and rulings, changes to enacted statutory tax rates, and changes to future taxable income estimates.
	Tax benefits are recognized 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 in consideration of applicable tax statutes and related interpretations and precedents. Tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized on ultimate settlement.
	The Company has not provided for any residual U.S. income taxes on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries as such earnings are currently intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that might be payable if some or all of such earnings were to be repatriated, and the amount of foreign tax credits that would be available to reduce or eliminate the resulting U.S. income tax liability.
	Research and Development Costs – Research and development costs, including qualifying engineering costs, are expensed when incurred and amounted to $118,411 in 2014, $117,178 in 2013, and $123,639 in 2012.
	Advertising – Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and amounted to $38,882 in 2014, $36,453 in 2013, and $35,688 in 2012.
	Risk, Retention, Insurance - The Company currently self-insures its product and commercial general liability claims up to $5.0 million per occurrence, its workers’ compensation claims up to $0.5 million per occurrence, and automobile liability claims up to $1.0 million per occurrence. Third-party insurance provides primary level coverage in excess of these amounts up to certain specified limits. In addition, the Company has excess liability insurance from third-party insurers on both an aggregate and an individual occurrence basis well in excess of the limits of the primary coverage. A worldwide program of property insurance covers the Company’s owned and leased property and any business interruptions that may occur due to an insured hazard affecting those properties, subject to reasonable deductibles and aggregate limits. The Company’s property and casualty insurance programs contain various deductibles that, based on the Company’s experience, are typical and customary for a company of its size and risk profile. The Company does not consider any of the deductibles to represent a material risk to the Company. The Company generally maintains deductibles for claims and liabilities related primarily to workers’ compensation, health and welfare claims, general commercial, product and automobile liability and property damage, and business interruption resulting from certain events. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated.  As part of the Company’s risk management program, insurance is maintained to transfer risk beyond the level of self-retention and provide protection on both an individual claim and annual aggregate basis.
	Reclassifications – Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-12 which requires that a performance target for share-based payments that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. Under this new standard, compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has evaluated this guidance and determined that the adoption will not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 that introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations - that is, a major effect on the organization's operations and financial results - should be presented as discontinued operations. Additionally, the ASU requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This update is effective for Dover in the first quarter of 2015. The Company has evaluated this guidance and determined that the adoption will not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, which provides that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. This standard was effective for Dover for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, which permits an entity to release cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided, or, if a controlling financial interest is no longer held. The revised standard was effective for Dover for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 which requires additional disclosures regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The Company's adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test of an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Per the terms of this ASU, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on qualitative assessment, that it is not more likely than not, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. The revised standard was effective for Dover for its annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Spin_Off_of_Knowles_Corporatio

Spin Off of Knowles Corporation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Spin Off [Abstract]
SpinOff [Text Block]	2. Spin-off of Knowles Corporation
	On February 28, 2014, Dover completed the distribution of Knowles Corporation to its stockholders. The transaction was completed through the pro rata distribution of 100% of the common stock of Knowles to Dover's shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2014. Each Dover shareholder received one share of Knowles common stock for every two shares of Dover common stock held as of the record date.
	The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities distributed to Knowles as part of the separation on February 28, 2014:
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	40,045
	Other current assets	340,945
	Non-current assets	1,678,820
	Total assets	$	2,059,810
	Liabilities:
	Current liabilities	$	252,673
	Non-current liabilities	383,940
	Total liabilities	$	636,613
	Net assets distributed to Knowles Corporation	$	1,423,197
	Knowles incurred $100,000 of borrowings under its revolving credit facility and $300,000 of borrowings under its term loan facility to finance a cash payment of $400,000 to Dover immediately prior to the distribution. Dover received net cash of $359,955 upon separation, which reflects $40,045 of cash held by Knowles on the distribution date and retained by it in connection with its separation from Dover. Dover utilized the net proceeds from Knowles to pay down commercial paper and to repurchase shares of its common stock in the first quarter of 2014.
	In connection with the spin-off of Knowles, the Company allocated $26,695 of accumulated other comprehensive earnings to Knowles, relating primarily to foreign currency translation gains, offset by unrecognized losses on pension obligations. Also, the Company was required to reallocate a portion of its goodwill from continuing operations to a reporting unit included in the Knowles distribution. The reallocation of $19,749 of goodwill was determined using a relative fair value approach. See Note 7 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.
	The historical results of Knowles, including the results of operations, cash flows, and related assets and liabilities have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. See Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations. Pursuant to the separation of Knowles from Dover, and the related separation and distribution agreements, any agreed upon liabilities are not significant and will be settled in the near future.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	3. Acquisitions
	2014 Acquisitions
	During 2014, the Company acquired seven businesses in separate transactions for net cash consideration of $802,254. The businesses were acquired to complement and expand upon existing operations within the Energy, Fluids and Refrigeration & Food Equipment segments and the Printing & Identification platform of the Engineered Systems segment. The goodwill identified by these acquisitions reflects the benefits expected to be derived from product line expansion and operational synergies.  Upon consummation of the acquisitions, each of these businesses is now wholly-owned by Dover.
	The following table details the acquisitions made during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Date	Type	Company / Product Line Acquired	Location (Near)	Segment
	1-Jan	Stock	Heidelberg CSAT GmbH	Karlsruhe, Germany	Engineered Systems
	Manufacturer of digital printing systems that are installed in-packaging-line for the identification of pharmaceutical and medical products.
	3-Feb	Stock	MS Printing Solutions	Milan, Italy	Engineered Systems
	Manufacturer of innovative digital ink jet printing systems for the textile and specialty material industries.
	11-Jun	Asset	Timberline Manufacturing Company	Beaumont, Texas	Energy
	Manufacturer of chemical injection and metering solutions for oil and gas producers.
	30-Jul	Stock	WellMark Holdings, Inc.	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Energy
	Manufacturer of valves, instrumentation, and chemical injection pumps serving the oil and gas industry.
	31-Jul	Asset	SweatMiser	McDonough, Georgia	Refrigeration & Food Equipment
	Manufacturer of anti-sweat controllers for doors in the refrigeration industry.
	25-Aug	Stock / Asset	Liquip International	Smithfield, Australia	Fluids
	Manufacturer of fluid handling solutions, loading arms, tank truck valves and fittings, electronic measurement systems for tank trucks, fuel filtration systems, and aviation fueling components and services.
	1-Oct	Stock	Accelerated Companies LLC	The Woodlands, Texas	Energy
	Integrated provider of hydraulic and gas lift systems, electric submersible pump systems, surface pumps and modular fluid handling systems for oil and gas production.
	The following presents the allocation of acquisition cost to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values:
		Accelerated				Other Acquisitions			Total
	Current assets, net of cash acquired	$	133,475			$	74,712		$	208,187
	Property, plant and equipment	51,070				6,199			57,269
	Goodwill	222,808				209,330			432,138
	Intangible assets	131,200				163,727			294,927
	Current liabilities assumed	(43,935		)		(36,425		)	(80,360		)
	Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	(58,896		)		(51,011		)	(109,907		)
	Net assets acquired	$	435,722			$	366,532		$	802,254
	The amounts assigned to goodwill and major intangible asset classifications by applicable segment for the 2014 acquisitions are as follows:
		Energy				Engineered Systems			Fluids			Refrigeration & Food Equipment		Total		Useful life (in years)
	Goodwill - Tax deductible	$	10,835			$	—		$	184		$	1,022	$	12,041	na
	Goodwill - Non deductible	314,604				80,581			24,912			—		420,097		na
	Customer intangibles	198,200				22,843			23,273			600		244,916		12
	Trademarks	19,300				6,594			2,125			—		28,019		11
	Patents	—				878			—			500		1,378		8
	Other intangibles and assets	5,900				10,374			4,340			—		20,614		6
		$	548,839			$	121,270		$	54,834		$	2,122	$	727,065
	The Company has substantially completed the purchase price allocations for the 2014 acquisitions, including that of Accelerated Companies LLC, which was purchased in October. As additional information is obtained about these assets and liabilities within the measurement period (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), including finalization of asset appraisals, the Company will refine its estimates of fair value to allocate the purchase price more accurately.
	The Consolidated Statements of Earnings include the results of these businesses from the dates of acquisition. The aggregate revenue and pre-tax loss of the 2014 acquisitions included in the Company’s 2014 consolidated revenue and earnings totaled $207,000 and $7,000, respectively.
	2013 Acquisitions
	During 2013, the Company acquired ten businesses for an aggregate consideration of $322,838, net of cash acquired. A summary of the acquisitions made during 2013 is as follows:
	Date	Type	Company / Product Line Acquired	Location (Near)	Segment
	2-May	Stock	Ebsray Pumps	Brookvale, Australia	Fluids
	Manufacturer of rotary pumps in vane, regenerative turbine, and internal gear technologies.
	7-May	Stock	The Curotto-Can, Inc.	Sonoma, California	Engineered Systems
	Manufacturer of automated front loaders for use in the waste collection industry.
	21-May	Asset	Klaus Enterprise, Ltd.	Alberta, Canada	Energy
	Manufacturer of valves and gas compressor components that specializes in replacing parts designed to optimize the efficiency and reliability of reciprocating compressors.
	30-May	Asset	Source Technologies	Charlotte, North Carolina	Engineered Systems
	Manufacturer of printing devices and software, specializing in thermal stationary barcode printers.
	1-Jul	Asset	RSI Systems	Frederick, Maryland	Engineered Systems
	Manufacturer of thermal ink jet applications ranging from packaging line coding and marking to high-speed product identification, authentication, and tracking systems for serialization.
	19-Sep	Stock	SPIRIT Global Energy Solutions	Midland, Texas	Energy
	Manufacturer of artificial lift tools and technology for oil and gas producers.
	5-Oct	Stock	Fibresec Holdings Ltd.	Dorset, England	Fluids
	Manufacturer of composite access covers and containment systems for retail fueling sites.
	9-Oct	Stock	Kungsors Plast AB (KPS)	Kungsors, Sweden	Fluids
	Manufacturer of high density polyethylene fusion underground piping systems for retail fueling sites.
	16-Oct	Stock	Lianyungang Jump Equipment Co., Ltd.	Lianyungang, China	Fluids
	Provider of top loading and LNG onshore loading equipment in China.
	4-Nov	Stock	Finder Pompe S.p.A.	Merate, Italy	Fluids
	Manufacturer of engineered pumps, spare parts, and related services for critical applications mostly in the upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas markets.
	The businesses were acquired to complement and expand upon existing operations within the Energy, Engineered Systems and Fluids segments.
	The following presents the allocation of acquisition cost to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values:
Current assets, net of cash acquired	$	98,641
Property, plant and equipment	33,403
Goodwill	141,888
Intangible assets	149,228
Other non-current assets, principally deferred taxes	2,622
Current liabilities assumed	(58,052		)
Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	(44,892		)
Net assets acquired	$	322,838
Pro Forma Information
The following unaudited pro forma information illustrates the effect on the Company’s revenue and earnings from continuing operations for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, assuming that the 2014 acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of 2013. As a result, the supplemental pro forma earnings reflect adjustments to earnings from continuing operations as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings to exclude $11,558 of nonrecurring expense related to the fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory (after-tax) and $3,502 of acquisition-related costs (after-tax) from the year ended December 31, 2014. The supplemental pro forma earnings for the comparable 2013 period were adjusted to include these charges as if they were incurred at the beginning of 2012. The 2014 and 2013 supplemental pro forma earnings are also adjusted to reflect the comparable impact of additional depreciation and amortization expense (net of tax) resulting from the fair value measurement of tangible and intangible assets relating to 2014 and 2013 acquisitions.
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014				2013
Revenue from continuing operations:
As reported	$	7,752,728			$	7,155,096
Pro forma	7,987,639				7,602,756
Earnings from continuing operations:
As reported	$	778,140			$	797,527
Pro forma	806,321				794,823
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations:
As reported	$	4.67			$	4.66
Pro forma	4.84				4.64
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations:
As reported	$	4.61			$	4.6
Pro forma	4.78				4.58
These pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only, and they do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred on the dates indicated or that may result in the future.

Disposed_and_Discontinued_Oper

Disposed and Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposed and Discontinued Operations	4. Disposed and Discontinued Operations
	Management evaluates Dover's businesses periodically for their strategic fit within its operations. Accordingly, in 2014, the Company announced its intention to divest Datamax O'Neil and Sargent Aerospace, two businesses with the Engineered Systems segment. The assets, liabilities, and results of operations of these businesses were reclassified to discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	Also included in discontinued operations are the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of DEK International and Everett Charles Technologies (including the Multitest business, collectively "ECT"), until their respective sale dates of July 2, 2014 and November 30, 2013. Additionally, the results of discontinued operations include Knowles Corporation until the distribution on February 28, 2014, as well as costs incurred by Dover to complete the spin-off of Knowles. These costs totaled $27,055 and $30,093 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See also Note 2 Spin-off of Knowles Corporation.
	Summarized results of the Company’s discontinued operations are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenue	$	568,991		$	1,970,965		$	1,918,035
	Loss on sale, including impairments, net of tax	$	(3,691	)	$	(35,473	)	$	(50,818	)
	Earnings from operations before taxes	13,611			209,293			241,023
	(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(12,825		)	31,782			(29,210		)
	Earnings from operations, net of tax	786			$	241,075		$	211,813
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(2,905	)	$	205,602		$	160,995
	2014 - The Company completed the sale of DEK International in the third quarter of 2014. Sale proceeds totaled $170,616, which resulted in an after-tax loss on sale of $6,895. The Company also recognized a gain on sale of $3,204 in 2014 in connection with a working capital adjustment of $4,482 for ECT, which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	The net earnings from operations for 2014 of $786 includes after-tax earnings of $32,289 for those businesses classified as discontinued operations. Also reflected in this amount are the aforementioned spin-off costs of $27,055 and a pension settlement charge of $4,448, net of tax, attributable to lump sum payments made to Knowles participants in Dover's qualified defined benefit pension plan.
	2013 - In 2013, in connection with a change in goodwill reporting units within discontinued operations resulting from the Company's expected manner of disposing of its electronic test and assembly businesses, the Company was required to allocate goodwill to these individual reporting units based upon relative current fair values. This process resulted in a benefit of $25,520 in the discontinued operations deferred income tax provision for 2013 as a result of the elimination of certain deferred tax liabilities. The Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $54,532 ($44,188 after tax) at ECT in 2013 in connection with the anticipated sale of this business. This charge was a write-down of the carrying value to fair value, based on the current estimated sales price.
	The Company also recognized an impairment loss of $14,001 in the fourth quarter of 2013, in connection with the impending sale of DEK. This loss included goodwill impairment of the related reporting unit of $9,251, of which none was deductible for tax purposes.
	The Company completed the sale of ECT in the fourth quarter of 2013 for total proceeds of $92,694, which resulted in an after-tax loss on sale of $2,804. Included in the sale proceeds was a note receivable from the buyer of $16,250, net of $3,750 of contingencies. The Company has since collected this note receivable.
	The net earnings from operations of $241,075 reflects the after-tax earnings of all business classified as discontinued operations, as well as $54,827 of discrete tax benefits principally related to the conclusion of certain federal, state and international tax audits, $18,279 of interest on tax obligations in foreign jurisdictions, and the aforementioned spin-off costs of $30,093.
	2012 - The net earnings from operations of $211,813 reflects after-tax earnings from operations generated by all business classified as discontinued operations as well as various expense and accrual adjustments relating to other discontinued operations. In addition, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $63,819 ($51,854 after tax) for ECT, representing a write-down of the reporting unit's carrying value of goodwill to its fair value.
	Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are summarized below:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Assets of Discontinued Operations
	Accounts receivable (1)	$	46,691		$	403,539
	Inventories, net	58,401			229,465
	Prepaid and other current assets	8,571			84,814
	Total current assets	113,663			717,818
	Property, plant and equipment, net	31,573			401,600
	Goodwill and intangible assets, net	181,798			1,633,587
	Other assets and deferred charges	137			26,058
	Total assets	$	327,171		$	2,779,063
	Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
	Accounts payable (1)	$	21,199		$	278,607
	Other current liabilities	17,675			153,788
	Total current liabilities	38,874			432,395
	Deferred income taxes	8,752			60,361
	Other liabilities	3,092			42,865
	Total liabilities	$	50,718		$	535,621
	At December 31, 2014, the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations primarily relate to Datamax O'Neil and Sargent Aerospace, which were held for sale on that date. At December 31, 2013, the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations relate to those businesses mentioned above, as well as DEK International, which was sold on July 2, 2014 and Knowles, which was spun off on February 28, 2014.
	-1	Amounts at December 31, 2013 include estimated credits and liabilities associated with tax obligations in foreign jurisdictions resulting from value-added tax for the Multitest business within ECT. Accounts receivable includes $93,598 of credits. Accounts payable includes $76,443 of liabilities and $18,279 of interest. These balances were settled in 2014.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories [Text Block]	5. Inventories, net
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Raw materials	$	352,016		$	338,621
	Work in progress	147,715			127,611
	Finished goods	483,912			367,011
	Subtotal	983,643			833,243
	Less reserves	(119,906		)	(117,932		)
	Total	$	863,737		$	715,311
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 25% and 30%, respectively, of the Company's total inventories were accounted for using the LIFO method.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block]	6. Property, Plant and Equipment, net
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	55,076		$	56,118
	Buildings and improvements	537,474			517,087
	Machinery, equipment and other	1,698,638			1,596,085
	Subtotal	2,291,188			2,169,290
	Less accumulated depreciation	(1,454,119		)	(1,381,441		)
	Total	$	837,069		$	787,849

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Intangibles" provides guidance on an entity's subsequent measurement and recognition of goodwill and other intangibles, including subsequent changes to carrying amounts, impairment, and fair value adjustments. In accordance with the guidance set forth in ASC 350, and in connection with the realignment of its businesses in the first quarter of 2014, the Company reallocated goodwill among its reporting units based on their current relative fair value.
	Due to the separation of Knowles in the first quarter of 2014, the Company was required to allocate a portion of its goodwill from continuing operations to a reporting unit included in the distribution of Knowles. Accordingly, the assets distributed on February 28, 2014 included an additional $19,749 of allocated goodwill, determined using a relative fair value approach.
	During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company announced its intent to sell two businesses within the Engineered Systems segment. As a result, the Company allocated goodwill totaling $152,663 to these companies from their respective reporting units using a relative fair value approach.
	The adjustments made to goodwill due to the distribution of Knowles, the reclassification of businesses held for sale, and the restatement of segment results due to the realignment of Dover's businesses has been applied to all periods presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for goodwill and assets of discontinued operations.
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Energy			Engineered Systems			Fluids			Refrigeration & Food Equipment			Total
	Goodwill	$	716,210		$	1,202,906		$	560,131		$	588,624		$	3,067,871
	Accumulated impairment loss	—			(10,591		)	(59,970		)	—			(70,561		)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	716,210			1,192,315			500,161			588,624			2,997,310
	Acquisitions	19,810			19,968			102,110			—			141,888
	Purchase price adjustments	(2,278		)	(521		)	(2,417		)	(22,922		)	(28,138		)
	Foreign currency translation	(5,770		)	(1,143		)	4,304			129			(2,480		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	727,972			1,210,619			604,158			565,831			3,108,580
	Acquisitions	325,438			80,581			25,097			1,022			432,138
	Purchase price adjustments	(395		)	—			11,350			—			10,955
	Foreign currency translation	(4,280		)	(21,022		)	(30,942		)	(3,872		)	(60,116		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,048,735		$	1,270,178		$	609,663		$	562,981		$	3,491,557
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded adjustments totaling $10,955 to goodwill relating primarily to finalization of the purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the 2013 acquisitions. The Company will continue to refine its estimates of fair value to allocate the purchase price more accurately; however, any such revisions are not expected to be significant.
	The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	138,650		$	34,097		$	110,573		$	24,418
	Patents	150,404			108,484			153,850			102,756
	Customer Intangibles	1,429,906			484,449			1,211,744			379,124
	Unpatented Technologies	92,480			45,812			80,483			35,891
	Drawings & Manuals	36,377			13,087			41,800			10,462
	Distributor Relationships	64,614			34,377			64,614			31,144
	Other	24,214			12,737			22,365			12,599
	Total	$	1,936,645		$	733,043		$	1,685,429		$	596,394
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	165,918						169,876
	Total intangible assets, net	$	1,369,520					$	1,258,911
	Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $155,109, $133,946, and $101,593, respectively. Amortization expense for the next five years, based on current intangible balances, is estimated to be as follows:
	2015	$	140,046
	2016	139,880
	2017	136,746
	2018	125,827
	2019	110,262

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Text Block]	8. Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
	The following table details the major components of other accrued expenses:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Warranty	$	46,704		$	39,824
	Unearned/deferred revenue	20,678			22,839
	Taxes other than income	28,452			34,229
	Accrued interest	31,318			31,738
	Accrued volume discounts	16,352			16,909
	Accrued commissions (non-employee)	12,799			11,151
	Restructuring and exit	22,021			4,986
	Legal and environmental	7,868			4,967
	Other (none of which are individually significant) (1)	80,085			52,966
		$	266,277		$	219,609
	The following table details the major components of other liabilities (non-current):
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Deferred compensation (2)	$	323,105		$	321,736
	Unrecognized tax benefits	94,875			97,920
	Unearned/deferred revenue	8,599			7,751
	Legal and environmental	31,841			35,145
	Warranty	2,684			3,100
	Restructuring and exit	—			356
	Other (none of which are individually significant) (1)	21,236			42,856
		$	482,340		$	508,864
	-1	The liability relating to the Company's cumulative loss of $15,567 on the Swiss franc cross-currency swap was reclassified from other liabilities to other accrued expenses at December 31, 2014 in anticipation of the settlement of this net investment hedge when it expires on October 15, 2015. See Note 11 Financial Instruments.
	-2	Deferred compensation includes $229,128 and $232,669 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for liabilities related to defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans. See Note 15 Employee Benefit Plans.
	Warranty
	Estimated warranty program claims are provided for at the time of sale. Amounts provided for are based on historical costs and adjusted for new claims. The changes in the carrying amount of product warranties through December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance, January 1	$	42,924		$	39,554
	Provision for warranties	60,833			52,943
	Settlements made	(56,746		)	(49,101		)
	Other adjustments, including acquisitions and currency translation	2,377			(472		)
	Ending balance, December 31	$	49,388		$	42,924

Restructuring_Activities

Restructuring Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Restructuring Activities
	From time to time, the Company will initiate various restructuring programs and incur severance and other restructuring costs. The following table details restructuring charges incurred by segment for the periods presented:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013				2012
	Energy (1)	$	7,549		$	(811	)		$	584
	Engineered Systems	6,624			3,628				8,320
	Fluids	3,784			850				2,215
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	24,897			5,451				2,761
	Corporate	1,954			—				—
	Total	$	44,808		$	9,118			$	13,880
	These amounts are classified in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows:
	Cost of goods and services	$	19,690		$	5,320			$	3,613
	Selling and administrative expenses	25,118			3,798				10,267
	Total	$	44,808		$	9,118			$	13,880
	-1	In 2013, restructuring charges incurred within the Energy segment included a net gain on the sale of buildings in connection with facility consolidations.
	The restructuring charges of $44,808 incurred in 2014 relate to restructuring programs initiated during 2014 and 2013. These programs are designed to better align the Company's operations with current market conditions through targeted facility consolidations, headcount reductions and other measures to further optimize operations. The Company expects to incur restructuring charges of approximately $17.0 million to $20.0 million in the first quarter of 2015, with the majority of these charges in the Energy segment. We expect to fund the remainder of the 2014 programs currently underway, as well those commenced in 2015, over the next 12 to 18 months. In light of the economic uncertainty in certain of our end markets and our continued focus on improving our operating efficiency, it is possible that additional programs may be implemented throughout the remainder of 2015.
	The $44,808 of restructuring charges incurred during 2014 included the programs as described below.
	•	The Energy segment incurred restructuring charges of $7,549, related principally to a facility consolidation in its businesses serving the compression markets and reduction in workforce.
	•	The Engineered Systems segment recorded $6,624 of restructuring charges relating to facility consolidations within both the Printing & Identification and Industrials platforms, as well as actions taken to optimize costs related to engineering, sales, and administrative functions within the Printing & Identification platform.
	•	The Fluids segment recorded $3,784 of restructuring charges principally related to reduction in workforce for those businesses serving the Pumps markets.
	•	The Refrigeration & Food Equipment segment recorded restructuring charges of $24,897, primarily related to headcount reductions and exit plans at targeted facilities, including approximately $17.5 million related to the closure of a European-based facility within Refrigeration.
	•	Corporate recorded restructuring charges of $1,954, primarily severance expense, resulting from the Company's decision to realign its businesses into a new segment structure in the first quarter of 2014 following the spin-off of Knowles.
	Restructuring expenses incurred in 2013 and 2012 also included targeted facility consolidations at certain businesses.
	The following table details the Company’s severance and other restructuring accrual activity:
		Severance			Exit				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,654		3,110				$	4,764
	Restructuring charges	10,583			3,297				13,880
	Payments	(9,554		)	(3,916		)		(13,470		)
	Other, including foreign currency	4			74				78
	Balance at December 31, 2012	2,687			2,565				5,252
	Restructuring charges	7,103			2,015				9,118
	Payments	(7,001		)	(2,451		)		(9,452		)
	Other, including foreign currency	87			337				424
	Balance at December 31, 2013	2,876			2,466				5,342
	Restructuring charges	23,532			21,276				44,808
	Payments	(10,092		)	(5,750		)		(15,842		)
	Other, including foreign currency	(958		)	(11,329		)	(1)	(12,287		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	15,358		$	6,663			$	22,021
	(1)	Other activity in exit reserves primarily represents the non-cash write-off of inventory and fixed assets in connection with certain facility closures.
	The accrual balances at December 31, 2014 primarily reflects restructuring plans initiated during the year, as well as ongoing lease commitment obligations for facilities closed in earlier periods.

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings and Lines of Credit [Text Block]	10. Borrowings and Lines of Credit
	Borrowings consist of the following:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Short-term:
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	299,956		$	2,778
	Commercial paper	478,000			226,500
		$	777,956		$	229,278
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Long-term:
	4.875% 10-year notes due October 15, 2015	$	299,836		$	299,638
	5.45% 10-year notes due March 15, 2018	348,928			348,598
	2.125% 7-year notes due December 1, 2020 (euro-denominated)	363,970			411,500
	4.30% 10-year notes due March 1, 2021	449,839			449,813
	6.65% 30-year debentures due June 1, 2028	199,517			199,483
	5.375% 30-year debentures due October 15, 2035	296,685			296,526
	6.60% 30-year notes due March 15, 2038	247,948			247,859
	5.375% 30-year notes due March 1, 2041	345,830			345,671
	Other	444			2,891
	Total long-term debt	2,552,997			2,601,979
	Less current portion	(299,956		)	(2,778		)
		$	2,253,041		$	2,599,201
	On December 4, 2013, the Company issued €300.0 million of 2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2020. The proceeds of $403,776 from the sale of the notes, net of discounts and issuance costs, were used to repay commercial paper.
	On October 15, 2015, the outstanding 4.875% notes with a face value of $300.0 million will mature. These notes have been classified as current maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2014. Depending on capital requirements for 2015, the Company may finance the repayment of these notes through either the issuance of additional commercial paper or new debt instruments.
	The long-term note borrowings presented above are net of unamortized discounts of $8,213 and $9,196 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The debentures presented above include unamortized discounts of $3,798 and $3,991 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The discounts are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the life of the issuances. The notes and debentures are redeemable at the option of Dover in whole or in part at any time at a redemption price that includes a make-whole premium, with accrued interest to the redemption date.
	The Company maintains a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks (the "Credit Agreement") which expires on November 10, 2016. At the Company's election, loans under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a Eurodollar or Sterling rate based on LIBOR, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.565% to 1.225% (subject to adjustment based on the credit rating accorded the Company's senior unsecured debt by S&P and Moody's), or at a base rate pursuant to a formula defined in the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to pay a facility fee and imposes various restrictions on the Company such as, among other things, the requirement for the Company to maintain an interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to consolidated net interest expense of not less than 3.0 to 1. The Company was in compliance with this covenant and its other long-term debt covenants at December 31, 2014 and had a coverage ratio of 12.7 to 1. The Company primarily uses this facility as liquidity back-up for its commercial paper program and has not drawn down any loans under the $1.0 billion facility and does not anticipate doing so. The Company generally uses commercial paper borrowings for general corporate purposes, funding of acquisitions, and the repurchases of its common stock.
	Interest expense and interest income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest expense	$	131,689		$	124,535		$	125,992
	Interest income	(4,510		)	(3,881		)	(4,723		)
	Interest expense, net	$	127,179		$	120,654		$	121,269
	The weighted average interest rate for short-term commercial paper borrowings was 0.1% for 2014 and 0.1% for 2013.
	Scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows:
	2015	$	299,956
	2016	114
	2017	117
	2018	348,958
	2019	—
	2020 and thereafter	1,903,852
		$	2,552,997
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $135,452 outstanding in letters of credit and guarantees with financial institutions, which expire at various dates in 2015 through 2020.  These letters of credit are primarily maintained as security for insurance, warranty and other performance obligations.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	11. Financial Instruments
	Derivatives
	The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to the global nature of its operations. In order to manage this risk the Company has hedged portions of its forecasted sales and purchases, which occur within the next twelve months and are denominated in non-functional currencies, with currency forward or collar contracts designated as cash flow hedges. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had contracts with U.S. dollar equivalent notional amounts of $47,047 and $33,216, respectively, to exchange foreign currencies, principally the U.S. dollar, euro, Chinese yuan. The Company believes it is probable that all forecasted cash flow transactions will occur.
	In addition, the Company had outstanding contracts at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with a total notional amount of $52,392 and $104,688, respectively, that are not designated as hedging instruments. These instruments are used to reduce the Company's exposure for operating receivables and payables that are denominated in non-functional currencies. Gains and losses on the fair value of these instruments is reflected in other expense (income) on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	The Company also has an outstanding floating-to-floating cross currency swap agreement for a total notional amount of $50,000 in exchange for CHF 65,100, which expires on October 15, 2015. This transaction hedges a portion of the Company’s net investment in CHF-denominated operations. The agreement qualifies as a net investment hedge and the effective portion of the change in fair value is reported within the cumulative translation adjustment section of other comprehensive income. The fair values at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 reflected cumulative losses of $15,567 and $23,716, respectively, due to the strengthening of the Swiss franc relative to the U.S. dollar over the term of the arrangement.
	The following table sets forth the fair values of derivative instruments held by the Company as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the balance sheet lines in which they are recorded:
		Fair Value Asset (Liability)
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			Balance Sheet Caption
	Foreign currency forward / collar contracts	$	973		$	879		Prepaid and other current assets
	Foreign currency forward / collar contracts	(810		)	(168		)	Other accrued expenses
	Net investment hedge - cross currency swap	(15,567		)	(23,716		)	Accrued expenses / Other liabilities (1)
	-1	The liability relating to the cumulative loss on the Swiss franc cross currency swap is reflected in accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 as this swap matures on October 15, 2015. It was reflected in other liabilities as of December 31, 2013.
	The amount of gains or losses from hedging activity recorded in earnings is not significant and the amount of unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges which are expected to be reclassified to earnings in the next twelve months is not significant; therefore, additional tabular disclosures are not presented. There are no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, and the Company's derivative instruments that are subject to credit risk contingent features were not significant.
	The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the financial instrument contracts held by the Company; however, nonperformance by these counterparties is considered unlikely as the Company’s policy is to contract with highly-rated, diversified counterparties.
	Additionally, the Company has designated the €300.0 million of euro-denominated notes issued December 4, 2013 as a hedge of a portion of the its net investment in euro-denominated operations. Due to the high degree of effectiveness between the hedging instruments and the exposure being hedged, fluctuations in the value of the euro-denominated debt due to exchange rate changes are offset by changes in the net investment. Accordingly, changes in the value of the euro-denominated debt are recognized in the cumulative translation adjustment section of other comprehensive income to offset changes in the value of the net investment in euro-denominated operations.
	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the gains (losses) on its net investment hedges were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Gain (loss) on euro-denominated debt	$	47,630		$	(6,099	)	$	—
	Gain (loss) on Swiss franc cross-currency swap	8,149			(1,035		)	(1,025		)
	Total gain (loss) on net investment hedges before tax	55,779			(7,134		)	(1,025		)
	Tax (expense) benefit	(19,523		)	2,494			359
	Net gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax	$	36,256		$	(4,640	)	$	(666	)
	Fair Value Measurements
	Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.
	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 inputs include inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		December 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges	$	—		$	973		$	—		$	—	$	879	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges	—			810			—			—		168		—
	Swiss franc cross-currency swap	—			15,567			—			—		23,716		—
	The derivative contracts are measured at fair value using models based on observable market inputs such as foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; therefore, they are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
	In addition to fair value disclosure requirements related to financial instruments carried at fair value, accounting standards require disclosures regarding the fair value of all of the Company’s financial instruments. The estimated fair value of long-term debt at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $3,002,701 and $2,872,454, respectively, compared to the carrying value of $2,552,997 and $2,601,979, respectively. The estimated fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for similar instruments and is, therefore, classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable, and notes payable are reasonable estimates of their fair values as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	12. Income Taxes
	Income taxes have been based on the following components of “Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Domestic	$	789,689			$	714,723			$	640,896
	Foreign	304,518				331,263				290,169
		$	1,094,207			$	1,045,986			$	931,065
	Income tax expense (benefit) relating to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is comprised of the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	U.S. Federal	$	231,939			$	114,218			$	196,622
	State and local	8,434				17,468				(1,590		)
	Foreign	97,037				89,702				84,723
	Total current	337,410				221,388				279,755
	Deferred:
	U.S. Federal	$	7,386			$	35,315			$	20,149
	State and local	11,250				(4,556		)		(2,262		)
	Foreign	(39,979		)		(3,688		)		(16,652		)
	Total deferred	(21,343		)		27,071				1,235
	Total expense	$	316,067			$	248,459			$	280,990
	Differences between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal income statutory rate are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Federal income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State and local taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit	1.3			1.2			1.3
	Foreign operations tax effect	(3.7	)		(3.3	)		(3.2	)
	R&E tax credits (1)	(0.3	)		(0.7	)		—
	Domestic manufacturing deduction	(3.0	)		(2.2	)		(2.2	)
	Foreign tax credits	0.4			0.3			0.3
	Branch losses	(0.7	)		(0.2	)		—
	Release of valuation allowance	(0.6	)		—			—
	Resolution of tax contingencies	(0.5	)		(7.2	)		(1.8	)
	Other, principally non-tax deductible items	1			0.9			0.8
	Effective rate from continuing operations	28.9	%		23.8	%		30.2	%
	-1	On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, and this legislation retroactively extended the R&E tax credit for two years, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Income tax expense for 2013 includes $4.8 million for the entire benefit of the R&E tax credit attributable to 2012.
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to future deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Accrued compensation, principally postretirement and other employee benefits	$	151,640			$	130,326
	Accrued expenses, principally for state income taxes, interest, and warranty	45,262				43,700
	Net operating loss and other carryforwards	190,298				70,821
	Inventories, principally due to reserves for financial reporting purposes and capitalization for tax purposes	13,285				14,068
	Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts	4,323				4,507
	Accrued insurance	5,529				4,353
	Long-term liabilities, principally warranty, environmental, and exit costs	4,096				3,777
	Other assets	(8,838		)		(11,957		)
	Total gross deferred tax assets	405,595				259,595
	Valuation allowance	(141,252		)		(14,063		)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	264,343			$	245,532
	Deferred Tax Liabilities:
	Intangible assets, principally due to different tax and financial reporting bases and amortization lives	$	(694,602	)		$	(604,464	)
	Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation	(55,012		)		(61,455		)
	Accounts receivable	(6,481		)		(6,674		)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(756,095		)		(672,593		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(491,752	)		$	(427,061	)
	Classified as follows in the consolidated balance sheets:
	Current deferred tax asset	$	63,276			$	60,101
	Non-current deferred tax asset	10,107				5,642
	Current deferred tax liability	(928		)		(953		)
	Non-current deferred tax liability	(564,207		)		(491,851		)
		$	(491,752	)		$	(427,061	)
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company has loss carryforwards for U.S. Federal purposes totaling approximately $71.5 million attributed to the 2011 Anthony acquisition, and loss carryforwards for non-U.S. purposes totaling $519.4 million primarily resulting from restructuring undertaken to effect the Knowles spin-off. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had non-U.S loss carryforwards of $39.9 million.  The federal loss carryforwards are available for use against the Company's consolidated federal taxable income and begin to expire in 2024. The entire balance of the non-U.S. losses as of December 31, 2014 is available to be carried forward, with $20.3 million of these losses beginning to expire during the years 2015 through 2034. The remaining $499.1 million of such losses can be carried forward indefinitely.
	The Company has $109.2 million and $145.8 million of state tax loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that are available for use by the Company between 2015 and 2034.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has research and development credit carryforwards for U.S. Federal purposes of $0.8 million attributable to the 2011 Anthony acquisition and no alternative minimum tax credits. The research and development credits begin to expire in 2025.
The Company maintains valuation allowances by jurisdiction against the deferred tax assets related to certain of these carryforwards as utilization of these tax benefits is not assured for certain jurisdictions.
The Company has not provided for U.S. federal income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings of its international subsidiaries, totaling approximately $1.3 billion at December 31, 2014, because such earnings are reinvested and it is currently intended that they will continue to be reinvested indefinitely. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that might be payable if some or all of such earnings were to be repatriated, and the amount of foreign tax credits that would be available to reduce or eliminate the resulting U.S. income tax liability.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The Company files U.S., state, local, and foreign tax returns. The Company is routinely audited by the tax authorities in these jurisdictions, and a number of audits are currently underway. It is reasonably possible during the next twelve months that uncertain tax positions may be settled, which could result in a decrease in the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits. This decrease may result in an income tax benefit. Due to the potential for resolution of federal, state, and foreign examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months by a range of zero to $27 million. Some portion of any such change may be reported as discontinued operations. The Company is no longer subject to examinations of its federal income tax returns for years through 2010. All significant state, local, and international matters have been concluded for years through 2007. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all income tax uncertainties.
The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:
	Continuing				Discontinued				Total
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2012	$	134,773			$	54,268			$	189,041
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	10,188				26				10,214
Additions for tax positions of prior years	4,128				3,470				7,598
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(14,257		)		(25		)		(14,282		)
Settlements	(418		)		(85		)		(503		)
Lapse of statutes	(12,550		)		(3,429		)		(15,979		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012	121,864				54,225				176,089
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	9,056				1				9,057
Additions for tax positions of prior years	7,584				3,315				10,899
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (A)	(62,610		)		(40,240		)		(102,850		)
Settlements	(2,823		)		(2,523		)		(5,346		)
Lapse of statutes	(7,845		)		(1,564		)		(9,409		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013	65,226				13,214				78,440
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11,751				14				11,765
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1,065				499				1,564
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(5,782		)		(265		)		(6,047		)
Settlements	(843		)		(155		)		(998		)
Lapse of statutes	(5,050		)		(2,585		)		(7,635		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014	$	66,367		(B)	$	10,722			$	77,089
(A)	The settlement of certain income tax examinations of the 2009 and 2010 tax years resulted in a significant decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits.
(B)	If recognized, the net amount of potential tax benefits that would impact the Company’s effective tax rate is $48.8 million. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recorded potential interest and penalty expense (income) of $(1.3) million, $(5.5) million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to its unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. The Company had accrued interest and penalties of $15.5 million at December 31, 2014 and $17.1 million at December 31, 2013, which are not included in the above table.

Equity_and_Cash_Incentive_Prog

Equity and Cash Incentive Program	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	13. Equity and Cash Incentive Program
	The Company's share-based awards are typically granted annually at its regularly scheduled first quarter Compensation Committee meeting. Beginning in 2013, these awards were made pursuant to the terms of the Company's 2012 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan"), which was approved by shareholders on May 3, 2012. This plan replaced the 2005 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the "2005 Plan"), which would have otherwise terminated according to its terms on January 31, 2015 and the 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Compensation Plan (the "Directors Plan"), which would have otherwise terminated according to its terms on December 31, 2012. Upon approval of the 2012 Plan, no additional awards may be granted under the 2005 Plan. Officers and other key employees, as well as non-employee directors, are eligible to participate in the 2012 Plan, which has a ten year term and will terminate on May 3, 2022. The 2012 Plan provides for stock options and SARs grants, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance share awards, cash performance awards, directors' shares, and deferred stock units. Under the 2012 Plan, a total of 17,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance, subject to adjustments resulting from stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, and other similar changes.
	The exercise price per share for stock options and SARs is equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. New common shares are issued when options or SARs are exercised. The period during which options and SARs are exercisable is fixed by the Company’s Compensation Committee at the time of grant.  Generally, the stock options or SARs vest after three years of service and expire at the end of ten years.
	In addition, in connection with the separation of Knowles on February 28, 2014, the Company modified the outstanding equity awards for its employees. The awards were modified such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation of Knowles. This modification resulted in the issuance of an additional 933,845 SARs, 20,523 stock options, 11,480 performance shares and 5,389 restricted stock units. The exercise price of these outstanding awards, where applicable, was adjusted to preserve the value of the awards immediately prior to the separation. As no incremental fair value was awarded as a result of the issuance of these additional shares, the modification did not result in additional compensation expense.
	Stock-based compensation costs are reported within selling and administrative expenses. The following table summarizes the Company’s compensation expense relating to all stock-based incentive plans:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Pre-tax compensation expense	$	31,628			$	30,480			$	30,884
	Tax benefit	(11,201		)		(10,745		)		(10,904		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	20,427			$	19,735			$	19,980
	SARs and Stock Options
	In 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company issued SARs covering 1,043,734, 1,613,884, and 1,719,943 shares, respectively.  Since 2006, the Company has only issued SARs and does not anticipate issuing stock options in the future.  The fair value of each SAR grant was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
		2014				2013				2012
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7		%		1.39		%		1.05		%
	Dividend yield	1.98		%		2.06		%		2.03		%
	Expected life (years)	5.3				7.1				5.7
	Volatility	30.81		%		33.78		%		36.41		%
	Grant price	$	82.51			$	63.33			$	57.62
	Fair value at date of grant (1)	$	19.84			$	18.17			$	16.31
	-1	Updated to reflect the modification of grants issued prior to 2014 in connection with the separation of Knowles.
	Expected volatilities are based on Dover's stock price history, including implied volatilities from traded options on Dover stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate SAR exercise and employee termination patterns within the valuation model. The expected life of SARs granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the average period of time that SARs granted are expected to be outstanding. The interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
	A summary of activity relating to SARs and stock options granted under the 2012 Plan and the predecessor plans for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		SARs									Stock Options
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
	Outstanding at 1/1/2014	7,520,760			$	56.67					209,827			$	38.39
	Surrendered upon spin-off (1)	(359,151	)		62.55						(4,555	)		38
	Modification upon spin-off (2)	933,845			—						20,523			—
	Granted	1,043,734			82.51						—			—
	Forfeit / expired	(281,822	)		65.65						(7,605	)		41.79
	Exercised	(1,216,624	)		43.97						(165,283	)		35.04
	Outstanding at 12/31/2014	7,640,742			54.69				6.3		52,907			33.5			0.1
	Exercisable at 12/31/2014	3,631,702			$	42.43			4.6		52,907			$	33.5		0.1
	-1	In connection with the spin-off on February 28, 2014, Knowles employees surrendered their outstanding Dover equity awards, which were then converted to Knowles equity awards.
	-2	Subsequent to the separation of Knowles, the Company modified its outstanding equity awards to employees such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation, which resulted in a lower exercise price for all outstanding equity awards at the time of modification.
	All option awards outstanding at December 31, 2014 are vested and exercisable. These awards have an exercise price in the range of $33.49 to $34.73 and an aggregate intrinsic value of $2,022 at December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes information about outstanding SARs at December 31, 2014:
			SARs Outstanding													SARs Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number of Shares			Weighted Average				Weighted Average		Aggregate Intrinsic Value				Number of Shares		Weighted Average		Weighted Average	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price				Remaining Life								Exercise Price		Remaining Life
										in Years										in Years
	$25.96 - $37.79		2,130,558			$	34.01			4.5		$	80,342			2,130,558		$	34.01	4.5	$	80,342
	$40.54 - $58.69		3,039,611			$	55.97			5.7		$	47,863			1,491,509		$	54.26	4.9	$	26,035
	$63.33 - $82.51		2,470,573			$	70.95			8.5		$	12,490			9,635		$	70.57	8.5	$	50
			7,640,742									$	140,695			3,631,702					$	106,427
	Unrecognized compensation expense related to SARs not yet exercisable was $22,807 at December 31, 2014.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
	Other information regarding the exercise of SARs and stock options is listed below:
		2014				2013				2012
	SARs
	Fair value of SARs that became exercisable	$	26,796			$	23,605			$	16,484
	Aggregate intrinsic value of SARs exercised	$	51,813			$	83,944			$	61,531
	Stock Options
	Cash received by Dover for exercise of stock options	$	5,227			$	14,830			$	38,029
	Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	$	8,614			$	19,937			$	29,866
	The Company recognized tax benefits of $15,110, $25,661, and $22,771 during 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, for the exercise of SARs and stock options. These benefits have been recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital and are reflected as financing cash inflows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	Performance Share Awards
	Performance share awards granted are expensed over the three-year requisite performance and service period. Awards shall become vested if (1) the Company achieves certain specified stock performance targets compared to a defined group of peer companies and (2) the employee remains continuously employed by the company during the performance period.  Partial vesting may occur after separation from service in the case of certain terminations not for cause and for retirements.
	In 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company issued performance shares covering 58,206, 47,032, and 50,416 shares, respectively. The performance share awards granted in 2014 are considered performance condition awards as attainment is based on Dover's performance relative to established internal metrics. The fair value of the 2014 awards was determined using Dover's closing stock price on the date of grant of $82.51. For the year end December 31, 2014, we have assumed an average attainment rate of the internal metrics of 82.6%. The expected attainment of the internal metrics for these awards is analyzed each reporting period, and the related expense is adjusted up or down based on expected attainment, if that attainment differs from previous estimates. The cumulative effect on current and prior periods of a change in attainment is recognized in compensation cost in the period of change.
	The performance share awards granted in 2013 and 2012 are market condition awards as attainment is based on Dover's three-year performance relative to its peer group for the relevant performance period. These awards were valued on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model (a binomial lattice-based valuation model) with the following assumptions, and are generally recognized ratably over the vesting period:
		2013				2012
	Risk-free interest rate	0.4		%		0.37		%
	Dividend yield	2.06		%		2.03		%
	Expected life (years)	2.9				2.9
	Volatility	30.36		%		34.1		%
	Fair value of performance award (1)	$	70.92			$	63.43
	-1	Updated to reflect the modification of grants issued prior to 2014 in connection with the separation of Knowles.
Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of each of the defined peer companies. The interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
A summary of activity for performance share awards for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2014	92,545			$	76.05
Surrendered upon spin-off (1)	(7,177	)		76.67
Modification upon spin-off (2)	11,480			—
Granted	58,206			82.51
Forfeit	(2,381	)		80.21
Vested (3)	(50,950	)		63.43
Unvested at December 31, 2014	101,723			$	77.33
-1	In connection with the spin-off on February 28, 2014, Knowles employees surrendered their outstanding Dover equity awards, which were then converted to Knowles equity awards.
-2	Subsequent to the separation of Knowles, the Company modified its outstanding equity awards to employees such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation.
-3	Under the terms of the performance share award, the actual number of shares awarded can range from zero to 200% of the original target grant, depending on Dover's three-year performance relative to the peer group for the relevant performance period. The awards that vested in 2014, as shown above, will result in zero issuances of Dover common shares as a result of the three-year performance from 2012 - 2014 relative to its peer group.
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested performance shares as of December 31, 2014 was $3,487, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
Restricted Stock Awards
The Company also has restricted stock authorized for grant (as part of the 2005 and 2012 Plans), under which common stock of the Company may be granted at no cost to certain officers and key employees. In general, restrictions limit the sale or transfer of these shares during a two or three year period, and restrictions lapse proportionately over the two or three year period.  The Company granted 131,719 of restricted stock awards in 2014. No restricted stock awards were issued in 2013 or 2012.
A summary of activity for restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2014	40,000			$	66.59
Modification upon spin-off (1)	5,389			—
Granted	131,719			82.51
Forfeit	(10,623	)		82.51
Vested	(485	)		82.51
Unvested at December 31, 2014	166,000			$	76
-1	Subsequent to the separation of Knowles, the Company modified its outstanding equity awards to employees such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation.
Unrecognized compensation expense relating to unvested restricted stock as of December 31, 2014 was $7,255, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.
Directors' Shares
The Company issued the following shares to its non-employee directors under the 2012 Plan as partial compensation for serving as directors of the Company:
	Years ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Aggregate shares granted	17,331			14,271			20,344
Shares deferred	(8,904	)		(6,929	)		—
Shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations	(210	)		(354	)		(544	)
Net shares issued	8,217			6,988			19,800

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	14. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
	Lease Commitments
	The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases, many of which contain renewal options. Total rental expense, net of insignificant sublease rental income, for all operating leases was $87,149, $76,541, and $66,118 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Contingent rentals under the operating leases were not significant.
	The aggregate future minimum lease payments for operating and capital leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Operating		Capital
	2015	$	63,979	$	3,801
	2016	51,193		2,015
	2017	42,647		731
	2018	33,297		196
	2019	24,283		112
	2020 and thereafter	57,536		347
		$	272,935	$	7,202
	Guarantees
	The Company has provided typical indemnities in connection with sales of certain businesses and assets, including representations and warranties and related indemnities for environmental, health and safety, tax, and employment matters.  The Company does not have any material liabilities recorded for these indemnifications and is not aware of any claims or other information that would give rise to material payments under such indemnities.
	Litigation
	A few of the Company’s subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings relating to the cleanup of waste disposal sites identified under federal and state statutes which provide for the allocation of such costs among “potentially responsible parties.” In each instance, the extent of the Company’s liability appears to be very small in relation to the total projected expenditures and the number of other “potentially responsible parties” involved and is anticipated to be immaterial to the Company. In addition, a few of the Company’s subsidiaries are involved in ongoing remedial activities at certain current and former plant sites, in cooperation with regulatory agencies, and appropriate reserves have been established. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has reserves totaling $32,890 and $34,031, respectively, for environmental and other matters, including private party claims for exposure to hazardous substances, that are probable and estimable.
	The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are also parties to a number of other legal proceedings incidental to their businesses. These proceedings primarily involve claims by private parties alleging injury arising out of use of the Company’s products, exposure to hazardous substances, patent infringement, employment matters, and commercial disputes. Management and legal counsel, at least quarterly, review the probable outcome of such proceedings, the costs and expenses reasonably expected to be incurred and currently accrued to-date, and the availability and extent of insurance coverage. The Company has reserves for legal matters that are probable and estimable and not otherwise covered by insurance, and at December 31, 2014 and 2013, these reserves are not significant. While it is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of these legal actions, in the opinion of management, based on the aforementioned reviews, the Company is not currently involved in any legal proceedings which, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material affect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	15. Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company offers defined contribution retirement plans which cover the majority of its U.S. employees, as well as employees in certain other countries. The Company’s expense relating to defined contribution plans was $34,263, $25,645, and $25,805 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	The Company sponsors qualified defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The plans’ benefits are generally based on years of service and employee compensation.  The Company also provides to certain management employees, through non-qualified plans, supplemental retirement benefits in excess of qualified plan limits imposed by federal tax law.
	In July 2013, the Company announced that, after December 31, 2013, the U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans will be closed to new employees. All pension-eligible employees as of December 31, 2013 will continue to earn a pension benefit through December 31, 2023 as long as they remain employed by an operating company participating in the plan. The Company also announced that effective, January 1, 2024, the plan would be frozen to any future benefit accruals.
	In connection with the recent separation of Knowles, the Company offered one-time lump sum payments in 2014 to Knowles employees that participated in Dover's qualified defined benefit pension plan. In 2014, the Company made total lump sum payments to participants in this plan of $49,338. Based on the total of the lump sum payments made to both Knowles and other participants in the plan during the year, the Company recorded a settlement charge of approximately $10,279 in 2014.
	The Company also maintains post retirement benefit plans which cover approximately 1,165 participants, approximately 1,143 of whom are eligible for medical benefits.  These plans are effectively closed to new entrants. The supplemental and post retirement benefit plans are supported by the general assets of the Company.
	Obligations and Funded Status
	The following tables summarize the balance sheet impact, including the benefit obligations, assets, and funded status associated with the Company's significant defined benefit and other postretirement plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
		Qualified Defined Benefits															Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits							Post-Retirement Benefits
		U.S. Plan								Non-U.S. Plans
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014				2013			2014				2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	519,552			$	603,905			$	299,284		$	284,798			$	133,056			$	180,408		$	14,136			$	14,571
	Benefits earned during the year	13,801				17,123				6,027			6,043				3,320				5,634			249				234
	Interest cost	25,204				24,801				8,222			9,081				6,148				6,741			627				523
	Plan participants' contributions	—				—				1,732			1,583				—				—			476				448
	Benefits paid	(17,957		)		(35,266		)		(5,452		)	(11,237		)		(13,939		)		(20,686		)	(1,222		)		(1,163		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss	84,314				(76,605		)		40,962			6,501				11,088				(34,831		)	(556		)		(618		)
	Business dispositions	—				—				(60,164		)	—				(3,137		)		—			—				—
	Amendments	—				1,913				—			—				1,463				3,004			—				65
	Settlements and curtailments	(49,338		)		(16,818		)		(390		)	(3,036		)		—				(7,228		)	—				—
	Currency translation and other	—				499				(25,198		)	5,551				—				14			233				76
	Benefit obligation at end of year	575,576				519,552				265,023			299,284				137,999				133,056			13,943				14,136
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	595,143				554,648				203,681			181,416				—				—			—				—
	Actual return on plan assets	73,528				66,761				14,868			17,356				—				—			—				—
	Company contributions	—				9,000				9,547			11,359				13,939				20,686			746				715
	Plan participants' contributions	—				—				1,732			1,583				—				—			476				448
	Benefits paid	(17,957		)		(35,266		)		(5,452		)	(11,237		)		(13,939		)		(20,686		)	(1,222		)		(1,163		)
	Business dispositions	—				—				(46,334		)	—				—				—			—				—
	Settlements and curtailments	(49,338		)		—				(390		)	—				—				—			—				—
	Currency translation	—				—				(14,142		)	3,204				—				—			—				—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	601,376				595,143				163,510			203,681				—				—			—				—
	Funded status	$	25,800			$	75,591			$	(101,513	)	$	(95,603	)		$	(137,999	)		$	(133,056	)	$	(13,943	)		$	(14,136	)
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
	Assets and Liabilities:
	Other assets and deferred charges	$	25,800			$	75,591			$	152		$	2,976			$	—			$	—		$	—			$	—
	Accrued compensation and employee benefits	—				—				(1,575		)	(1,970		)		(21,978		)		(10,161		)	(926		)		(971		)
	Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	—				—				(100,090		)	(96,609		)		(116,021		)		(122,895		)	(13,017		)		(13,165		)
	Total Assets and Liabilities	$	25,800			$	75,591			$	(101,513	)	$	(95,603	)		$	(137,999	)		$	(133,056	)	$	(13,943	)		$	(14,136	)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings):
	Net actuarial losses (gains)	$	119,919			$	86,108			$	61,813		$	38,596			$	(746	)		$	(12,520	)	$	192			$	799
	Prior service cost (credit)	3,388				4,471				1,058			1,146				31,381				38,646			(615		)		(1,024		)
	Net asset at transition, other	—				—				(48		)	(48		)		—				—			—				—
	Deferred taxes	(43,158		)		(31,703		)		(15,312		)	(9,965		)		(10,725		)		(9,145		)	90				20
	Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	80,149				58,876				47,511			29,729				19,910				16,981			(333		)		(205		)
	Net amount recognized at December 31,	$	105,949			$	134,467			$	(54,002	)	$	(65,874	)		$	(118,089	)		$	(116,075	)	$	(14,276	)		$	(14,341	)
	Accumulated benefit obligations	$	537,393			$	482,181			$	246,814		$	280,763			$	123,229			$	93,153
	The Company’s net unfunded status at December 31, 2014 and 2013 includes net liabilities of $101,513 and $95,603, respectively, relating to the Company’s significant international plans, some in locations where it is not economically advantageous to pre-fund the plans due to local regulations. The majority of the international obligations relate to defined pension plans operated by the Company’s businesses in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $907,436 and $856,097 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014				2013
	Projected benefit obligation (PBO)	$	372,931			$	369,289
	Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	342,158				336,095
	Fair value of plan assets	133,930				137,654
	Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	Components of the net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
	Defined Benefit Plans
		Qualified Defined Benefits																						Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits
		U.S. Plan											Non-U.S. Plans (1)
		2014				2013				2012			2014				2013				2012			2014				2013				2012
	Service cost	$	13,801			$	17,123			$	14,406		$	6,027			$	6,043			$	5,712		$	3,320			$	5,634			$	5,304
	Interest cost	25,204				24,801				25,136			8,222				9,081				10,044			6,148				6,741				7,916
	Expected return on plan assets	(41,594		)		(40,194		)		(38,978		)	(8,498		)		(9,608		)		(8,765		)	—				—				—
	Amortization of:
Prior service cost	1,083				1,026				1,048			107				114				117			7,775				8,110				7,425
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	8,289				17,654				13,515			903				1,492				579			(428		)		(16		)		138
Transition obligation	—				—				—			4				(14		)		(47		)	—				—				—
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss (2)	10,279				187				—			(45		)		697				1,449			—				(4,411		)		—
Other	—				501				—			6				5				—			—				13				—
Total net periodic benefit cost	$	17,062			$	21,098			$	15,127		$	6,726			$	7,810			$	9,089		$	16,815			$	16,071			$	20,783
-1	Net periodic benefit cost for non-U.S. plans includes $55, $1,220, and $1,231 of expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, relating to plans sponsored by Knowles that were distributed as part of the separation on February 28, 2014.
-2	$6,675 of the 2014 settlement loss on the U.S. Plan is attributable to Knowles participants in the Dover Defined Benefit Plan and has therefore, been reflected in the results of discontinued operations. The remaining $3,604 of this settlement loss has been reflected in the results of continuing operations. The curtailment gain of $4,411 was recognized in continuing operations in 2013 in connection with the freeze of the non-qualified supplemental benefit plan.
Post-Retirement Benefits
	2014				2013				2012
Service cost	$	249			$	234			$	248
Interest cost	627				523				593
Amortization of:
Prior service credit	(409		)		(416		)		(416		)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	54				134				(19		)
Settlement & curtailment gain	—				—				(1,493		)
Other	233				77				—
Total net periodic benefit cost	$	754			$	552			$	(1,087	)
Amounts expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) into net periodic benefit cost during 2015 are as follows:
	Qualified Defined Benefits								Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits			Post-Retirement Benefits
	U.S. Plan				Non-U.S. Plans
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (credit)	$	976			$	95			$	6,927		$	(372	)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	12,846				2,784				286			(30		)
Transition obligation	—				5				—			—
Total	$	13,822			$	2,884			$	7,213		$	(402	)
Assumptions
The Company determines actuarial assumptions on an annual basis.
The weighted-average assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations were as follows:
	Qualified Defined Benefits											Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits						Post-Retirement Benefits
	U.S. Plan						Non-U.S. Plans
	2014			2013			2014			2013		2014			2013			2014			2013
Discount rate	4.05	%		4.9	%		2.31	%		3.53	%	3.96	%		4.77	%		3.75	%		4.45	%
Average wage increase	4	%		4	%		2.5	%		2.86	%	4.5	%		4.5	%		na			na
Ultimate medical trend rate	na			na			na			na		na			na			5	%		5	%
The weighted average assumptions used in determining the net periodic cost were as follows:
	Qualified Defined Benefits																	Non- Qualified Supplemental Benefits								Post-Retirement Benefits
	U.S. Plan									Non-U.S. Plans
	2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012			2014			2013		2012			2014			2013			2012
Discount rate	4.9	%		4.05	%		4.85	%		3.53	%	3.31	%		4.62	%		4.77	%		4.02	%	4.77	%		4.45	%		3.65	%		3.65	%
Average wage increase	4	%		4	%		4	%		2.86	%	2.74	%		3.14	%		4.5	%		4.5	%	4.5	%		na			na			na
Expected return on plan assets	7.75	%		7.75	%		7.75	%		5.35	%	5.32	%		5.9	%		na			na		na			na			na			na
The Company’s discount rate assumption is determined by developing a yield curve based on high quality corporate bonds with maturities matching the plans’ expected benefit payment streams. The plans’ expected cash flows are then discounted by the resulting year-by-year spot rates.
For post-retirement benefit measurement purposes, an 8.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits (i.e., health care cost trend rates) was assumed for 2015. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% by the year 2027 and remain at that level thereafter. The health care cost trend rate assumption can have an effect on the amounts reported. For example, increasing (decreasing) the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point in each year would increase (decrease) the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014 by $234 and $(224), respectively, and would have a negligible impact on the net post-retirement benefit cost for 2014.
Plan Assets
The primary financial objective of the plans is to secure participant retirement benefits.  Accordingly, the key objective in the plans’ financial management is to promote stability and, to the extent appropriate, growth in the funded status.  Related and supporting financial objectives are established in conjunction with a review of current and projected plan financial requirements.
As it relates to the funded defined benefit pension plans, the Company’s funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") and applicable international laws.  The Company is responsible for overseeing the management of the investments of the plans’ assets and otherwise ensuring that the plans’ investment programs are in compliance with ERISA, other relevant legislation, and related plan documents.  Where relevant, the Company has retained professional investment managers to manage the plans’ assets and implement the investment process. The investment managers, in implementing their investment processes, have the authority and responsibility to select appropriate investments in the asset classes specified by the terms of their applicable prospectus or investment manager agreements with the plans.
The assets of the plans are invested to achieve an appropriate return for the plans consistent with a prudent level of risk. The asset return objective is to achieve, as a minimum over time, the passively managed return earned by market index funds, weighted in the proportions outlined by the asset class exposures identified in the plans’ strategic allocation.  The expected return on assets assumption used for pension expense is developed through analysis of historical market returns, statistical analysis, current market conditions, and the past experience of plan asset investments. Overall, it is projected that the investment of plan assets within Dover’s U.S. defined benefit plan will achieve a 7.75% net return over time from the asset allocation strategy.
The Company’s actual and target weighted-average asset allocation for our U.S. Corporate Pension Plan was as follows:
	2014			2013			Current Target
Equity securities	55	%		64	%		58	%
Fixed income	36	%		29	%		35	%
Real estate and other	9	%		7	%		7	%
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%
While the non-U.S. investment policies are different for each country, the long-term objectives are generally the same as for the U.S. pension assets. The Company's non-U.S. plans were expected to achieve rates of return on invested assets of 5.35% in 2014, 5.32% in 2013, and 5.90% in 2012.
The fair values of both U.S. and non-U.S. pension plan assets by asset category within the ASC 820 hierarchy (as defined in Note 11 Financial Instruments) are as follows at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	U.S. Plan
	31-Dec-14															31-Dec-13
	Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3				Total Fair Value
Asset category:
Common stocks:
U.S. companies	$	164,006			$	—			$	—		$	164,006			$	180,038			$	—		$	—			$	180,038
Non-U.S. companies	3,874				—				—			3,874				5,526				—			—				5,526
Fixed income investments:
Corporate bonds	—				63,878				—			63,878				—				53,924			—				53,924
Private placements	—				6,865				—			6,865				—				3,374			—				3,374
Government securities	48,370				98,998				—			147,368				25,035				87,107			—				112,142
Common stock funds:
Mutual funds	44,610				—				—			44,610				59,387				—			—				59,387
Collective trusts	—				119,312				—			119,312				—				138,236			—				138,236
Real estate funds	—				37,145				—			37,145				—				33,749			—				33,749
Cash and equivalents	14,318				—				—			14,318				8,767				—			—				8,767
	$	275,178			$	326,198			$	—		$	601,376			$	278,753			$	316,390		$	—			$	595,143
	Non-U.S. Plans
	31-Dec-14															31-Dec-13
	Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3				Total Fair Value
Asset category:
Common stocks	$	40,960			$	—			$	—		$	40,960			$	35,010			$	—		$	—			$	35,010
Fixed income investments	—				59,791				—			59,791				—				75,574			—				75,574
Common stock funds	—				43,821				—			43,821				—				66,285			—				66,285
Real estate funds	—				—				9,976			9,976				—				—			14,937				14,937
Cash and equivalents	1,531				—				—			1,531				6,785				—			—				6,785
Other	—				7,431				—			7,431				—				5,090			—				5,090
	$	42,491			$	111,043			$	9,976		$	163,510			$	41,795			$	146,949		$	14,937			$	203,681
Common stocks represent investments in domestic and foreign equities which are publicly traded on active exchanges and are valued based on quoted market prices.
Fixed income investments include U.S. treasury bonds and notes, which are valued based on quoted market prices, as well as investments in other government and municipal securities and corporate bonds, which are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
Common stock funds consist of mutual funds and collective trusts. Mutual funds are valued by obtaining quoted prices from nationally recognized securities exchanges. Collective trusts are valued using Net Asset Value (the "NAV") as of the last business day of the year. The NAV is based on the underlying value of the assets owned by the fund minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding. The value of the underlying assets is based on quoted prices in active markets.
The real estate funds are valued on an annual basis using third-party appraisals, with adjustments estimated on a quarterly basis using discounted cash flow models which consider such inputs as revenue and expense growth rates, terminal capitalization rates, and discount rates. The Company believes this is an appropriate methodology to obtain the fair value of these assets.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The fair value measurement of plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) changed during 2013 and 2014 due to the following:
	Real estate funds				Other				Total
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	10,116			$	1,456			$	11,572
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at December 31, 2013	2,958				—				2,958
Purchases	1,863				—				1,863
Sales	—				(1,456		)		(1,456		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	14,937				—				14,937
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014	(4,527		)		—				(4,527		)
Business dispositions	(362		)		—				(362		)
Sales	(72		)		—				(72		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	9,976			$	—			$	9,976
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 investments during 2014 or 2013.
Future Estimates
Benefit Payments
Estimated future benefit payments to retirees, which reflect expected future service, are as follows:
	Qualified Defined Benefits								Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits			Post-Retirement Benefits
	U.S. Plan				Non-U.S. Plans
2015	$	35,312			$	6,295			$	22,412		$	926
2016	36,702				6,841				7,968			940
2017	38,784				6,889				3,986			951
2018	40,120				7,196				5,206			959
2019	40,892				7,139				11,282			946
2020 - 2024	221,358				42,775				55,417			4,647
Contributions
In 2015, the Company expects to contribute approximately $6.5 million to its non-U.S. plans and none to its U.S. plans. Additionally, in 2015, the Company expects to fund benefit payments of approximately $22.4 million to plan participants of its unfunded, non-qualified, supplemental benefit plans.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
The Company, through its subsidiaries, participates in a few multiemployer pension plans covering approximately 100 employees working under U.S. collective bargaining agreements. None of these plans are considered individually significant to the Company.  Contributions to multiemployer plans totaled less than $2.0 million in each of the last three years.

Other_Comprehensive_Earnings

Other Comprehensive Earnings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income, Noncontrolling Interest [Text Block]	16. Other Comprehensive Earnings
	The amounts recognized in other comprehensive earnings were as follows:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014	Pre-tax			Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)	$	(131,420	)	$	(19,523	)	$	(150,943	)
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(70,705		)	20,994			(49,711		)
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	(375		)	131			(244		)
	Other	1,067			(128		)	939
	Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings	$	(201,433	)	$	1,474		$	(199,959	)
	-1	Tax expense in current year relates to gain for net investment hedges, as these were favorably impacted by the decline in foreign currency rates. See Note 11 Financial Instruments for additional information.
	Year Ended December 31, 2013	Pre-tax			Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	2,242		$	2,494		$	4,736
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	182,092			(63,585		)	118,507
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	(75		)	26			(49		)
	Other	(642		)	77			(565		)
	Total other comprehensive earnings (loss)	$	183,617		$	(60,988	)	$	122,629
	Year Ended December 31, 2012	Pre-tax			Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	38,521		$	359		$	38,880
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(70,642		)	23,632			(47,010		)
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	195			(70		)	125
	Other	692			(83		)	609
	Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings	$	(31,234	)	$	23,838		$	(7,396	)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) are as follows:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(14,884	)	$	170,609
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans (1)	(147,237		)	(105,381		)
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	3,190			2,495
		$	(158,931	)	$	67,723
	(1)	Includes accumulated other comprehensive losses of $7,855, net of tax, at December 31, 2013 attributable to defined pension plans that were spun off with the distribution of Knowles on February 28, 2014.
	Total comprehensive earnings were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net earnings	$	775,235		$	1,003,129		$	811,070
	Other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(199,959		)	122,629			(7,396		)
	Comprehensive earnings	$	575,276		$	1,125,758		$	803,674
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) to earnings (loss) during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Pension & postretirement benefit plans:
	Amortization of actuarial losses	$	8,822		$	19,250		$	12,673
	Amortization of prior service costs	8,556			8,834			8,174
	Total before tax	17,378			28,084			20,847
	Tax expense	(5,969		)	(9,809		)	(7,013		)
	Net of tax	$	11,409		$	18,275		$	13,834
	Cash flow hedges:
	Net gains reclassified into earnings	$	(164	)	$	(130	)	$	(549	)
	Tax benefit	57			46			192
	Net of tax	$	(107	)	$	(84	)	$	(357	)
	The Company recognizes net periodic pension cost, which includes amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service costs, in both selling & administrative expenses and cost of goods and services, depending on the functional area of the underlying employees included in the plans.
	Cash flow hedges consist mainly of foreign currency forward and commodity contracts. The Company recognizes the realized gains and losses on its cash flow hedges in the same line item as the hedged transaction, such as revenue, cost of goods and services, or selling & administrative expenses.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	17. Segment Information
	In the first quarter of 2014, Dover announced the realignment of its businesses into a new segment structure, consisting of four segments and organized around its key end markets to better focus on growth strategies. The new structure is designed also to provide increased opportunities to leverage Dover's scale and capitalize on productivity initiatives. Dover's four segments are as follows:
	•	Our Energy segment, serving the Drilling & Production, Bearings & Compression, and Automation end markets, is a provider of customer-driven solutions and services for safe and efficient production and processing of fuels worldwide, and has a strong presence in the bearings and compression components markets.
	•	Our Engineered Systems segment is comprised of two platforms, Printing & Identification and Industrials, and is focused on the design, manufacture and service of critical equipment and components serving the printing & identification, vehicle service, environmental solutions and industrial end markets.
	•	Our Fluids segment, serving the Fluid Transfer and Pumps end markets, is focused on the safe handling of critical fluids across the retail fueling, chemical, hygienic and industrial end markets.
	•	Our Refrigeration & Food Equipment segment, serving the Refrigeration and Food Equipment end markets, is a provider of innovative and energy efficient equipment and systems serving the commercial refrigeration and food service industries.
	Segment financial information and a reconciliation of segment results to consolidated results follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenue:
	Energy	$	2,017,239		$	1,853,853		$	1,788,295
	Engineered Systems	2,385,965			2,177,970			2,143,687
	Fluids	1,430,566			1,236,838			1,087,526
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	1,921,189			1,887,840			1,607,602
	Intra-segment eliminations	(2,231		)	(1,405		)	(462		)
	Total consolidated revenue	$	7,752,728		$	7,155,096		$	6,626,648
	Earnings from continuing operations:
	Segment earnings:
	Energy	$	461,815		$	459,649		$	466,801
	Engineered Systems	386,998			347,497			319,704
	Fluids	251,639			224,523			182,544
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	238,734			267,307			223,397
	Total segments	1,339,186			1,298,976			1,192,446
	Corporate expense / other (1)	117,800			132,336			140,112
	Net interest expense	127,179			120,654			121,269
	Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	1,094,207			1,045,986			931,065
	Provision for taxes	316,067			248,459			280,990
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	778,140		$	797,527		$	650,075
	Operating margins:
	Energy	22.9		%	24.8		%	26.1		%
	Engineered Systems	16.2		%	16		%	14.9		%
	Fluids	17.6		%	18.2		%	16.8		%
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	12.4		%	14.2		%	13.9		%
	Total Segments	17.3		%	18.2		%	18		%
	Earnings from continuing operations	10		%	11.1		%	9.8		%
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Energy	$	111,956		$	99,075		$	87,921
	Engineered Systems	61,946			59,058			60,670
	Fluids	60,903			48,812			41,381
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	68,701			67,228			37,295
	Corporate	3,682			3,860			2,667
	Consolidated total	$	307,188		$	278,033		$	229,934
	Capital expenditures:
	Energy	$	66,998		$	60,756		$	65,520
	Engineered Systems	29,749			29,145			25,314
	Fluids	34,319			21,868			22,655
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	33,510			27,173			30,863
	Corporate	1,457			2,752			2,150
	Consolidated total	$	166,033		$	141,694		$	146,502
	-1	Certain expenses are maintained at the corporate level and not allocated to the segments. These expenses include executive and functional compensation costs, non-service pension costs, non-operating insurance expenses, and various administrative expenses relating to the corporate headquarters.
	Selected financial information by market segment (continued):
	Total assets at December 31:	2014			2013
	Energy	$	2,645,567		$	1,901,200
	Engineered Systems	2,348,684			2,224,519
	Fluids	1,414,387			1,390,777
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	1,494,121			1,540,295
	Corporate (2)	860,455			1,019,327
	Total assets - continuing operations	8,763,214			8,076,118
	Assets from discontinued operations	327,171			2,779,063
	Consolidated total	$	9,090,385		$	10,855,181
	-2	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents. Also included in corporate assets is an asset of $25,800 and $75,591 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, that represents the overfunded plan status of the U.S. defined benefit plan. Additionally, included in corporate assets in 2013 is a $16,250 note receivable related to proceeds from the sale of ECT. Refer to Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations and Note 15 Employee Benefit Plans, respectively, for additional information.
		Revenue									Long-Lived Assets
		Years Ended December 31,									At December 31,
		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013
United States	$	4,617,813		$	4,202,434		$	3,977,925		$	599,688	$	528,001
Europe	1,251,625			1,112,279			1,082,210			136,599		153,564
Other Americas	794,966			803,741			744,192			39,971		47,374
Asia	686,511			607,873			574,140			42,775		43,516
Other	401,813			428,769			248,181			18,036		15,394
Consolidated total	$	7,752,728		$	7,155,096		$	6,626,648		$	837,069	$	787,849
Revenue is attributed to regions based on the location of the Company’s customer, which in some instances is an intermediary and not necessarily the end user. Long-lived assets are comprised of net property, plant and equipment. The Company’s businesses are based primarily in the United States of America, Europe, and Asia. The Company’s businesses serve thousands of customers, none of which accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenue.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	18. Earnings per Share
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013			2012
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	778,140			$	797,527		$	650,075
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	(2,905		)		205,602			160,995
	Net earnings	$	775,235			$	1,003,129		$	811,070
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	4.67			$	4.66		$	3.58
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	$	(0.02	)		$	1.2		$	0.89
	Net earnings	$	4.65			$	5.86		$	4.47
	Weighted average shares outstanding	166,692,000				171,271,000			181,551,000
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	4.61			$	4.6		$	3.53
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	$	(0.02	)		$	1.18		$	0.88
	Net earnings	$	4.59			$	5.78		$	4.41
	Weighted average shares outstanding	168,842,000				173,547,000			183,993,000
	The following table is a reconciliation of the share amounts used in computing earnings per share:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic	166,692,000			171,271,000			181,551,000
	Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of employee stock options and SARs and vesting of performance shares and restricted shares	2,150,000			2,276,000			2,442,000
	Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted	168,842,000			173,547,000			183,993,000
	Diluted per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period.  Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and SARs, and vesting of performance shares and restricted shares, as determined using the treasury stock method.  For the year ended December 31, 2014 the weighted average number of anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the calculation above totaled 38,789. There were no anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the above calculation for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	19. Stockholders' Equity
	The Company has the authority to issue up to 100,000 shares of $100 par preferred stock and up to 500,000,000 shares of $1.00 par common stock. None of the preferred stock has been issued. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 255,892,502 and 255,320,345 shares of common stock were issued, and the Company had 92,880,644 and 85,413,416 treasury shares, held at cost, respectively.
	Share Repurchases
	Share repurchases were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Shares repurchased in the open market	7,467,228		6,005,880		12,314,795
	Shares repurchased from holders of employee stock options	—		5,951		86,303
	Total shares repurchased	7,467,228		6,011,831		12,401,098
	Average price paid per share	$	80.5	$	76.16	$	60.38
	In May 2012, the Board of Directors renewed its standing authorization of the Company's share repurchase program, on terms consistent with its prior five-year authorization which expired at that time. This renewal authorized the repurchase of up to 10,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock during the five-year period ending May 2017. The Company repurchased 3,870,248 shares under this authorization during 2014 for an average share price of $79.71. As of December 31, 2014, the approximate number of shares still available for repurchase under the May 2012 share repurchase authorization was 38,041. This authorization was canceled and replaced in January 2015 with a new standing share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors, whereby the Company may repurchase up to 15,000,000 shares of its common stock over the following three years.
	In November 2012, the Board of Directors approved a $1.0 billion share repurchase program authorizing repurchases of the Company's common shares over the following 12 to 18 months. In 2014, the Company completed this share repurchase program through an accelerated share repurchase transaction, whereby Dover paid $292,565 on March 10, 2014 to receive a variable number of shares on incremental dates through March 31, 2014. The Company repurchased 3,596,980 shares under this transaction for an average share price of $81.06.

Quarterly_Data

Quarterly Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Data (Unaudited) [Text Block]	20. Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
						Continuing Operations						Net Earnings
	Quarter	Revenue		Gross Profit		Earnings		Per Share - Basic		Per Share - Diluted		Net Earnings		Per Share - Basic		Per Share - Diluted
	2014
	First	$	1,802,570	$	707,859	$	170,041	$	1	$	0.99	$	160,138	$	0.94	$	0.93
	Second	1,962,636		768,100		210,581		1.26		1.25		213,959		1.29		1.27
	Third	2,009,575		774,422		225,683		1.36		1.34		231,844		1.4		1.38
	Fourth	1,977,947		723,868		171,835		1.04		1.03		169,294		1.03		1.02
		$	7,752,728	$	2,974,249	$	778,140	4.67		4.61		$	775,235	4.65		4.59
	2013
	First	$	1,681,540	$	653,847	$	160,267	$	0.92	$	0.91	$	210,003	$	1.21	$	1.2
	Second	1,836,981		720,994		247,988		1.45		1.43		330,049		1.93		1.91
	Third	1,850,653		724,041		217,045		1.27		1.26		269,114		1.58		1.56
	Fourth	1,785,922		679,709		172,227		1.01		1		193,963		1.14		1.13
		$	7,155,096	$	2,778,591	$	797,527	4.66		4.6		$	1,003,129	5.86		5.78

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	SCHEDULE II
	VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
	(In thousands)
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Balance at		Acquired by	Charged to Cost and	Accounts		Other		Balance at
		Beginning		Purchase or	Expense (A)	Written Off				End of Year
		of Year		Merger
	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	17,203	1,201	4,730	(3,524	)	(716	)	$	18,894
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	17,005	—	5,869	(5,427	)	(244	)	$	17,203
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	18,757	56	3,810	(5,138	)	(480	)	$	17,005
	(A) Net of recoveries on previously reserved or written-off balances.
	Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	Balance at		Acquired by	Additions	Reductions		Other		Balance at
		Beginning		Purchase or						End of Year
		of Year		Merger
	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	$	14,063	—	133,431	(6,242	)	—		$	141,252
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	$	17,275	—	—	(3,212	)	—		$	14,063
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance	$	20,396	—	—	(3,121	)	—		$	17,275
	LIFO Reserve	Balance at		Acquired by	Charged to Cost and Expense	Reductions		Other		Balance at
		Beginning		Purchase or						End of Year
		of Year		Merger
	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	LIFO Reserve	$	50,705	—	4,166	(4,102	)	—		$	50,769
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	LIFO Reserve	$	53,374	—	—	(2,669	)	—		$	50,705
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	LIFO Reserve	$	53,327	—	47	—		—		$	53,374

Description_of_Business_and_Su1

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business [Text Block]	Description of Business - Dover Corporation (the "Company") is a diversified global manufacturer delivering innovative equipment, components, and specialty systems. The Company also provides supporting engineering, testing, and other similar services, which are not significant in relation to consolidated revenue. The Company’s businesses are based primarily in the United States of America and Europe with manufacturing and other operations throughout the world. The Company operates through four business segments that are aligned with the key end markets they serve: Energy, Engineered Systems, Fluids, and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. For additional information on the Company’s segments, see Note 17 Segment Information.
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations of purchased businesses are included from the dates of acquisitions. As discussed in Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations, the Company is reporting certain businesses that are held for sale at December 31, 2014 as discontinued operations.  The assets, liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of these businesses, as well as the results of Knowles Corporation prior to the spin-off, have been separately reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates may be adjusted due to changes in future economic, industry, or customer financial conditions, as well as changes in technology or demand. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, net realizable value of inventories, restructuring reserves, warranty reserves, pension and post retirement plans, stock-based compensation, useful lives for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets, deferred tax assets, uncertain income tax positions, and contingencies. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates, although management does not believe such differences would materially affect the financial statements in any individual year. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period that they are determined.
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments which are highly liquid in nature and have original maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Policy Text Block]	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses as a result of customers' inability to make required payments. Management evaluates the aging of the accounts receivable balances, the financial condition of its customers, historical trends, and the time outstanding of specific balances to estimate the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected in the future and records the appropriate provision.
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	Inventories – Inventories for the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries, including all international subsidiaries, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, or market. Other domestic inventories are stated at cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, which is less than market value.
Property, Plant and Equipment [Policy Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment includes the historic cost of land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, and significant improvements to existing plant and equipment or, in the case of acquisitions, a fair market value appraisal of such assets completed at the time of acquisition. Property, plant and equipment also includes the cost of purchased software.  Expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in earnings. The Company depreciates its assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: buildings and improvements 5 to 31.5 years; machinery and equipment 3 to 7 years; furniture and fixtures 3 to 7 years; vehicles 3 years; and software 3 to 5 years. Depreciation expense totaled $152,079 in 2014, $144,087 in 2013, and $128,341 in 2012.
Derivatives Instruments [Policy Text Block]	Derivative Instruments - The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposures to various risks, including interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes and does not have a material portfolio of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes must be designated and effective as a hedge of the identified risk exposure at inception of the contract. The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value.  For derivatives designated as hedges of the fair value of assets or liabilities, the changes in fair value of both the derivatives and of the hedged items are recorded in current earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives is recorded as a component of other comprehensive earnings and subsequently recognized in net earnings when the hedged items impact earnings.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill represents the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives (primarily trademarks) are not amortized. Instead, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, such as a significant sustained change in the business climate or a current expectation of an impending disposal. The Company conducts its annual impairment evaluation in the fourth quarter of each year. Recoverability of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level and determined using a two-step process. For 2014, the Company identified 16 reporting units for its annual goodwill impairment test. Step one of the test compares the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted cash flow method to its book value. This method uses the Company’s own market assumptions including projections of future cash flows, determinations of appropriate discount rates, and other assumptions which are considered reasonable and inherent in the discounted cash flow analysis. The projections are based on historical performance and future estimated results. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. Step two, which compares the book value of the goodwill to its implied fair value, was not necessary since there were no indicators of potential impairment from step one.
	As discussed in Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations, in connection with the sale of certain businesses held for sale, the Company recognized total impairment losses of $53,439 and $51,854, net of tax, in 2013 and 2012, respectively, within the results of discontinued operations. With respect to the fair value of businesses held for sale at December 31, 2014 each will be evaluated in subsequent reporting periods until the time of sale, and further adjustments to fair value are possible if business conditions should change.
	Similar to goodwill, in testing its other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow method to calculate and compare the fair value of the intangible asset to its book value. This method uses the Company’s own market assumptions which are considered reasonable and inherent in the discounted cash flow analysis.  Any excess of carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. No impairment of indefinite lived intangibles was indicated for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012.
Other Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	Other intangible assets with determinable lives consist primarily of customer lists, unpatented technology, patents, and trademarks. These other intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 5 to 15 years.
Long-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]	Long-lived assets (including intangible assets with determinable lives) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, such as a significant sustained change in the business climate. If an indicator of impairment exists for any grouping of assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows is produced and compared to its carrying value. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
Foreign Currency [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency - Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries, where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, have been translated at year-end exchange rates and profit and loss accounts have been translated using weighted-average yearly exchange rates.  Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss). Assets and liabilities of an entity that are denominated in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are re-measured into the functional currency using end of period exchange rates or historical rates where applicable to certain balances. Gains and losses related to these re-measurements are recorded within the Statement of Earnings as a component of other expense (income), net.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition - Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions are satisfied: a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, b) price is fixed or determinable, c) collectability is reasonably assured, and d) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated through the manufacture and sale of a broad range of specialized products and components, with revenue recognized upon transfer of title and risk of loss, which is generally upon shipment. Service revenue represents less than 5% of total revenue and is recognized as the services are performed.  In limited cases, revenue arrangements with customers require delivery, installation, testing, certification, or other acceptance provisions to be satisfied before revenue is recognized.
Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation – The principal awards issued under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans include non-qualified stock-settled stock appreciation rights and performance share awards.  The cost for such awards is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award.  The value of the portion of the award that is expected to ultimately vest is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis, generally over the explicit service period of three years (except for retirement-eligible employees and retirees) and is included in selling and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  Expense for awards granted to retirement-eligible employees is recorded over the period from the date of grant through the date the employee first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service.  See Note 13 Equity and Cash Incentive Program for additional information related to the Company’s stock-based compensation.  At the time of grant, the Company estimates forfeitures, based on historical experience, in order to estimate the portion of the award that will ultimately vest.
Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes - The provision for income taxes on continuing operations includes federal, state, local, and non-U.S. taxes. Tax credits, primarily for research and experimentation, non-U.S. earnings, and U.S. manufacturer's tax deduction are recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes on continuing operations in the year in which they are available for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided using enacted rates on the future tax consequences of temporary differences. Temporary differences include the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and the tax benefit of carryforwards. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets for which realization is not assured. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all available evidence, including the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback periods, prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, and estimated future taxable income. The valuation allowance can be affected by changes to tax regulations, interpretations and rulings, changes to enacted statutory tax rates, and changes to future taxable income estimates.
	Tax benefits are recognized 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 in consideration of applicable tax statutes and related interpretations and precedents. Tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized on ultimate settlement.
	The Company has not provided for any residual U.S. income taxes on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries as such earnings are currently intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that might be payable if some or all of such earnings were to be repatriated, and the amount of foreign tax credits that would be available to reduce or eliminate the resulting U.S. income tax liability.
Research and Development Costs [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development Costs – Research and development costs, including qualifying engineering costs, are expensed when incurred and amounted to $118,411 in 2014, $117,178 in 2013, and $123,639 in 2012.
Advertising [Policy Text Block]	Advertising – Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and amounted to $38,882 in 2014, $36,453 in 2013, and $35,688 in 2012.
Risk, Retention, Insurance [Policy Text Block]	Risk, Retention, Insurance - The Company currently self-insures its product and commercial general liability claims up to $5.0 million per occurrence, its workers’ compensation claims up to $0.5 million per occurrence, and automobile liability claims up to $1.0 million per occurrence. Third-party insurance provides primary level coverage in excess of these amounts up to certain specified limits. In addition, the Company has excess liability insurance from third-party insurers on both an aggregate and an individual occurrence basis well in excess of the limits of the primary coverage. A worldwide program of property insurance covers the Company’s owned and leased property and any business interruptions that may occur due to an insured hazard affecting those properties, subject to reasonable deductibles and aggregate limits. The Company’s property and casualty insurance programs contain various deductibles that, based on the Company’s experience, are typical and customary for a company of its size and risk profile. The Company does not consider any of the deductibles to represent a material risk to the Company. The Company generally maintains deductibles for claims and liabilities related primarily to workers’ compensation, health and welfare claims, general commercial, product and automobile liability and property damage, and business interruption resulting from certain events. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated.  As part of the Company’s risk management program, insurance is maintained to transfer risk beyond the level of self-retention and provide protection on both an individual claim and annual aggregate basis.
Reclassification [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications – Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-12 which requires that a performance target for share-based payments that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. Under this new standard, compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has evaluated this guidance and determined that the adoption will not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 that introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations - that is, a major effect on the organization's operations and financial results - should be presented as discontinued operations. Additionally, the ASU requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This update is effective for Dover in the first quarter of 2015. The Company has evaluated this guidance and determined that the adoption will not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, which provides that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. This standard was effective for Dover for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, which permits an entity to release cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided, or, if a controlling financial interest is no longer held. The revised standard was effective for Dover for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 which requires additional disclosures regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The Company's adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test of an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Per the terms of this ASU, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on qualitative assessment, that it is not more likely than not, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. The revised standard was effective for Dover for its annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Spin_Off_of_Knowles_Corporatio1

Spin Off of Knowles Corporation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Spin Off [Abstract]
Summary of the assets and liabilities transferred to Knowles as part of the separation [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities distributed to Knowles as part of the separation on February 28, 2014:
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	40,045
	Other current assets	340,945
	Non-current assets	1,678,820
	Total assets	$	2,059,810
	Liabilities:
	Current liabilities	$	252,673
	Non-current liabilities	383,940
	Total liabilities	$	636,613
	Net assets distributed to Knowles Corporation	$	1,423,197

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014															Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Allocation of acquisition cost	The following presents the allocation of acquisition cost to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values:															The following presents the allocation of acquisition cost to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values:
		Accelerated			Other Acquisitions			Total								Current assets, net of cash acquired	$	98,641
	Current assets, net of cash acquired	$	133,475		$	74,712		$	208,187
																Property, plant and equipment	33,403
	Property, plant and equipment	51,070			6,199			57,269
																Goodwill	141,888
	Goodwill	222,808			209,330			432,138
																Intangible assets	149,228
	Intangible assets	131,200			163,727			294,927
																Other non-current assets, principally deferred taxes	2,622
	Current liabilities assumed	(43,935		)	(36,425		)	(80,360		)
	Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	(58,896		)	(51,011		)	(109,907		)						Current liabilities assumed	(58,052		)
	Net assets acquired	$	435,722		$	366,532		$	802,254							Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	(44,892		)
																Net assets acquired	$	322,838
Schedule Of Acquired Intangible Assets By Major Class Text Block [Table Text Block]	The amounts assigned to goodwill and major intangible asset classifications by applicable segment for the 2014 acquisitions are as follows:
		Energy			Engineered Systems			Fluids			Refrigeration & Food Equipment		Total		Useful life (in years)
	Goodwill - Tax deductible	$	10,835		$	—		$	184		$	1,022	$	12,041	na
	Goodwill - Non deductible	314,604			80,581			24,912			—		420,097		na
	Customer intangibles	198,200			22,843			23,273			600		244,916		12
	Trademarks	19,300			6,594			2,125			—		28,019		11
	Patents	—			878			—			500		1,378		8
	Other intangibles and assets	5,900			10,374			4,340			—		20,614		6
		$	548,839		$	121,270		$	54,834		$	2,122	$	727,065
Pro forma results of operations	The following unaudited pro forma information illustrates the effect on the Company’s revenue and earnings from continuing operations for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, assuming that the 2014 acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of 2013. As a result, the supplemental pro forma earnings reflect adjustments to earnings from continuing operations as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings to exclude $11,558 of nonrecurring expense related to the fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory (after-tax) and $3,502 of acquisition-related costs (after-tax) from the year ended December 31, 2014. The supplemental pro forma earnings for the comparable 2013 period were adjusted to include these charges as if they were incurred at the beginning of 2012. The 2014 and 2013 supplemental pro forma earnings are also adjusted to reflect the comparable impact of additional depreciation and amortization expense (net of tax) resulting from the fair value measurement of tangible and intangible assets relating to 2014 and 2013 acquisitions.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenue from continuing operations:
	As reported	$	7,752,728		$	7,155,096
	Pro forma	7,987,639			7,602,756
	Earnings from continuing operations:
	As reported	$	778,140		$	797,527
	Pro forma	806,321			794,823
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations:
	As reported	$	4.67		$	4.66
	Pro forma	4.84			4.64
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations:
	As reported	$	4.61		$	4.6
	Pro forma	4.78			4.58

Disposed_and_Discontinued_Oper1

Disposed and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Results of discontinued operations [Table Text Block]	Summarized results of the Company’s discontinued operations are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenue	$	568,991		$	1,970,965		$	1,918,035
	Loss on sale, including impairments, net of tax	$	(3,691	)	$	(35,473	)	$	(50,818	)
	Earnings from operations before taxes	13,611			209,293			241,023
	(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(12,825		)	31,782			(29,210		)
	Earnings from operations, net of tax	786			$	241,075		$	211,813
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(2,905	)	$	205,602		$	160,995
Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations [Table Text Block]	Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are summarized below:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Assets of Discontinued Operations
	Accounts receivable (1)	$	46,691		$	403,539
	Inventories, net	58,401			229,465
	Prepaid and other current assets	8,571			84,814
	Total current assets	113,663			717,818
	Property, plant and equipment, net	31,573			401,600
	Goodwill and intangible assets, net	181,798			1,633,587
	Other assets and deferred charges	137			26,058
	Total assets	$	327,171		$	2,779,063
	Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
	Accounts payable (1)	$	21,199		$	278,607
	Other current liabilities	17,675			153,788
	Total current liabilities	38,874			432,395
	Deferred income taxes	8,752			60,361
	Other liabilities	3,092			42,865
	Total liabilities	$	50,718		$	535,621
	At December 31, 2014, the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations primarily relate to Datamax O'Neil and Sargent Aerospace, which were held for sale on that date. At December 31, 2013, the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations relate to those businesses mentioned above, as well as DEK International, which was sold on July 2, 2014 and Knowles, which was spun off on February 28, 2014.
	-1	Amounts at December 31, 2013 include estimated credits and liabilities associated with tax obligations in foreign jurisdictions resulting from value-added tax for the Multitest business within ECT. Accounts receivable includes $93,598 of credits. Accounts payable includes $76,443 of liabilities and $18,279 of interest. These balances were settled in 2014.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Components of Inventory
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Raw materials	$	352,016		$	338,621
	Work in progress	147,715			127,611
	Finished goods	483,912			367,011
	Subtotal	983,643			833,243
	Less reserves	(119,906		)	(117,932		)
	Total	$	863,737		$	715,311

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Components of property, plant and equipment, net	6. Property, Plant and Equipment, net
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	55,076		$	56,118
	Buildings and improvements	537,474			517,087
	Machinery, equipment and other	1,698,638			1,596,085
	Subtotal	2,291,188			2,169,290
	Less accumulated depreciation	(1,454,119		)	(1,381,441		)
	Total	$	837,069		$	787,849

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Energy			Engineered Systems			Fluids			Refrigeration & Food Equipment			Total
	Goodwill	$	716,210		$	1,202,906		$	560,131		$	588,624		$	3,067,871
	Accumulated impairment loss	—			(10,591		)	(59,970		)	—			(70,561		)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	716,210			1,192,315			500,161			588,624			2,997,310
	Acquisitions	19,810			19,968			102,110			—			141,888
	Purchase price adjustments	(2,278		)	(521		)	(2,417		)	(22,922		)	(28,138		)
	Foreign currency translation	(5,770		)	(1,143		)	4,304			129			(2,480		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	727,972			1,210,619			604,158			565,831			3,108,580
	Acquisitions	325,438			80,581			25,097			1,022			432,138
	Purchase price adjustments	(395		)	—			11,350			—			10,955
	Foreign currency translation	(4,280		)	(21,022		)	(30,942		)	(3,872		)	(60,116		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,048,735		$	1,270,178		$	609,663		$	562,981		$	3,491,557
Schedule of Intangible Assets	The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	138,650		$	34,097		$	110,573		$	24,418
	Patents	150,404			108,484			153,850			102,756
	Customer Intangibles	1,429,906			484,449			1,211,744			379,124
	Unpatented Technologies	92,480			45,812			80,483			35,891
	Drawings & Manuals	36,377			13,087			41,800			10,462
	Distributor Relationships	64,614			34,377			64,614			31,144
	Other	24,214			12,737			22,365			12,599
	Total	$	1,936,645		$	733,043		$	1,685,429		$	596,394
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	165,918						169,876
	Total intangible assets, net	$	1,369,520					$	1,258,911
Future Amortization Expense	Amortization expense for the next five years, based on current intangible balances, is estimated to be as follows:
	2015	$	140,046
	2016	139,880
	2017	136,746
	2018	125,827
	2019	110,262

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia1

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Major components of other accrued expenses [Table Text Block]	The following table details the major components of other accrued expenses:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Warranty	$	46,704		$	39,824
	Unearned/deferred revenue	20,678			22,839
	Taxes other than income	28,452			34,229
	Accrued interest	31,318			31,738
	Accrued volume discounts	16,352			16,909
	Accrued commissions (non-employee)	12,799			11,151
	Restructuring and exit	22,021			4,986
	Legal and environmental	7,868			4,967
	Other (none of which are individually significant) (1)	80,085			52,966
		$	266,277		$	219,609
Major components of other liabilities [Table Text Block]	The following table details the major components of other liabilities (non-current):
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Deferred compensation (2)	$	323,105		$	321,736
	Unrecognized tax benefits	94,875			97,920
	Unearned/deferred revenue	8,599			7,751
	Legal and environmental	31,841			35,145
	Warranty	2,684			3,100
	Restructuring and exit	—			356
	Other (none of which are individually significant) (1)	21,236			42,856
		$	482,340		$	508,864
	-1	The liability relating to the Company's cumulative loss of $15,567 on the Swiss franc cross-currency swap was reclassified from other liabilities to other accrued expenses at December 31, 2014 in anticipation of the settlement of this net investment hedge when it expires on October 15, 2015. See Note 11 Financial Instruments.
	-2	Deferred compensation includes $229,128 and $232,669 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for liabilities related to defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans. See Note 15 Employee Benefit Plans.
Carrying amount of product warranties [Table Text Block]	Warranty
	Estimated warranty program claims are provided for at the time of sale. Amounts provided for are based on historical costs and adjusted for new claims. The changes in the carrying amount of product warranties through December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance, January 1	$	42,924		$	39,554
	Provision for warranties	60,833			52,943
	Settlements made	(56,746		)	(49,101		)
	Other adjustments, including acquisitions and currency translation	2,377			(472		)
	Ending balance, December 31	$	49,388		$	42,924

Restructuring_Activities_Table

Restructuring Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table details restructuring charges incurred by segment for the periods presented:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013				2012
	Energy (1)	$	7,549		$	(811	)		$	584
	Engineered Systems	6,624			3,628				8,320
	Fluids	3,784			850				2,215
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	24,897			5,451				2,761
	Corporate	1,954			—				—
	Total	$	44,808		$	9,118			$	13,880
	These amounts are classified in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows:
	Cost of goods and services	$	19,690		$	5,320			$	3,613
	Selling and administrative expenses	25,118			3,798				10,267
	Total	$	44,808		$	9,118			$	13,880
	-1	In 2013, restructuring charges incurred within the Energy segment included a net gain on the sale of buildings in connection with facility consolidations.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]	The following table details the Company’s severance and other restructuring accrual activity:
		Severance			Exit				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,654		3,110				$	4,764
	Restructuring charges	10,583			3,297				13,880
	Payments	(9,554		)	(3,916		)		(13,470		)
	Other, including foreign currency	4			74				78
	Balance at December 31, 2012	2,687			2,565				5,252
	Restructuring charges	7,103			2,015				9,118
	Payments	(7,001		)	(2,451		)		(9,452		)
	Other, including foreign currency	87			337				424
	Balance at December 31, 2013	2,876			2,466				5,342
	Restructuring charges	23,532			21,276				44,808
	Payments	(10,092		)	(5,750		)		(15,842		)
	Other, including foreign currency	(958		)	(11,329		)	(1)	(12,287		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	15,358		$	6,663			$	22,021
	(1)	Other activity in exit reserves primarily represents the non-cash write-off of inventory and fixed assets in connection with certain facility closures.

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of short-term debt [Table Text Block]	Borrowings consist of the following:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Short-term:
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	299,956		$	2,778
	Commercial paper	478,000			226,500
		$	777,956		$	229,278
Borrowings [Table Text Block]
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Long-term:
	4.875% 10-year notes due October 15, 2015	$	299,836		$	299,638
	5.45% 10-year notes due March 15, 2018	348,928			348,598
	2.125% 7-year notes due December 1, 2020 (euro-denominated)	363,970			411,500
	4.30% 10-year notes due March 1, 2021	449,839			449,813
	6.65% 30-year debentures due June 1, 2028	199,517			199,483
	5.375% 30-year debentures due October 15, 2035	296,685			296,526
	6.60% 30-year notes due March 15, 2038	247,948			247,859
	5.375% 30-year notes due March 1, 2041	345,830			345,671
	Other	444			2,891
	Total long-term debt	2,552,997			2,601,979
	Less current portion	(299,956		)	(2,778		)
		$	2,253,041		$	2,599,201
Schedule of interest expense and interest income [Table Text Block]	Interest expense and interest income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest expense	$	131,689		$	124,535		$	125,992
	Interest income	(4,510		)	(3,881		)	(4,723		)
	Interest expense, net	$	127,179		$	120,654		$	121,269
Scheduled maturities [Table Text Block]	Scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows:
	2015	$	299,956
	2016	114
	2017	117
	2018	348,958
	2019	—
	2020 and thereafter	1,903,852
		$	2,552,997

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments and the balance sheet lines in which they are recorded	The following table sets forth the fair values of derivative instruments held by the Company as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the balance sheet lines in which they are recorded:
		Fair Value Asset (Liability)
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			Balance Sheet Caption
	Foreign currency forward / collar contracts	$	973		$	879		Prepaid and other current assets
	Foreign currency forward / collar contracts	(810		)	(168		)	Other accrued expenses
	Net investment hedge - cross currency swap	(15,567		)	(23,716		)	Accrued expenses / Other liabilities (1)
	-1	The liability relating to the cumulative loss on the Swiss franc cross currency swap is reflected in accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 as this swap matures on October 15, 2015. It was reflected in other liabilities as of December 31, 2013.
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive earnings	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the gains (losses) on its net investment hedges were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Gain (loss) on euro-denominated debt	$	47,630		$	(6,099	)	$	—
	Gain (loss) on Swiss franc cross-currency swap	8,149			(1,035		)	(1,025		)
	Total gain (loss) on net investment hedges before tax	55,779			(7,134		)	(1,025		)
	Tax (expense) benefit	(19,523		)	2,494			359
	Net gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax	$	36,256		$	(4,640	)	$	(666	)
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		December 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges	$	—		$	973		$	—		$	—	$	879	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges	—			810			—			—		168		—
	Swiss franc cross-currency swap	—			15,567			—			—		23,716		—

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Earnings Before Provision For Income Taxes And Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block]	Income taxes have been based on the following components of “Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Domestic	$	789,689			$	714,723			$	640,896
	Foreign	304,518				331,263				290,169
		$	1,094,207			$	1,045,986			$	931,065
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Income tax expense (benefit) relating to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is comprised of the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	U.S. Federal	$	231,939			$	114,218			$	196,622
	State and local	8,434				17,468				(1,590		)
	Foreign	97,037				89,702				84,723
	Total current	337,410				221,388				279,755
	Deferred:
	U.S. Federal	$	7,386			$	35,315			$	20,149
	State and local	11,250				(4,556		)		(2,262		)
	Foreign	(39,979		)		(3,688		)		(16,652		)
	Total deferred	(21,343		)		27,071				1,235
	Total expense	$	316,067			$	248,459			$	280,990
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Differences between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal income statutory rate are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Federal income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State and local taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit	1.3			1.2			1.3
	Foreign operations tax effect	(3.7	)		(3.3	)		(3.2	)
	R&E tax credits (1)	(0.3	)		(0.7	)		—
	Domestic manufacturing deduction	(3.0	)		(2.2	)		(2.2	)
	Foreign tax credits	0.4			0.3			0.3
	Branch losses	(0.7	)		(0.2	)		—
	Release of valuation allowance	(0.6	)		—			—
	Resolution of tax contingencies	(0.5	)		(7.2	)		(1.8	)
	Other, principally non-tax deductible items	1			0.9			0.8
	Effective rate from continuing operations	28.9	%		23.8	%		30.2	%
	-1	On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, and this legislation retroactively extended the R&E tax credit for two years, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Income tax expense for 2013 includes $4.8 million for the entire benefit of the R&E tax credit attributable to 2012.
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to future deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Accrued compensation, principally postretirement and other employee benefits	$	151,640			$	130,326
	Accrued expenses, principally for state income taxes, interest, and warranty	45,262				43,700
	Net operating loss and other carryforwards	190,298				70,821
	Inventories, principally due to reserves for financial reporting purposes and capitalization for tax purposes	13,285				14,068
	Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts	4,323				4,507
	Accrued insurance	5,529				4,353
	Long-term liabilities, principally warranty, environmental, and exit costs	4,096				3,777
	Other assets	(8,838		)		(11,957		)
	Total gross deferred tax assets	405,595				259,595
	Valuation allowance	(141,252		)		(14,063		)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	264,343			$	245,532
	Deferred Tax Liabilities:
	Intangible assets, principally due to different tax and financial reporting bases and amortization lives	$	(694,602	)		$	(604,464	)
	Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation	(55,012		)		(61,455		)
	Accounts receivable	(6,481		)		(6,674		)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(756,095		)		(672,593		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(491,752	)		$	(427,061	)
	Classified as follows in the consolidated balance sheets:
	Current deferred tax asset	$	63,276			$	60,101
	Non-current deferred tax asset	10,107				5,642
	Current deferred tax liability	(928		)		(953		)
	Non-current deferred tax liability	(564,207		)		(491,851		)
		$	(491,752	)		$	(427,061	)
Schedule Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Table Text Block]	The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:
		Continuing				Discontinued				Total
	Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2012	$	134,773			$	54,268			$	189,041
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	10,188				26				10,214
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	4,128				3,470				7,598
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(14,257		)		(25		)		(14,282		)
	Settlements	(418		)		(85		)		(503		)
	Lapse of statutes	(12,550		)		(3,429		)		(15,979		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012	121,864				54,225				176,089
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	9,056				1				9,057
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	7,584				3,315				10,899
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years (A)	(62,610		)		(40,240		)		(102,850		)
	Settlements	(2,823		)		(2,523		)		(5,346		)
	Lapse of statutes	(7,845		)		(1,564		)		(9,409		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013	65,226				13,214				78,440
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11,751				14				11,765
	Additions for tax positions of prior years	1,065				499				1,564
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(5,782		)		(265		)		(6,047		)
	Settlements	(843		)		(155		)		(998		)
	Lapse of statutes	(5,050		)		(2,585		)		(7,635		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014	$	66,367		(B)	$	10,722			$	77,089
	(A)	The settlement of certain income tax examinations of the 2009 and 2010 tax years resulted in a significant decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits.
	(B)	If recognized, the net amount of potential tax benefits that would impact the Company’s effective tax rate is $48.8 million. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recorded potential interest and penalty expense (income) of $(1.3) million, $(5.5) million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to its unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. The Company had accrued interest and penalties of $15.5 million at December 31, 2014 and $17.1 million at December 31, 2013, which are not included in the above table.

Equity_and_Cash_Incentive_Prog1

Equity and Cash Incentive Program (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based incentive plans compensation expense	Stock-based compensation costs are reported within selling and administrative expenses. The following table summarizes the Company’s compensation expense relating to all stock-based incentive plans:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Pre-tax compensation expense	$	31,628			$	30,480			$	30,884
	Tax benefit	(11,201		)		(10,745		)		(10,904		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	20,427			$	19,735			$	19,980
Summary of activity relating to SARs and stock options	A summary of activity relating to SARs and stock options granted under the 2012 Plan and the predecessor plans for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		SARs									Stock Options
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
	Outstanding at 1/1/2014	7,520,760			$	56.67					209,827			$	38.39
	Surrendered upon spin-off (1)	(359,151	)		62.55						(4,555	)		38
	Modification upon spin-off (2)	933,845			—						20,523			—
	Granted	1,043,734			82.51						—			—
	Forfeit / expired	(281,822	)		65.65						(7,605	)		41.79
	Exercised	(1,216,624	)		43.97						(165,283	)		35.04
	Outstanding at 12/31/2014	7,640,742			54.69				6.3		52,907			33.5			0.1
	Exercisable at 12/31/2014	3,631,702			$	42.43			4.6		52,907			$	33.5		0.1
	-1	In connection with the spin-off on February 28, 2014, Knowles employees surrendered their outstanding Dover equity awards, which were then converted to Knowles equity awards.
	-2	Subsequent to the separation of Knowles, the Company modified its outstanding equity awards to employees such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation, which resulted in a lower exercise price for all outstanding equity awards at the time of modification.
Other information for SARs and stock options	Other information regarding the exercise of SARs and stock options is listed below:
		2014				2013				2012
	SARs
	Fair value of SARs that became exercisable	$	26,796			$	23,605			$	16,484
	Aggregate intrinsic value of SARs exercised	$	51,813			$	83,944			$	61,531
	Stock Options
	Cash received by Dover for exercise of stock options	$	5,227			$	14,830			$	38,029
	Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	$	8,614			$	19,937			$	29,866
Summary of activity for performance share awards	A summary of activity for performance share awards for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014	92,545			$	76.05
	Surrendered upon spin-off (1)	(7,177	)		76.67
	Modification upon spin-off (2)	11,480			—
	Granted	58,206			82.51
	Forfeit	(2,381	)		80.21
	Vested (3)	(50,950	)		63.43
	Unvested at December 31, 2014	101,723			$	77.33
	-1	In connection with the spin-off on February 28, 2014, Knowles employees surrendered their outstanding Dover equity awards, which were then converted to Knowles equity awards.
	-2	Subsequent to the separation of Knowles, the Company modified its outstanding equity awards to employees such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation.
	-3	Under the terms of the performance share award, the actual number of shares awarded can range from zero to 200% of the original target grant, depending on Dover's three-year performance relative to the peer group for the relevant performance period. The awards that vested in 2014, as shown above, will result in zero issuances of Dover common shares as a result of the three-year performance from 2012 - 2014 relative to its peer group.
Summary of activity for restricted stock units	A summary of activity for restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014	40,000			$	66.59
	Modification upon spin-off (1)	5,389			—
	Granted	131,719			82.51
	Forfeit	(10,623	)		82.51
	Vested	(485	)		82.51
	Unvested at December 31, 2014	166,000			$	76
	-1	Subsequent to the separation of Knowles, the Company modified its outstanding equity awards to employees such that all individuals received an equivalent fair value both before and after the separation.
Shares granted to directors	The Company issued the following shares to its non-employee directors under the 2012 Plan as partial compensation for serving as directors of the Company:
		Years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Aggregate shares granted	17,331			14,271			20,344
	Shares deferred	(8,904	)		(6,929	)		—
	Shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations	(210	)		(354	)		(544	)
	Net shares issued	8,217			6,988			19,800
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Assumptions used in determining fair value of stock appreciation rights and performance shares awarded during the period	The fair value of each SAR grant was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
		2014				2013				2012
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7		%		1.39		%		1.05		%
	Dividend yield	1.98		%		2.06		%		2.03		%
	Expected life (years)	5.3				7.1				5.7
	Volatility	30.81		%		33.78		%		36.41		%
	Grant price	$	82.51			$	63.33			$	57.62
	Fair value at date of grant (1)	$	19.84			$	18.17			$	16.31
	-1	Updated to reflect the modification of grants issued prior to 2014 in connection with the separation of Knowles.
Awards outstanding, vested and exercisable
			SARs Outstanding													SARs Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number of Shares			Weighted Average				Weighted Average		Aggregate Intrinsic Value				Number of Shares		Weighted Average		Weighted Average	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price				Remaining Life								Exercise Price		Remaining Life
										in Years										in Years
	$25.96 - $37.79		2,130,558			$	34.01			4.5		$	80,342			2,130,558		$	34.01	4.5	$	80,342
	$40.54 - $58.69		3,039,611			$	55.97			5.7		$	47,863			1,491,509		$	54.26	4.9	$	26,035
	$63.33 - $82.51		2,470,573			$	70.95			8.5		$	12,490			9,635		$	70.57	8.5	$	50
			7,640,742									$	140,695			3,631,702					$	106,427
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Assumptions used in determining fair value of stock appreciation rights and performance shares awarded during the period
		2013				2012
	Risk-free interest rate	0.4		%		0.37		%
	Dividend yield	2.06		%		2.03		%
	Expected life (years)	2.9				2.9
	Volatility	30.36		%		34.1		%
	Fair value of performance award (1)	$	70.92			$	63.43
	-1	Updated to reflect the modification of grants issued prior to 2014 in connection with the separation of Knowles.

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia1

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregate future minimum lease payments for operating and capital leases [Table Text Block]	The aggregate future minimum lease payments for operating and capital leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Operating		Capital
	2015	$	63,979	$	3,801
	2016	51,193		2,015
	2017	42,647		731
	2018	33,297		196
	2019	24,283		112
	2020 and thereafter	57,536		347
		$	272,935	$	7,202

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following tables summarize the balance sheet impact, including the benefit obligations, assets, and funded status associated with the Company's significant defined benefit and other postretirement plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
		Qualified Defined Benefits															Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits							Post-Retirement Benefits
		U.S. Plan								Non-U.S. Plans
		2014				2013				2014			2013				2014				2013			2014				2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	519,552			$	603,905			$	299,284		$	284,798			$	133,056			$	180,408		$	14,136			$	14,571
	Benefits earned during the year	13,801				17,123				6,027			6,043				3,320				5,634			249				234
	Interest cost	25,204				24,801				8,222			9,081				6,148				6,741			627				523
	Plan participants' contributions	—				—				1,732			1,583				—				—			476				448
	Benefits paid	(17,957		)		(35,266		)		(5,452		)	(11,237		)		(13,939		)		(20,686		)	(1,222		)		(1,163		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss	84,314				(76,605		)		40,962			6,501				11,088				(34,831		)	(556		)		(618		)
	Business dispositions	—				—				(60,164		)	—				(3,137		)		—			—				—
	Amendments	—				1,913				—			—				1,463				3,004			—				65
	Settlements and curtailments	(49,338		)		(16,818		)		(390		)	(3,036		)		—				(7,228		)	—				—
	Currency translation and other	—				499				(25,198		)	5,551				—				14			233				76
	Benefit obligation at end of year	575,576				519,552				265,023			299,284				137,999				133,056			13,943				14,136
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	595,143				554,648				203,681			181,416				—				—			—				—
	Actual return on plan assets	73,528				66,761				14,868			17,356				—				—			—				—
	Company contributions	—				9,000				9,547			11,359				13,939				20,686			746				715
	Plan participants' contributions	—				—				1,732			1,583				—				—			476				448
	Benefits paid	(17,957		)		(35,266		)		(5,452		)	(11,237		)		(13,939		)		(20,686		)	(1,222		)		(1,163		)
	Business dispositions	—				—				(46,334		)	—				—				—			—				—
	Settlements and curtailments	(49,338		)		—				(390		)	—				—				—			—				—
	Currency translation	—				—				(14,142		)	3,204				—				—			—				—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	601,376				595,143				163,510			203,681				—				—			—				—
	Funded status	$	25,800			$	75,591			$	(101,513	)	$	(95,603	)		$	(137,999	)		$	(133,056	)	$	(13,943	)		$	(14,136	)
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
	Assets and Liabilities:
	Other assets and deferred charges	$	25,800			$	75,591			$	152		$	2,976			$	—			$	—		$	—			$	—
	Accrued compensation and employee benefits	—				—				(1,575		)	(1,970		)		(21,978		)		(10,161		)	(926		)		(971		)
	Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	—				—				(100,090		)	(96,609		)		(116,021		)		(122,895		)	(13,017		)		(13,165		)
	Total Assets and Liabilities	$	25,800			$	75,591			$	(101,513	)	$	(95,603	)		$	(137,999	)		$	(133,056	)	$	(13,943	)		$	(14,136	)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings):
	Net actuarial losses (gains)	$	119,919			$	86,108			$	61,813		$	38,596			$	(746	)		$	(12,520	)	$	192			$	799
	Prior service cost (credit)	3,388				4,471				1,058			1,146				31,381				38,646			(615		)		(1,024		)
	Net asset at transition, other	—				—				(48		)	(48		)		—				—			—				—
	Deferred taxes	(43,158		)		(31,703		)		(15,312		)	(9,965		)		(10,725		)		(9,145		)	90				20
	Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	80,149				58,876				47,511			29,729				19,910				16,981			(333		)		(205		)
	Net amount recognized at December 31,	$	105,949			$	134,467			$	(54,002	)	$	(65,874	)		$	(118,089	)		$	(116,075	)	$	(14,276	)		$	(14,341	)
	Accumulated benefit obligations	$	537,393			$	482,181			$	246,814		$	280,763			$	123,229			$	93,153
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014				2013
	Projected benefit obligation (PBO)	$	372,931			$	369,289
	Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	342,158				336,095
	Fair value of plan assets	133,930				137,654
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	Components of the net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
	Defined Benefit Plans
		Qualified Defined Benefits																						Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits
		U.S. Plan											Non-U.S. Plans (1)
		2014				2013				2012			2014				2013				2012			2014				2013				2012
	Service cost	$	13,801			$	17,123			$	14,406		$	6,027			$	6,043			$	5,712		$	3,320			$	5,634			$	5,304
	Interest cost	25,204				24,801				25,136			8,222				9,081				10,044			6,148				6,741				7,916
	Expected return on plan assets	(41,594		)		(40,194		)		(38,978		)	(8,498		)		(9,608		)		(8,765		)	—				—				—
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	1,083				1,026				1,048			107				114				117			7,775				8,110				7,425
	Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	8,289				17,654				13,515			903				1,492				579			(428		)		(16		)		138
	Transition obligation	—				—				—			4				(14		)		(47		)	—				—				—
	Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss (2)	10,279				187				—			(45		)		697				1,449			—				(4,411		)		—
	Other	—				501				—			6				5				—			—				13				—
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	17,062			$	21,098			$	15,127		$	6,726			$	7,810			$	9,089		$	16,815			$	16,071			$	20,783
	-1	Net periodic benefit cost for non-U.S. plans includes $55, $1,220, and $1,231 of expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, relating to plans sponsored by Knowles that were distributed as part of the separation on February 28, 2014.
	-2	$6,675 of the 2014 settlement loss on the U.S. Plan is attributable to Knowles participants in the Dover Defined Benefit Plan and has therefore, been reflected in the results of discontinued operations. The remaining $3,604 of this settlement loss has been reflected in the results of continuing operations. The curtailment gain of $4,411 was recognized in continuing operations in 2013 in connection with the freeze of the non-qualified supplemental benefit plan.
	Post-Retirement Benefits
		2014				2013				2012
	Service cost	$	249			$	234			$	248
	Interest cost	627				523				593
	Amortization of:
	Prior service credit	(409		)		(416		)		(416		)
	Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	54				134				(19		)
	Settlement & curtailment gain	—				—				(1,493		)
	Other	233				77				—
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	754			$	552			$	(1,087	)
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]
	Amounts expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) into net periodic benefit cost during 2015 are as follows:
		Qualified Defined Benefits								Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits			Post-Retirement Benefits
		U.S. Plan				Non-U.S. Plans
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost (credit)	$	976			$	95			$	6,927		$	(372	)
	Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	12,846				2,784				286			(30		)
	Transition obligation	—				5				—			—
	Total	$	13,822			$	2,884			$	7,213		$	(402	)
Weighted-average assumptions used in benefit obligations [Table Text Block]	The weighted-average assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations were as follows:
		Qualified Defined Benefits											Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits						Post-Retirement Benefits
		U.S. Plan						Non-U.S. Plans
		2014			2013			2014			2013		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate	4.05	%		4.9	%		2.31	%		3.53	%	3.96	%		4.77	%		3.75	%		4.45	%
	Average wage increase	4	%		4	%		2.5	%		2.86	%	4.5	%		4.5	%		na			na
	Ultimate medical trend rate	na			na			na			na		na			na			5	%		5	%
Weighted-average assumptions used calculating net periodic cost [Table Text Block]	The weighted average assumptions used in determining the net periodic cost were as follows:
		Qualified Defined Benefits																	Non- Qualified Supplemental Benefits								Post-Retirement Benefits
		U.S. Plan									Non-U.S. Plans
		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012			2014			2013		2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate	4.9	%		4.05	%		4.85	%		3.53	%	3.31	%		4.62	%		4.77	%		4.02	%	4.77	%		4.45	%		3.65	%		3.65	%
	Average wage increase	4	%		4	%		4	%		2.86	%	2.74	%		3.14	%		4.5	%		4.5	%	4.5	%		na			na			na
	Expected return on plan assets	7.75	%		7.75	%		7.75	%		5.35	%	5.32	%		5.9	%		na			na		na			na			na			na
Weighted-average asset allocation actual and target [Table Text Block]	The Company’s actual and target weighted-average asset allocation for our U.S. Corporate Pension Plan was as follows:
		2014			2013			Current Target
	Equity securities	55	%		64	%		58	%
	Fixed income	36	%		29	%		35	%
	Real estate and other	9	%		7	%		7	%
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	The fair values of both U.S. and non-U.S. pension plan assets by asset category within the ASC 820 hierarchy (as defined in Note 11 Financial Instruments) are as follows at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		U.S. Plan
		31-Dec-14															31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3				Total Fair Value
	Asset category:
	Common stocks:
	U.S. companies	$	164,006			$	—			$	—		$	164,006			$	180,038			$	—		$	—			$	180,038
	Non-U.S. companies	3,874				—				—			3,874				5,526				—			—				5,526
	Fixed income investments:
	Corporate bonds	—				63,878				—			63,878				—				53,924			—				53,924
	Private placements	—				6,865				—			6,865				—				3,374			—				3,374
	Government securities	48,370				98,998				—			147,368				25,035				87,107			—				112,142
	Common stock funds:
	Mutual funds	44,610				—				—			44,610				59,387				—			—				59,387
	Collective trusts	—				119,312				—			119,312				—				138,236			—				138,236
	Real estate funds	—				37,145				—			37,145				—				33,749			—				33,749
	Cash and equivalents	14,318				—				—			14,318				8,767				—			—				8,767
		$	275,178			$	326,198			$	—		$	601,376			$	278,753			$	316,390		$	—			$	595,143
		Non-U.S. Plans
		31-Dec-14															31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Total Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3				Total Fair Value
	Asset category:
	Common stocks	$	40,960			$	—			$	—		$	40,960			$	35,010			$	—		$	—			$	35,010
	Fixed income investments	—				59,791				—			59,791				—				75,574			—				75,574
	Common stock funds	—				43,821				—			43,821				—				66,285			—				66,285
	Real estate funds	—				—				9,976			9,976				—				—			14,937				14,937
	Cash and equivalents	1,531				—				—			1,531				6,785				—			—				6,785
	Other	—				7,431				—			7,431				—				5,090			—				5,090
		$	42,491			$	111,043			$	9,976		$	163,510			$	41,795			$	146,949		$	14,937			$	203,681
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	The fair value measurement of plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) changed during 2013 and 2014 due to the following:
		Real estate funds				Other				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	10,116			$	1,456			$	11,572
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Relating to assets still held at December 31, 2013	2,958				—				2,958
	Purchases	1,863				—				1,863
	Sales	—				(1,456		)		(1,456		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	14,937				—				14,937
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014	(4,527		)		—				(4,527		)
	Business dispositions	(362		)		—				(362		)
	Sales	(72		)		—				(72		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	9,976			$	—			$	9,976
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	Benefit Payments
	Estimated future benefit payments to retirees, which reflect expected future service, are as follows:
		Qualified Defined Benefits								Non-Qualified Supplemental Benefits			Post-Retirement Benefits
		U.S. Plan				Non-U.S. Plans
	2015	$	35,312			$	6,295			$	22,412		$	926
	2016	36,702				6,841				7,968			940
	2017	38,784				6,889				3,986			951
	2018	40,120				7,196				5,206			959
	2019	40,892				7,139				11,282			946
	2020 - 2024	221,358				42,775				55,417			4,647

Other_Comprehensive_Earnings_T

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Components of other comprehensive income	The amounts recognized in other comprehensive earnings were as follows:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014	Pre-tax			Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)	$	(131,420	)	$	(19,523	)	$	(150,943	)
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(70,705		)	20,994			(49,711		)
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	(375		)	131			(244		)
	Other	1,067			(128		)	939
	Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings	$	(201,433	)	$	1,474		$	(199,959	)
	-1	Tax expense in current year relates to gain for net investment hedges, as these were favorably impacted by the decline in foreign currency rates. See Note 11 Financial Instruments for additional information.
	Year Ended December 31, 2013	Pre-tax			Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	2,242		$	2,494		$	4,736
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	182,092			(63,585		)	118,507
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	(75		)	26			(49		)
	Other	(642		)	77			(565		)
	Total other comprehensive earnings (loss)	$	183,617		$	(60,988	)	$	122,629
	Year Ended December 31, 2012	Pre-tax			Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	38,521		$	359		$	38,880
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(70,642		)	23,632			(47,010		)
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	195			(70		)	125
	Other	692			(83		)	609
	Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings	$	(31,234	)	$	23,838		$	(7,396	)
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) are as follows:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(14,884	)	$	170,609
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans (1)	(147,237		)	(105,381		)
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	3,190			2,495
		$	(158,931	)	$	67,723
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Total comprehensive earnings were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net earnings	$	775,235		$	1,003,129		$	811,070
	Other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(199,959		)	122,629			(7,396		)
	Comprehensive earnings	$	575,276		$	1,125,758		$	803,674
Schedule of Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss to Earnings [Table Text Block]	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) to earnings (loss) during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Pension & postretirement benefit plans:
	Amortization of actuarial losses	$	8,822		$	19,250		$	12,673
	Amortization of prior service costs	8,556			8,834			8,174
	Total before tax	17,378			28,084			20,847
	Tax expense	(5,969		)	(9,809		)	(7,013		)
	Net of tax	$	11,409		$	18,275		$	13,834
	Cash flow hedges:
	Net gains reclassified into earnings	$	(164	)	$	(130	)	$	(549	)
	Tax benefit	57			46			192
	Net of tax	$	(107	)	$	(84	)	$	(357	)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Segment financial information and a reconciliation of segment results to consolidated results follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenue:
	Energy	$	2,017,239		$	1,853,853		$	1,788,295
	Engineered Systems	2,385,965			2,177,970			2,143,687
	Fluids	1,430,566			1,236,838			1,087,526
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	1,921,189			1,887,840			1,607,602
	Intra-segment eliminations	(2,231		)	(1,405		)	(462		)
	Total consolidated revenue	$	7,752,728		$	7,155,096		$	6,626,648
	Earnings from continuing operations:
	Segment earnings:
	Energy	$	461,815		$	459,649		$	466,801
	Engineered Systems	386,998			347,497			319,704
	Fluids	251,639			224,523			182,544
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	238,734			267,307			223,397
	Total segments	1,339,186			1,298,976			1,192,446
	Corporate expense / other (1)	117,800			132,336			140,112
	Net interest expense	127,179			120,654			121,269
	Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	1,094,207			1,045,986			931,065
	Provision for taxes	316,067			248,459			280,990
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	778,140		$	797,527		$	650,075
	Operating margins:
	Energy	22.9		%	24.8		%	26.1		%
	Engineered Systems	16.2		%	16		%	14.9		%
	Fluids	17.6		%	18.2		%	16.8		%
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	12.4		%	14.2		%	13.9		%
	Total Segments	17.3		%	18.2		%	18		%
	Earnings from continuing operations	10		%	11.1		%	9.8		%
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Energy	$	111,956		$	99,075		$	87,921
	Engineered Systems	61,946			59,058			60,670
	Fluids	60,903			48,812			41,381
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	68,701			67,228			37,295
	Corporate	3,682			3,860			2,667
	Consolidated total	$	307,188		$	278,033		$	229,934
	Capital expenditures:
	Energy	$	66,998		$	60,756		$	65,520
	Engineered Systems	29,749			29,145			25,314
	Fluids	34,319			21,868			22,655
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	33,510			27,173			30,863
	Corporate	1,457			2,752			2,150
	Consolidated total	$	166,033		$	141,694		$	146,502
	-1	Certain expenses are maintained at the corporate level and not allocated to the segments. These expenses include executive and functional compensation costs, non-service pension costs, non-operating insurance expenses, and various administrative expenses relating to the corporate headquarters.
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	Selected financial information by market segment (continued):
	Total assets at December 31:	2014			2013
	Energy	$	2,645,567		$	1,901,200
	Engineered Systems	2,348,684			2,224,519
	Fluids	1,414,387			1,390,777
	Refrigeration & Food Equipment	1,494,121			1,540,295
	Corporate (2)	860,455			1,019,327
	Total assets - continuing operations	8,763,214			8,076,118
	Assets from discontinued operations	327,171			2,779,063
	Consolidated total	$	9,090,385		$	10,855,181
	-2	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents. Also included in corporate assets is an asset of $25,800 and $75,591 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, that represents the overfunded plan status of the U.S. defined benefit plan. Additionally, included in corporate assets in 2013 is a $16,250 note receivable related to proceeds from the sale of ECT. Refer to Note 4 Disposed and Discontinued Operations and Note 15 Employee Benefit Plans, respectively, for additional information.
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]
		Revenue									Long-Lived Assets
		Years Ended December 31,									At December 31,
		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013
	United States	$	4,617,813		$	4,202,434		$	3,977,925		$	599,688	$	528,001
	Europe	1,251,625			1,112,279			1,082,210			136,599		153,564
	Other Americas	794,966			803,741			744,192			39,971		47,374
	Asia	686,511			607,873			574,140			42,775		43,516
	Other	401,813			428,769			248,181			18,036		15,394
	Consolidated total	$	7,752,728		$	7,155,096		$	6,626,648		$	837,069	$	787,849
	Revenue is attributed to regions based on the location of the Company’s customer, which in some instances is an intermediary and not necessarily the end user. Long-lived assets are comprised of net property, plant and equipment. The Company’s businesses are based primarily in the United States of America, Europe, and Asia. The Company’s businesses serve thousands of customers, none of which accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenue.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013			2012
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	778,140			$	797,527		$	650,075
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	(2,905		)		205,602			160,995
	Net earnings	$	775,235			$	1,003,129		$	811,070
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	4.67			$	4.66		$	3.58
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	$	(0.02	)		$	1.2		$	0.89
	Net earnings	$	4.65			$	5.86		$	4.47
	Weighted average shares outstanding	166,692,000				171,271,000			181,551,000
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	4.61			$	4.6		$	3.53
	(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	$	(0.02	)		$	1.18		$	0.88
	Net earnings	$	4.59			$	5.78		$	4.41
	Weighted average shares outstanding	168,842,000				173,547,000			183,993,000
Reconciliation of share amounts used in computing earnings per share	The following table is a reconciliation of the share amounts used in computing earnings per share:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic	166,692,000			171,271,000			181,551,000
	Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of employee stock options and SARs and vesting of performance shares and restricted shares	2,150,000			2,276,000			2,442,000
	Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted	168,842,000			173,547,000			183,993,000

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Share Repurchases [Table Text Block]	Share repurchases were as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Shares repurchased in the open market	7,467,228		6,005,880		12,314,795
	Shares repurchased from holders of employee stock options	—		5,951		86,303
	Total shares repurchased	7,467,228		6,011,831		12,401,098
	Average price paid per share	$	80.5	$	76.16	$	60.38

Quarterly_Data_Tables

Quarterly Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Data [Table Text Block]
						Continuing Operations						Net Earnings
	Quarter	Revenue		Gross Profit		Earnings		Per Share - Basic		Per Share - Diluted		Net Earnings		Per Share - Basic		Per Share - Diluted
	2014
	First	$	1,802,570	$	707,859	$	170,041	$	1	$	0.99	$	160,138	$	0.94	$	0.93
	Second	1,962,636		768,100		210,581		1.26		1.25		213,959		1.29		1.27
	Third	2,009,575		774,422		225,683		1.36		1.34		231,844		1.4		1.38
	Fourth	1,977,947		723,868		171,835		1.04		1.03		169,294		1.03		1.02
		$	7,752,728	$	2,974,249	$	778,140	4.67		4.61		$	775,235	4.65		4.59
	2013
	First	$	1,681,540	$	653,847	$	160,267	$	0.92	$	0.91	$	210,003	$	1.21	$	1.2
	Second	1,836,981		720,994		247,988		1.45		1.43		330,049		1.93		1.91
	Third	1,850,653		724,041		217,045		1.27		1.26		269,114		1.58		1.56
	Fourth	1,785,922		679,709		172,227		1.01		1		193,963		1.14		1.13
		$	7,155,096	$	2,778,591	$	797,527	4.66		4.6		$	1,003,129	5.86		5.78

Description_of_Business_and_Su2

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	segments
Description of Business [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Maturity Period Of Cash Equivalent (in months)	three months or less
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$0
Depreciation	152,079,000	144,087,000	128,341,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of Reporting Units	16
Goodwill impairment loss, net of tax		53,439,000	51,854,000
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Vesting period (in years)	3 years
Research and Development [Abstract]
Research and development expense	118,411,000	117,178,000	123,639,000
Advertising [Abstract]
Advertising expense	38,882,000	36,453,000	35,688,000
Risk, Retention, Insurance [Abstract]
Maximum Limit For Self Insurance Product Commercial General Liability Claims	5,000,000
Maximum Limit For Self Insurance Workers Compensation Claims	500,000
Maximum Limit For Self Insurance Automobile Liability Claims	$1,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, useful life	15 years
Buildings and improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	5 years
Buildings and improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	31 years 6 months
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	7 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	7 years
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	5 years

Spin_Off_of_Knowles_Corporatio2

Spin Off of Knowles Corporation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2014
Total assets of discontinued operations	$327,171	$2,779,063
Current liabilities	38,874	432,395
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	50,718	535,621
Transfer of cash and cash equivalents at spin off, gross	400,000
Cash received from Knowles Corporation, net of cash distributed	359,955	0	0
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction	1,423,197
Goodwill reallocation due to Knowles separation	19,749
Knowles [Member]
Revolving credit facility				100,000
Cash and cash equivalents				40,045
Other current assets				340,945
Non-current assets				1,678,820
Total assets of discontinued operations				2,059,810
Current liabilities				252,673
Non-current liabilities				383,940
Total liabilities of discontinued operations				636,613
Net assets distributed to Knowles Corporation				1,423,197
Term loan facility				300,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction	$26,695

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of business acquisitions (in businesses)	7	10
Goodwill and intangibles acquired	$727,065
Aggregate revenue of current period acquisitions included in Company's results	207,000
Aggregate pre-tax earnings of current period acquisitions included in Company's results	7,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Current assets, net of cash acquired	208,187	98,641
Property, plant and equipment	57,269	33,403
Goodwill	432,138	141,888
Intangible assets	294,927	149,228
Other non-current assets, principally deferred taxes		2,622
Current liabilities assumed	-80,360	-58,052
Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	-109,907	-44,892
Net assets acquired	802,254	322,838
Tax Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill - Tax deductible	12,041
Non Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Goodwill	420,097
Customer Intangibles [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	244,916
Weighted average lives of finite-lived intangible assets acquired	12 years
Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	28,019
Weighted average lives of finite-lived intangible assets acquired	11 years
Patents [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	1,378
Weighted average lives of finite-lived intangible assets acquired	8 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	20,614
Weighted average lives of finite-lived intangible assets acquired	6 years
Energy Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill and intangibles acquired	548,839
Energy Segment [Member] | Tax Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill - Tax deductible	10,835
Energy Segment [Member] | Non Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Goodwill	314,604
Energy Segment [Member] | Customer Intangibles [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	198,200
Energy Segment [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	19,300
Energy Segment [Member] | Patents [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	0
Energy Segment [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	5,900
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill and intangibles acquired	121,270
Engineered Systems Segment [Member] | Tax Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill - Tax deductible	0
Engineered Systems Segment [Member] | Non Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Goodwill	80,581
Engineered Systems Segment [Member] | Customer Intangibles [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	22,843
Engineered Systems Segment [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	6,594
Engineered Systems Segment [Member] | Patents [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	878
Engineered Systems Segment [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	10,374
Fluids Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill and intangibles acquired	54,834
Fluids Segment [Member] | Tax Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill - Tax deductible	184
Fluids Segment [Member] | Non Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Goodwill	24,912
Fluids Segment [Member] | Customer Intangibles [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	23,273
Fluids Segment [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	2,125
Fluids Segment [Member] | Patents [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	0
Fluids Segment [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	4,340
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill and intangibles acquired	2,122
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member] | Tax Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill - Tax deductible	1,022
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member] | Non Deductible Goodwill [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Goodwill	0
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member] | Customer Intangibles [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	600
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	0
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member] | Patents [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	500
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost allocated to intangible assets	0
Accelerated Companies [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Current assets, net of cash acquired	133,475
Property, plant and equipment	51,070
Goodwill	222,808
Intangible assets	131,200
Current liabilities assumed	-43,935
Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	-58,896
Net assets acquired	435,722
Other Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Current assets, net of cash acquired	74,712
Property, plant and equipment	6,199
Goodwill	209,330
Intangible assets	163,727
Current liabilities assumed	-36,425
Non-current liabilities assumed, principally deferred taxes	-51,011
Net assets acquired	$366,532

Acquisitions_Pro_Forma_Informa

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Acquisition related costs (after tax)									$3,502
Amount of nonrecurring expense, excluded from current period net earnings in pro forma financials, related to the fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory									11,558
Revenue from continuing operations [Abstract]
As reported	1,977,947	2,009,575	1,962,636	1,802,570	1,785,922	1,850,653	1,836,981	1,681,540	7,752,728	7,155,096	6,626,648
Pro forma									7,987,639	7,602,756
Earnings from continuing operations [Abstract]
As reported	171,835	225,683	210,581	170,041	172,227	217,045	247,988	160,267	778,140	797,527	650,075
Pro forma									$806,321	$794,823
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations [Abstract]
As reported (in dollars per share)	$1.04	$1.36	$1.26	$1	$1.01	$1.27	$1.45	$0.92	$4.67	$4.66	$3.58
Pro forma (in dollars per share)									$4.84	$4.64
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations [Abstract]
As reported (in dollars per share)	$1.03	$1.34	$1.25	$0.99	$1	$1.26	$1.43	$0.91	$4.61	$4.60	$3.53
Pro forma (in dollars per share)									$4.78	$4.58

Disposed_and_Discontinued_Oper2

Disposed and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Deferred tax benefit realized on goodwill		$25,520
Goodwill impairment loss, net of tax		53,439	51,854
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	191,348	76,457	0
Note receivable from buyer		16,250
Loss contingency accrual		3,750
Tax benefits recognized		54,827
Interest on tax obligations		18,279
Spin-off costs incurred to date	27,055	30,093
Pension settlement charge, net of tax	4,448
Value added tax receivable		93,598
Value added tax payable		76,443
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenue	568,991	1,970,965	1,918,035
Gain (loss) on sale, net of taxes	-3,691	-35,473	-50,818
Earnings from operations before taxes	13,611	209,293	241,023
Provision for income taxes	-12,825	31,782	-29,210
Earnings from discontinued operations	786	241,075	211,813
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	-2,905	205,602	160,995
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	46,691	403,539
Inventories, net	58,401	229,465
Prepaid and other current assets	8,571	84,814
Current assets	113,663	717,818
Property, plant and equipment, net	31,573	401,600
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	181,798	1,633,587
Other assets and deferred charges	137	26,058
Assets of discontinued operations	327,171	2,779,063
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	21,199	278,607
Other current liabilities	17,675	153,788
Current liabilities	38,874	432,395
Deferred income taxes	8,752	60,361
Other liabilities	3,092	42,865
Liabilities of discontinued operations	50,718	535,621
Everett Charles Technologies [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss, before tax		54,532	63,819
Goodwill impairment loss, net of tax		44,188	51,854
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	4,482	92,694
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on sale, net of taxes	3,204	-2,804
DEK [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss, before tax		9,251
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	170,616
Impairment loss		14,001
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on sale, net of taxes	-6,895
Businesses held for sale or spun [Member]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings from discontinued operations	$32,289

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$352,016	$338,621
Work in progress	147,715	127,611
Finished goods	483,912	367,011
Subtotal	983,643	833,243
Less reserves	-119,906	-117,932
Total	$863,737	$715,311
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	25.00%	30.00%

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	$2,291,188	$2,169,290
Accumulated depreciation	-1,454,119	-1,381,441
Total	837,069	787,849
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	55,076	56,118
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	537,474	517,087
Machinery, equipment and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	$1,698,638	$1,596,085

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill reallocation due to Knowles separation	$19,749
Goodwill allocated to discontinued operations	152,663
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			3,067,871
Accumulated impairment loss			-70,561
Balance	3,108,580	2,997,310
Acquisitions	432,138	141,888
Purchase price adjustments	10,955	-28,138
Foreign currency translation	-60,116	-2,480
Balance	3,491,557	3,108,580
Energy Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			716,210
Accumulated impairment loss			0
Balance	727,972	716,210
Acquisitions	325,438	19,810
Purchase price adjustments	-395	-2,278
Foreign currency translation	-4,280	-5,770
Balance	1,048,735	727,972
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			1,202,906
Accumulated impairment loss			-10,591
Balance	1,210,619	1,192,315
Acquisitions	80,581	19,968
Purchase price adjustments	0	-521
Foreign currency translation	-21,022	-1,143
Balance	1,270,178	1,210,619
Fluids Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			560,131
Accumulated impairment loss			-59,970
Balance	604,158	500,161
Acquisitions	25,097	102,110
Purchase price adjustments	11,350	-2,417
Foreign currency translation	-30,942	4,304
Balance	609,663	604,158
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross			588,624
Accumulated impairment loss			0
Balance	565,831	588,624
Acquisitions	1,022	0
Purchase price adjustments	0	-22,922
Foreign currency translation	-3,872	129
Balance	$562,981	$565,831

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangibles and Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$1,369,520	$1,258,911
Gross carrying amount	1,936,645	1,685,429
Accumulated amortization	733,043	596,394
Amortization expense	155,109	133,946	101,593
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	140,046
2016	139,880
2017	136,746
2018	125,827
2019	110,262
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	138,650	110,573
Accumulated amortization	34,097	24,418
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	150,404	153,850
Accumulated amortization	108,484	102,756
Customer Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,429,906	1,211,744
Accumulated amortization	484,449	379,124
Unpatented Technologies [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	92,480	80,483
Accumulated amortization	45,812	35,891
Drawings and Manuals [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	36,377	41,800
Accumulated amortization	13,087	10,462
Distributor Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	64,614	64,614
Accumulated amortization	34,377	31,144
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	24,214	22,365
Accumulated amortization	$12,737	$12,599

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Indefinite-lived Intangibles (Details) (Trademarks [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Trademarks [Member]
Unamortized Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross carrying amount	$165,918	$169,876

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia2

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension liabilities	$229,128	$232,669
Warranty, current	46,704	39,824
Unearned/deferred revenue, current	20,678	22,839
Taxes other than income	28,452	34,229
Accrued interest	31,318	31,738
Accrued volume discounts	16,352	16,909
Accrued commissions (non-employee)	12,799	11,151
Restructuring and exit, current	22,021	4,986
Legal and environmental, current	7,868	4,967
Other, current (none of which are individually significant)	80,085	52,966
Total other accrued expenses	266,277	219,609
Deferred compensation, noncurrent	323,105	321,736
Unrecognized tax benefits	94,875	97,920
Unearned/deferred revenue, noncurrent	8,599	7,751
Legal and environmental, noncurrent	31,841	35,145
Warranty, noncurrent	2,684	3,100
Restructuring and exit, noncurrent	0	356
Other, noncurrent (none of which are individually significant)	21,236	42,856
Total other liabilities	482,340	508,864
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	42,924	39,554
Provision for warranties	60,833	52,943
Settlements made	-56,746	-49,101
Other adjustments, including acquisitions and currency translation	2,377	-472
Ending Balance	49,388	42,924
Other Liabilities [Member] | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value - Liability	$15,567	$23,716

Restucturing_Activities_Detail

Restucturing Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	$44,808,000	$9,118,000	$13,880,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance	5,342,000	5,252,000	4,764,000
Provision	44,808,000	9,118,000	13,880,000
Payments	-15,842,000	-9,452,000	-13,470,000
Other, including foreign currency	-12,287,000	424,000	78,000
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	22,021,000	5,342,000	5,252,000
Cost of Sales [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	19,690,000	5,320,000	3,613,000
Selling and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	25,118,000	3,798,000	10,267,000
Energy Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	7,549,000	-811,000	584,000
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	6,624,000	3,628,000	8,320,000
Fluids Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	3,784,000	850,000	2,215,000
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	24,897,000	5,451,000	2,761,000
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	1,954,000	0	0
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance	2,876,000	2,687,000	1,654,000
Provision	23,532,000	7,103,000	10,583,000
Payments	-10,092,000	-7,001,000	-9,554,000
Other, including foreign currency	-958,000	87,000	4,000
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	15,358,000	2,876,000	2,687,000
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance	2,466,000	2,565,000	3,110,000
Provision	21,276,000	2,015,000	3,297,000
Payments	-5,750,000	-2,451,000	-3,916,000
Other, including foreign currency	-11,329,000	337,000	74,000
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	6,663,000	2,466,000	2,565,000
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, expected	17,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, expected	20,000,000
Europe [Member] | Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges, actual	$17,500,000

Borrowings_Details

Borrowings (Details)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Note due 2015 [Member]

Note due 2015 [Member]

Note due 2018 [Member]

Note due 2018 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2021 [Member]

Note due 2021 [Member]

Note due 2038 [Member]

Note due 2038 [Member]

Note due 2041 [Member]

Note due 2041 [Member]

Debentures due 2028 [Member]

Debentures due 2028 [Member]

Debenture due 2035 [Member]

Debenture due 2035 [Member]

Other long term debt instruments [Member]

Other long term debt instruments [Member]

Commercial Paper [Member]

Commercial Paper [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Debentures [Member]

Debentures [Member]

Long-term Notes [Member]

Long-term Notes [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Letters of Credit [Abstract]

Letters of credit outstanding

$135,452,000

Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]

2015

299,956,000

2016

114,000

2017

117,000

2018

348,958,000

2019

0

2020 and thereafter

1,903,852,000

Interest expense and interest income [Abstract]

Interest expense

131,689,000

124,535,000

125,992,000

Interest income

-4,510,000

-3,881,000

-4,723,000

Interest expense, net

127,179,000

120,654,000

121,269,000

Short-term borrowings [Abstract]

Current installments

299,956,000

2,778,000

Commercial paper

478,000,000

226,500,000

Total short-term debt

777,956,000

229,278,000

Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

0.10%

0.10%

Long-term borrowings [Abstract]

Long-term debt

2,552,997,000

2,601,979,000

299,836,000

299,638,000

348,928,000

348,598,000

363,970,000

411,500,000

449,839,000

449,813,000

247,948,000

247,859,000

345,830,000

345,671,000

199,517,000

199,483,000

296,685,000

296,526,000

444,000

2,891,000

Debt instrument, stated interest rate (in hundredths)

4.88%

5.45%

2.13%

2.13%

4.30%

6.60%

5.38%

6.65%

5.38%

Term of debt instrument (in years)

10 years

10 years

7 years

7 years

10 years

30 years

30 years

30 years

30 years

Debt instruments, maturity date

15-Oct-15

15-Mar-18

1-Dec-20

1-Dec-20

1-Mar-21

15-Mar-38

1-Mar-41

1-Jun-28

15-Oct-35

Face amount of notes

300,000,000

300,000,000

Unamortized discount

3,798,000

3,991,000

8,213,000

9,196,000

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs

0

403,776,000

0

403,776,000

Total long-term debt

2,253,041,000

2,599,201,000

Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]

Unsecured revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

$1,000,000,000

Credit facility expiration date

10-Nov-16

31-Dec-15

31-Dec-20

Line of credit facility, interest rate description

At the Company's election, loans under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a Eurodollar or Sterling rate based on LIBOR, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.565% to 1.225% (subject to adjustment based on the credit rating accorded the Company's senior unsecured debt by S&P and Moody's), or at a base rate pursuant to a formula defined in the Credit Agreement.

Line of credit facility, covenant terms

the Credit Agreement requires the Company to pay a facility fee and imposes various restrictions on the Company such as, among other things, the requirement for the Company to maintain an interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to consolidated net interest expense of not less than 3.0 to 1

Line of credit facility, covenant compliance

The Company was in compliance with this covenant and its other long-term debt covenants at DecemberB 31, 2014 and had a coverage ratio of 12.7 to 1.

Financial_Instruments_Derivati

Financial Instruments - Derivatives (Details)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

Note due 2020 [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

USD ($)

CHF

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Accrued Expenses [Member]

Other Accrued Expenses [Member]

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

Notional amount of derivatives

$47,047,000

$33,216,000

$52,392,000

$104,688,000

$50,000,000

65,100,000

Fair Value - Asset

973,000

879,000

Fair Value - Liability

15,567,000

23,716,000

810,000

168,000

Face amount of notes

300,000,000

300,000,000

Gain (loss) on net investment hedges, gross

55,779,000

-7,134,000

-1,025,000

8,149,000

-1,035,000

-1,025,000

47,630,000

-6,099,000

0

Tax on translation adjustment for net investment hedge

-19,523,000

2,494,000

359,000

Gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax

$36,256,000

($4,640,000)

($666,000)

Financial_Instruments_Balance_

Financial Instruments - Balance Sheet Location (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges	$0	$0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges	0	0
Net investment hedge derivative - cross currency swap	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges	973	879
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges	810	168
Net investment hedge derivative - cross currency swap	15,567	23,716
Level 3 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency cash flow hedges	0	0
Net investment hedge derivative - cross currency swap	$0	$0

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val

Financial Instruments - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$3,002,701	$2,872,454
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$2,552,997	$2,601,979

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations [Abstract]
Domestic	$789,689,000	$714,723,000	$640,896,000
Foreign	304,518,000	331,263,000	290,169,000
Earnings before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	1,094,207,000	1,045,986,000	931,065,000
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U.S. Federal	231,939,000	114,218,000	196,622,000
State and local	8,434,000	17,468,000	-1,590,000
Foreign	97,037,000	89,702,000	84,723,000
Total current - continuing	337,410,000	221,388,000	279,755,000
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U.S. Federal	7,386,000	35,315,000	20,149,000
State and local	11,250,000	-4,556,000	-2,262,000
Foreign	-39,979,000	-3,688,000	-16,652,000
Total deferred - continuing	-21,343,000	27,071,000	1,235,000
Total expense - continuing	316,067,000	248,459,000	280,990,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
U.S. Federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit	1.30%	1.20%	1.30%
Foreign operations tax effect	-3.70%	-3.30%	-3.20%
R&E tax credits	-0.30%	-0.70%	0.00%
Domestic manufacturing deduction	-3.00%	-2.20%	-2.20%
Foreign tax credits	0.40%	0.30%	0.30%
Branch losses	-0.70%	-0.20%	0.00%
Release of valuation allowance	-0.60%	0.00%	0.00%
Resolution of tax contingencies	-0.50%	-7.20%	-1.80%
Other, principally non-tax deductible items	1.00%	0.90%	0.80%
Effective rate from continuing operations	28.90%	23.80%	30.20%
Tax credits research estimated future benefit		$4,800,000

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Accrued compensation, principally postretirement and other employee benefits	$151,640,000	$130,326,000
Accrued expenses, principally for state income taxes, interest and warranty	45,262,000	43,700,000
Net operating loss and other carryforwards	190,298,000	70,821,000
Inventories, principally due to reserves for financial reporting purposes and capitalization for tax purposes	13,285,000	14,068,000
Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts	4,323,000	4,507,000
Accrued insurance	5,529,000	4,353,000
Long-term liabilities, principally warranty, environmental and exit costs	4,096,000	3,777,000
Other assets	-8,838,000	-11,957,000
Total gross deferred tax assets	405,595,000	259,595,000
Valuation allowance	-141,252,000	-14,063,000
Total deferred tax assets	264,343,000	245,532,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract]
Intangible assets, principally due to different tax and financial reporting bases and amortization lives	-694,602,000	-604,464,000
Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation	-55,012,000	-61,455,000
Accounts receivable	-6,481,000	-6,674,000
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	-756,095,000	-672,593,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	-491,752,000	-427,061,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Classification [Abstract]
Current deferred tax asset	63,276,000	60,101,000
Non-current deferred tax asset	10,107,000	5,642,000
Current deferred tax liability	-928,000	-953,000
Non-current deferred tax liability	-564,207,000	-491,851,000
Undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries	$1,300,000,000

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible, estimated range of change, lower bound	$0
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible, estimated range of change, upper bound	27,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	77,089,000	78,440,000	176,089,000	189,041,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11,765,000	9,057,000	10,214,000
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1,564,000	10,899,000	7,598,000
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-6,047,000	-102,850,000	-14,282,000
Settlements	-998,000	-5,346,000	-503,000
Lapse of statutes	-7,635,000	-9,409,000	-15,979,000
Unrecognized potential tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	48,800,000
Potential interest and penalty expense (income)	-1,300,000	-5,500,000	100,000
Accrued interest and penalties	15,500,000	17,100,000
Continuing Operations [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	66,367,000	65,226,000	121,864,000	134,773,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11,751,000	9,056,000	10,188,000
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1,065,000	7,584,000	4,128,000
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-5,782,000	-62,610,000	-14,257,000
Settlements	-843,000	-2,823,000	-418,000
Lapse of statutes	-5,050,000	-7,845,000	-12,550,000
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	10,722,000	13,214,000	54,225,000	54,268,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	14,000	1,000	26,000
Additions for tax positions of prior years	499,000	3,315,000	3,470,000
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-265,000	-40,240,000	-25,000
Settlements	-155,000	-2,523,000	-85,000
Lapse of statutes	($2,585,000)	($1,564,000)	($3,429,000)

Income_Taxes_Operating_Loss_Ca

Income Taxes - Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards	$71.50
Expiration date	31-Dec-24
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards	519.4	39.9
Operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration	20.3
Operating loss carryforwards not subject to expiration	499.1
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards	$109.20	$145.80
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Expiration date	31-Dec-15
Minimum [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Expiration date	31-Dec-15
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Expiration date	31-Dec-34
Maximum [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Expiration date	31-Dec-34

Income_Taxes_Tax_Credit_Carryf

Income Taxes - Tax Credit Carryforwards (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Research and development tax credit [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	$0.80
Tax credit expiration date	1-Jan-25
Alternative minimum tax credit [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	$0

Equity_and_Cash_Incentive_Prog2

Equity and Cash Incentive Program (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Awards Granted, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Shares available for grant	17,000,000
Vesting period (in years)	3 years
Award term	10 years
Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash received for the exercise of stock options	$5,227	$14,830	$38,029
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	15,110	25,661	22,771
Unrecognized Compensation Cost [Abstract]
Performance Share Attainment	82.60%
Stock-based compensation expense [Abstract]
Pre-tax compensation expense	31,628	30,480	30,884
Tax benefit	-11,201	-10,745	-10,904
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	20,427	19,735	19,980
Shares Granted to Directors [Abstract]
Aggregate shares granted	17,331	14,271	20,344
Shares deferred	-8,904	-6,929	0
Shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations	-210	-354	-544
Net shares granted	8,217	6,988	19,800
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Awards Granted, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	1.70%	1.39%	1.05%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	1.98%	2.06%	2.03%
Expected life (in years)	5 years 4 months	7 years 1 month	5 years 8 months
Volatility (in hundredths)	30.81%	33.78%	36.41%
Fair value on date of grant	$19.84	$18.17	$16.31
Awards Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards Outstanding (in number of shares)	7,640,742	7,520,760
Awards Modified upon spin-off (in number of shares)	933,845
Awards Granted (in number of shares)	1,043,734	1,613,884	1,719,943
Awards Forfeit and Expired (in number of shares)	-281,822
Awards Exercised (in number of shares)	-1,216,624
Awards Exercisable (in number of shares)	3,631,702
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$54.69	$56.67
Awards Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$82.51	$63.33	$57.62
Awards Forfeit and Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$65.65
Awards Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$43.97
Awards Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$42.43
Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 3 months
Awards Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 7 months
Fair value of stock appreciation rights which became exerciable during the year	26,796	23,605	16,484
Awards Exercised, Total Intrinsic Value	51,813	83,944	61,531
Unrecognized Compensation Cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	22,807
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Period for Recognition	1 year 6 months
Stock Options [Member]
Awards Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards Outstanding (in number of shares)	52,907	209,827
Awards Modified upon spin-off (in number of shares)	20,523
Awards Granted (in number of shares)	0
Awards Forfeit and Expired (in number of shares)	-7,605
Awards Exercised (in number of shares)	-165,283
Awards Exercisable (in number of shares)	52,907
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.50	$38.39
Awards Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0
Awards Forfeit and Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$41.79
Awards Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$35.04
Awards Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.50
Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 years 1 month
Awards Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 years 1 month
Awards Exercised, Total Intrinsic Value	8,614	19,937	29,866
Performance Shares [Member]
Awards Granted, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)		0.40%	0.37%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)		2.06%	2.03%
Expected life (in years)		2 years 11 months	2 years 11 months
Volatility (in hundredths)		30.36%	34.10%
Fair value on date of grant	$82.51	$70.92	$63.43
Awards Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards Modified upon spin-off (in number of shares)	11,480
Unvested Awards [Roll Forward]
Awards Unvested (in number of shares)	101,723	92,545
Awards Granted (in number of shares)	58,206	47,032	50,416
Awards Forfeit (in number of shares)	-2,381
Awards Vested (in number of shares)	-50,950
Unvested Awards, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Awards Unvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$77.33	$76.05
Awards Forfeit, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$80.21
Awards Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$63.43
Unrecognized Compensation Cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	3,487
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Period for Recognition	1 year 6 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Awards Granted, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Fair value on date of grant	$82.51
Awards Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards Modified upon spin-off (in number of shares)	5,389
Unvested Awards [Roll Forward]
Awards Unvested (in number of shares)	166,000	40,000
Awards Granted (in number of shares)	131,719
Awards Forfeit (in number of shares)	-10,623
Awards Vested (in number of shares)	-485
Unvested Awards, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Awards Unvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$76	$66.59
Awards Forfeit, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$82.51
Awards Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$82.51
Unrecognized Compensation Cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	7,255
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Period for Recognition	1 year 5 months
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	$15,110	$25,661	$22,771
Knowles [Member] | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Awards Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards Forfeit and Expired (in number of shares)	-359,151
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Awards Forfeit and Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$62.55
Knowles [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Awards Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards Forfeit and Expired (in number of shares)	-4,555
Awards Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Awards Forfeit and Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$38
Knowles [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Unvested Awards [Roll Forward]
Awards Forfeit (in number of shares)	-7,177
Unvested Awards, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Awards Forfeit, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$76.67

Equity_and_Cash_Incentive_Prog3

Equity and Cash Incentive Program - Outstanding and Exercisable Awards (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Awards	7,640,742
Outstanding Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$140,695
Number of Exercisable Awards	3,631,702
Exercisable Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	106,427
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$25.96
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$37.79
Number of Outstanding Awards	2,130,558
Outstanding Awards, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$34.01
Outstanding Awards, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months
Outstanding Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	80,342
Number of Exercisable Awards	2,130,558
Exercisable Awards, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$34.01
Exercisable Awards, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months
Exercisable Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	80,342
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$40.54
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$58.69
Number of Outstanding Awards	3,039,611
Outstanding Awards, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$55.97
Outstanding Awards, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 8 months
Outstanding Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	47,863
Number of Exercisable Awards	1,491,509
Exercisable Awards, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$54.26
Exercisable Awards, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 11 months
Exercisable Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	26,035
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$63.33
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$82.51
Number of Outstanding Awards	2,470,573
Outstanding Awards, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$70.95
Outstanding Awards, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 6 months
Outstanding Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	12,490
Number of Exercisable Awards	9,635
Exercisable Awards, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$70.57
Exercisable Awards, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 6 months
Exercisable Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	50
Stock Options [Member]
Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$33.49
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$34.73
Outstanding Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	2,022
Exercisable Awards, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$2,022

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia2

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rent expense for operating leases	$87,149	$76,541	$66,118
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies	32,890	34,031
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
Operating Lease 2015	63,979
Operating Lease 2016	51,193
Operating Lease 2017	42,647
Operating Lease 2018	33,297
Operating Lease 2019	24,283
Operating Lease 2020 and thereafter	57,536
Leases, Capital [Abstract]
Capital Lease 2015	3,801
Capital Lease 2016	2,015
Capital Lease 2017	731
Capital Lease 2018	196
Capital Lease 2019	112
Capital Lease 2020 and thereafter	347
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	272,935
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$7,202

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Obligat

Employee Benefit Plans - Obligations and Funded Status (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Employees
	Participants
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan expense	$34,263,000	$25,645,000	$25,805,000
Number of participants covered by post retirement benefit plans	1,165
Number of participants eligible for medical benefits	1,143
Number of employees covered in multiemployer pension plans	100
Contributions to multiemployer plans	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Company contributions	-24,232,000	-40,258,000	-47,584,000
Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	-229,128,000	-232,669,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings) [Abstract]
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	147,237,000	105,381,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	907,436,000	856,097,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Total net periodic benefit cost	34,627,000	44,311,000	42,681,000
Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation (PBO)	372,931,000	369,289,000
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)	342,158,000	336,095,000
Fair value of plan assets	133,930,000	137,654,000
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	519,552,000	603,905,000
Service cost	13,801,000	17,123,000	14,406,000
Interest cost	25,204,000	24,801,000	25,136,000
Plan participants' contributions	0	0
Benefits paid	-17,957,000	-35,266,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	84,314,000	-76,605,000
Business dispositions	0	0
Amendments	0	1,913,000
Settlement and curtailment gains	-49,338,000	-16,818,000
Currency translation and other	0	499,000
Benefit obligation at end of year	575,576,000	519,552,000	603,905,000
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	595,143,000	554,648,000
Actual return on plan assets	73,528,000	66,761,000
Company contributions	0	9,000,000
Plan participants' contributions	0	0
Benefits paid	-17,957,000	-35,266,000
Business dispositions	0	0
Settlements and curtailments	-49,338,000	0
Currency translation	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	601,376,000	595,143,000	554,648,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Funded status	25,800,000	75,591,000
Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Other assets and deferred charges	25,800,000	75,591,000
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	0	0
Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	0	0
Total Assets and Liabilities	25,800,000	75,591,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings) [Abstract]
Net actuarial losses (gains)	119,919,000	86,108,000
Prior service cost (credit)	3,388,000	4,471,000
Net asset at transition, other	0	0
Deferred taxes	-43,158,000	-31,703,000
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	80,149,000	58,876,000
Net amount recognized on the balance sheet	105,949,000	134,467,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	537,393,000	482,181,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	13,801,000	17,123,000	14,406,000
Interest cost	25,204,000	24,801,000	25,136,000
Expected return on plan assets	-41,594,000	-40,194,000	-38,978,000
Amortization of prior service costs (income)	1,083,000	1,026,000	1,048,000
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses	8,289,000	17,654,000	13,515,000
Amortization of transition obligation	0	0	0
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss	10,279,000	187,000	0
Other pension costs	0	501,000	0
Total net periodic benefit cost	17,062,000	21,098,000	15,127,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Prior service cost (credit)	976,000
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	12,846,000
Transition obligation	0
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) in next fiscal year	13,822,000
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	299,284,000	284,798,000
Service cost	6,027,000	6,043,000	5,712,000
Interest cost	8,222,000	9,081,000	10,044,000
Plan participants' contributions	1,732,000	1,583,000
Benefits paid	-5,452,000	-11,237,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	40,962,000	6,501,000
Business dispositions	-60,164,000	0
Amendments	0	0
Settlement and curtailment gains	-390,000	-3,036,000
Currency translation and other	-25,198,000	5,551,000
Benefit obligation at end of year	265,023,000	299,284,000	284,798,000
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	203,681,000	181,416,000
Actual return on plan assets	14,868,000	17,356,000
Company contributions	9,547,000	11,359,000
Plan participants' contributions	1,732,000	1,583,000
Benefits paid	-5,452,000	-11,237,000
Business dispositions	-46,334,000	0
Settlements and curtailments	-390,000	0
Currency translation	-14,142,000	3,204,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	163,510,000	203,681,000	181,416,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Funded status	-101,513,000	-95,603,000
Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Other assets and deferred charges	152,000	2,976,000
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	-1,575,000	-1,970,000
Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	-100,090,000	-96,609,000
Total Assets and Liabilities	-101,513,000	-95,603,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings) [Abstract]
Net actuarial losses (gains)	61,813,000	38,596,000
Prior service cost (credit)	1,058,000	1,146,000
Net asset at transition, other	-48,000	-48,000
Deferred taxes	-15,312,000	-9,965,000
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	47,511,000	29,729,000
Net amount recognized on the balance sheet	-54,002,000	-65,874,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	246,814,000	280,763,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	6,027,000	6,043,000	5,712,000
Interest cost	8,222,000	9,081,000	10,044,000
Expected return on plan assets	-8,498,000	-9,608,000	-8,765,000
Amortization of prior service costs (income)	107,000	114,000	117,000
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses	903,000	1,492,000	579,000
Amortization of transition obligation	4,000	-14,000	-47,000
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss	-45,000	697,000	1,449,000
Other pension costs	6,000	5,000	0
Total net periodic benefit cost	6,726,000	7,810,000	9,089,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Prior service cost (credit)	95,000
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	2,784,000
Transition obligation	5,000
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) in next fiscal year	2,884,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	133,056,000	180,408,000
Service cost	3,320,000	5,634,000	5,304,000
Interest cost	6,148,000	6,741,000	7,916,000
Plan participants' contributions	0	0
Benefits paid	-13,939,000	-20,686,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	11,088,000	-34,831,000
Business dispositions	-3,137,000	0
Amendments	1,463,000	3,004,000
Settlement and curtailment gains	0	-7,228,000
Currency translation and other	0	14,000
Benefit obligation at end of year	137,999,000	133,056,000	180,408,000
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Company contributions	13,939,000	20,686,000
Plan participants' contributions	0	0
Benefits paid	-13,939,000	-20,686,000
Business dispositions	0	0
Settlements and curtailments	0	0
Currency translation	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Funded status	-137,999,000	-133,056,000
Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Other assets and deferred charges	0	0
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	-21,978,000	-10,161,000
Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	-116,021,000	-122,895,000
Total Assets and Liabilities	-137,999,000	-133,056,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings) [Abstract]
Net actuarial losses (gains)	-746,000	-12,520,000
Prior service cost (credit)	31,381,000	38,646,000
Net asset at transition, other	0	0
Deferred taxes	-10,725,000	-9,145,000
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	19,910,000	16,981,000
Net amount recognized on the balance sheet	-118,089,000	-116,075,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	123,229,000	93,153,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	3,320,000	5,634,000	5,304,000
Interest cost	6,148,000	6,741,000	7,916,000
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service costs (income)	7,775,000	8,110,000	7,425,000
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses	-428,000	-16,000	138,000
Amortization of transition obligation	0	0	0
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss	0	-4,411,000	0
Other pension costs	0	13,000	0
Total net periodic benefit cost	16,815,000	16,071,000	20,783,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Prior service cost (credit)	6,927,000
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	286,000
Transition obligation	0
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) in next fiscal year	7,213,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	14,136,000	14,571,000
Service cost	249,000	234,000	248,000
Interest cost	627,000	523,000	593,000
Plan participants' contributions	476,000	448,000
Benefits paid	-1,222,000	-1,163,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	-556,000	-618,000
Business dispositions	0	0
Amendments	0	65,000
Settlement and curtailment gains	0	0
Currency translation and other	233,000	76,000
Benefit obligation at end of year	13,943,000	14,136,000	14,571,000
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Company contributions	746,000	715,000
Plan participants' contributions	476,000	448,000
Benefits paid	-1,222,000	-1,163,000
Business dispositions	0	0
Settlements and curtailments	0	0
Currency translation	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Funded status	-13,943,000	-14,136,000
Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Other assets and deferred charges	0	0
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	-926,000	-971,000
Other liabilities (deferred compensation)	-13,017,000	-13,165,000
Total Assets and Liabilities	-13,943,000	-14,136,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings) [Abstract]
Net actuarial losses (gains)	192,000	799,000
Prior service cost (credit)	-615,000	-1,024,000
Net asset at transition, other	0	0
Deferred taxes	90,000	20,000
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax	-333,000	-205,000
Net amount recognized on the balance sheet	-14,276,000	-14,341,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	249,000	234,000	248,000
Interest cost	627,000	523,000	593,000
Amortization of prior service costs (income)	-409,000	-416,000	-416,000
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses	54,000	134,000	-19,000
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss	0	0	-1,493,000
Other pension costs	233,000	77,000	0
Total net periodic benefit cost	754,000	552,000	-1,087,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Prior service cost (credit)	-372,000
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	-30,000
Transition obligation	0
Amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) in next fiscal year	-402,000
Knowles [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings) [Abstract]
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Earnings), net of tax		7,855,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Total net periodic benefit cost	55,000	1,220,000	1,231,000
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss	6,675,000
Continuing Operations [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Settlement & curtailment (gain) loss	$3,604,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Assumpt

Employee Benefit Plans - Assumptions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Ultimate medical trend rate	5.00%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Expected return on plan assets	7.75%
Annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits	8.00%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2027
Effect of one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Effect of one percentage point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	234
Effect of one percentage point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	-224
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.05%	4.90%
Average wage increase	4.00%	4.00%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.90%	4.05%	4.85%
Average wage increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets	7.75%	7.75%	7.75%
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.31%	3.53%
Average wage increase	2.50%	2.86%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.53%	3.31%	4.62%
Average wage increase	2.86%	2.74%	3.14%
Expected return on plan assets	5.35%	5.32%	5.90%
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.96%	4.77%
Average wage increase	4.50%	4.50%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.77%	4.02%	4.77%
Average wage increase	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.75%	4.45%
Ultimate medical trend rate	5.00%	5.00%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.45%	3.65%	3.65%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Actual_

Employee Benefit Plans - Actual and Target Allocations of Plan Assets (Details) (U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Target plan asset allocations	100.00%
Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	55.00%	64.00%
Target plan asset allocations	58.00%
Fixed income investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	36.00%	29.00%
Target plan asset allocations	35.00%
Real estate funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	9.00%	7.00%
Target plan asset allocations	7.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Fair_Va

Employee Benefit Plans - Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$9,976	$14,937	$11,572
Actual return on plan assets still held	-4,527	2,958
Business dispositions	-362
Purchases		1,863
Sales	-72	-1,456
Real estate funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,976	14,937	10,116
Actual return on plan assets still held	-4,527	2,958
Business dispositions	-362
Purchases		1,863
Sales	-72	0
Other plan assets [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	1,456
Actual return on plan assets still held	0	0
Business dispositions	0
Purchases		0
Sales	0	-1,456
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	601,376	595,143	554,648
Business dispositions	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	275,178	278,753
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	326,198	316,390
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - U.S. Companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	164,006	180,038
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - U.S. Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	164,006	180,038
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - U.S. Companies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - U.S. Companies [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - Non-U.S. Companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,874	5,526
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - Non-U.S. Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,874	5,526
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - Non-U.S. Companies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Equity - Non-U.S. Companies [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,878	53,924
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,878	53,924
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Private placements [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,865	3,374
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Private placements [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Private placements [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,865	3,374
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Private placements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Government securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	147,368	112,142
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Government securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	48,370	25,035
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Government securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	98,998	87,107
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Government securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	44,610	59,387
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	44,610	59,387
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Collective trusts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	119,312	138,236
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Collective trusts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Collective trusts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	119,312	138,236
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Collective trusts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	37,145	33,749
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	37,145	33,749
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,318	8,767
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,318	8,767
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	163,510	203,681	181,416
Business dispositions	-46,334	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	42,491	41,795
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	111,043	146,949
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,976	14,937
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stocks [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	40,960	35,010
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	40,960	35,010
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fixed income investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	59,791	75,574
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fixed income investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fixed income investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	59,791	75,574
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fixed income investments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stock funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	43,821	66,285
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stock funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stock funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	43,821	66,285
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Common stock funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,976	14,937
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Real estate funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,976	14,937
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,531	6,785
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,531	6,785
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Other plan assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	7,431	5,090
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Other plan assets [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Other plan assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	7,431	5,090
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Other plan assets [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$0	$0

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Benefit

Employee Benefit Plans - Benefit Payments and Contributions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Expected Future Benefit Payments by Fiscal Year [Abstract]
2015	$35,312,000
2016	36,702,000
2017	38,784,000
2018	40,120,000
2019	40,892,000
2020 - 2024	221,358,000
Non-U.S. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Estimated Future Employer Contributions [Abstract]
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year	6,500,000
Expected Future Benefit Payments by Fiscal Year [Abstract]
2015	6,295,000
2016	6,841,000
2017	6,889,000
2018	7,196,000
2019	7,139,000
2020 - 2024	42,775,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Estimated Future Employer Contributions [Abstract]
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year	22,400,000
Expected Future Benefit Payments by Fiscal Year [Abstract]
2015	22,412,000
2016	7,968,000
2017	3,986,000
2018	5,206,000
2019	11,282,000
2020 - 2024	55,417,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Expected Future Benefit Payments by Fiscal Year [Abstract]
2015	926,000
2016	940,000
2017	951,000
2018	959,000
2019	946,000
2020 - 2024	$4,647,000

Other_Comprehensive_Earnings_D

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax									($131,420)	$2,242	$38,521
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax									-19,523	2,494	359
Total foreign currency translation, net of tax									-150,943	4,736	38,880
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax									-70,705	182,092	-70,642
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax									20,994	-63,585	23,632
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax									-49,711	118,507	-47,010
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, before Tax									-375	-75	195
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax									131	26	-70
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax									-244	-49	125
Other Comprehensive Income Other Adjustment Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Adjustment Before Tax									1,067	-642	692
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Other Adjustment Tax									-128	77	-83
Other comprehensive income loss other adjustment, net of tax									939	-565	609
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax									-201,433	183,617	-31,234
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax									1,474	-60,988	23,838
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax									-199,959	122,629	-7,396
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net earnings	169,294	231,844	213,959	160,138	193,963	269,114	330,049	210,003	775,235	1,003,129	811,070
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax									-199,959	122,629	-7,396
Comprehensive earnings									575,276	1,125,758	803,674
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-14,884				170,609				-14,884	170,609
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	-147,237				-105,381				-147,237	-105,381
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	3,190				2,495				3,190	2,495
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-158,931				67,723				-158,931	67,723
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amortization of actual losses									8,822	19,250	12,673
Amortization of prior service costs									8,556	8,834	8,174
Total amortization before tax									17,378	28,084	20,847
Tax provision on amortization									-5,969	-9,809	-7,013
Total amortization, net of tax									11,409	18,275	13,834
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From AOCI Derivatives Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings									-164	-130	-549
Tax benefit on gains reclassified into earnings									57	46	192
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings, net of tax									-107	-84	-357
Knowles [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax					($7,855)					($7,855)

Segment_Information_Reporting_

Segment Information- Reporting Information by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$169,294	$231,844	$213,959	$160,138	$193,963	$269,114	$330,049	$210,003	$775,235	$1,003,129	$811,070
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	1,977,947	2,009,575	1,962,636	1,802,570	1,785,922	1,850,653	1,836,981	1,681,540	7,752,728	7,155,096	6,626,648
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Interest expense, net									127,179	120,654	121,269
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									1,094,207	1,045,986	931,065
Provision for income taxes									316,067	248,459	280,990
Earnings from continuing operations	171,835	225,683	210,581	170,041	172,227	217,045	247,988	160,267	778,140	797,527	650,075
Operating Margins [Abstract]
Operating margins (pre-tax) (in hundredths)									17.30%	18.20%	18.00%
Earnings from continuing operations (in hundredths)									10.00%	11.10%	9.80%
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization									307,188	278,033	229,934
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures									166,033	141,694	146,502
Total Assets [Abstract]
Assets of continuing operations	8,763,214				8,076,118				8,763,214	8,076,118
Assets of discontinued operations	327,171				2,779,063				327,171	2,779,063
Total assets	9,090,385				10,855,181				9,090,385	10,855,181
Note receivable from buyer					16,250					16,250
Energy Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue									2,017,239	1,853,853	1,788,295
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									461,815	459,649	466,801
Operating Margins [Abstract]
Operating margins (pre-tax) (in hundredths)									22.90%	24.80%	26.10%
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization									111,956	99,075	87,921
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures									66,998	60,756	65,520
Total Assets [Abstract]
Assets of continuing operations	2,645,567				1,901,200				2,645,567	1,901,200
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue									2,385,965	2,177,970	2,143,687
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									386,998	347,497	319,704
Operating Margins [Abstract]
Operating margins (pre-tax) (in hundredths)									16.20%	16.00%	14.90%
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization									61,946	59,058	60,670
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures									29,749	29,145	25,314
Total Assets [Abstract]
Assets of continuing operations	2,348,684				2,224,519				2,348,684	2,224,519
Fluids Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue									1,430,566	1,236,838	1,087,526
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									251,639	224,523	182,544
Operating Margins [Abstract]
Operating margins (pre-tax) (in hundredths)									17.60%	18.20%	16.80%
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization									60,903	48,812	41,381
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures									34,319	21,868	22,655
Total Assets [Abstract]
Assets of continuing operations	1,414,387				1,390,777				1,414,387	1,390,777
Refrigeration and Food Equipment Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue									1,921,189	1,887,840	1,607,602
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									238,734	267,307	223,397
Operating Margins [Abstract]
Operating margins (pre-tax) (in hundredths)									12.40%	14.20%	13.90%
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization									68,701	67,228	37,295
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures									33,510	27,173	30,863
Total Assets [Abstract]
Assets of continuing operations	1,494,121				1,540,295				1,494,121	1,540,295
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization									3,682	3,860	2,667
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures									1,457	2,752	2,150
Total Assets [Abstract]
Assets of continuing operations	860,455				1,019,327				860,455	1,019,327
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue									-2,231	-1,405	-462
Total segments [Member]
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									1,339,186	1,298,976	1,192,446
Corporate expense / other [Member]
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations									117,800	132,336	140,112
U.S. Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Total Assets [Abstract]
Noncurrent pension asset	$25,800				$75,591				$25,800	$75,591

Segment_Information_Revenue_an

Segment Information - Revenue and Long-Lived Assets by Geography (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
									segments
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments									4
Revenue	$1,977,947	$2,009,575	$1,962,636	$1,802,570	$1,785,922	$1,850,653	$1,836,981	$1,681,540	$7,752,728	$7,155,096	$6,626,648
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	837,069				787,849				837,069	787,849
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									4,617,813	4,202,434	3,977,925
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	599,688				528,001				599,688	528,001
Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									1,251,625	1,112,279	1,082,210
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	136,599				153,564				136,599	153,564
Other Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									794,966	803,741	744,192
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	39,971				47,374				39,971	47,374
Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									686,511	607,873	574,140
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	42,775				43,516				42,775	43,516
Other Geographical Area [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue									401,813	428,769	248,181
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$18,036				$15,394				$18,036	$15,394

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations	$171,835	$225,683	$210,581	$170,041	$172,227	$217,045	$247,988	$160,267	$778,140	$797,527	$650,075
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net									-2,905	205,602	160,995
Net earnings	$169,294	$231,844	$213,959	$160,138	$193,963	$269,114	$330,049	$210,003	$775,235	$1,003,129	$811,070
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per basic share)	$1.04	$1.36	$1.26	$1	$1.01	$1.27	$1.45	$0.92	$4.67	$4.66	$3.58
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per basic share)									($0.02)	$1.20	$0.89
Net earnings (in dollars per basic share)	$1.03	$1.40	$1.29	$0.94	$1.14	$1.58	$1.93	$1.21	$4.65	$5.86	$4.47
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)									166,692,000	171,271,000	181,551,000
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per diluted share)	$1.03	$1.34	$1.25	$0.99	$1	$1.26	$1.43	$0.91	$4.61	$4.60	$3.53
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net (in dollars per diluted share)									($0.02)	$1.18	$0.88
Net earnings (in dollars per diluted share)	$1.02	$1.38	$1.27	$0.93	$1.13	$1.56	$1.91	$1.20	$4.59	$5.78	$4.41
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)									168,842,000	173,547,000	183,993,000
Reconciliation Of Share Amounts Used In Computing Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)									166,692,000	171,271,000	181,551,000
Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of employee stock options, SAR's and performance shares (in shares)									2,150,000	2,276,000	2,442,000
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)									168,842,000	173,547,000	183,993,000
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from reconciliation calculations (in shares)									38,789	0	0

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, par value per share	$100	$100
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, par value per share	$1	$1
Common stock, shares issued	255,892,502	255,320,345
Number of treasury shares held	92,880,644	85,413,416
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$601,077,000	$457,871,000	$748,955,000
Shares repurchased	7,467,228	6,011,831	12,401,098
Average price per share for repurchased shares (in dollars per share)	$80.50	$76.16	$60.38
May 2012 Authorization [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased	10,000,000
Shares repurchased	3,870,248
Average price per share for repurchased shares (in dollars per share)	$79.71
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased	38,041
January 2015 Authorization [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased	15,000,000
November 2012 Authorization [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Authorized dollar amount for share repurchase program	1,000,000,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$292,565,000
Shares repurchased	3,596,980
Average price per share for repurchased shares (in dollars per share)	$81.06
Shares repurchased in open market [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Shares repurchased	7,467,228	6,005,880	12,314,795
Shares repurchased from holders of employee stock options [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Shares repurchased	0	5,951	86,303

Quarterly_Data_Details

Quarterly Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$1,977,947	$2,009,575	$1,962,636	$1,802,570	$1,785,922	$1,850,653	$1,836,981	$1,681,540	$7,752,728	$7,155,096	$6,626,648
Gross profit	723,868	774,422	768,100	707,859	679,709	724,041	720,994	653,847	2,974,249	2,778,591	2,579,989
Earnings from continuing operations	171,835	225,683	210,581	170,041	172,227	217,045	247,988	160,267	778,140	797,527	650,075
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per basic share)	$1.04	$1.36	$1.26	$1	$1.01	$1.27	$1.45	$0.92	$4.67	$4.66	$3.58
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per diluted share)	$1.03	$1.34	$1.25	$0.99	$1	$1.26	$1.43	$0.91	$4.61	$4.60	$3.53
Net earnings	$169,294	$231,844	$213,959	$160,138	$193,963	$269,114	$330,049	$210,003	$775,235	$1,003,129	$811,070
Net earnings (in dollars per basic share)	$1.03	$1.40	$1.29	$0.94	$1.14	$1.58	$1.93	$1.21	$4.65	$5.86	$4.47
Net earnings (in dollars per diluted share)	$1.02	$1.38	$1.27	$0.93	$1.13	$1.56	$1.91	$1.20	$4.59	$5.78	$4.41

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$17,203	$17,005	$18,757
Acquired by Purchase or Merger	1,201	0	56
Charged to Cost and Expense	4,730	5,869	3,810
Reductions	-3,524	-5,427	-5,138
Other	-716	-244	-480
Balance at End of Year	18,894	17,203	17,005
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	14,063	17,275	20,396
Acquired by Purchase or Merger	0	0	0
Additions	133,431	0	0
Reductions	-6,242	-3,212	-3,121
Other	0	0	0
Balance at End of Year	141,252	14,063	17,275
LIFO Reserve [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	50,705	53,374	53,327
Acquired by Purchase or Merger	0	0	0
Charged to Cost and Expense	4,166	0	47
Reductions	-4,102	-2,669	0
Other	0	0	0
Balance at End of Year	$50,769	$50,705	$53,374