Kaman (KAMN) 10-Q 4 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jul. 25, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KAMAN CORPORATION	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000054381	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	27-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,091,955

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$11,676	$10,384
Accounts receivable, net	256,121	205,873
Inventories	390,556	390,495
Deferred income taxes	29,492	30,128
Income Tax Refunds Receivable	311	2,297
Other current assets	27,266	26,028
Total current assets	715,422	665,205
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $178,396 and $167,282 respectively	153,152	148,508
Goodwill	243,841	203,923
Other intangibles assets, net	101,924	89,449
Deferred income taxes	7,876	10,287
Other assets	23,358	23,259
Total assets	1,245,573	1,140,631
Current liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	0	559
Current portion of long-term debt	12,500	10,000
Accounts payable – trade	125,422	119,482
Accrued salaries and wages	36,290	33,677
Advances on contracts	3,487	9,470
Other accruals and payables	54,418	54,095
Income taxes payable	839	673
Total current liabilities	232,956	227,956
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	350,374	264,655
Deferred income taxes	3,945	3,855
Underfunded pension	75,608	85,835
Other long-term liabilities	42,065	47,038
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $1 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, voting, 27,456,596 and 27,189,922 shares issued, respectively	27,457	27,190
Additional paid-in capital	141,865	133,517
Retained earnings	458,819	439,441
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-78,255	-81,121
Less 371,451 and 330,487 shares of common stock, respectively, held in treasury, at cost	-9,261	-7,735
Total shareholders’ equity	540,625	511,292
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,245,573	$1,140,631

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Depreciation	$178,396	$167,282
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,456,596	27,189,922
Common Stock held in treasury, at cost (in shares)	371,451	330,487

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Net sales	$459,089	$431,725	$873,021	$819,800
Cost of sales	329,755	310,468	628,826	588,277
Gross profit	129,334	121,257	244,195	231,523
Selling, general and administrative expenses	101,590	90,219	195,351	186,639
Net loss on sale of assets	57	21	168	100
Operating income	27,687	31,017	48,676	44,784
Interest expense, net	3,297	3,163	6,406	6,231
Other expense (income), net	297	58	499	389
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	24,093	27,796	41,771	38,164
Income tax expense	7,899	9,904	14,120	13,118
Earnings from continuing operations	16,194	17,892	27,651	25,046
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes	379	0	379	0
Net earnings	$16,573	$17,892	$28,030	$25,046
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$0.60	$0.67	$1.03	$0.94
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations	$0.01	$0	$0.01	$0
Basic earnings per share	$0.61	$0.67	$1.04	$0.94
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$0.59	$0.67	$1	$0.93
Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations	$0.01	$0	$0.01	$0
Diluted earnings per share	$0.60	$0.67	$1.01	$0.93
Average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	27,039	26,734	26,981	26,696
Diluted (in shares)	27,844	26,899	27,717	26,977
Dividends declared per share	$0.16	$0.16	$0.32	$0.32

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014		Jun. 28, 2013		Jun. 27, 2014		Jun. 28, 2013
Net earnings	$16,573		$17,892		$28,030		$25,046
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,755		-244		1,460		-4,758
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(38) and $105, and $41 and $38, respectively	0	[1]	172	[1]	69	[1]	61	[1]
Change in pension and post-retirement benefit plan liabilities, net of tax expense of $408 and $904, and $810 and $1,810, respectively	673	[2]	1,476	[2]	1,337	[2]	2,951	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	2,428		1,404		2,866		-1,746
Comprehensive Income	$19,001		$19,296		$30,896		$23,300
[1]	See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.
[2]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. (See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Tax expense (benefit) for the change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	($38)	$105	$41	$38
Tax expense for pension plan adjustments	$408	$904	$810	$1,810

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Earnings from continuing operations	$27,651	$25,046
Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	17,069	15,528
Accretion of convertible notes discount	953	905
Provision for doubtful accounts	604	734
Net loss on sale of assets	168	100
Net loss on derivative instruments	289	203
Stock compensation expense	3,293	3,065
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements	-732	-293
Deferred income taxes	2,204	68
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions/divestures:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-37,069	-45,274
Inventories	10,071	-16,165
Income tax refunds receivable	1,990	0
Other current assets	-27	25
Accounts payable-trade	-719	3,800
Accrued Contract losses	-1,253	228
Advances on contracts	-5,984	10,887
Other accruals and payables	4,834	-5,595
Income taxes payable	174	-2,768
Pension liabilities	-8,332	-2,252
Other long-term liabilities	-3,421	-1,649
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations	11,763	-13,407
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	379	0
Net cash used in operating activities	12,142	-13,407
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale of assets	68	83
Expenditures for property, plant & equipment	-18,058	-21,267
Acquisition of businesses	-75,518	-5,178
Other, net	-1,049	-598
Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	-94,557	-26,960
Cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	0	0
Cash used in investing activities	-94,557	-26,960
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net borrowings under revolving credit agreements	88,541	39,753
Debt repayment	-2,500	-5,000
Net change in book overdraft	1,676	4,093
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock awards	4,639	2,654
Purchase of treasury shares	-843	-644
Dividends paid	-8,616	-8,526
Other	0	-51
Windfall tax benefit	732	293
Cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations	83,629	32,572
Cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations	0	0
Cash provided by financing activities	83,629	32,572
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,214	-7,795
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	78	-91
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,384	16,593
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$11,676	$8,707

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The December 31, 2013, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts have been derived from the previously audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Kaman Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the condensed financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this report. Certain amounts in the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current presentation. The statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of trends or of results to be expected for the entire year.
	The Company has a calendar year-end; however, its first three fiscal quarters follow a 13-week convention, with each quarter ending on a Friday. The second quarter for 2014 and 2013 ended on June 27, 2014 and June 28, 2013, respectively.

Recent_Accounting_Standards

Recent Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Standards	'
	RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASC Topic 718) - Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period." The objective of this standard update is to eliminate inconsistent practices with regards to the accounting treatment of share-based payment awards. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)." The objective of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regards to revenue recognition between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The standard intends to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." This standard update requires that a disposal representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's financial results or a business activity classified as held for sale should be reported as discontinued operations. The standard also expands the disclosures for discontinued operations and requires new disclosures related to individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes ("ASC Topic 740") - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The objective is to end some inconsistent practices with regard to the presentation on the balance sheet of unrecognized tax benefits.The update was effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this standard beginning January 1, 2014. There was no material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 27, 2014.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters ("ASC Topic 830") - Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. The objective is to resolve the diversity in practice with regard to whether ASC Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation - Overall or ASC Subtopic 830-30 Foreign Currency Matters - Translation of Financial Statements, applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real estate or conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights) within a foreign entity. The update was effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company has adopted this standard beginning January 1, 2014. There was no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 27, 2014.

Discontinued_Operations_Notes

Discontinued Operations (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On December 31, 2012, the Company sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Distribution segment's Canadian operations. As a result, the Company has reported the results of operations and financial position of this component as discontinued operations within the condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded earnings from discontinued operations of $0.5 million, $0.4 million net of tax, related to a pension settlement that resulted from the 2012 disposal of the Distribution segment's Canadian operations.

Acquisitions_Notes

Acquisitions (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	ACQUISITIONS
	On April 25, 2014, the Company acquired specific assets of B.W. Rogers Company and certain affiliated entities ("B.W. Rogers"). Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, B.W. Rogers operated from twenty-one locations in seven states from the Northeast to the Midwest. The acquisition of B.W. Rogers expands the Company's capabilities in both the fluid power and automation and motion control product areas.
	This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:
	In thousands
	Cash	$	11
	Accounts receivable	13,332
	Inventories	9,614
	Property, plant and equipment	850
	Other tangible assets	784
	Goodwill	37,804
	Other intangible assets	16,870
	Liabilities	(7,367		)
	Total of net assets acquired	71,898
	Less cash received	(11		)
	Total consideration	$	71,887
	The Company has paid $70.5 million of the total consideration of $71.9 million for this acquisition through June 27, 2014. The goodwill associated with B.W. Rogers is tax deductible and is the result of expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquired business with the Company's operations and intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition, such as an assembled workforce. Included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is $18.8 million of revenue from this acquisition for the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014.
	The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets, which totaled $16.9 million and consisted of customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names, were determined using the income approach. Specifically, the discounted cash flows method was utilized for customer relationships and non-compete agreements and the relief-from-royalty method was utilized for the trade names. The fair value of the customer relationships ($14.9 million) is broken out into two asset categories, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of 11 and 18 years; the fair value of the non-compete agreements ($1.1 million) is being amortized over periods ranging from 1.5 to 3 years; and the fair value of the trade names ($0.9 million) is being amortized over a period of 8 years, the estimated lives of the assets.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	'
	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
		June 27,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Trade receivables	$	152,986		$	125,092
	U.S. Government contracts:
	Billed	21,345			14,364
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	6,214			6,340
	Commercial and other government contracts:
	Billed	62,640			63,051
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	16,793			853
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(3,857		)	(3,827		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	256,121		$	205,873
	Accounts receivable, net includes amounts for matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		June 27,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	—		$	1,021
	Total	$	—		$	1,021

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	The Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
	•	Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value:
			June 27, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
	In thousands
	Long-term debt:
	Level 1		$	108,046		$	152,642		$	107,093		$	147,822
	Level 2		254,828			242,836			167,562			155,473
	Total		$	362,874		$	395,478		$	274,655		$	303,295
	The above fair values were computed based on quoted market prices (Level 1) and discounted future cash flows (Level 2 observable inputs), as applicable. Differences from carrying values are attributable to interest rate changes subsequent to when the transaction occurred. The increase in fair value of the long-term debt is driven by increased borrowings under the Company's Revolving Credit Facility.
	The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents, Accounts receivable, net, Notes payable, and Accounts payable - trade approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The table below segregates all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine their fair value at the measurement date:
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		June 27,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2014
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	152		$	—		$	152		$	—
	Total assets	$	152		$	—		$	152		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	339		$	—		$	339		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	339		$	—		$	339		$	—
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		December 31,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2013
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Total assets	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—
	6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements - continued
	The Company’s derivative instruments are foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, the derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and have been included in other current assets, other assets, other accruals and payables and other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 27, 2014, and December 31, 2013. Based on the continued ability to trade and enter into forward contracts, we consider the markets for our fair value instruments to be active.
	The Company evaluated the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these derivative instruments and determined that as of June 27, 2014, such credit risks have not had an adverse impact on the fair value of these instruments.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Derivatives Overview
	The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
	The Company holds forward exchange contracts designed to hedge forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies and to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company’s earnings and cash flows. Some of these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. The Company will include in earnings amounts currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income upon recognition of cost of sales related to the underlying transaction. There was $0.2 million and $0.3 million of expense reclassified from other comprehensive income during the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014, respectively. No material amounts were reclassified to expense from other comprehensive income during the three months and six months ended June 28, 2013. Over the next twelve months, the expense related to cash flow hedges expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income is $0.5 million.
	Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
	The Term Loan Facility of the Company's Credit Agreement (“Term Loan”) contains floating rate obligations and is subject to interest rate fluctuations. During 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements for the purposes of hedging the eight quarterly variable-rate interest payments under its Term Loan due in 2014 and 2015. These interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges and are intended to manage interest rate risk associated with the Company’s variable rate borrowings and minimize the impact on the Company’s earnings and cash flows of interest rate fluctuations attributable to changes in LIBOR rates. The amounts of the gain or (loss) recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives designated as hedge instruments were not material for the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014, and June 28, 2013.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company entered into forward exchange contracts designed to hedge forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies and to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company's earnings and cash flows. These contracts were entered into as a result of forecasted foreign currency transactions associated with the New Zealand contract to deliver ten SH-2G(I) aircraft and have been designated as cash flow hedges. The Company will include in earnings amounts currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income upon recognition of cost of sales related to the underlying transaction. The amounts of the gain or (loss) recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives designated as hedge instruments were not material for the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014. During the first half of 2014, the amount recorded in other income for the ineffective portion of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges was not material. No such amounts were recorded during 2013.
	7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges - continued
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	June 27,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	11	$	—	4,022 / 0 AUD
	Total		$	11	$	—
	Derivative Liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other liabilities / Other long-term liabilities	$	335	$	276	$87,500 / $90,000
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities	4		—		£1,367 / £0
	Total		$	339	$	276
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	June 27,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	141	$	127	$1,818 / $2,349
	Total		$	141	$	127
	The amounts of the gain or (loss) recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives not designated as hedge instruments were not material for the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014, and June 28, 2013, and are included in other (income) expense, net.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	INVENTORIES
	Inventories consist of the following:
		June 27,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Merchandise for resale	$	161,595	$	152,194
	Raw materials	21,694		20,609
	Contracts and other work in process	196,456		205,220
	Finished goods (including certain general stock materials)	10,811		12,472
	Total	$	390,556	$	390,495
	8. INVENTORIES (CONTINUED)
	Inventories include amounts associated with matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		June 27,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	7,337	$	11,581
	Total	$	7,337	$	11,581
	The reduction in this balance is due to the settlement of a claim related to a commercial composite structures program.
	K-MAX® inventory of $17.2 million and $17.0 million as of June 27, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively, is included in contracts and other work in process inventory and finished goods. Management believes that a significant portion of this K-MAX® inventory will be sold after June 27, 2015, based upon the anticipation of supporting the fleet for the foreseeable future.
	At June 27, 2014, and December 31, 2013, $34.2 million and $43.8 million, respectively, of SH-2G(I), formerly SH-2G(A), inventory was included on the Company's balance sheet in contracts and other work in process inventory. On May 8, 2013, the Company announced that it had entered into a $120.6 million contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence for the sale of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. Although a substantial portion of the SH-2G(I) inventory will be used in the performance of this contract, management believes that $10.9 million of the SH-2G(I) inventory will be sold after June 27, 2015, based upon the time needed to prepare the aircraft for sale and the requirements of our customer. For more information on the SH-2G(I) inventory, see Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies.
	Long-term Contracts
	For long-term aerospace contracts, the Company generally recognizes revenue and cost based on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, which allows for recognition of revenue as work on a contract progresses. The Company recognizes revenues and cost based on either (1) the cost-to-cost method, in which sales and profit are recorded based upon the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs to complete the contract, or (2) the units-of-delivery method, in which sales are recognized as deliveries are made and cost of sales is computed on the basis of the estimated ratio of total cost to total sales.
	Revenue and cost estimates for all significant long-term contracts for which revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting are reviewed and reassessed quarterly. Based upon these reviews, the Company records the effects of adjustments in profit estimates each period. If at any time the Company determines that in the case of a particular contract total costs will exceed total contract revenue, the Company will record a provision for the entire anticipated contract loss at that time. There was a net decrease to the Company's operating income from changes in contract estimates of $0.6 million for the three-month period ended June 27, 2014. The decrease was primarily a result of cost growth on the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter program. For the six-month period ended June 27, 2014, changes in contract estimates contributed $0.2 million to the Company's operating income. The increase for the six-month period was primarily a result of improved performance on the Joint Programmable Fuze ("JPF") program, offset by the cost growth on the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter program. There was a net decrease to the Company's operating income from changes in contract estimates of $2.7 million for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 28, 2013. These decreases were a result of cost growth due to revised estimates in various programs, including the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter program, Bell helicopter offload program and a fuze program.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
	Goodwill
	The following table sets forth the change in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment and for the Company:
		Distribution				Aerospace				Total
	In thousands
	Gross balance at December 31, 2013	$	105,637			$	114,538			$	220,175
	Accumulated impairment	—				(16,252		)		(16,252		)
	Net balance at December 31, 2013	105,637				98,286				203,923
	Additions	37,804				1,284				39,088
	Impairments	—				—				—
	Foreign currency translation	5				825				830
	Ending balance at June 27, 2014	$	143,446			$	100,395			$	243,841
	Additions to goodwill for the Company's Distribution segment relate to the acquisition of the operating assets of B.W. Rogers completed during the second quarter of 2014, as set forth in Note 4, Acquisitions. Additions to goodwill for the Company's Aerospace segment relate to an earnout payment associated with a previous acquisition.
	Other intangible assets consisted of:
				At June 27,								At December 31,
				2014								2013
		Amortization		Gross				Accumulated				Gross		Accumulated
		Period		Amount				Amortization				Amount		Amortization
	In thousands
	Customer lists / relationships	6-21 years		$	125,638			$	(28,258	)		$	109,790	$	(23,647	)
	Trademarks / trade names	3-8 years		3,565				(1,833		)		2,695		(1,594		)
	Non-compete agreements and other	1-9 years		7,254				(4,564		)		6,133		(4,055		)
	Patents	17 years		523				(401		)		523		(396		)
	Total			$	136,980			$	(35,056	)		$	119,141	$	(29,692	)
	The changes in other intangible assets are attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the acquisition completed during the second quarter of 2014.

Pension_Plan

Pension Plan	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension Plans	'
	PENSION PLANS
	Components of net pension cost for the Qualified Pension Plan and Supplemental Employees’ Retirement Plan ("SERP") are as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		June 27,			June 28,			June 27,		June 28,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	2,940		$	3,587		$	64	$	85
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,208			6,399			86		83
	Expected return on plan assets	(10,261		)	(10,337		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	20			25			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	1,038			2,304			23		53
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		277
	Net pension cost	$	945		$	1,978		$	173	$	498
		For the Six Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		June 27,			June 28,			June 27,		June 28,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	5,880		$	7,174		$	128	$	170
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	14,417			12,798			171		155
	Expected return on plan assets	(20,523		)	(20,674		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	45			50			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	2,057			4,581			45		130
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		277
	Net pension cost	$	1,876		$	3,929		$	344	$	732
	The following tables show the amounts of contributions made to the Qualified Pension Plan and SERP during each period and the additional contributions the Company expects to make during the remainder of 2014:
	Year-to-date contributions:
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		As of June 27, 2014			As of December 31, 2013			As of June 27, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	In thousands
	Year-to-date contributions	$	10,000		$	10,000		$	552	$	2,291
	Expected additional contributions in 2014:
		Qualified Pension Plan			SERP
	In thousands
	Expected additional contributions	$	—		$	267

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Matters
	Wichita Matter
	As previously disclosed, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas issued a grand jury subpoena in 2011 to Plastic Fabricating Company, Inc. (“PlasticFab”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company now known as Kaman Composites - Wichita, Inc., regarding a government investigation of record keeping associated with the manufacture of certain composite parts at PlasticFab's facility located in Wichita, Kansas. The subpoena required information related to the period January 1, 2006, through June 30, 2008. In March 2013, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas notified PlasticFab that it may seek to commence a criminal proceeding against PlasticFab but it expressed a willingness to explore a pre-charge disposition of the matter. PlasticFab believes it has cooperated fully with the investigation and intends to continue to do so as it engages in further discussions with the U.S. Attorney's Office about this matter. Under present U.S. Government procurement laws and regulations, if indicted or adjudged to be in violation of procurement or other Federal laws, a contractor, such as PlasticFab, could be subject to fines, penalties, repayments, or compensatory or treble damages, or suspension or debarment on U.S. Government contract awards if warranted. Thus, as with any government contractor, an adverse outcome in a proceeding such as this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Management continues to cooperate with the government's investigation; however, we are unable to predict the outcome of any proceeding that may be brought or to estimate the amounts of resulting claims or other actions that could be instituted against PlasticFab, its officers, employees, or affiliates. Sales for PlasticFab represented 1.0% of the Company's consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2013. At June 27, 2014, the amount accrued for this matter was not material.
	Other Matters
	Revenue Sharing Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia
	During the second quarter of 2013, the Company signed a $120.6 million contract to resell ten of the Australia SH-2G(A) (now designated SH-2G(I)) aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence. Pursuant to the terms of its revenue sharing agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia, the Company will share proceeds from the resale with the Commonwealth on a predetermined basis. Through June 27, 2014, the Company has paid $39.5 million (AUD) to the Commonwealth of Australia, the required minimum amount of payments pursuant to the revenue sharing agreement. The Company has $2.2 million accrued for additional revenue sharing payments, calculated pursuant to the terms of the revenue sharing agreement. Additional amounts due to the Commonwealth of Australia will be recorded as additional sales are recorded.
	Moosup
	This facility is currently being held for disposal, and the Company from time to time entertains discussions and may explore terms with interested parties about the ultimate disposition of the property. To date, however, such discussions and preliminary agreements have not resulted in the consummation of a transaction. Site characterization of the environmental condition of the property, which began in 2008, is continuing. The total anticipated cost of the environmental remediation activities associated with the Moosup property is $4.5 million, all of which has been accrued. The total amount paid to date in connection with environmental remediation activities at this location is $2.6 million. A portion ($0.1 million) of the accrual related to this property is included in other accruals and payables and the balance is included in other long-term liabilities. The remaining balance of the accrual reflects the total anticipated cost of completing these environmental remediation activities. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	New Hartford
	In connection with the sale of the Company’s Music segment in 2007, the Company assumed responsibility for meeting certain requirements of the Connecticut Transfer Act (the “Transfer Act”) that applied to the transfer of the New Hartford, Connecticut, facility leased by that segment for guitar manufacturing purposes (“Ovation”). Under the Transfer Act, those responsibilities essentially consist of assessing the site's environmental conditions and remediating environmental impairments, if any, caused by Ovation's operations prior to the sale. The site is a multi-tenant industrial park, in which Ovation and other unrelated entities lease space. The environmental assessment process, which began in 2008, has been completed.
	11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
	Other Matters - continued
	New Hartford - continued
	The Company's estimate of its portion of the cost to assess the environmental conditions and remediate this site is $2.2 million, unchanged from the previously reported estimate, all of which has been accrued. The total amount paid to date in connection with these environmental remediation activities is $0.5 million. An immaterial portion of the accrual related to this property is included in other accruals and payables and the balance is included in other long-term liabilities. The remaining balance of the accrual reflects the total anticipated cost of completing these environmental remediation activities. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	Bloomfield
	In connection with the Company’s 2008 purchase of the portion of the Bloomfield campus that a Company subsidiary had leased from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Company assumed responsibility for environmental remediation at the facility as may be required under the Transfer Act and continues the effort to define the scope of the remediation that will be required by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. The assumed environmental liability of $10.3 million, all of which has been accrued, was determined by taking the undiscounted estimated remediation liability of $20.8 million and discounting it at a rate of 8%. This remediation process will take many years to complete. The total amount paid to date in connection with these environmental remediation activities is $8.2 million. At June 27, 2014, the Company has $6.0 million accrued for this environmental matter. A portion ($1.7 million) of the accrual related to this property is included in other accruals and payables, and the balance ($4.3 million) is included in other long-term liabilities. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	United Kingdom
	In connection with the purchase of the Company's U.K. composites business operations, the Company accrued £1.6 million for environmental compliance at the acquired facilities. The remaining balance of the accrual at June 27, 2014, was £0.3 million, with £1.1 million having been paid to date in connection with these environmental remediation activities and £0.2 million released to income in 2011. The U.S. dollar equivalent of the remaining environmental compliance liability as of June 27, 2014, is $0.5 million, which is included in other accruals and payables. The Company continues to assess the work that may be required, which may result in a change to this accrual. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	Other Environmental Matters
	The Company has been notified by the Environmental Protection Agency that it is a potentially responsible party ("PRP") at a Superfund Site. At June 27, 2014, the Company had no amount accrued for this matter, as it is unable to estimate the amount of costs, if any, that might be incurred in connection with the remediation of this site. In making this determination, the Company considered the availability of the information related to the site; specifically, the continued identification of PRPs and the inability to determine the proportion of total responsibility attributable to each PRP. As more information is received, the Company will reassess its ability to estimate its portion of the cost for remediation, taking into consideration the financial resources of other PRPs involved in the site, their proportionate share of the total responsibility for waste at the site, the existence of insurance and the financial viability of the insurer.

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh

Computation of Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'
Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The computation of basic earnings per share is based on net earnings divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each period. The computation of diluted earnings per share reflects the common stock equivalency of dilutive options granted to employees under the Company's stock incentive plan and shares issuable on redemption of its Convertible Notes.
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Six Months Ended
		June 27,		June 28,		June 27,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	In thousands, except per share amounts
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	16,194	$	17,892	$	27,651	$	25,046
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	379		—		379		—
	Net earnings	$	16,573	$	17,892	$	28,030	$	25,046
	Basic:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,039		26,734		26,981		26,696
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.6	$	0.67	$	1.03	$	0.94
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	0.01		—		0.01		—
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.61	$	0.67	$	1.04	$	0.94
	Diluted:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,039		26,734		26,981		26,696
	Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of dilutive stock options	155		140		157		152
	Weighted average shares issuable on redemption of convertible notes	650		25		579		129
	Total	27,844		26,899		27,717		26,977
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.59	$	0.67	$	1	$	0.93
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	0.01		—		0.01		—
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.6	$	0.67	$	1.01	$	0.93
	Equity awards
	For the three and six months ended June 27, 2014, respectively, 318,111 and 380,165 shares issuable under equity awards granted to employees were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive based on the average stock price during the period. For the three and six months ended June 28, 2013, respectively, 437,646 and 441,559 shares issuable under equity awards granted to employees were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive based on the average stock price during the period.
	Convertible Notes
	In November 2010, the Company issued Convertible Notes due on November 15, 2017, in the aggregate principal amount of $115.0 million. The Convertible Notes will mature on November 15, 2017, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased by the Company or converted. Upon conversion, the Convertible Notes require net share settlement, where the aggregate principal amount of the notes will be paid in cash and remaining amounts due, if any, will be settled in cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company's election.
	For the three-month and six-month periods ended June 27, 2014, and June 28, 2013, shares issuable under the Convertible Notes that were dilutive during the period were included in the calculation of earnings per share as the conversion price for the Convertible Notes was less than the average share price of the Company's stock.
	12. COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE (CONTINUED)
	Warrants
	Excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014, are 3,410,658 and 3,409,866, respectively, shares issuable under the warrants sold in connection with the Company’s convertible note offering as they would be anti-dilutive. For the three and six months ended June 28, 2013, respectively, 3,403,787 and 3,402,772, shares issuable under the warrants sold in connection with the Company’s convertible note offering were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as they would be anti-dilutive.

ShareBased_Arrangements

Share-Based Arrangements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Share-based Arrangements with Employees and Nonemployees [Abstract]	'
Share-based Arrangements	'
	SHARE-BASED ARRANGEMENTS
	General
	The Company accounts for stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance shares as equity awards and measures the cost of all share-based payments, including stock options, at fair value on the grant date and recognizes this cost in the statement of operations. The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan which is accounted for as a liability award.
	Compensation expense for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards. Share-based compensation expense recorded for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 27, 2014, was $2.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Share-based compensation expense recorded for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 28, 2013, was $1.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company issued stock awards totaling 10,934 shares with market and performance based conditions. The Company measured the cost of these awards based on their fair value at the date of grant to the extent of the probable number of shares to be earned upon vesting. Amortization of this cost will be recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Throughout the course of the requisite service period, the Company will monitor the level of achievement compared to the target and adjust the number of shares expected to be earned, and the related compensation expense recorded thereafter, to reflect the updated most probable outcome. Compensation expense for these awards for the three months and six months ended June 27, 2014, was not material.
	Stock option activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014							June 27, 2014
		Options			Weighted - average				Options		Weighted - average
					exercise price						exercise price
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	1,000,655			$	30.64			891,932		$	28.18
	Granted	—			$	—			186,885		$	39.22
	Exercised	(61,898	)		$	24.19			(140,060	)	$	23.55
	Forfeited or expired	(5,945	)		$	34.67			(5,945	)	$	34.67
	Options outstanding at June 27, 2014	932,812			$	31.05			932,812		$	31.05
	13. SHARE-BASED ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The following table indicates the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating fair value:
		For the Six Months Ended
		June 27,				June 28,
		2014				2013
	Expected option term (years)	5.1				5.2
	Expected volatility	37.5		%		45.5		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%		0.9		%
	Expected dividend yield	1.7		%		2		%
	Per share fair value of options granted	$	11.6			$	12.38
	There were no options granted for the three-month periods ended June 27, 2014 and June 28, 2013.
	Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014							June 27, 2014
		Restricted  Stock			Weighted-				Restricted  Stock		Weighted-
					average grant						average grant
					date fair value						date fair value
	Restricted Stock outstanding at beginning of period	200,514			$	35.49			188,647		$	31.83
	Granted	35,901			$	41.56			111,071		$	39.89
	Vested	(21,665	)		$	39.7			(84,254	)	$	31.64
	Forfeited or expired	(6,312	)		$	30.66			(7,026	)	$	30.47
	Restricted Stock outstanding at June 27, 2014	208,438			$	36.24			208,438		$	36.24

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa

Segment and Geographic Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment and Geographic Information	'
	SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	The Company is organized based upon the nature of its products and services, and is composed of two operating segments each overseen by a segment manager.  These segments are reflective of how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is its Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), reviews operating results for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company has not aggregated operating segments for purposes of identifying reportable segments.
	The Distribution segment is a leading power transmission, motion control, and fluid power industrial distributor with operations throughout North America. Distribution conducts business in the mechanical power transmission and bearings, electrical, automation and control, and fluid power product platforms and provides total solutions from system design and integration to machine parts and value-added services to North America's manufacturing industry.
	The Aerospace segment produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; support for the Company’s SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX® medium-to-heavy lift helicopters; and engineering services.
	14. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
	Summarized financial information by business segment is as follows:
			For the Three Months Ended							For the Six Months Ended
	In thousands		June 27,				June 28,			June 27,			June 28,
			2014				2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Distribution		$	304,186			$	270,233		$	569,056		$	527,401
	Aerospace		154,903				161,492			303,965			292,399
	Net sales		$	459,089			$	431,725		$	873,021		$	819,800
	Operating income:
	Distribution		$	15,419			$	13,669		$	26,554		$	18,299
	Aerospace		26,681				28,678			48,702			49,589
	Net loss on sale of assets		(57		)		(21		)	(168		)	(100		)
	Corporate expense		(14,356		)		(11,309		)	(26,412		)	(23,004		)
	Operating income from continuing operations		27,687				31,017			48,676			44,784
	Interest expense, net		3,297				3,163			6,406			6,231
	Other expense (income), net		297				58			499			389
	Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations		24,093				27,796			41,771			38,164
	Income tax expense		7,899				9,904			14,120			13,118
	Earnings from continuing operations		$	16,194			$	17,892		$	27,651		$	25,046
	The Company's Distribution segment acquired the operating assets of B.W. Rogers during the second quarter of 2014. This acquisition resulted in an increase to the segment's total assets, as compared to December 31, 2013.
		27-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	In thousands
	Identifiable assets:
	Distribution	$	573,803			$	480,117
	Aerospace	573,093				557,831
	Corporate	98,677				102,683
	Total assets	$	1,245,573			$	1,140,631

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Changes in shareholders’ equity for the six months ended June 27, 2014, and June 28, 2013, respectively, were as follows:
		For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
	In thousands
	Beginning balance	$	511,292		$	420,193
	Comprehensive income	30,896			23,300
	Dividends declared	(8,652		)	(8,549		)
	Employee stock plans and related tax benefit	4,639			2,654
	Purchase of treasury shares	(843		)	(644		)
	Share-based compensation expense	3,293			3,065
	Ending balance	$	540,625		$	440,019
	15. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are shown below:
		For the Three Months Ended
		June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(14,514	)	$	(21,029	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	1,755			(244		)
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,755			(244		)
	Ending balance	$	(12,759	)	$	(21,273	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(65,653		)	(103,076		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $7 and $10, respectively	13			15
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $401 and $894, respectively	660			1,461
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	673			1,476
	Ending balance	$	(64,980	)	$	(101,600	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(516		)	(635		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($122) and $105, respectively	(88		)	172
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $84	88			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	—			172
	Ending balance	$	(516	)	$	(463	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(78,255	)	$	(123,336	)
	15. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
		For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(14,219	)	$	(16,515	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	1,460			(4,758		)
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,460			(4,758		)
	Ending balance	$	(12,759	)	$	(21,273	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(66,317		)	(104,551		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $17 and $20, respectively	28			30
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $793 and $1,790, respectively	1,309			2,921
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,337			2,951
	Ending balance	$	(64,980	)	$	(101,600	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(585		)	(524		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($78) and $38, respectively	(129		)	61
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $119	198			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	69			61
	Ending balance	$	(516	)	$	(463	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(78,255	)	$	(123,336	)
	(a) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
	(See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)
(b) See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Six Months Ended
		June 27,		June 28,		June 27,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Effective Income Tax Rate	32.8	%	35.6	%	33.8	%	34.4	%
	The effective income tax rate represents the combined federal, state and foreign tax effects attributable to pretax earnings for the year. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 27, 2014, as compared to the rates for the same periods in the prior year is primarily due to a reduction in the effective state tax rate and discrete tax benefits in the second quarter of 2014, which include the recognition of a foreign exchange loss and additional inventory-related tax benefits.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements. No material subsequent events were identified that require disclosure.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The December 31, 2013, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts have been derived from the previously audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Kaman Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the condensed financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this report. Certain amounts in the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current presentation. The statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of trends or of results to be expected for the entire year.
	The Company has a calendar year-end; however, its first three fiscal quarters follow a 13-week convention, with each quarter ending on a Friday. The second quarter for 2014 and 2013 ended on June 27, 2014 and June 28, 2013, respectively.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:
	In thousands
	Cash	$	11
	Accounts receivable	13,332
	Inventories	9,614
	Property, plant and equipment	850
	Other tangible assets	784
	Goodwill	37,804
	Other intangible assets	16,870
	Liabilities	(7,367		)
	Total of net assets acquired	71,898
	Less cash received	(11		)
	Total consideration	$	71,887

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts Receivable, Net	'
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
		June 27,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Trade receivables	$	152,986		$	125,092
	U.S. Government contracts:
	Billed	21,345			14,364
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	6,214			6,340
	Commercial and other government contracts:
	Billed	62,640			63,051
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	16,793			853
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(3,857		)	(3,827		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	256,121		$	205,873
Accounts Receivable due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated cost	'
	Accounts receivable, net includes amounts for matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		June 27,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	—		$	1,021
	Total	$	—		$	1,021

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments That Are Not Carried At Fair Value	'
	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value:
			June 27, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
	In thousands
	Long-term debt:
	Level 1		$	108,046		$	152,642		$	107,093		$	147,822
	Level 2		254,828			242,836			167,562			155,473
	Total		$	362,874		$	395,478		$	274,655		$	303,295
Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The table below segregates all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine their fair value at the measurement date:
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		June 27,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2014
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	152		$	—		$	152		$	—
	Total assets	$	152		$	—		$	152		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	339		$	—		$	339		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	339		$	—		$	339		$	—
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		December 31,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2013
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Total assets	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivatives	'
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	June 27,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	11	$	—	4,022 / 0 AUD
	Total		$	11	$	—
	Derivative Liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other liabilities / Other long-term liabilities	$	335	$	276	$87,500 / $90,000
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities	4		—		£1,367 / £0
	Total		$	339	$	276
Amount and Location of Derivatives	'
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	June 27,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	141	$	127	$1,818 / $2,349
	Total		$	141	$	127

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventories consist of the following:
		June 27,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Merchandise for resale	$	161,595	$	152,194
	Raw materials	21,694		20,609
	Contracts and other work in process	196,456		205,220
	Finished goods (including certain general stock materials)	10,811		12,472
	Total	$	390,556	$	390,495
Inventory due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	'
	Inventories include amounts associated with matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		June 27,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	7,337	$	11,581
	Total	$	7,337	$	11,581

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The following table sets forth the change in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment and for the Company:
		Distribution				Aerospace				Total
	In thousands
	Gross balance at December 31, 2013	$	105,637			$	114,538			$	220,175
	Accumulated impairment	—				(16,252		)		(16,252		)
	Net balance at December 31, 2013	105,637				98,286				203,923
	Additions	37,804				1,284				39,088
	Impairments	—				—				—
	Foreign currency translation	5				825				830
	Ending balance at June 27, 2014	$	143,446			$	100,395			$	243,841
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	Other intangible assets consisted of:
				At June 27,								At December 31,
				2014								2013
		Amortization		Gross				Accumulated				Gross		Accumulated
		Period		Amount				Amortization				Amount		Amortization
	In thousands
	Customer lists / relationships	6-21 years		$	125,638			$	(28,258	)		$	109,790	$	(23,647	)
	Trademarks / trade names	3-8 years		3,565				(1,833		)		2,695		(1,594		)
	Non-compete agreements and other	1-9 years		7,254				(4,564		)		6,133		(4,055		)
	Patents	17 years		523				(401		)		523		(396		)
	Total			$	136,980			$	(35,056	)		$	119,141	$	(29,692	)

Pension_Plan_Tables

Pension Plan (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	Components of net pension cost for the Qualified Pension Plan and Supplemental Employees’ Retirement Plan ("SERP") are as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		June 27,			June 28,			June 27,		June 28,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	2,940		$	3,587		$	64	$	85
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,208			6,399			86		83
	Expected return on plan assets	(10,261		)	(10,337		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	20			25			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	1,038			2,304			23		53
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		277
	Net pension cost	$	945		$	1,978		$	173	$	498
		For the Six Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		June 27,			June 28,			June 27,		June 28,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	5,880		$	7,174		$	128	$	170
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	14,417			12,798			171		155
	Expected return on plan assets	(20,523		)	(20,674		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	45			50			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	2,057			4,581			45		130
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		277
	Net pension cost	$	1,876		$	3,929		$	344	$	732
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The following tables show the amounts of contributions made to the Qualified Pension Plan and SERP during each period and the additional contributions the Company expects to make during the remainder of 2014:
	Year-to-date contributions:
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		As of June 27, 2014			As of December 31, 2013			As of June 27, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	In thousands
	Year-to-date contributions	$	10,000		$	10,000		$	552	$	2,291
	Expected additional contributions in 2014:
		Qualified Pension Plan			SERP
	In thousands
	Expected additional contributions	$	—		$	267

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh1

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Six Months Ended
		June 27,		June 28,		June 27,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	In thousands, except per share amounts
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	16,194	$	17,892	$	27,651	$	25,046
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	379		—		379		—
	Net earnings	$	16,573	$	17,892	$	28,030	$	25,046
	Basic:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,039		26,734		26,981		26,696
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.6	$	0.67	$	1.03	$	0.94
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	0.01		—		0.01		—
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.61	$	0.67	$	1.04	$	0.94
	Diluted:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,039		26,734		26,981		26,696
	Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of dilutive stock options	155		140		157		152
	Weighted average shares issuable on redemption of convertible notes	650		25		579		129
	Total	27,844		26,899		27,717		26,977
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.59	$	0.67	$	1	$	0.93
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	0.01		—		0.01		—
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.6	$	0.67	$	1.01	$	0.93

ShareBased_Arrangements_Tables

Share-Based Arrangements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Share-based Arrangements with Employees and Nonemployees [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	Stock option activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014							June 27, 2014
		Options			Weighted - average				Options		Weighted - average
					exercise price						exercise price
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	1,000,655			$	30.64			891,932		$	28.18
	Granted	—			$	—			186,885		$	39.22
	Exercised	(61,898	)		$	24.19			(140,060	)	$	23.55
	Forfeited or expired	(5,945	)		$	34.67			(5,945	)	$	34.67
	Options outstanding at June 27, 2014	932,812			$	31.05			932,812		$	31.05
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	'
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The following table indicates the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating fair value:
		For the Six Months Ended
		June 27,				June 28,
		2014				2013
	Expected option term (years)	5.1				5.2
	Expected volatility	37.5		%		45.5		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%		0.9		%
	Expected dividend yield	1.7		%		2		%
	Per share fair value of options granted	$	11.6			$	12.38
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014							June 27, 2014
		Restricted  Stock			Weighted-				Restricted  Stock		Weighted-
					average grant						average grant
					date fair value						date fair value
	Restricted Stock outstanding at beginning of period	200,514			$	35.49			188,647		$	31.83
	Granted	35,901			$	41.56			111,071		$	39.89
	Vested	(21,665	)		$	39.7			(84,254	)	$	31.64
	Forfeited or expired	(6,312	)		$	30.66			(7,026	)	$	30.47
	Restricted Stock outstanding at June 27, 2014	208,438			$	36.24			208,438		$	36.24

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa1

Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Summarized financial information by business segment is as follows:
			For the Three Months Ended							For the Six Months Ended
	In thousands		June 27,				June 28,			June 27,			June 28,
			2014				2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Distribution		$	304,186			$	270,233		$	569,056		$	527,401
	Aerospace		154,903				161,492			303,965			292,399
	Net sales		$	459,089			$	431,725		$	873,021		$	819,800
	Operating income:
	Distribution		$	15,419			$	13,669		$	26,554		$	18,299
	Aerospace		26,681				28,678			48,702			49,589
	Net loss on sale of assets		(57		)		(21		)	(168		)	(100		)
	Corporate expense		(14,356		)		(11,309		)	(26,412		)	(23,004		)
	Operating income from continuing operations		27,687				31,017			48,676			44,784
	Interest expense, net		3,297				3,163			6,406			6,231
	Other expense (income), net		297				58			499			389
	Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations		24,093				27,796			41,771			38,164
	Income tax expense		7,899				9,904			14,120			13,118
	Earnings from continuing operations		$	16,194			$	17,892		$	27,651		$	25,046
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
		27-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	In thousands
	Identifiable assets:
	Distribution	$	573,803			$	480,117
	Aerospace	573,093				557,831
	Corporate	98,677				102,683
	Total assets	$	1,245,573			$	1,140,631

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu1

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	'
	Changes in shareholders’ equity for the six months ended June 27, 2014, and June 28, 2013, respectively, were as follows:
		For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
	In thousands
	Beginning balance	$	511,292		$	420,193
	Comprehensive income	30,896			23,300
	Dividends declared	(8,652		)	(8,549		)
	Employee stock plans and related tax benefit	4,639			2,654
	Purchase of treasury shares	(843		)	(644		)
	Share-based compensation expense	3,293			3,065
	Ending balance	$	540,625		$	440,019
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are shown below:
		For the Three Months Ended
		June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(14,514	)	$	(21,029	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	1,755			(244		)
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,755			(244		)
	Ending balance	$	(12,759	)	$	(21,273	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(65,653		)	(103,076		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $7 and $10, respectively	13			15
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $401 and $894, respectively	660			1,461
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	673			1,476
	Ending balance	$	(64,980	)	$	(101,600	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(516		)	(635		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($122) and $105, respectively	(88		)	172
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $84	88			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	—			172
	Ending balance	$	(516	)	$	(463	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(78,255	)	$	(123,336	)
	15. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
		For the Six Months Ended
		June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(14,219	)	$	(16,515	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	1,460			(4,758		)
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,460			(4,758		)
	Ending balance	$	(12,759	)	$	(21,273	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(66,317		)	(104,551		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $17 and $20, respectively	28			30
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $793 and $1,790, respectively	1,309			2,921
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,337			2,951
	Ending balance	$	(64,980	)	$	(101,600	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(585		)	(524		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($78) and $38, respectively	(129		)	61
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $119	198			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	69			61
	Ending balance	$	(516	)	$	(463	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(78,255	)	$	(123,336	)
	(a) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
	(See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)
	(b) See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rates	'
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Six Months Ended
		June 27,		June 28,		June 27,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Effective Income Tax Rate	32.8	%	35.6	%	33.8	%	34.4	%

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Earnings from discontinued operations, before tax	$513	'	$513	'
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$379	$0	$379	$0

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Cash	($11,000)	($11,000)
Accounts receivable	13,332,000	13,332,000
Inventories	9,614,000	9,614,000
Property, plant and equipment	850,000	850,000
Other tangible assets	784,000	784,000
Goodwill	39,088,000	'
Other intangible assets	16,870,000	16,870,000
Liabilities	-7,367,000	-7,367,000
Total of net assets acquired	71,898,000	71,898,000
Total consideration	'	71,887,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	70,500,000
Revenue from acquisition	18,800,000	18,800,000
Distribution [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	37,804,000	'
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets	14,900,000	14,900,000
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member] | Small Customer Group [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'11 years
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member] | Large Customer Group [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'18 years
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets	1,100,000	1,100,000
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'1 year 6 months
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'3 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets	$900,000	$900,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'8 years

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	($3,857)	($3,827)
Accounts receivable, net	256,121	205,873
Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	0	1,021
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	152,986	125,092
U.S. Government [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	21,345	14,364
U.S. Government [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	6,214	6,340
Commercial and Other Government [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	62,640	63,051
Commercial and Other Government [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	$16,793	$853

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value of Financial Instruments not carried at Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$362,874	$274,655
Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	395,478	303,295
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	108,046	107,093
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	152,642	147,822
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	254,828	167,562
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$242,836	$155,473

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	$152	$127
Total Assets	152	127
Derivative Liabilities	339	276
Total Liabilities	339	276
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	152	127
Total Assets	152	127
Derivative Liabilities	339	276
Total Liabilities	339	276
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Total Liabilities	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives Overview (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014		Jun. 27, 2014		Jun. 28, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$88,000	[1]	$198,000	[1]	$0	[1]
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	200,000		300,000		'
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	$500,000		$500,000		'
[1]	See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Details)

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not 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]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

AUD

GBP (£)

AUD

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value

$11

$0

$11

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,818

2,349

4,022

'

0

'

'

'

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value

339

276

'

'

'

'

335

276

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value

'

'

'

'

4

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

£ 1,367

'

£ 0

$87,500

$90,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	$1,818	$2,349
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange contracts, Other current assets / Other assets	141	127
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exhange contract, Other current assets	$141	$127

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories Schedule of Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Merchandise for Resale	$161,595	$152,194
Raw materials	21,694	20,609
Contracts and other work in process	196,456	205,220
Finished Goods (including certain general stock materials)	10,811	12,472
Inventory, Net	$390,556	$390,495

Inventories_Inventory_due_to_c

Inventories Inventory due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Inventory due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$7,337	$11,581

Inventories_Other_Significant_

Inventories Other Significant Inventory (Details) (USD $)	8-May-13	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Equipment	K-MAX® [Member]	K-MAX® [Member]	SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]	SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]	SH 2 inventory
Inventory, Noncurrent	'	$17.20	$17	'	'	$10.90
Inventory, Gross	'	'	'	34.2	43.8	'
SH 2G(I) New Zealand Contract Value	$120.60	'	'	'	'	'
SH-2G(I) Aircraft Sold	10	'	'	'	'	'

Inventories_Long_term_contract

Inventories Long term contracts percentage-of-completion accounting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Decrease to operating income from the quarterly impact of revisions in long term contracts	$0.60	$2.70	'	$2.70
Increase to operating income from the quarterly impact of revisions in long term contracts	'	'	$0.20	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Gross balance at beginning of period	'	$220,175
Accumulated impairment	'	-16,252
Net balance at beginning of period	'	203,923
Additions	39,088	'
Goodwill impairment	0	'
Foreign currency translation	830	'
Net balance at end of period	243,841	203,923
Distribution [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Gross balance at beginning of period	'	105,637
Accumulated impairment	'	0
Net balance at beginning of period	'	105,637
Additions	37,804	'
Goodwill impairment	0	'
Foreign currency translation	5	'
Net balance at end of period	143,446	105,637
Aerospace [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Gross balance at beginning of period	'	114,538
Accumulated impairment	'	-16,252
Net balance at beginning of period	'	98,286
Additions	1,284	'
Goodwill impairment	0	'
Foreign currency translation	825	'
Net balance at end of period	$100,395	$98,286

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	$136,980	$119,141
Accumulated Amortization	-35,056	-29,692
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	125,638	109,790
Accumulated Amortization	-28,258	-23,647
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	3,565	2,695
Accumulated Amortization	-1,833	-1,594
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	7,254	6,133
Accumulated Amortization	-4,564	-4,055
Patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	523	523
Accumulated Amortization	($401)	($396)
Amortization period, in years	'17 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'6 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'3 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'1 year	'
Maximum [Member] | Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'21 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'8 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'9 years	'

Pension_Plan_Pension_plan_net_

Pension Plan Pension plan net periodic benefit costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Qualified Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$2,940	$3,587	$5,880	$7,174
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,208	6,399	14,417	12,798
Expected return on plan assets	-10,261	-10,337	-20,523	-20,674
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	20	25	45	50
Recognized net loss	1,038	2,304	2,057	4,581
Net pension benefit cost	945	1,978	1,876	3,929
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Service cost for benefits earned during the year	64	85	128	170
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	86	83	171	155
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0	0	0	0
Recognized net loss	23	53	45	130
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	0	277	0	277
Net pension benefit cost	173	498	344	732
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	$0	$0	$0	$0

Pension_Plan_Contributions_Det

Pension Plan Contributions (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Qualified Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Contributions paid-to-date	$10,000	$10,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions	0	'
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Contributions paid-to-date	552	2,291
SERP, Expected contributions	$267	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Revenue Sharing Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia (Details)	Jun. 27, 2014	8-May-13	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	Commonwealth of Australia [Member]	Commonwealth of Australia [Member]
		Equipment	Revenue Sharing Agreement [Member]	Revenue Sharing Agreement [Member]
			SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]	SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]
			AUD	USD ($)
				aircraft
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
SH 2G(I) New Zealand Contract Value	'	$120.60	'	$120.60
SH-2G(I) Aircraft Sold	'	10	'	10
Cumulative Payments, Contractual Obligation	'	'	39.5	'
Due to the Commonwealth of Australia	$2.20	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Textuals (Details)

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Moosup [Member]

New Hartford [Member]

Bloomfield [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

Superfund Site [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]

Wichita Matter [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

Moosup [Member]

Bloomfield [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

Bloomfield [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of consolidated revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies

$4.50

$2.20

$6

£ 0.3

'

'

$0

$0.10

$1.70

$0.50

$4.30

'

Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Payments

2.6

0.5

8.2

1.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site Contingency, Accrual, Discount Amount

'

'

10.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site Contingency, Accrual, Undiscounted Amount

'

'

20.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site Contingency, Accrual, Discount Rate

'

'

8.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Environmental Exit Costs, Anticipated Cost

'

'

'

'

'

1.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

Enviromental Remediation Liability Released to Income

'

'

'

'

£ 0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh2

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2010

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Convertible Debt Securities [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings from continuing operations

$16,194,000

$17,892,000

$27,651,000

$25,046,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

379,000

0

379,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings

16,573,000

17,892,000

28,030,000

25,046,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic

27,039,000

26,734,000

26,981,000

26,696,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

$0.60

$0.67

$1.03

$0.94

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

$0.01

$0

$0.01

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share

$0.61

$0.67

$1.04

$0.94

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of dilutive stock options

155,000

140,000

157,000

152,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of convertible notes

650,000

25,000

579,000

129,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted

27,844,000

26,899,000

27,717,000

26,977,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

$0.59

$0.67

$1

$0.93

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

$0.01

$0

$0.01

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share

$0.60

$0.67

$1.01

$0.93

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount

'

'

'

'

318,111

437,646

380,165

441,559

'

3,410,658

3,403,787

3,409,866

3,402,772

Convertible Notes, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$115,000,000

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Arrangements_Compen

Share-Based Arrangements Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 28, 2014
					Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	$2,000	$1,900	$3,293	$3,065	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	'	'	'	'	10,934

ShareBased_Arrangements_Stock_

Share-Based Arrangements Stock Options Activity (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at beginning of the period (in shares)	1,000,655	891,932	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	186,885	'	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	-61,898	-140,060	'	'	'
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-5,945	-5,945	'	'	'
Outstanding at June 27, 2014 (in shares)	932,812	932,812	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at Beginning of Period, Weighted average-exercise price (usd per share)	$31.05	$31.05	'	$30.64	$28.18
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$0	$39.22	'	'	'
Exercised, Weighted average-exercise price (usd per share)	$24.19	$23.55	'	'	'
Forfeited or expired, Weighted average exercise price (usd per share)	$34.67	$34.67	'	'	'
Options outstanding at June 27, 2014, Weighted average-exercise price (usd per share)	$31.05	$31.05	'	$30.64	$28.18
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Expected option term	'	'5 years 1 month	'5 years 2 months	'	'
Expected volatility	'	37.50%	45.50%	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	1.50%	0.90%	'	'
Expected dividend yield	'	1.70%	2.00%	'	'
Per share fair value of options granted	'	$11.60	$12.38	'	'

ShareBased_Arrangements_Restri

Share-Based Arrangements Restricted Stock Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restricted Stock outstanding at beginning of the period (in shares)	200,514	188,647
Granted (in shares)	35,901	111,071
Vested (in shares)	-21,665	-84,254
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-6,312	-7,026
Restricted Stock outstanding at June 27, 2014 (in shares)	208,438	208,438
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Restricted Stock outstanding at Beginning of Period, Weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)	$35.49	$31.83
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$41.56	$39.89
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$39.70	$31.64
Forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$30.66	$30.47
Restricted Stock outstanding at March 28, 2014, Weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)	$36.24	$36.24

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa2

Segment and Geographic Information Reconciliation of Income From Segements to Consolidation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			segment
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Operating Segments	'	'	2	'	'
Net sales	$459,089	$431,725	$873,021	$819,800	'
Operating income	27,687	31,017	48,676	44,784	'
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets	-57	-21	-168	-100	'
Interest expense, net	3,297	3,163	6,406	6,231	'
Other expense (income), net	297	58	499	389	'
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	24,093	27,796	41,771	38,164	'
Income tax expense	7,899	9,904	14,120	13,118	'
Earnings from continuing operations	16,194	17,892	27,651	25,046	'
Assets	1,245,573	'	1,245,573	'	1,140,631
Distribution [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	304,186	270,233	569,056	527,401	'
Operating income	15,419	13,669	26,554	18,299	'
Assets	573,803	'	573,803	'	480,117
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	154,903	161,492	303,965	292,399	'
Operating income	26,681	28,678	48,702	49,589	'
Assets	573,093	'	573,093	'	557,831
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets	-57	-21	-168	-100	'
Corporate Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income	-14,356	-11,309	-26,412	-23,004	'
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$98,677	'	$98,677	'	$102,683

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu2

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	$511,292	$420,193
Comprehensive Income	19,001	19,296	30,896	23,300
Dividends declared	'	'	-8,652	-8,549
Employee stock plans and related tax benefit	'	'	4,639	2,654
Purchase of treasury shares	'	'	-843	-644
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	2,000	1,900	3,293	3,065
Ending Balance	$540,625	$440,019	$540,625	$440,019

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu3

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2013

Mar. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation

($12,759)

($21,273)

($12,759)

($21,273)

($14,514)

($14,219)

($21,029)

($16,515)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

1,755

-244

1,460

-4,758

'

'

'

'

Reclassification to net income, foreign currency translation

0

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation

1,755

-244

1,460

-4,758

'

'

'

'

Changes in pension and post-retirement benefit plans

-64,980

[1]

-101,600

[1]

-64,980

[1]

-101,600

[1]

-65,653

[1]

-66,317

[1]

103,076

104,551

Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $10 and $10, respectively

13

[1]

15

[1]

28

[1]

30

[1]

'

'

'

'

Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $392 and $894, respectively

660

[1]

1,461

[1]

1,309

[1]

2,921

[1]

'

'

'

'

Pension plan adjustments, net of tax expense

673

[1]

1,476

[1]

1,337

[1]

2,951

[1]

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments, Effect Net of Tax

-516

[2]

-463

[2]

-516

[2]

-463

[2]

-516

[2]

-585

[2]

-635

-524

[2]

Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $44 and $(68), respectively

-88

[2]

172

[2]

-129

[2]

61

[2]

'

'

'

'

Reclassification to net income, derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $35

88

[2]

'

198

[2]

0

[2]

'

'

'

'

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax

0

[2]

172

[2]

69

[2]

61

[2]

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

-78,255

-123,336

-78,255

-123,336

'

-81,121

'

'

Tax expense for pension plan adjustments

408

904

810

1,810

'

'

'

'

Tax expense (benefit) for the change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments

-122

105

-78

38

'

'

'

'

Tax expense (benefit) on loss on derivative instruments reclassified to net income

84

0

119

0

'

'

'

'

Amortization of prior service cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax expense for pension plan adjustments

7

10

17

20

'

'

'

'

Amortization of net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax expense for pension plan adjustments

$401

$894

$793

$1,790

'

'

'

'

[1]

These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. (See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)

[2]

See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	32.80%	35.60%	33.80%	34.40%