Lincoln Electric (LECO) 10-K 21 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000059527	'
Document Type	'10-K	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Public Float	'	$4,591,044,854
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	81,010,084	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$299,825	$286,464
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,398 in 2013; $8,654 in 2012)	367,134	360,662
Inventories	'	'
Raw materials	112,478	119,963
Work-in-process	38,963	41,805
Finished goods	198,522	203,122
Total inventory	349,963	364,890
Deferred income taxes	10,922	16,670
Other current assets	102,931	104,130
Total Current Assets	1,130,775	1,132,816
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'
Land	48,369	44,510
Buildings	373,373	343,867
Machinery and equipment	723,715	732,461
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,145,457	1,120,838
Less accumulated depreciation	661,452	634,602
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	484,005	486,236
Other Assets	'	'
Prepaid Pension Costs	36,116	0
Equity investments in affiliates	26,618	24,606
Intangibles, net	147,012	132,902
Goodwill	174,715	132,903
Long-term investments	32,763	31,187
Deferred income taxes	3,556	44,639
Other non-current assets	116,307	104,574
Total Other Assets	537,087	470,811
TOTAL ASSETS	2,151,867	2,089,863
Current Liabilities	'	'
Amounts due banks	14,581	18,220
Trade accounts payable	212,799	209,647
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	68,263	68,698
Accrued expenses	29,613	29,420
Accrued taxes, including income taxes	46,109	45,505
Accrued pensions	10,564	3,639
Dividends payable	18,619	0
Customer Advances	24,319	26,335
Other current liabilities	31,335	38,347
Current portion of long-term debt	715	456
Total Current Liabilities	456,917	440,267
Long-Term Liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,791	1,599
Accrued pensions	26,999	216,189
Deferred income taxes	48,103	8,349
Accrued taxes	36,149	35,550
Other long-term liabilities	49,220	29,588
Total Long-Term Liabilities	164,262	291,275
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred shares, without par value – at stated capital amount; authorized – 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding – none	0	0
Common shares, without par value – at stated capital amount; authorized – 240,000,000 shares; issued – 98,581,434 shares in 2013 and 2012; outstanding – 81,010,084 shares in 2013 and 82,944,817 shares in 2012	9,858	9,858
Additional paid-in capital	240,519	205,124
Retained earnings	1,908,462	1,682,668
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-151,941	-235,400
Treasury shares, at cost – 17,571,350 shares in 2013 and 15,636,617 shares in 2012	-480,296	-319,877
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,526,602	1,342,373
Noncontrolling interests	4,086	15,948
Total Equity	1,530,688	1,358,321
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$2,151,867	$2,089,863

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$8,398	$8,654
Preferred shares, authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred shares, issued	0	0
Preferred shares, outstanding	0	0
Common shares, authorized	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common shares, issued	98,581,434	98,581,434
Common shares, outstanding	81,010,084	82,944,817
Treasury shares	17,571,350	15,636,617

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	$2,852,671	$2,853,367	$2,694,609
Cost of goods sold	1,910,017	1,986,711	1,957,872
Gross profit	942,654	866,656	736,737
Selling, general & administrative expenses	527,206	495,221	439,775
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	8,463	9,354	282
Operating income	406,985	362,081	296,680
Other income (expense):	'	'	'
Interest income	3,320	3,988	3,121
Equity earnings in affiliates	4,806	5,007	5,385
Other income	4,194	2,685	2,849
Interest expense	-2,864	-4,191	-6,704
Total other income (expense)	9,456	7,489	4,651
Income before income taxes	416,441	369,570	301,331
Income taxes	124,754	112,354	84,318
Net income including non-controlling interests	291,687	257,216	217,013
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries' (loss) earnings	-2,093	-195	-173
Net income	$293,780	$257,411	$217,186
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$3.58	$3.10	$2.60
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$3.54	$3.06	$2.56
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.83	$0.71	$0.64

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income including non-controlling interests	$291,687	$257,216	$217,013
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax of ($141) in 2013; ($201) in 2012; $264 in 2011	289	-832	1,264
Defined pension plan activity, net of tax of $60,556 in 2013, ($3,492) in 2012; ($47,413) in 2011	101,151	-6,475	-79,936
Currency translation adjustment	-19,955	19,635	-26,773
Transactions with non-controlling interests	155	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	81,640	12,328	-105,445
Comprehensive income	373,327	269,544	111,568
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	-3,912	-348	315
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	377,239	269,892	111,253
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax of ($141) in 2013; ($201) in 2012; $264 in 2011	289	-832	1,264
Defined pension plan activity, net of tax of $60,556 in 2013, ($3,492) in 2012; ($47,413) in 2011	101,151	-6,475	-79,936
Currency translation adjustment	($18,136)	$19,788	($27,261)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, tax	($141)	($201)	$264
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, tax	$60,556	($3,492)	($47,413)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Shares	Noncontrolling Interests
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$1,149,478	$9,858	$162,447	$1,320,552	($141,948)	($217,412)	$15,981
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	84,242,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	217,013	'	'	217,186	'	'	-173
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax	-79,936	'	'	'	-79,936	'	'
Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax	1,264	'	'	'	1,264	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	-26,773	'	'	'	-27,261	'	488
Cash dividends declared - $0.83, $0.710, and $0.635 per share during the year 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively	-53,345	'	'	-53,345	'	'	'
Issuance of shares under benefit plans	22,538	'	16,657	'	'	5,881	'
Issuance of shares under benefit plans (in shares)	'	593,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of shares for treasury	-36,997	'	'	'	'	-36,997	'
Purchase of shares for treasury (in shares)	'	-1,078,000	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,193,242	9,858	179,104	1,484,393	-247,881	-248,528	16,296
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	83,757,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	257,216	'	'	257,411	'	'	-195
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax	-6,475	'	'	'	-6,475	'	'
Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax	-832	'	'	'	-832	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	19,635	'	'	'	19,788	'	-153
Cash dividends declared - $0.83, $0.710, and $0.635 per share during the year 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively	-59,136	'	'	-59,136	'	'	'
Issuance of shares under benefit plans	35,689	'	26,020	'	'	9,669	'
Issuance of shares under benefit plans (in shares)	'	985,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of shares for treasury	-81,018	'	'	'	'	-81,018	'
Purchase of shares for treasury (in shares)	'	-1,797,000	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,358,321	9,858	205,124	1,682,668	-235,400	-319,877	15,948
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	82,944,817	82,945,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	291,687	'	'	293,780	'	'	-2,093
Unrecognized amounts from defined benefit pension plans, net of tax	101,151	'	'	'	101,151	'	'
Unrealized gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of tax	289	'	'	'	289	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	-19,955	'	'	'	-18,136	'	-1,819
Cash dividends declared - $0.83, $0.710, and $0.635 per share during the year 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively	-67,986	'	'	-67,986	'	'	'
Issuance of shares under benefit plans	41,153	'	33,693	'	'	7,460	'
Issuance of shares under benefit plans (in shares)	'	787,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of shares for treasury	-167,879	'	'	'	'	-167,879	'
Purchase of shares for treasury (in shares)	-2,671,614	-2,722,000	'	'	'	'	'
Equity (Increase) Decrease from Transactions with Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-6,093	'	1,702	'	155	'	-7,950
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,530,688	$9,858	$240,519	$1,908,462	($151,941)	($480,296)	$4,086
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	81,010,084	81,010,000	'	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.83	$0.71	$0.64

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net income	$293,780	$257,411	$217,186
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries' (loss) earnings	-2,093	-195	-173
Net income including non-controlling interests	291,687	257,216	217,013
Adjustments to reconcile Net income including non-controlling interests to Net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Rationalization and asset impairment charges	5,092	1,740	23
Depreciation and amortization	68,883	65,334	62,051
Equity (earnings) loss in affiliates, net	-1,660	160	-1,971
Deferred income taxes	17,817	-2,137	15,139
Stock-based compensation	9,734	8,961	6,610
Pension expense	29,774	35,515	26,370
PensionContributionsAndDirectPayments	-87,356	-69,646	-36,322
Other, net	1,910	2,688	991
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:	'	'	'
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	-5,437	57,759	-67,518
Decrease (increase) in inventories	13,310	28,286	-51,679
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	2,811	-9,506	-2,857
Increase in accounts payable	794	16,110	8,672
(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities	-7,785	21,887	20,838
Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities	-680	-86,883	-3,842
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	338,894	327,484	193,518
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-76,015	-52,715	-65,813
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-53,161	-134,602	-66,229
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	1,393	1,387	1,246
Other investing activities	-1,717	-1,541	0
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-129,500	-187,471	-130,796
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	1,230	2,518	23,224
Payments on short-term borrowings	-2,164	-4,293	-15,446
Amounts due banks, net	-517	-2,758	1,203
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	61	918	909
Payments on long-term borrowings	-450	-85,688	-1,941
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	20,297	18,776	11,351
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	10,602	7,819	2,916
Purchase of shares for treasury	-167,879	-81,018	-36,997
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-49,277	-73,112	-51,935
Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests	-6,087	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0	3,346
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	-194,184	-216,838	-63,370
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,849	2,188	-4,444
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	13,361	-74,637	-5,092
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	286,464	361,101	366,193
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$299,825	$286,464	$361,101

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest (the "Company") after elimination of all inter-company accounts, transactions and profits.
	General Information
	The Company is a manufacturer of welding, cutting and brazing products. Welding products include arc welding power sources, wire feeding systems, robotic welding packages, fume extraction equipment, consumable electrodes and fluxes. The Company's product offering also includes computer numeric controlled ("CNC") plasma and oxy-fuel cutting systems, regulators and torches used in oxy-fuel welding, cutting and brazing and consumables used in the brazing and soldering alloys market.
	Translation of Foreign Currencies
	Asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the dates of the Consolidated Balance Sheets; revenue and expense accounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reflected as a component of Total equity. For subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies, both historical and current exchange rates are used in translating balance sheet accounts and translation adjustments are included in Net income.
	The translation of assets and liabilities originally denominated in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is for consolidation purposes, and does not necessarily indicate that the Company could realize or settle the reported value of those assets and liabilities in U.S. dollars. Additionally, such a translation does not necessarily indicate that the Company could return or distribute the reported U.S. dollar value of the net equity of its foreign operations to shareholders.
	Foreign currency transaction losses are included in Selling, general & administrative expenses and were $7,759, $4,608 and $4,904 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Venezuela – Highly Inflationary Economy
	Venezuela is a highly inflationary economy under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). As a result, the financial statements of the Company's Venezuelan operation are reported under highly inflationary accounting rules as of January 1, 2010. Under highly inflationary accounting, the financial statements of the Company's Venezuelan operation have been remeasured into the Company's reporting currency and exchange gains and losses from the re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings. On February 8, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the devaluation of its currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Effective February 13, 2013 the official rate moved from 4.3 to 6.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar. The devaluation of the bolivar resulted in a foreign currency transaction loss of $8,081 in Selling, general & administrative expenses and higher Cost of goods sold of $4,117 due to the liquidation of inventory valued at the historical exchange rate.
	Future impacts to earnings of applying highly inflationary accounting for Venezuela on the Company's consolidated financial statements will be dependent upon movements in the applicable exchange rates between the bolivar and the U.S. dollar and the amount of monetary assets and liabilities included in the Company's Venezuelan operation's balance sheet. The bolivar-denominated monetary net asset position was $38,633 at December 31, 2013, which includes $50,642 of cash and cash equivalents and $31,545 at December 31, 2012, which includes $32,610 of cash and cash equivalents. The increased exposure was due to the limited opportunities to convert bolivars into U.S. dollars.
	Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
	Accounts Receivable
	The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the failure of its customers to make required payments for products delivered. The Company estimates this allowance based on the age of the related receivable, knowledge of the financial condition of customers, review of historical receivables and reserve trends and other pertinent information. If the financial condition of customers deteriorates or an unfavorable trend in receivable collections is experienced in the future, additional allowances may be required. Historically, the Company's reserves have approximated actual experience.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Fixed manufacturing overhead costs are allocated to inventory based on normal production capacity and abnormal manufacturing costs are recognized as period costs. For most domestic inventories, cost is determined principally by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method, and for non-U.S. inventories, cost is determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method.
	Reserves are maintained for estimated obsolescence or excess inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Historically, the Company's reserves have approximated actual experience.
	Equity Investments
	Investments in businesses in which the Company does not have a controlling interest and holds between a 20% and 50% ownership interest are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company's 50% ownership interest in equity investments includes investments in Turkey and Chile. The amount of retained earnings that represents undistributed earnings of 50% or less owned equity investments was $16,694 at December 31, 2013 and $15,034 at December 31, 2012.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and include improvements which significantly increase capacities or extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment. Depreciation and amortization are computed using a straight-line method over useful lives ranging from three to 20 years for machinery, tools and equipment, and up to 50 years for buildings. Net gains or losses related to asset dispositions are recognized in earnings in the period in which dispositions occur.
	Routine maintenance, repairs and replacements are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with long-term construction in progress.
	Goodwill and Intangibles
	Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Intangible assets other than goodwill are recorded at fair value at the time acquired or at cost, if applicable. Intangible assets that do not have indefinite lives are amortized in line with the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. If the pattern of economic benefit cannot be reliably determined, the intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the legal or estimated life.
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles assets are not amortized, but are tested for impairment in the fourth quarter using the same dates each year or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicate potential impairment. The fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value and an impairment charge is recorded if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Goodwill is tested by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value and impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the implied fair value.
	Fair values are determined using established business valuation multiples and models developed by the Company that incorporate allocations of certain assets and cash flows among reporting units, estimates of market participant assumptions of future cash flows, future growth rates and the applicable discount rates to value estimated cash flows. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting these assumptions could result in asset impairments in future periods. The Company's annual impairment test of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2013 resulted in no impairment loss being recognized.
	Long-Lived Assets
	The Company evaluates whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of its depreciable long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived asset, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, a loss is recognized to the extent that carrying value exceeds fair value. Fair value is measured based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including the discounted value of estimated future cash flows.
	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial assets and liabilities, such as the Company's defined benefit pension plan assets and derivative contracts, are valued at fair value using the market and income valuation approaches. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company uses the market approach to value similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the income approach that consists of discounted cash flow models that take into account the present value of future cash flows under the terms of the contracts using current market information as of the reporting date. The following hierarchy is used to classify the inputs used to measure fair value:
	Level 1	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2	Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
		• Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
		• Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
		• Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
		• Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
		If the asset or liability has a specific (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
	Product Warranties
	The Company accrues for product warranty claims based on historical experience and the expected material and labor costs to provide warranty service. Warranty services are provided for periods up to three years from the date of sale. The accrual for product warranty claims is included in "Accrued expenses."
	Revenue Recognition
	Substantially all of the Company's revenues are recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the customer which generally occurs at point of shipment. The Company recognizes any discounts, credits, returns, rebates and incentive programs based on reasonable estimates as a reduction of Sales to arrive at Net sales at the same time the related revenue is recorded.
	For contracts accounted for under the percentage of completion method, revenue recognition is based upon the ratio of costs incurred to date compared with estimated total costs to complete. The cumulative impact of revisions to total estimated costs is reflected in the period of the change, including anticipated losses.
	Distribution Costs
	Distribution costs, including warehousing and freight related to product shipments, are included in Cost of goods sold.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Expense is recognized for all awards of stock-based compensation by allocating the aggregate grant date fair value over the vesting period. No expense is recognized for any stock options, restricted or deferred shares or restricted stock units ultimately forfeited because the recipients fail to meet vesting requirements.
	Common stock issuable upon the exercise of employee stock options is excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share when the calculation of option equivalent shares is anti-dilutive.
	Financial Instruments
	The Company uses forward contracts to hedge exposures to commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations on certain purchase and sales transactions, balance sheet and net investment exposures. Contracts are generally written on a short-term basis but may cover exposures for up to two years and are not held for trading or speculative purposes. The Company uses interest rate swaps from time to time to hedge changes in the fair value of debt. The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship.
	For derivative instruments that qualify as a fair value hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments that qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows), the effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss with offsetting amounts recorded as Other current assets, Other non-current assets, Other current liabilities or Other long-term liabilities depending on the position and the duration of the contract. At settlement, the realized gain or loss is reflected in earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments not designated as hedges, the gain or loss from changes in the fair value of the instruments is recognized in earnings.
	Research and Development
	Research and development costs are charged to Selling, general & administrative expenses as incurred and totaled $42,126, $37,305 and $32,834 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Bonus
	Included in Selling, general & administrative expenses are the costs related to the Company's discretionary employee bonus programs, which for certain U.S.- based employees are net of hospitalization costs. Bonus costs were $123,571 in 2013, $124,947 in 2012 and $104,361 in 2011.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company assesses whether it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Reclassification
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to current year classifications.
New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Standards to be Adopted:
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-11, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, with limited exceptions. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption and retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2013-11, but does not expect it will have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, "Foreign Currency Matters (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." ASU 2013-05 clarifies the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment under current U.S. GAAP by emphasizing that the accounting for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income for sales or transfers of a controlling financial interest within a foreign entity is the same irrespective of whether the sale or transfer is of a subsidiary or a group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or business. When a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2013-05 on the Company's financial statements.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	293,780	$	257,411	$	217,186
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	81,978		83,087		83,681
	Effect of dilutive securities - Stock options and awards	1,064		1,088		1,027
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	83,042		84,175		84,708
	Basic earnings per share	$	3.58	$	3.1	$	2.6
	Diluted earnings per share	$	3.54	$	3.06	$	2.56
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, common shares subject to equity-based awards of 45,850, 107,814 and 626,135, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of their exercise would be anti-dilutive.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITIONS	'
	ACQUISITIONS
	During November 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Robolution GmbH ("Robolution").  Robolution, based outside of Frankfurt, Germany, is a leading European provider of robotic arc welding systems. The acquisition added to the Company's growing automation business and will enable the Company to seamlessly support automation customers across three continents.
	During November 2013, the Company acquired an ownership interest in Burlington Automation Corporation ("Burlington"). Burlington, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is a leader in the design and manufacture of 3D robotic plasma cutting systems whose products are sold under the brand name Python X®. The acquisition broadens the Company's portfolio of automated cutting and welding process solutions.
	Combined revenues for Robolution and Burlington in 2013 were approximately $35,000. The Company acquired Robolution and Burlington for approximately $54,023 in cash, net of cash acquired, and assumed debt and a $17,225 liability to acquire the remaining financial interest in Burlington. The fair value of net assets acquired was $30,051, resulting in goodwill of $41,197. The purchase price allocations are preliminary and subject to final opening balance sheet adjustments. In addition, during 2013 the Company acquired a greater interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Lincoln Electric Heli (Zhengzhou) Welding Materials Company Ltd.
	On December 31, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of the privately-held automated systems and tooling manufacturer, Tennessee Rand, Inc. ("Tenn Rand").  Tenn Rand, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a leader in the design and manufacture of tooling and robotic systems for welding applications. The acquisition added tool design, system building and machining capabilities that will enable the Company to further expand its welding automation business. Annual sales for Tenn Rand in 2012 were approximately $35,000.
	On November 13, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of the Kaliburn, Burny and Cleveland Motion Control businesses (collectively, "Kaliburn") from ITT Corporation. Kaliburn, headquartered in Ladson, South Carolina, is a designer and manufacturer of shape cutting solutions, producer of shape cutting control systems and manufacturer of web tension transducers and engineered machine systems. The acquisitions added to the Company's cutting business portfolio. Annual sales for Kaliburn at the date of acquisition were approximately $36,000.
	On May 17, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. (“Wayne Trail”).  Wayne Trail, based in Ft. Loramie, Ohio, is a manufacturer of automated systems and tooling, serving a wide range of applications in the metal processing market.  The acquisition added to the Company’s welding and automated solutions portfolio.  Annual sales for Wayne Trail at the date of acquisition were approximately $50,000.
	On March 6, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Weartech International, Inc. (“Weartech”).  Weartech, based in Anaheim, California, is a producer of cobalt-based hard facing and wear-resistant welding consumables.  The acquisition added to the Company’s consumables portfolio.  Sales for Weartech during 2011 were approximately $40,000.
	The Company acquired Tenn Rand, Kaliburn, Wayne Trail and Weartech for approximately $144,423 in cash, net of cash acquired, and assumed debt. The fair value of net assets acquired was $73,257, resulting in goodwill of $71,166.
	On July 29, 2011, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Techalloy Company, Inc. and certain assets of its parent company, Central Wire Industries Ltd. (collectively, "Techalloy"). Techalloy, based in Baltimore, Maryland, is a manufacturer of nickel alloy and stainless steel welding consumables. The acquisition added to the Company's consumables portfolio. Annual sales for Techalloy at the date of acquisition were approximately $70,000.
	On July 29, 2011, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Applied Robotics, Inc. (d/b/a Torchmate) ("Torchmate"). Torchmate, based in Reno, Nevada, provides a wide selection of computer numeric controlled plasma cutter and oxy-fuel cutting systems. The acquisition added to the Company's plasma and oxy-fuel cutting product offering. Annual sales for Torchmate at the date of acquisition were approximately $13,000.
	On March 11, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of OOO Severstal-metiz: welding consumables ("Severstal"). Severstal is a leading manufacturer of welding consumables in Russia and was a subsidiary of OAO Severstal, one of the world's leading vertically integrated steel and mining companies. This acquisition expanded the Company's capacity and distribution channels in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States ("CIS"). Sales for Severstal during 2010 were approximately $40,000.
	On January 31, 2011, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products) ("Arc Products"). Arc Products is a manufacturer of orbital welding systems and welding automation components based in Southern California. Orbital welding systems are designed to automatically weld pipe and tube in difficult to access locations and for mission-critical applications requiring high weld integrity and sophisticated quality monitoring capabilities. The acquisition will complement the Company's ability to serve global customers in the nuclear, power generation and process industries worldwide. Sales for Arc Products during 2010 were not significant.
	The Company acquired Techalloy, Torchmate, Severstal and Arc Products for approximately $65,321 in cash and assumed debt and a contingent consideration liability fair valued at $3,806. The contingent consideration is based upon estimated sales at the related acquisition for the five-year period ending December 31, 2015 and will be paid in 2016 based on actual sales during the five-year period. The fair value of net assets acquired was $46,837, resulting in goodwill of $22,290.
	Pro forma information related to these acquisitions has not been presented because the impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Acquired companies are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLES

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES	'
	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		North				Europe				Asia				South				The Harris			Consolidated
		America				Welding				Pacific				America				Products
		Welding								Welding				Welding				Group
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	18,514			$	23,867			$	5,208			$	561			$	16,951		$	65,101
	Additions and adjustments	67,740				66				—				—				(1,109		)	66,697
	Foreign currency translation	23				1,424				40				53				(435		)	1,105
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	86,277				25,357				5,248				614				15,407			132,903
	Additions and adjustments	44,446				—				—				—				(1,027		)	43,419
	Foreign currency translation	-284				(927		)		111				(52		)		(455		)	(1,607		)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	130,439			$	24,430			$	5,359			$	562			$	13,925		$	174,715
	Additions to goodwill primarily reflect goodwill recognized in the acquisitions of Robolution and Burlington in 2013 and the acquisitions of Weartech, Wayne Trail, Kaliburn and Tenn Rand in 2012 (see Note 3). Reductions to goodwill result from the tax benefit attributable to the amortization of tax deductible goodwill in excess of goodwill recorded for financial reporting purposes.
	Gross and net intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
				31-Dec-13
		Weighted		Gross				Accumulated				Indefinite				Total Intangible,
		Average Life		Amount				Amortization				Lived Assets				Net
	Trademarks and trade names	12		$	38,566			$	11,898			$	18,310			$	44,978
	Customer relationships	14		74,935				16,837				—				58,098
	Patents	20		23,861				6,205				—				17,656
	Other	14		49,578				23,298				—				26,280
	Total			$	186,940			$	58,238			$	18,310			$	147,012
		December 31, 2012
		Gross				Accumulated				Indefinite				Total Intangible,
		Amount				Amortization				Lived Assets				Net
	Trademarks and trade names	$	30,611			$	9,493			$	18,276			$	39,394
	Customer relationships	63,906				12,099				—				51,807
	Patents	20,882				5,103				—				15,779
	Other	44,769				18,847				—				25,922
	Total	$	160,168			$	45,542			$	18,276			$	132,902
	Additions to gross and net intangible assets primarily reflect assets and related amortization recognized in the acquisitions of Robolution and Burlington in 2013 and the acquisitions of Weartech, Wayne Trail, Kaliburn and Tenn Rand in 2012. Aggregate amortization expense was $13,342, $10,641 and $6,661 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the next five years is $15,745 in 2014, $15,337 in 2015, $14,367 in 2016, $12,228 in 2017 and $11,484 in 2018.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company's primary business is the design and manufacture of arc welding and cutting products, manufacturing a broad line of arc welding equipment, consumable welding products and other welding and cutting products. The Company also has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. The Company has aligned its business units into five operating segments to enhance the utilization of the Company's worldwide resources and global end user and sourcing initiatives. The operating segments consist of North America Welding, Europe Welding, Asia Pacific Welding, South America Welding and The Harris Products Group. The North America Welding segment includes welding operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Europe Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. The other two welding segments include welding operations in Asia Pacific and South America, respectively. The fifth segment, The Harris Products Group, includes the Company's global cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as the retail business in the United States.
	Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary profit measure being earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT"), as adjusted. Segment EBIT is adjusted for special items as determined by management such as the impact of rationalization activities, certain asset impairment charges and gains or losses on disposals of assets. The accounting principles applied at the operating segment level are generally the same as those applied at the consolidated financial statement level with the exception of LIFO. Segment assets include inventories measured on a FIFO basis while consolidated inventories are reported on a LIFO basis. Segment and consolidated income before interest and income taxes are reported on a LIFO basis. At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, approximately 38%, 34% and 31%, respectively, of total inventories were valued using the LIFO method. LIFO is used for certain domestic inventories included in the North America Welding segment. Inter-segment sales are recorded at agreed upon prices that approximate arm's length prices and are eliminated in consolidation. Corporate-level expenses are allocated to the operating segments on a basis that management believes to be reasonable. Certain corporate-level expenses may not be allocated to the operating segments and are reported as Corporate/Eliminations.
	Financial information for the reportable segments follows:
		North				Europe				Asia				South		The Harris		Corporate /			Consolidated
		America				Welding				Pacific				America		Products		Eliminations
		Welding								Welding				Welding		Group
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2013
	Net sales	$	1,652,769			$	429,548			$	266,282			$	195,895	$	308,177	$	—		$	2,852,671
	Inter-segment sales	127,254				19,911				14,906				233		9,605		(171,909		)	$	—
	Total	$	1,780,023			$	449,459			$	281,188			$	196,128	$	317,782	$	(171,909	)	$	2,852,671
	EBIT, as adjusted	$	318,507			$	36,247			$	1,815			$	57,306	$	27,826	$	(4,350	)	$	437,351
	Special items charge (gain)	1,052				2,045				6,071				12,198		—		—			$	21,366
	EBIT	$	317,455			$	34,202			$	(4,256	)		$	45,108	$	27,826	$	(4,350	)	$	415,985
	Interest income																				3,320
	Interest expense																				(2,864		)
	Income before income taxes																				$	416,441
	Total assets	$	1,048,412			$	403,094			$	325,656			$	169,027	$	162,496	$	43,182		$	2,151,867
	Equity investments in affiliates	—				23,315				—				3,303		—		—			$	26,618
	Capital expenditures	41,181				10,305				2,073				20,840		3,931		(2,315		)	$	76,015
	Depreciation and amortization	39,086				10,933				13,559				1,893		3,636		(224		)	$	68,883
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2012
	Net sales	$	1,580,818			$	452,227			$	324,482			$	161,483	$	334,357	$	—		$	2,853,367
	Inter-segment sales	131,062				16,048				14,829				38		8,549		(170,526		)	$	—
	Total	$	1,711,880			$	468,275			$	339,311			$	161,521	$	342,906	$	(170,526	)	$	2,853,367
	EBIT, as adjusted	$	293,070			$	37,299			$	7,247			$	18,301	$	29,477	$	(4,886	)	$	380,508
	Special items charge (gain)	827				3,534				4,993				1,381		—		—			$	10,735
	EBIT	$	292,243			$	33,765			$	2,254			$	16,920	$	29,477	$	(4,886	)	$	369,773
	Interest income																				3,988
	Interest expense																				(4,191		)
	Income before income taxes																				$	369,570
	Total assets	$	980,093			$	451,654			$	350,189			$	134,650	$	195,881	$	(22,604	)	$	2,089,863
	Equity investments in affiliates	—				21,798				—				2,808		—		—			$	24,606
	Capital expenditures	36,834				5,372				8,833				899		831		(54		)	$	52,715
	Depreciation and amortization	33,479				11,008				15,102				1,878		3,934		(67		)	$	65,334
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2011
	Net sales	$	1,309,499			$	508,692			$	376,276			$	156,684	$	343,458	$	—		$	2,694,609
	Inter-segment sales	136,314				17,422				15,614				494		8,496		(178,340		)	$	—
	Total	$	1,445,813			$	526,114			$	391,890			$	157,178	$	351,954	$	(178,340	)	$	2,694,609
	EBIT, as adjusted	$	227,924			$	36,171			$	2,629			$	12,895	$	25,151	$	426		$	305,196
	Special items charge (gain)	—				392				(110		)		—		—		—			$	282
	EBIT	$	227,924			$	35,779			$	2,739			$	12,895	$	25,151	$	426		$	304,914
	Interest income																				3,121
	Interest expense																				(6,704		)
	Income before income taxes																				$	301,331
	Total assets	$	771,315			$	436,327			$	380,282			$	110,781	$	181,916	$	96,155		$	1,976,776
	Equity investments in affiliates	—				20,500				—				4,118		—		—			$	24,618
	Capital expenditures	31,826				8,566				21,498				2,314		1,792		(183		)	$	65,813
	Depreciation and amortization	29,237				11,736				14,663				2,033		4,714		(332		)	$	62,051
	In 2013, special items include net charges of $1,052, $2,045 and $922 in the North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments, respectively, primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations. The Asia Pacific Welding segment special items also include charges of $4,444 related to impairment of long-lived assets and a charge of $705 related to a loss on the sale of land. The South America Welding segment special items represent charges of $12,198 related to the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency.
	In 2012, special items include net charges of $827, $3,637 and $3,151 for rationalization actions in the North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments, respectively, primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations. The Europe Welding segment special items also include a gain of $103 on the sale of assets. The Asia Pacific Welding segment special items also include a charge of $1,842 related to asset impairments. The South America Welding segment special item represents a charge of $1,381 related to a change in Venezuelan labor law, which provides for increased employee severance obligations.
	In 2011, special items include net charges of $188 and $93 for rationalization actions in the Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments, respectively, primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations. The Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments special items also include a loss of $204 and a gain of $203, respectively, on the sale of assets at rationalized operations.
	Export sales (excluding inter-company sales) from the United States were $260,195 in 2013, $268,331 in 2012 and $242,380 in 2011. No individual customer comprised more than 10% of the Company's total revenues for any of the three years ended December 31, 2013.
	The geographic split of the Company's Net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Net sales:
	United States		$	1,350,309			$	1,283,066			$	1,092,838
	China		219,490				229,996				286,121
	Other foreign countries		1,282,872				1,340,305				1,315,650
Total		$	2,852,671			$	2,853,367			$	2,694,609
		December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
Property, plant and equipment, net:
United States		$	162,357			$	170,831			$	149,637
China		83,416				92,744				96,374
Other foreign countries		238,685				223,050				224,801
Eliminations		(453		)		(389		)		(361		)
Total		$	484,005			$	486,236			$	470,451

RATIONALIZATION_AND_ASSET_IMPA

RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	'
	RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
	The Company recorded rationalization net charges of $8,463, $9,354 and $282 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The 2013 net charges include $3,658 primarily related to employee severance and $4,961 in asset impairment charges, partially offset by gains of $156 related to sale of assets.  A description of each restructuring plan and the related costs follows:
	North America Welding Plans:
	During 2012, the Company initiated various rationalization plans within the North America Welding segment. Plans for the segment include consolidating its Oceanside, California operations and its Reno, Nevada operations to another facility in Reno, Nevada and consolidating its Baltimore, Maryland manufacturing operations into its current manufacturing operations in Cleveland, Ohio.  These actions impacted 72 employees within the North America Welding segment.  During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded charges of $1,052, which represent employee severance and other related costs. At December 31, 2013, a liability relating to these actions of $466 was recognized in Other current liabilities, which will be substantially paid in 2014. Additional charges related to the completion of this plan are expected to be immaterial.
	Europe Welding Plans:
	During 2013, the Company announced a rationalization plan within the Europe Welding segment to relocate the manufacturing of certain consumable products from its Portuguese operations to current facilities in Italy. These actions impacted 56 employees within the Europe Welding segment. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded charges of $1,832 related to these activities. The amount represents employee severance and other related costs of $1,599 and asset impairment charges of $233. At December 31, 2013, a liability relating to these actions of $1,209 was recognized in Other current liabilities. The Company expects to incur additional charges in the range of $400 to $700 related to the completion of this plan.
	During 2012, the Company initiated various rationalization plans within the Europe Welding segment. Plans for the segment include the consolidation of manufacturing facilities in Russia, relocation of its Italian machine manufacturing operations to current facilities in Poland and headcount restructuring at various other manufacturing operations within the segment to better align the cost structure and capacity requirements with current economic needs and conditions. These actions impacted 285 employees within the Europe Welding segment. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded net charges of $213 related to these activities.  The amount represents employee severance and other related costs and asset impairment charges, partially offset by a gain on sale of assets.  At December 31, 2013, a liability relating to these actions of $1,226 was recognized in Other current liabilities, which will be substantially paid in 2014. Additional charges related to the completion of this plan are expected to be immaterial.
	Asia Pacific Welding Plans:
	During 2012, the Company initiated various rationalization plans within the Asia Pacific Welding segment. These included the rationalization of the Australian manufacturing operations and headcount reductions at various other manufacturing operations within the segment to better align the cost structure and capacity requirements with current economic needs and conditions. These actions impacted 268 employees within the Asia Pacific Welding segment. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded net charges of $922, which represent employee severance and other related costs of $841 and asset impairment charges of $235, partially offset by gains of $154 from the sale of assets.  At December 31, 2013, a liability relating to these actions of $375 was recognized in Other current liabilities, which will be substantially paid in 2014.  Additional charges related to the completion of this plan are expected to be immaterial.
	The Company continues evaluating its cost structure and additional rationalization actions may result in charges in future periods.
	During 2013, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $4,444 in Rationalization and asset impairment charges. The charge is the result of the Company removing capacity to align itself with current market conditions and improve operating efficiency.
	The following tables summarize the activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		North America Welding			Europe			Asia			The Harris			Consolidated
					Welding			Pacific			Products
								Welding			Group
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	—		$	173		$	—		$	82		$	255
	Payments and other adjustments	(827		)	(1,797		)	(2,107		)	(82		)	(4,813		)
	Charged to expense	827			3,637			3,151			—			7,615
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	2,013		$	1,044		$	—		$	3,057
	Payments and other adjustments	(586		)	(1,343		)	(1,510		)	—			(3,439		)
	Charged to expense	1,052			1,765			841			—			3,658
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	466		$	2,435		$	375		$	—		$	3,276

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ("AOCI")
	The following tables set forth the total changes in AOCI by component, net of taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
			Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges				Defined benefit pension plan activity				Currency translation adjustment				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	912			$	(255,369	)		$	6,576			$	(247,881	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification		(1,997		)		(26,373		)	2	19,555			3	(8,815		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		1,165			1	19,898			2	233			3	21,296
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(832		)		(6,475		)		19,788				12,481
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	80			$	(261,844	)		$	26,364			$	(235,400	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification		(681		)		82,050			2	(19,316		)	3	62,053
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		970			1	19,101			2	1,335			3	21,406
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		289				101,151				(17,981		)		83,459
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	369			$	(160,693	)		$	8,383			$	(151,941	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	1	During the 2013 period, this AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $619 (net of tax of $99), Cost of goods sold of $418 (net of tax of $295) and SG&A of $(67) with no tax effect; during the 2012 period, the reclassification is a component of Net sales of $931 (net of tax of $157) and Cost of goods sold of $234 (net of tax of $169). (See Note 13 - Derivatives for additional details.)
	2	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (net of tax of $60,556 and $(3,492) during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively). (See Note 11 - Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans for additional details.)
	3	The Other comprehensive income before reclassifications excludes $(1,819) and $(153) attributable to Non-controlling interests in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The reclassified AOCI component is included in the computation of Non-controlling interests. (See Consolidated Statements of Equity for additional details.)

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Long-term debt
	Capital leases due through 2017, interest at 1.12% to 3.63%	$	236	$	267
	Other borrowings due through 2023, interest up to 4.00%	4,270		1,788
		4,506		2,055
	Less current portion	715		456
	Long-term debt, less current portion	3,791		1,599
	Short-term debt
	Amounts due banks, interest at 11.28% (11.32% in 2012)	14,581		18,220
	Current portion long-term debt	715		456
	Total short-term debt	15,296		18,676
	Total debt	$	19,087	$	20,275
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $4,212 and $1,919, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. Since considerable judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.
	Revolving Credit Agreement
	The Company has a line of credit totaling $300,000 through the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which was entered into on July 26, 2012.  The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets, transactions with affiliates and a fixed charges coverage ratio and total leverage ratio.  As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.  The Credit Agreement has a five-year term and may be increased, subject to certain conditions, by an additional amount up to $100,000.  The interest rate on borrowings is based on either LIBOR or the prime rate, plus a spread based on the Company’s leverage ratio, at the Company’s election.
	Capital Leases
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, $236 and $267 of capital lease indebtedness was secured by property, plant and equipment, respectively.
	Other
	Maturities of long-term debt, including payments under capital leases and amounts due banks, for the five years succeeding December 31, 2013 are $15,297 in 2014, $535 in 2015, $446 in 2016, $285 in 2017, $202 in 2018 and $774 thereafter. Total interest paid was $2,864 in 2013, $4,423 in 2012 and $6,979 in 2011. The primary difference between interest expense and interest paid in 2012 and 2011 is the amortization of the gains on terminated interest rate swaps.
	The Company's short-term borrowings included in Amounts due banks were $14,581 and $18,220 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and represent the borrowings of foreign subsidiaries at weighted average interest rates of 11.3% and 11.3%, respectively.

STOCK_PLANS

STOCK PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK PLANS	'
	STOCK PLANS
	On April 28, 2006, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2006 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended ("EPI Plan"), which replaced the 1998 Stock Plan, as amended and restated in May 2003. The EPI Plan provides for the granting of options, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units and performance-based awards up to an additional 6,000,000 of the Company's common shares. In addition, on April 28, 2006, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2006 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended ("Director Plan"), which replaced the Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors adopted in 2000. The Director Plan provides for the granting of options, restricted shares and restricted stock units up to an additional 600,000 of the Company's common shares. At December 31, 2013, there were 2,315,239 common shares available for future grant under all plans.
	Stock Options
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, under all Plans:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013							2012					2011
			Options			Weighted				Options			Weighted		Options		Weighted
						Average							Average				Average
						Exercise							Exercise				Exercise
						Price							Price				Price
	Balance at beginning of year		3,060,944			$	30.98			3,632,463			$	26.05	3,779,824		$	23.99
	Options granted		273,105			70.88				412,980			47.66		459,263		35.34
	Options exercised		(774,783	)		26.2				(962,029	)		19.52		(572,795	)	19.82
	Options canceled		(106,618	)		40.54				(22,470	)		24.07		(33,829	)	26.62
	Balance at end of year		2,452,648			36.52				3,060,944			30.98		3,632,463		26.05
	Exercisable at end of year		1,837,014			29.93				2,208,455			27.19		2,677,071		23.73
	Options granted under both the EPI Plan and its predecessor plans may be outstanding for a maximum of 10 years from the date of grant. The majority of options granted vest ratably over a period of three years from the grant date. The exercise prices of all options were equal to the quoted market price of the Company's common shares at the date of grant. The Company issued shares of common stock from treasury upon all exercises of stock options in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating fair values of options. In estimating the fair value of options granted, the expected option life is based on the Company's historical experience. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility. The weighted average assumptions for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Expected volatility		32.97		%		45.67		%		41.92		%
	Dividend yield		1.4		%		1.66		%		1.63		%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.52		%		0.7		%		0.8		%
	Expected option life (years)		4.4				4.5				4.3
	Weighted average fair value per option granted during the year		$	18.14			$	15.87			$	10.97
	The following table summarizes non-vested stock options for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Number of			Weighted
			Options			Average Fair
						Value at Grant
						Date
	Balance at beginning of year		852,489			$	13.63
	Granted		273,105			18.14
	Vested		(410,542	)		12.5
	Forfeited		(99,418	)		14.04
	Balance at end of year		615,634			16.32
	The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable which would have been received by the optionees had all awards been exercised at December 31, 2013 was $85,404 and $76,076, respectively. The total intrinsic value of awards exercised during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $20,297, $18,776 and $10,028, respectively.
	The following table summarizes information about awards outstanding as of December 31, 2013:
			Outstanding							Exercisable
	Exercise Price Range		Number of			Weighted				Number of			Weighted		Weighted
			Stock			Average				Stock			Average		Average
			Options			Exercise				Options			Exercise		Remaining
						Price							Price		Life (years)
	Under $29.99		738,614			$	23.41			738,614			$	23.41	4.6
	$30.00 - $39.99		1,092,456			33.2				1,001,199			33		6.2
	Over $40.00		621,578			57.93				97,201			47.85		9.4
			2,452,648							1,837,014					6.5
	Restricted Share Awards ("RSAs")
	The following table summarizes restricted share award activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, under all Plans:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013							2012					2011
			Shares			Weighted				Shares			Weighted		Shares		Weighted
						Average							Average				Average
						Grant Date							Grant Date				Grant Date
						Fair Value							Fair Value				Fair Value
	Balance at beginning of year		336,808			$	28.49			379,233			$	28.06	523,730		$	27.36
	Shares granted		14,464			70.88				20,099			47.81		22,779		35.55
	Shares vested*		(224,021	)		25.68				(62,524	)		32.1		(159,842	)	26.97
	Shares forfeited		(11,935	)		25.76				—			—		(7,434	)	24.67
	Balance at end of year		115,316			39.55				336,808			28.49		379,233		28.06
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	*	Includes shares vested but not exercisable
	RSAs are valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The majority of RSAs vest over a period of three to five years. The Company issued shares of common stock from treasury upon the granting of RSAs in 2013, 2012 and 2011. All restricted shares issued in 2013, 2012 and 2011, were under the the Director Plan. The remaining weighted average life of all non-vested RSAs is 1.8 years as of December 31, 2013.
The following table summarizes non-vested restricted share awards for the year ended December 31, 2013:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Number of Restricted Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date
Balance at beginning of year		318,088			$	28.74
Shares granted		14,464			70.88
Shares vested		(205,301	)		25.8
Shares forfeited		(11,935	)		25.76
Balance at end of year		115,316			39.55
Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs")
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, under all Plans:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013							2012					2011
		Units			Weighted				Units			Weighted		Units		Weighted
					Average							Average				Average
					Grant Date							Grant Date				Grant Date
					Fair Value							Fair Value				Fair Value
Balance at beginning of year		288,669			$	40.83			166,519			$	34.55	—		$	—
Units granted		69,925			67.17				133,944			47.97		166,519		34.55
Units vested		(33,698	)		39.2				(10,499	)		33.06		—		—
Units forfeited		(40,952	)		41.7				(1,295	)		35.55		—		—
Balance at end of year		283,944			47.38				288,669			40.83		166,519		34.55
RSUs are valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The majority of RSUs vest over a period of three to five years. The Company will issue shares of common stock from treasury upon the vesting of RSUs and any earned dividend equivalents. Conversion of 31,552 RSUs to common stock in 2013 were deferred as part of the 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives (the "2005 Plan"). As of December 31, 2013, 43,012 RSUs, including related dividend equivalents, have been deferred under the 2005 Plan. These units are reflected within dilutive shares in the calculation of earnings per share. All RSUs issued in 2013, 2012 and 2011, were under the the EPI Plan. The remaining weighted average life of all non-vested RSUs is 4.1 years as of December 31, 2013.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Expense is recognized for all awards of stock-based compensation by allocating the aggregate grant date fair value over the vesting period. No expense is recognized for any stock options, restricted or deferred shares or restricted stock units ultimately forfeited because recipients fail to meet vesting requirements. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $9,734, $8,961 and $6,610, respectively. The related tax benefit for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3,727, $3,409 and $2,515, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options, restricted shares and restricted stock units was $21,633, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.3 years.
Lincoln Stock Purchase Plan
The 1995 Lincoln Stock Purchase Plan provides employees the ability to purchase open market shares on a commission-free basis up to a limit of ten thousand dollars annually. Under this plan, 800,000 shares have been authorized to be purchased. Shares purchased were 4,653 in 2013, 4,908 in 2012 and 4,466 in 2011.

COMMON_STOCK_REPURCHASE_PROGRA

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
COMMON SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM	'
COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	'
	COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
	The Company has a share repurchase program for up to 45 million shares of the Company's common stock. At management's discretion, the Company repurchases its common stock from time to time in the open market, depending on market conditions, stock price and other factors. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company purchased 2,671,614 shares at an average cost per share of $61.67. As of December 31, 2013, 15,670,759 shares remained available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program. The treasury shares have not been retired.

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS	'
RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS	'
	RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS
	The Company maintains a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits for employees. These plans are maintained and contributions are made in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), local statutory law or as determined by the Board of Directors. The plans generally provide benefits based upon years of service and compensation. Pension plans are funded except for a domestic non-qualified pension plan for certain key employees and certain foreign plans. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its plans.
	The Company does not have, and does not provide for, any postretirement or postemployment benefits other than pensions and certain non-U.S. statutory termination benefits.
	Defined Benefit Plans
	Contributions are made in amounts sufficient to fund current service costs on a current basis and to fund past service costs, if any, over various amortization periods.
	Obligations and Funded Status
			December 31,
			2013				2012
	Change in benefit obligations
	Benefit obligations at beginning of year		$	1,033,725			$	991,979
	Service cost		23,188				21,538
	Interest cost		37,225				41,584
	Plan participants' contributions		221				334
	Plan amendments		1,623				(3,681		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(91,851		)		70,015
	Benefits paid		(59,296		)		(86,722		)
	Settlement/curtailment		(1,390		)		(3,946		)
	Currency translation		(2,003		)		2,624
	Benefit obligations at end of year		941,442				1,033,725
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		813,897				749,456
	Actual return on plan assets		101,044				83,156
	Employer contributions		85,456				68,029
	Plan participants' contributions		221				334
	Benefits paid		(57,644		)		(85,238		)
	Settlement		(1,390		)		(3,798		)
	Currency translation		(1,589		)		1,958
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		939,995				813,897
	Funded status at end of year		(1,447		)		(219,828		)
	Unrecognized actuarial net loss		258,781				422,042
	Unrecognized prior service cost		(2,547		)		(4,101		)
	Unrecognized transition assets, net		26				26
	Net amount recognized		$	254,813			$	198,139
	The actuarial gain arising during 2013 was primarily attributable to a higher discount rate. In 2012, the Company's U.S. defined benefit plans were amended to allow participants, including those with deferred vested pension benefits, additional payment options including a lump sum and a five year payment option. The decrease in benefits paid in 2013 primarily reflect the disbursements related to deferred vested participants taking lump sum payment options in the prior period.
	The after-tax amounts of unrecognized actuarial net loss, prior service costs and transition assets included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2013 were $162,983, $(2,307) and $17, respectively. The actuarial loss represents changes in the estimated obligation not yet recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement. The pre-tax amounts of unrecognized actuarial net loss, prior service credits and transition obligations expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during 2014 are $16,104, $(618) and $4, respectively.
	Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
			December 31,
			2013				2012
	Prepaid pensions		$	36,116			$	—
	Accrued pension liability, current		(10,564		)		(3,639		)
	Accrued pension liability, long-term		(26,999		)		(216,189		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, excluding tax effects		256,260				417,967
	Net amount recognized in the balance sheets		$	254,813			$	198,139
	Components of Pension Cost for Defined Benefit Plans
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Service cost		$	23,188			$	21,538			$	17,331
	Interest cost		37,225				41,584				44,161
	Expected return on plan assets		(61,244		)		(58,754		)		(57,405		)
	Amortization of prior service cost		(613		)		(90		)		(62		)
	Amortization of net loss		30,929				31,085				21,816
	Settlement/curtailment loss		423				895				529
	Pension cost for defined benefit plans		$	29,908			$	36,258			$	26,370
	The Company's defined benefit plans costs decreased in 2013 primarily as a result of a lower interest cost and a higher expected return on plan assets.
	Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
			December 31,
			2013				2012
	U.S. pension plans
	Projected benefit obligation		$	37,355			$	956,837
	Accumulated benefit obligation		33,416				905,541
	Fair value of plan assets		10,028				755,491
	Non-U.S. pension plans
	Projected benefit obligation		$	49,990			$	76,884
Accumulated benefit obligation		42,593				70,492
Fair value of plan assets		39,753				58,403
The total accumulated benefit obligation for all plans was $891,397 as of December 31, 2013 and $976,033 as of December 31, 2012.
Contributions to Plans
The Company expects to contribute approximately $20,000 to its defined benefit plans in the United States in 2014. The actual amounts to be contributed in 2014 will be determined at the Company's discretion.
Benefit Payments for Plans
Benefits expected to be paid for the U.S. plans are as follows:
Estimated Payments
2014	$	61,755
2015	53,992
2016	61,654
2017	59,570
2018	58,422
2019 through 2023	307,094
Assumptions
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligation for the Company's significant defined benefit plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
Discount rate		4.7	%		3.8	%
Rate of increase in compensation		4.2	%		4	%
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit cost for the Company's significant defined benefit plans for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
Discount rate		3.8	%		4.2	%		5.3	%
Rate of increase in compensation		4.1	%		4	%		4	%
Expected return on plan assets		7.4	%		7.7	%		7.9	%
To develop the discount rate assumption to be used for U.S. plans, the Company refers to the yield derived from matching projected pension payments with maturities of a portfolio of available non-callable bonds rated AA- or better. The expected long-term rate of return assumption is based on the weighted average expected return of the various asset classes in the plans' portfolio and the targeted allocation of plan assets. The asset class return is developed using historical asset return performance as well as current market conditions such as inflation, interest rates and equity market performance. The rate of compensation increase is determined by the Company based upon annual reviews.
Pension Plans' Assets
The primary objective of the pension plans' investment policy is to ensure sufficient assets are available to provide benefit obligations when such obligations mature. Investment management practices must comply with ERISA or any other applicable regulations and rulings. The overall investment strategy for the defined benefit pension plans' assets is to achieve a rate of return over a normal business cycle relative to an acceptable level of risk that is consistent with the long-term objectives of the portfolio. The target allocation for plan assets is 60% to 70% equity securities and 30% to 40% debt securities.
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans' assets as of December 31, 2013:
		Pension Plans' Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
		Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Significant			Total
		in Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable
		for Identical				(Level 2)				Inputs
		Assets								(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
Common trusts and 103-12 investments (1)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	—			$	4,686			$	—		$	4,686
Common trusts and 103-12 investments		—				902,746				—			902,746
Private equity funds (2)		—				—				32,563			32,563
Total assets at fair value		$	—			$	907,432			$	32,563		$	939,995
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans' assets as of December 31, 2012:
		Pension Plans' Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
		Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Significant			Total
		in Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable
		for Identical				(Level 2)				Inputs
		Assets								(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
Corporate stock (3)		$	107,763			$	—			$	—		$	107,763
Cash and cash equivalents		5,170				—				—			5,170
Corporate and other obligations (4)		—				412				—			412
Common trusts and 103-12 investments (1)		—				673,469				—			673,469
Private equity funds (2)		—				—				27,083			27,083
Total assets at fair value		$	112,933			$	673,881			$	27,083		$	813,897
_______________________________________________________________________________
-1	Common trusts and 103-12 investments are comprised of a number of investment funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of assets including equity securities, corporate and governmental bonds, equity and credit indexes, and money markets. Trusts are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as determined by their custodian. NAV represents the accumulation of the unadjusted quoted close prices on the reporting date for the underlying investments divided by the total shares outstanding at the reporting dates.
-2	Private equity funds consist of four funds seeking capital appreciation by investing in private equity investment partnerships and venture capital companies. Funds are comprised of unrestricted and restricted publicly traded securities and privately held securities. Unrestricted securities are valued at the closing market price on the reporting date. Restricted securities may be valued at a discount from such closing public market price, depending on facts and circumstances. Privately held securities are valued at fair value as determined by the fund directors and general partners.
-3	This investment category includes publicly traded equity investments directly held by the plans. Investments are valued at the unadjusted quoted close prices reported on the reporting date.
-4	This investment category is composed of publicly traded bonds and asset backed securities which are valued at the quoted closing market prices on the reporting date.
The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension plans' assets for the year ended December 31, 2013:
		Private
		Equity
		Funds
Balance at the beginning of year		$	27,083
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements		2,186
Realized and unrealized gains		3,294
Balance at the end of year		$	32,563
The amount of total gains during the period attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to Level 3 net assets still held at the reporting date		$	3,035
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
The Company maintains a domestic unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") under which non-qualified supplemental pension benefits are paid to certain employees in addition to amounts received under the Company's qualified retirement plan which is subject to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") limitations on covered compensation. The annual cost of this program has been included in the determination of total net pension costs shown above and was $2,329, $2,254 and $2,110 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The projected benefit obligation associated with this plan is also included in the pension disclosure shown above and was $22,877, $25,646 and $23,930 at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Defined Contribution Plans
Substantially all U.S. employees are covered under a 401(k) savings plan in which they may invest 1% or more of eligible compensation, limited to maximum amounts as determined by the IRS. For most participants the plan provides for Company matching contributions of 35% of the first 6% of employee compensation contributed to the plan.
The plan also includes a feature in which all participants hired after November 1, 1997 receive an annual Company contribution of 2% of their base pay. The plan allowed employees hired before November 1, 1997, at their election, to receive this contribution in exchange for forfeiting certain benefits under the pension plan. In 2006, the plan was amended to include a feature in which all participants receive an annual Company contribution ranging from 4% to 10% of base pay based on years of service.
The annual costs recognized for defined contribution plans were $10,812, $9,405 and $8,478 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Multi-Employer Plans
The Company participates in multi-employer plans for several of its operations in Europe. Costs for these plans are recognized as contributions are funded. The Company's risk of participating in these plans is limited to the annual premium as determined by the plan. The annual costs of these programs were $1,048, $972 and $966 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Other Benefits
The Cleveland, Ohio, area operations have a Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plan covering substantially all employees which, in general, provides that the Company will provide work for at least 75% of every standard work week (presently 40 hours). This plan does not guarantee employment when the Company's ability to continue normal operations is seriously restricted by events beyond the control of the Company. The Company has reserved the right to terminate this plan effective at the end of a calendar year by giving notice of such termination not less than six months prior to the end of such year.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The components of income before income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S.	$	281,724		$	243,382		$	204,667
	Non-U.S.	134,717			126,188			96,664
	Total	$	416,441		$	369,570		$	301,331
	The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	58,099		$	72,809		$	42,510
	Non-U.S.	40,348			33,510			19,970
	State and local	8,490			8,172			6,699
		106,937			114,491			69,179
	Deferred:
	Federal	21,946			(1,673		)	12,140
	Non-U.S.	(5,734		)	(750		)	2,768
	State and local	1,605			286			231
		17,817			(2,137		)	15,139
	Total	$	124,754		$	112,354		$	84,318
	The differences between total income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory rate of 35% applied to pre-tax income	$	145,754		$	129,350		$	105,466
	Effect of state and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,124			5,598			4,585
	Taxes (less) more than the U.S. tax rate on non-U.S. earnings, including utilization of tax loss carry-forwards, losses with no benefit and changes in non-U.S. valuation allowance	(17,352		)	(11,263		)	(13,637		)
	Manufacturing deduction	(6,386		)	(6,287		)	(5,330		)
	U.S. tax cost (benefit) of foreign source income	995			(4,766		)	145
	Resolution and adjustments to uncertain tax positions	(313		)	(1,493		)	(5,103		)
	Other	(5,068		)	1,215			(1,808		)
	Total	$	124,754		$	112,354		$	84,318
	Effective tax rate	29.96		%	30.4		%	27.98		%
	The 2013 effective tax rate is impacted by the geographic mix of earnings and taxes at lower rates in foreign jurisdictions, including Canada, Mexico, Poland and the U.K., as well as loss utilization in other foreign jurisdictions. Total income tax payments, net of refunds, were $84,567 in 2013, $78,506 in 2012 and $62,600 in 2011.
	Deferred Taxes
	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Tax loss and credit carry-forwards	$	51,762		$	40,373
	Inventory	1,277			1,328
	Other accruals	15,709			14,981
	Employee benefits	18,909			17,904
	Pension obligations	4,643			82,903
	Other	9,828			12,686
	Deferred tax assets, gross	102,128			170,175
	Valuation allowance	(49,684		)	(38,799		)
	Deferred tax assets, net	52,444			131,376
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment	38,653			41,380
	Intangible assets	24,014			19,545
	Inventory	7,311			5,783
	Pension obligations	7,315			2,940
	Other	8,777			8,769
	Deferred tax liabilities	86,070			78,417
	Total Deferred taxes	$	(33,626	)	$	52,959
	At December 31, 2013, certain subsidiaries had tax loss carry-forwards of approximately $121,044 that will expire in various years from 2014 through 2030, except for $77,380 for which there is no expiration date.
	In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company assesses whether it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. At December 31, 2013, a valuation allowance of $49,684 was recorded against certain deferred tax assets based on this assessment. The Company believes it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of net deferred tax assets considered realizable could be increased or decreased in the future if the Company's assessment of future taxable income or tax planning strategies changes.
	The Company does not provide deferred income taxes on unremitted earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries which are deemed permanently reinvested. It is not practicable to calculate the deferred taxes associated with the remittance of these earnings. Deferred income taxes associated with earnings of $8,354 that are not expected to be permanently reinvested were not significant.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits are classified as "Accrued taxes" non-current unless expected to be paid in one year. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Income taxes." Current income tax expense included an expense of $492 for the year ended December 31, 2013 and an expense of $893 for the year ended December 31, 2012 for interest and penalties. For those same years, the Company's accrual for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits totaled $10,257 and $10,295, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits:
		2013			2012
Balance at January 1	$	25,255		$	26,656
Increase related to current year tax provisions	1,990			3,838
Increase related to prior years' tax positions	208			212
Increase related to acquisitions	3,528			1,274
Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities	(95		)	(940		)
Resolution of and other decreases in prior years' tax liabilities	(3,491		)	(5,964		)
Other	(1,488		)	179
Balance at December 31	$	25,907		$	25,255
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $13,739 at December 31, 2013 and $14,839 at December 31, 2012.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003. The Company is currently subject to various U.S. state audits, an Indian tax audit for 2012 - 2013 and an Indonesian tax audit for 2003 and 2005 - 2007.
The Company is generally not able to precisely estimate the ultimate settlement amounts or timing until after the close of an audit. The Company evaluates its tax positions and establishes liabilities for uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by local authorities and may not be fully sustained.
Unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted for changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits and closing of statutes of limitations. Based on information currently available, management believes that additional audit activity could be completed and/or statutes of limitations may close relating to existing unrecognized tax benefits. It is reasonably possible there could be a further reduction of $4,284 in prior years' unrecognized tax benefits in 2014.
In July 2012, the Company received a Notice of Reassessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) for 2004 to 2011, which would disallow the deductibility of inter-company dividends. These adjustments would increase Canadian federal and provincial tax due by $58,824 plus approximately $16,022 of interest, net of tax. The Company disagrees with the position taken by the CRA and believes it is without merit. The Company will vigorously contest the assessment through the Tax Court of Canada. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
In connection with the litigation process, the Company is required to deposit no less than one-half of the tax and interest assessed by the CRA. The Company has elected to deposit the entire amount of the dispute in order to suspend the continuing accrual of a 5% interest charge. Additionally, deposited amounts will earn interest of approximately 1% due upon a favorable outcome. A deposit was made and is recorded as a non-current asset valued at $84,128 as of December 31, 2013. Any Canadian tax ultimately due will be creditable in the parent company's U.S. federal tax return. The Company expects to be able to utilize the full amount of foreign tax credits generated in the statutorily allowed carry-back and carry-forward periods. Accordingly, should the Company not prevail in this dispute, the income statement charge will approximate the deficiency interest, net of tax.
The Company believes it will prevail on the merits of the tax position. In accordance with prescribed recognition and measurement thresholds, no income tax accrual has been made for any uncertain tax positions related to the CRA reassessment. An unfavorable resolution of this matter could have a material effect on the Company's financial statements in the quarter in which a judgment is reached.

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVES	'
	DERIVATIVES
	The Company uses derivatives to manage exposures to currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices arising in the normal course of business. Derivative contracts to hedge currency and commodity exposures are generally written on a short-term basis but may cover exposures for up to two years while interest rate contracts may cover longer periods consistent with the terms of the underlying debt. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
	All derivatives are recognized at fair value on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accounting for gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value depends on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company formally documents the relationship of the hedge with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy for all designated hedges. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis, the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness, when applicable. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued. The cash flows from settled derivative contracts are recognized in operating activities in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial for the three years ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company is subject to the credit risk of the counterparties to derivative instruments. Counterparties include a number of major banks and financial institutions. The Company manages individual counterparty exposure by monitoring the credit rating of the counterparty and the size of financial commitments and exposures between the Company and the counterparty. None of the concentrations of risk with any individual counterparty was considered significant at December 31, 2013. The Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations.
	Cash flow hedges
	Certain foreign currency forward contracts are qualified and designated as cash flow hedges. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these short-term contracts was $36,880 at December 31, 2013 and $39,597 at December 31, 2012. The effective portions of the fair value gains or losses on these cash flow hedges are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") and subsequently reclassified to Cost of goods sold or Sales for hedges of purchases and sales, respectively, as the underlying hedged transactions affected earnings.
	Net investment hedges
	The Company had a foreign currency forward contract that qualified as a designated net investment hedge.  No such contract was outstanding as of December 31, 2013. The effective portion of the fair value gain or loss on these net investment hedges were recognized in AOCI and subsequently reclassified to Selling, general and administrative expenses when the underlying hedged investment was liquidated.
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	The Company has certain foreign exchange forward contracts which are not designated as hedges. These derivatives are held as economic hedges of certain balance sheet exposures. The dollar equivalent gross notional amount of these contracts was $186,158 at December 31, 2013 and $189,259 at December 31, 2012. The fair value gains or losses from these contracts are recognized in Selling, general and administrative expenses, offsetting the losses or gains on the exposures being hedged.
	The Company has short-term silver and copper forward contracts with notional amounts of 290,000 troy ounces and 375,000 pounds, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and short-term silver and copper forward contracts with notional amounts of 275,000 troy ounces and 375,000 pounds, respectively, at December 31, 2012. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts were recognized in Cost of goods sold.
	Fair values of derivative instruments in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets follow:
		31-Dec-13								December 31, 2012
	Derivatives by hedge designation	Other				Other				Other		Other
		Current				Current				Current		Current
		Assets				Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	706			$	219			$	352	$	325
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	766				228				510		902
	Commodity contracts	262				47				731		—
	Total derivatives	$	1,734			$	494			$	1,593	$	1,227
	The effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
				Year Ended December 31,
	Derivatives by hedge designation	Classification of gains (losses)		2013				2012
	Not designated as hedges:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Selling, general & administrative expenses		$	215			$	3,711
	Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold		2,882				(1,117		)
	The effects of designated cash flow hedges on AOCI and the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
		December 31,
	Total gain recognized in AOCI, net of tax	2013				2012
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	369			$	80
	The Company expects a gain of $369 related to existing contracts to be reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, to earnings over the next 12 months as the hedged transactions are realized.
				Year Ended December 31,
	Derivative type	Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to:		2013				2012
	Foreign exchange contracts	Sales		$	619			$	931
		Cost of goods sold		418				234
	Net investment contracts	Selling, general & administrative expenses		(67		)		—

FAIR_VALUE

FAIR VALUE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE	'
	FAIR VALUE
	The following table provides a summary of fair value assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Description	Balance as of December 31, 2013		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Identical Assets or		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Liabilities
				(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	1,472	$	—	$	1,472	$	—
	Commodity contracts	262		—		262		—
	Total assets	$	1,734	$	—	$	1,734	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	447	$	—	$	447	$	—
	Commodity contracts	47		—		47		—
	Contingent consideration	5,375		—		—		5,375
	Forward contract	16,974		—		—		16,974
	Deferred compensation	20,132		—		20,132		—
	Total liabilities	$	42,975	$	—	$	20,626	$	22,349
	The following table provides a summary of fair value assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Description	Balance as of December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Identical Assets or		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Liabilities
				(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	862	$	—	$	862	$	—
	Commodity contracts	731		—		731		—
	Total assets	$	1,593	$	—	$	1,593	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	1,227	$	—	$	1,227	$	—
	Contingent consideration	4,894		—		—		4,894
	Deferred compensation	16,882		—		16,882		—
	Total liabilities	$	23,003	$	—	$	18,109	$	4,894
	The Company's derivative contracts are valued at fair value using the market approach. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts using Level 2 inputs based on observable spot and forward rates in active markets. The Company measures the fair value of commodity contracts using Level 2 inputs through observable market transactions in active markets provided by financial institutions. During the year ended December 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.
	In connection with an acquisition, the Company recorded a contingent consideration fair valued at $5,375 as of December 31, 2013, which reflects a $481 increase in the liability from December 31, 2012. The contingent consideration is based upon estimated sales for the five-year period ending December 31, 2015 and will be paid in 2016 based on actual sales during the period. The fair value of the contingent consideration is a Level 3 valuation and fair valued using a probability weighted discounted cash flow analysis.
	In connection with an acquisition, the Company obtained a controlling financial interest in the acquired entity and at the same time entered into a contract to obtain the remaining financial interest in the entity over a three-year period. The amount to be paid to obtain the remaining financial interest will be based upon actual financial results of the entity. A liability was recorded for the contract at a fair value of $16,974 as of December 31, 2013. The fair value of the contract is a Level 3 valuation and is based on the present value of the expected future payments. The expected future payments are based on a multiple of forecast earnings and cash flows over the three-year period ending December 31, 2016, present valued utilizing a risk based discount rate. The present value calculations utilized an average discount rate of 16.3% and annual earnings growth rates ranging from 14.8% to 18.8%.
	The deferred compensation liability is the Company's obligation under its executive deferred compensation plan. The Company measures the fair value of the liability using the market values of the participants' underlying investment fund elections.
	The Company has various financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-and long-term debt and forward contracts. While these financial instruments are subject to concentrations of credit risk, the Company has minimized this risk by entering into arrangements with a number of major banks and financial institutions and investing in several high-quality instruments. The Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. The fair value of "Cash and cash equivalents," "Accounts receivable," "Amounts due banks" and "Trade accounts payable" approximated book value due to the short-term nature of these instruments at both December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. See Note 8 for the fair value estimate of debt.

INVENTORY

INVENTORY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORY	'
	INVENTORY
	For most domestic inventories, cost is determined principally by the LIFO method, and for non-U.S. inventories, cost is determined by the FIFO method. The valuation of LIFO inventories is made at the end of each year based on inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these estimates are subject to many factors beyond management's control, annual results may differ from interim results as they are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 38% and 34%, respectively, of total inventories were valued using the LIFO method. The excess of current cost over LIFO cost was $70,882 at December 31, 2013 and $72,173 at December 31, 2012.

LEASES

LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
LEASES	'
	LEASES
	The Company leases sales offices, warehouses and distribution centers, transportation equipment, office equipment and information technology equipment. Such leases, some of which are noncancelable and, in many cases, include renewals, expire at various dates. The Company pays most insurance, maintenance and taxes relating to leased assets. Rental expense was $18,642 in 2013, $17,751 in 2012 and $15,221 in 2011.
	At December 31, 2013, total future minimum lease payments for noncancelable operating leases were $13,263 in 2014, $10,391 in 2015, $8,240 in 2016, $5,637 in 2017, $4,071 in 2018 and $6,568 thereafter.
	The following table summarizes assets held under capital leases and included in property, plant and equipment:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Buildings	$	461		$	441
	Machinery and equipment	110			209
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(100		)	(163		)
	Net capital leases	$	471		$	487

CONTINGENCIES

CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
CONTINGENCIES	'
	CONTINGENCIES
	The Company, like other manufacturers, is subject from time to time to a variety of civil and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Such claims and litigation include, without limitation, product liability claims and health, safety and environmental claims, some of which relate to cases alleging asbestos induced illnesses. The claimants in the asbestos cases seek compensatory and punitive damages, in most cases for unspecified amounts. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to contest such suits vigorously.
	The Company's accrual for contingent liabilities was $2,735 as of December 31, 2013 and $5,636 as of December 31, 2012. The accrual is included in Other current liabilities.
	The Company accrues its best estimate of the probable costs, after a review of the facts with management and counsel and taking into account past experience. If an unfavorable outcome is determined to be reasonably possible but not probable, or if the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, disclosure is provided for material claims or litigation. Many of the current cases are in differing procedural stages and information on the circumstances of each claimant, which forms the basis for judgments as to the validity or ultimate disposition of such actions, varies greatly. Therefore, in many situations a range of possible losses cannot be made. Reserves are adjusted as facts and circumstances change and related management assessments of the underlying merits and the likelihood of outcomes change. Moreover, reserves only cover identified and/or asserted claims. Future claims could, therefore, give rise to increases to such reserves.
	Based on the Company's historical experience in litigating product liability claims, including a significant number of dismissals, summary judgments and defense verdicts in many cases and immaterial settlement amounts, as well as the Company's current assessment of the underlying merits of the claims and applicable insurance, the Company believes resolution of these claims and proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

PRODUCT_WARRANTY_COSTS

PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS	'
	PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS
	The changes in product warranty accruals for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at beginning of year	$	15,304		$	15,781		$	16,879
	Accruals for warranties	12,786			10,872			10,395
	Settlements	(12,794		)	(11,477		)	(11,260		)
	Foreign currency translation	(116		)	128			(233		)
	Balance at end of year	$	15,180		$	15,304		$	15,781

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_DATA_UNAUD

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	'
	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	2013
	Net sales	$	718,573	$	727,432	$	691,875	$	714,791
	Gross profit	226,572		240,338		232,697		243,047
	Income before income taxes	90,679		106,534		97,840		121,388
	Net income	66,806		72,606		66,044		88,324
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.81	$	0.88	$	0.81	$	1.09
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.8	$	0.87	$	0.8	$	1.07
	2012
	Net sales	$	727,122	$	744,045	$	697,552	$	684,648
	Gross profit	215,265		224,997		213,362		213,032
	Income before income taxes	92,919		98,157		90,889		87,605
	Net income	64,243		66,319		64,765		62,084
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.77	$	0.8	$	0.78	$	0.75
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.76	$	0.79	$	0.77	$	0.74
	The quarter ended December 31, 2013 includes rationalization and impairment net charges of $259 ($223 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments and a charge of $705 related to a loss on the sale of land in the Asia Pacific Welding segment. Associated with the loss on the sale of land is a charge of $47 attributable to non-controlling interests.
	The quarter ended September 30, 2013 includes rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $1,627 ($1,595 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments and a charge of $4,675 ($4,503 after-tax) related to impairment of long-lived assets in the Asia Pacific Welding segment. Associated with impairment of long-lived assets is a charge of $1,021 attributable to non-controlling interests.
	The quarter ended June 30, 2013 includes rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $851 ($579 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments and charges of $2,538 related to devaluation of Venezuelan currency in the South America Welding segment.
	The quarter ended March 31, 2013 includes rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $1,051 ($673 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments and charges of $9,660 related to devaluation of Venezuelan currency in the South America Welding segment.
	The quarter ended December 31, 2012 includes rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $5,037 ($3,823 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments.
	The quarter ended September 30, 2012 includes rationalization and asset impairment net charges of $3,059 ($2,704 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments.
	The quarter ended June 30, 2012 includes rationalization net charges of $1,258 ($915 after-tax) primarily related to employee severance and other costs associated with the consolidation of manufacturing operations in North America Welding, Europe Welding and Asia Pacific Welding segments and a charge of $1,381 ($906 after-tax) related to a change in Venezuelan labor law, which provides for increased employee severance obligations in the South America Welding segment.
	The quarterly earnings per share ("EPS") amounts are each calculated independently. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly EPS amounts may not equal the annual totals.

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	'
	SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
	(In thousands)
					Additions
	Description		Balance at		Charged to		-1			-2		Balance at End of Period
			Beginning		Costs and		Charged to			Deductions
			of Period		Expenses		Other
							Accounts
	Allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	8,654	$	2,671	$	49		$	2,976	$	8,398
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		7,079		3,368		68			1,861		8,654
	Year Ended December 31, 2011		7,855		2,173		(303		)	2,646		7,079
	-1	Currency translation adjustment.
	-2	Uncollectible accounts written-off, net of recoveries.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE1

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest (the "Company") after elimination of all inter-company accounts, transactions and profits.
Translation of Foreign Currencies	'
	Translation of Foreign Currencies
	Asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the dates of the Consolidated Balance Sheets; revenue and expense accounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reflected as a component of Total equity. For subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies, both historical and current exchange rates are used in translating balance sheet accounts and translation adjustments are included in Net income.
	The translation of assets and liabilities originally denominated in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is for consolidation purposes, and does not necessarily indicate that the Company could realize or settle the reported value of those assets and liabilities in U.S. dollars. Additionally, such a translation does not necessarily indicate that the Company could return or distribute the reported U.S. dollar value of the net equity of its foreign operations to shareholders.
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the failure of its customers to make required payments for products delivered. The Company estimates this allowance based on the age of the related receivable, knowledge of the financial condition of customers, review of historical receivables and reserve trends and other pertinent information. If the financial condition of customers deteriorates or an unfavorable trend in receivable collections is experienced in the future, additional allowances may be required.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Fixed manufacturing overhead costs are allocated to inventory based on normal production capacity and abnormal manufacturing costs are recognized as period costs. For most domestic inventories, cost is determined principally by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method, and for non-U.S. inventories, cost is determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method.
	Reserves are maintained for estimated obsolescence or excess inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.
Equity Investments	'
	Equity Investments
	Investments in businesses in which the Company does not have a controlling interest and holds between a 20% and 50% ownership interest are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company's 50% ownership interest in equity investments includes investments in Turkey and Chile.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and include improvements which significantly increase capacities or extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment. Depreciation and amortization are computed using a straight-line method over useful lives ranging from three to 20 years for machinery, tools and equipment, and up to 50 years for buildings. Net gains or losses related to asset dispositions are recognized in earnings in the period in which dispositions occur.
	Routine maintenance, repairs and replacements are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with long-term construction in progress.
Goodwill and Intangibles	'
	Goodwill and Intangibles
	Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Intangible assets other than goodwill are recorded at fair value at the time acquired or at cost, if applicable. Intangible assets that do not have indefinite lives are amortized in line with the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. If the pattern of economic benefit cannot be reliably determined, the intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the legal or estimated life.
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles assets are not amortized, but are tested for impairment in the fourth quarter using the same dates each year or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicate potential impairment. The fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value and an impairment charge is recorded if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Goodwill is tested by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value and impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the implied fair value.
	Fair values are determined using established business valuation multiples and models developed by the Company that incorporate allocations of certain assets and cash flows among reporting units, estimates of market participant assumptions of future cash flows, future growth rates and the applicable discount rates to value estimated cash flows. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting these assumptions could result in asset impairments in future periods.
Long-Lived Assets	'
	Long-Lived Assets
	The Company evaluates whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of its depreciable long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived asset, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, a loss is recognized to the extent that carrying value exceeds fair value. Fair value is measured based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including the discounted value of estimated future cash flows.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial assets and liabilities, such as the Company's defined benefit pension plan assets and derivative contracts, are valued at fair value using the market and income valuation approaches. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company uses the market approach to value similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the income approach that consists of discounted cash flow models that take into account the present value of future cash flows under the terms of the contracts using current market information as of the reporting date. The following hierarchy is used to classify the inputs used to measure fair value:
	Level 1	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2	Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
		• Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
		• Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
		• Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
		• Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
		If the asset or liability has a specific (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
Product Warranties	'
	Product Warranties
	The Company accrues for product warranty claims based on historical experience and the expected material and labor costs to provide warranty service. Warranty services are provided for periods up to three years from the date of sale. The accrual for product warranty claims is included in "Accrued expenses."
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Substantially all of the Company's revenues are recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the customer which generally occurs at point of shipment. The Company recognizes any discounts, credits, returns, rebates and incentive programs based on reasonable estimates as a reduction of Sales to arrive at Net sales at the same time the related revenue is recorded.
	For contracts accounted for under the percentage of completion method, revenue recognition is based upon the ratio of costs incurred to date compared with estimated total costs to complete. The cumulative impact of revisions to total estimated costs is reflected in the period of the change, including anticipated losses.
Distribution Costs	'
	Distribution Costs
	Distribution costs, including warehousing and freight related to product shipments, are included in Cost of goods sold.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Expense is recognized for all awards of stock-based compensation by allocating the aggregate grant date fair value over the vesting period. No expense is recognized for any stock options, restricted or deferred shares or restricted stock units ultimately forfeited because the recipients fail to meet vesting requirements.
	Common stock issuable upon the exercise of employee stock options is excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share when the calculation of option equivalent shares is anti-dilutive.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	The Company uses forward contracts to hedge exposures to commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations on certain purchase and sales transactions, balance sheet and net investment exposures. Contracts are generally written on a short-term basis but may cover exposures for up to two years and are not held for trading or speculative purposes. The Company uses interest rate swaps from time to time to hedge changes in the fair value of debt. The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship.
	For derivative instruments that qualify as a fair value hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments that qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows), the effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss with offsetting amounts recorded as Other current assets, Other non-current assets, Other current liabilities or Other long-term liabilities depending on the position and the duration of the contract. At settlement, the realized gain or loss is reflected in earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments not designated as hedges, the gain or loss from changes in the fair value of the instruments is recognized in earnings.
Research and Development	'
	Research and Development
	Research and development costs are charged to Selling, general & administrative expenses as incurred and totaled $42,126, $37,305 and $32,834 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Bonus	'
	Bonus
	Included in Selling, general & administrative expenses are the costs related to the Company's discretionary employee bonus programs, which for certain U.S.- based employees are net of hospitalization costs.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company assesses whether it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Estimates	'
	Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassification	'
	Reclassification
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to current year classifications.
Acquisitions	'
	Acquired companies are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.
Segments	'
	The Company's primary business is the design and manufacture of arc welding and cutting products, manufacturing a broad line of arc welding equipment, consumable welding products and other welding and cutting products. The Company also has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. The Company has aligned its business units into five operating segments to enhance the utilization of the Company's worldwide resources and global end user and sourcing initiatives. The operating segments consist of North America Welding, Europe Welding, Asia Pacific Welding, South America Welding and The Harris Products Group. The North America Welding segment includes welding operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Europe Welding segment includes welding operations in Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. The other two welding segments include welding operations in Asia Pacific and South America, respectively. The fifth segment, The Harris Products Group, includes the Company's global cutting, soldering and brazing businesses as well as the retail business in the United States.
	Segment performance is measured and resources are allocated based on a number of factors, the primary profit measure being earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT"), as adjusted. Segment EBIT is adjusted for special items as determined by management such as the impact of rationalization activities, certain asset impairment charges and gains or losses on disposals of assets. The accounting principles applied at the operating segment level are generally the same as those applied at the consolidated financial statement level with the exception of LIFO. Segment assets include inventories measured on a FIFO basis while consolidated inventories are reported on a LIFO basis. Segment and consolidated income before interest and income taxes are reported on a LIFO basis. At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, approximately 38%, 34% and 31%, respectively, of total inventories were valued using the LIFO method. LIFO is used for certain domestic inventories included in the North America Welding segment. Inter-segment sales are recorded at agreed upon prices that approximate arm's length prices and are eliminated in consolidation. Corporate-level expenses are allocated to the operating segments on a basis that management believes to be reasonable. Certain corporate-level expenses may not be allocated to the operating segments and are reported as Corporate/Eliminations.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	293,780	$	257,411	$	217,186
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	81,978		83,087		83,681
	Effect of dilutive securities - Stock options and awards	1,064		1,088		1,027
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	83,042		84,175		84,708
	Basic earnings per share	$	3.58	$	3.1	$	2.6
	Diluted earnings per share	$	3.54	$	3.06	$	2.56

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLES_Table

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		North				Europe				Asia				South				The Harris			Consolidated
		America				Welding				Pacific				America				Products
		Welding								Welding				Welding				Group
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	18,514			$	23,867			$	5,208			$	561			$	16,951		$	65,101
	Additions and adjustments	67,740				66				—				—				(1,109		)	66,697
	Foreign currency translation	23				1,424				40				53				(435		)	1,105
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	86,277				25,357				5,248				614				15,407			132,903
	Additions and adjustments	44,446				—				—				—				(1,027		)	43,419
	Foreign currency translation	-284				(927		)		111				(52		)		(455		)	(1,607		)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	130,439			$	24,430			$	5,359			$	562			$	13,925		$	174,715
Schedule of gross and net intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class	'
	Gross and net intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
				31-Dec-13
		Weighted		Gross				Accumulated				Indefinite				Total Intangible,
		Average Life		Amount				Amortization				Lived Assets				Net
	Trademarks and trade names	12		$	38,566			$	11,898			$	18,310			$	44,978
	Customer relationships	14		74,935				16,837				—				58,098
	Patents	20		23,861				6,205				—				17,656
	Other	14		49,578				23,298				—				26,280
	Total			$	186,940			$	58,238			$	18,310			$	147,012
		December 31, 2012
		Gross				Accumulated				Indefinite				Total Intangible,
		Amount				Amortization				Lived Assets				Net
	Trademarks and trade names	$	30,611			$	9,493			$	18,276			$	39,394
	Customer relationships	63,906				12,099				—				51,807
	Patents	20,882				5,103				—				15,779
	Other	44,769				18,847				—				25,922
	Total	$	160,168			$	45,542			$	18,276			$	132,902

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of financial information for the reportable segments	'
	Financial information for the reportable segments follows:
		North				Europe				Asia				South		The Harris		Corporate /			Consolidated
		America				Welding				Pacific				America		Products		Eliminations
		Welding								Welding				Welding		Group
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2013
	Net sales	$	1,652,769			$	429,548			$	266,282			$	195,895	$	308,177	$	—		$	2,852,671
	Inter-segment sales	127,254				19,911				14,906				233		9,605		(171,909		)	$	—
	Total	$	1,780,023			$	449,459			$	281,188			$	196,128	$	317,782	$	(171,909	)	$	2,852,671
	EBIT, as adjusted	$	318,507			$	36,247			$	1,815			$	57,306	$	27,826	$	(4,350	)	$	437,351
	Special items charge (gain)	1,052				2,045				6,071				12,198		—		—			$	21,366
	EBIT	$	317,455			$	34,202			$	(4,256	)		$	45,108	$	27,826	$	(4,350	)	$	415,985
	Interest income																				3,320
	Interest expense																				(2,864		)
	Income before income taxes																				$	416,441
	Total assets	$	1,048,412			$	403,094			$	325,656			$	169,027	$	162,496	$	43,182		$	2,151,867
	Equity investments in affiliates	—				23,315				—				3,303		—		—			$	26,618
	Capital expenditures	41,181				10,305				2,073				20,840		3,931		(2,315		)	$	76,015
	Depreciation and amortization	39,086				10,933				13,559				1,893		3,636		(224		)	$	68,883
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2012
	Net sales	$	1,580,818			$	452,227			$	324,482			$	161,483	$	334,357	$	—		$	2,853,367
	Inter-segment sales	131,062				16,048				14,829				38		8,549		(170,526		)	$	—
	Total	$	1,711,880			$	468,275			$	339,311			$	161,521	$	342,906	$	(170,526	)	$	2,853,367
	EBIT, as adjusted	$	293,070			$	37,299			$	7,247			$	18,301	$	29,477	$	(4,886	)	$	380,508
	Special items charge (gain)	827				3,534				4,993				1,381		—		—			$	10,735
	EBIT	$	292,243			$	33,765			$	2,254			$	16,920	$	29,477	$	(4,886	)	$	369,773
	Interest income																				3,988
	Interest expense																				(4,191		)
	Income before income taxes																				$	369,570
	Total assets	$	980,093			$	451,654			$	350,189			$	134,650	$	195,881	$	(22,604	)	$	2,089,863
	Equity investments in affiliates	—				21,798				—				2,808		—		—			$	24,606
	Capital expenditures	36,834				5,372				8,833				899		831		(54		)	$	52,715
	Depreciation and amortization	33,479				11,008				15,102				1,878		3,934		(67		)	$	65,334
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2011
	Net sales	$	1,309,499			$	508,692			$	376,276			$	156,684	$	343,458	$	—		$	2,694,609
	Inter-segment sales	136,314				17,422				15,614				494		8,496		(178,340		)	$	—
	Total	$	1,445,813			$	526,114			$	391,890			$	157,178	$	351,954	$	(178,340	)	$	2,694,609
	EBIT, as adjusted	$	227,924			$	36,171			$	2,629			$	12,895	$	25,151	$	426		$	305,196
	Special items charge (gain)	—				392				(110		)		—		—		—			$	282
	EBIT	$	227,924			$	35,779			$	2,739			$	12,895	$	25,151	$	426		$	304,914
	Interest income																				3,121
	Interest expense																				(6,704		)
	Income before income taxes																				$	301,331
	Total assets	$	771,315			$	436,327			$	380,282			$	110,781	$	181,916	$	96,155		$	1,976,776
	Equity investments in affiliates	—				20,500				—				4,118		—		—			$	24,618
	Capital expenditures	31,826				8,566				21,498				2,314		1,792		(183		)	$	65,813
	Depreciation and amortization	29,237				11,736				14,663				2,033		4,714		(332		)	$	62,051
Schedule of geographical split of the Company's net sales, based on the location of the customers, and property plant equipment	'
	The geographic split of the Company's Net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Net sales:
	United States		$	1,350,309			$	1,283,066			$	1,092,838
	China		219,490				229,996				286,121
	Other foreign countries		1,282,872				1,340,305				1,315,650
	Total		$	2,852,671			$	2,853,367			$	2,694,609
			December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Property, plant and equipment, net:
	United States		$	162,357			$	170,831			$	149,637
	China		83,416				92,744				96,374
	Other foreign countries		238,685				223,050				224,801
	Eliminations		(453		)		(389		)		(361		)
	Total		$	484,005			$	486,236			$	470,451

RATIONALIZATION_AND_ASSET_IMPA1

RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of the activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment	'
	The following tables summarize the activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		North America Welding			Europe			Asia			The Harris			Consolidated
					Welding			Pacific			Products
								Welding			Group
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	—		$	173		$	—		$	82		$	255
	Payments and other adjustments	(827		)	(1,797		)	(2,107		)	(82		)	(4,813		)
	Charged to expense	827			3,637			3,151			—			7,615
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	2,013		$	1,044		$	—		$	3,057
	Payments and other adjustments	(586		)	(1,343		)	(1,510		)	—			(3,439		)
	Charged to expense	1,052			1,765			841			—			3,658
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	466		$	2,435		$	375		$	—		$	3,276

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	'
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	The following tables set forth the total changes in AOCI by component, net of taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
			Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges				Defined benefit pension plan activity				Currency translation adjustment				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	912			$	(255,369	)		$	6,576			$	(247,881	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification		(1,997		)		(26,373		)	2	19,555			3	(8,815		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		1,165			1	19,898			2	233			3	21,296
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(832		)		(6,475		)		19,788				12,481
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	80			$	(261,844	)		$	26,364			$	(235,400	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification		(681		)		82,050			2	(19,316		)	3	62,053
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		970			1	19,101			2	1,335			3	21,406
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		289				101,151				(17,981		)		83,459
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	369			$	(160,693	)		$	8,383			$	(151,941	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	1	During the 2013 period, this AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $619 (net of tax of $99), Cost of goods sold of $418 (net of tax of $295) and SG&A of $(67) with no tax effect; during the 2012 period, the reclassification is a component of Net sales of $931 (net of tax of $157) and Cost of goods sold of $234 (net of tax of $169). (See Note 13 - Derivatives for additional details.)
	2	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (net of tax of $60,556 and $(3,492) during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively). (See Note 11 - Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans for additional details.)
	3	The Other comprehensive income before reclassifications excludes $(1,819) and $(153) attributable to Non-controlling interests in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The reclassified AOCI component is included in the computation of Non-controlling interests. (See Consolidated Statements of Equity for additional details.)

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of debt	'
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, debt consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Long-term debt
	Capital leases due through 2017, interest at 1.12% to 3.63%	$	236	$	267
	Other borrowings due through 2023, interest up to 4.00%	4,270		1,788
		4,506		2,055
	Less current portion	715		456
	Long-term debt, less current portion	3,791		1,599
	Short-term debt
	Amounts due banks, interest at 11.28% (11.32% in 2012)	14,581		18,220
	Current portion long-term debt	715		456
	Total short-term debt	15,296		18,676
	Total debt	$	19,087	$	20,275

STOCK_PLANS_Tables

STOCK PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of stock option activity	'
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, under all Plans:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013							2012					2011
			Options			Weighted				Options			Weighted		Options		Weighted
						Average							Average				Average
						Exercise							Exercise				Exercise
						Price							Price				Price
	Balance at beginning of year		3,060,944			$	30.98			3,632,463			$	26.05	3,779,824		$	23.99
	Options granted		273,105			70.88				412,980			47.66		459,263		35.34
	Options exercised		(774,783	)		26.2				(962,029	)		19.52		(572,795	)	19.82
	Options canceled		(106,618	)		40.54				(22,470	)		24.07		(33,829	)	26.62
	Balance at end of year		2,452,648			36.52				3,060,944			30.98		3,632,463		26.05
	Exercisable at end of year		1,837,014			29.93				2,208,455			27.19		2,677,071		23.73
Weighted average assumptions used for estimating fair value of options granted	'
	The weighted average assumptions for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Expected volatility		32.97		%		45.67		%		41.92		%
	Dividend yield		1.4		%		1.66		%		1.63		%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.52		%		0.7		%		0.8		%
	Expected option life (years)		4.4				4.5				4.3
	Weighted average fair value per option granted during the year		$	18.14			$	15.87			$	10.97
Summary of nonvested stock options	'
	The following table summarizes non-vested stock options for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Number of			Weighted
			Options			Average Fair
						Value at Grant
						Date
	Balance at beginning of year		852,489			$	13.63
	Granted		273,105			18.14
	Vested		(410,542	)		12.5
	Forfeited		(99,418	)		14.04
	Balance at end of year		615,634			16.32
Summary of information about awards outstanding, by exercise price range	'
	The following table summarizes information about awards outstanding as of December 31, 2013:
			Outstanding							Exercisable
	Exercise Price Range		Number of			Weighted				Number of			Weighted		Weighted
			Stock			Average				Stock			Average		Average
			Options			Exercise				Options			Exercise		Remaining
						Price							Price		Life (years)
	Under $29.99		738,614			$	23.41			738,614			$	23.41	4.6
	$30.00 - $39.99		1,092,456			33.2				1,001,199			33		6.2
	Over $40.00		621,578			57.93				97,201			47.85		9.4
			2,452,648							1,837,014					6.5
Summary of restricted share award activity	'
	The following table summarizes restricted share award activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, under all Plans:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013							2012					2011
			Shares			Weighted				Shares			Weighted		Shares		Weighted
						Average							Average				Average
						Grant Date							Grant Date				Grant Date
						Fair Value							Fair Value				Fair Value
	Balance at beginning of year		336,808			$	28.49			379,233			$	28.06	523,730		$	27.36
	Shares granted		14,464			70.88				20,099			47.81		22,779		35.55
	Shares vested*		(224,021	)		25.68				(62,524	)		32.1		(159,842	)	26.97
	Shares forfeited		(11,935	)		25.76				—			—		(7,434	)	24.67
	Balance at end of year		115,316			39.55				336,808			28.49		379,233		28.06
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	*	Includes shares vested but not exercisable
Summary of nonvested restricted shares awards	'
	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted share awards for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Number of Restricted Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date
	Balance at beginning of year		318,088			$	28.74
	Shares granted		14,464			70.88
	Shares vested		(205,301	)		25.8
	Shares forfeited		(11,935	)		25.76
	Balance at end of year		115,316			39.55
Summary of restricted stock unit activity	'
	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, under all Plans:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013							2012					2011
			Units			Weighted				Units			Weighted		Units		Weighted
						Average							Average				Average
						Grant Date							Grant Date				Grant Date
						Fair Value							Fair Value				Fair Value
	Balance at beginning of year		288,669			$	40.83			166,519			$	34.55	—		$	—
	Units granted		69,925			67.17				133,944			47.97		166,519		34.55
	Units vested		(33,698	)		39.2				(10,499	)		33.06		—		—
	Units forfeited		(40,952	)		41.7				(1,295	)		35.55		—		—
	Balance at end of year		283,944			47.38				288,669			40.83		166,519		34.55

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT1

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS	'
Obligations and Funded Status	'
	Obligations and Funded Status
			December 31,
			2013				2012
	Change in benefit obligations
	Benefit obligations at beginning of year		$	1,033,725			$	991,979
	Service cost		23,188				21,538
	Interest cost		37,225				41,584
	Plan participants' contributions		221				334
	Plan amendments		1,623				(3,681		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(91,851		)		70,015
	Benefits paid		(59,296		)		(86,722		)
	Settlement/curtailment		(1,390		)		(3,946		)
	Currency translation		(2,003		)		2,624
	Benefit obligations at end of year		941,442				1,033,725
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		813,897				749,456
	Actual return on plan assets		101,044				83,156
	Employer contributions		85,456				68,029
	Plan participants' contributions		221				334
	Benefits paid		(57,644		)		(85,238		)
	Settlement		(1,390		)		(3,798		)
	Currency translation		(1,589		)		1,958
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		939,995				813,897
	Funded status at end of year		(1,447		)		(219,828		)
	Unrecognized actuarial net loss		258,781				422,042
	Unrecognized prior service cost		(2,547		)		(4,101		)
	Unrecognized transition assets, net		26				26
	Net amount recognized		$	254,813			$	198,139
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
			December 31,
			2013				2012
	Prepaid pensions		$	36,116			$	—
	Accrued pension liability, current		(10,564		)		(3,639		)
	Accrued pension liability, long-term		(26,999		)		(216,189		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, excluding tax effects		256,260				417,967
	Net amount recognized in the balance sheets		$	254,813			$	198,139
Components of Pension Cost for Defined Benefit Plans	'
	Components of Pension Cost for Defined Benefit Plans
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Service cost		$	23,188			$	21,538			$	17,331
	Interest cost		37,225				41,584				44,161
	Expected return on plan assets		(61,244		)		(58,754		)		(57,405		)
	Amortization of prior service cost		(613		)		(90		)		(62		)
	Amortization of net loss		30,929				31,085				21,816
	Settlement/curtailment loss		423				895				529
	Pension cost for defined benefit plans		$	29,908			$	36,258			$	26,370
Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	'
	Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
			December 31,
			2013				2012
	U.S. pension plans
	Projected benefit obligation		$	37,355			$	956,837
	Accumulated benefit obligation		33,416				905,541
	Fair value of plan assets		10,028				755,491
	Non-U.S. pension plans
	Projected benefit obligation		$	49,990			$	76,884
	Accumulated benefit obligation		42,593				70,492
	Fair value of plan assets		39,753				58,403
Benefits expected to be paid for the U.S. Plans	'
	Benefit Payments for Plans
	Benefits expected to be paid for the U.S. plans are as follows:
	Estimated Payments
	2014	$	61,755
	2015	53,992
	2016	61,654
	2017	59,570
	2018	58,422
	2019 through 2023	307,094
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligation for the Company's significant defined benefit plans	'
	Assumptions
	Weighted average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligation for the Company's significant defined benefit plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.7	%		3.8	%
	Rate of increase in compensation		4.2	%		4	%
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit cost for the Company's significant defined benefit plans	'
	Weighted average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit cost for the Company's significant defined benefit plans for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
			December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate		3.8	%		4.2	%		5.3	%
	Rate of increase in compensation		4.1	%		4	%		4	%
	Expected return on plan assets		7.4	%		7.7	%		7.9	%
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'
	The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans' assets as of December 31, 2013:
			Pension Plans' Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
			Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Significant			Total
			in Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable
			for Identical				(Level 2)				Inputs
			Assets								(Level 3)
			(Level 1)
	Common trusts and 103-12 investments (1)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	—			$	4,686			$	—		$	4,686
	Common trusts and 103-12 investments		—				902,746				—			902,746
	Private equity funds (2)		—				—				32,563			32,563
	Total assets at fair value		$	—			$	907,432			$	32,563		$	939,995
	The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans' assets as of December 31, 2012:
			Pension Plans' Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
			Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Significant			Total
			in Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable
			for Identical				(Level 2)				Inputs
			Assets								(Level 3)
			(Level 1)
	Corporate stock (3)		$	107,763			$	—			$	—		$	107,763
	Cash and cash equivalents		5,170				—				—			5,170
	Corporate and other obligations (4)		—				412				—			412
	Common trusts and 103-12 investments (1)		—				673,469				—			673,469
	Private equity funds (2)		—				—				27,083			27,083
	Total assets at fair value		$	112,933			$	673,881			$	27,083		$	813,897
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	Common trusts and 103-12 investments are comprised of a number of investment funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of assets including equity securities, corporate and governmental bonds, equity and credit indexes, and money markets. Trusts are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as determined by their custodian. NAV represents the accumulation of the unadjusted quoted close prices on the reporting date for the underlying investments divided by the total shares outstanding at the reporting dates.
	-2	Private equity funds consist of four funds seeking capital appreciation by investing in private equity investment partnerships and venture capital companies. Funds are comprised of unrestricted and restricted publicly traded securities and privately held securities. Unrestricted securities are valued at the closing market price on the reporting date. Restricted securities may be valued at a discount from such closing public market price, depending on facts and circumstances. Privately held securities are valued at fair value as determined by the fund directors and general partners.
	-3	This investment category includes publicly traded equity investments directly held by the plans. Investments are valued at the unadjusted quoted close prices reported on the reporting date.
	-4	This investment category is composed of publicly traded bonds and asset backed securities which are valued at the quoted closing market prices on the reporting date.
Summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension plans' assets	'
	The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension plans' assets for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			Private
			Equity
			Funds
	Balance at the beginning of year		$	27,083
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements		2,186
	Realized and unrealized gains		3,294
	Balance at the end of year		$	32,563
	The amount of total gains during the period attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to Level 3 net assets still held at the reporting date		$	3,035

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of income (loss) before income taxes	'
	The components of income before income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S.	$	281,724		$	243,382		$	204,667
	Non-U.S.	134,717			126,188			96,664
	Total	$	416,441		$	369,570		$	301,331
Components of income tax expense (benefit)	'
	The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	58,099		$	72,809		$	42,510
	Non-U.S.	40,348			33,510			19,970
	State and local	8,490			8,172			6,699
		106,937			114,491			69,179
	Deferred:
	Federal	21,946			(1,673		)	12,140
	Non-U.S.	(5,734		)	(750		)	2,768
	State and local	1,605			286			231
		17,817			(2,137		)	15,139
	Total	$	124,754		$	112,354		$	84,318
Differences between total income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes	'
	The differences between total income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory rate of 35% applied to pre-tax income	$	145,754		$	129,350		$	105,466
	Effect of state and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,124			5,598			4,585
	Taxes (less) more than the U.S. tax rate on non-U.S. earnings, including utilization of tax loss carry-forwards, losses with no benefit and changes in non-U.S. valuation allowance	(17,352		)	(11,263		)	(13,637		)
	Manufacturing deduction	(6,386		)	(6,287		)	(5,330		)
	U.S. tax cost (benefit) of foreign source income	995			(4,766		)	145
	Resolution and adjustments to uncertain tax positions	(313		)	(1,493		)	(5,103		)
	Other	(5,068		)	1,215			(1,808		)
	Total	$	124,754		$	112,354		$	84,318
	Effective tax rate	29.96		%	30.4		%	27.98		%
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	'
	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Tax loss and credit carry-forwards	$	51,762		$	40,373
	Inventory	1,277			1,328
	Other accruals	15,709			14,981
	Employee benefits	18,909			17,904
	Pension obligations	4,643			82,903
	Other	9,828			12,686
	Deferred tax assets, gross	102,128			170,175
	Valuation allowance	(49,684		)	(38,799		)
	Deferred tax assets, net	52,444			131,376
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment	38,653			41,380
	Intangible assets	24,014			19,545
	Inventory	7,311			5,783
	Pension obligations	7,315			2,940
	Other	8,777			8,769
	Deferred tax liabilities	86,070			78,417
	Total Deferred taxes	$	(33,626	)	$	52,959
Summary of the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits	'
	The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits:
		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	25,255		$	26,656
	Increase related to current year tax provisions	1,990			3,838
	Increase related to prior years' tax positions	208			212
	Increase related to acquisitions	3,528			1,274
	Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities	(95		)	(940		)
	Resolution of and other decreases in prior years' tax liabilities	(3,491		)	(5,964		)
	Other	(1,488		)	179
	Balance at December 31	$	25,907		$	25,255

DERIVATIVES_Tables

DERIVATIVES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of fair values of derivative instruments on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	Fair values of derivative instruments in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets follow:
		31-Dec-13								December 31, 2012
	Derivatives by hedge designation	Other				Other				Other		Other
		Current				Current				Current		Current
		Assets				Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	706			$	219			$	352	$	325
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	766				228				510		902
	Commodity contracts	262				47				731		—
	Total derivatives	$	1,734			$	494			$	1,593	$	1,227
Schedule of effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	The effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
				Year Ended December 31,
	Derivatives by hedge designation	Classification of gains (losses)		2013				2012
	Not designated as hedges:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Selling, general & administrative expenses		$	215			$	3,711
	Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold		2,882				(1,117		)
Schedule of effects of designated cash flow hedges on AOCI and the entity's Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	The effects of designated cash flow hedges on AOCI and the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
		December 31,
	Total gain recognized in AOCI, net of tax	2013				2012
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	369			$	80
	The Company expects a gain of $369 related to existing contracts to be reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, to earnings over the next 12 months as the hedged transactions are realized.
				Year Ended December 31,
	Derivative type	Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to:		2013				2012
	Foreign exchange contracts	Sales		$	619			$	931
		Cost of goods sold		418				234
	Net investment contracts	Selling, general & administrative expenses		(67		)		—

FAIR_VALUE_Tables

FAIR VALUE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table provides a summary of fair value assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Description	Balance as of December 31, 2013		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Identical Assets or		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Liabilities
				(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	1,472	$	—	$	1,472	$	—
	Commodity contracts	262		—		262		—
	Total assets	$	1,734	$	—	$	1,734	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	447	$	—	$	447	$	—
	Commodity contracts	47		—		47		—
	Contingent consideration	5,375		—		—		5,375
	Forward contract	16,974		—		—		16,974
	Deferred compensation	20,132		—		20,132		—
	Total liabilities	$	42,975	$	—	$	20,626	$	22,349
	The following table provides a summary of fair value assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Description	Balance as of December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Identical Assets or		(Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)
				Liabilities
				(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	862	$	—	$	862	$	—
	Commodity contracts	731		—		731		—
	Total assets	$	1,593	$	—	$	1,593	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	1,227	$	—	$	1,227	$	—
	Contingent consideration	4,894		—		—		4,894
	Deferred compensation	16,882		—		16,882		—
	Total liabilities	$	23,003	$	—	$	18,109	$	4,894

LEASES_Tables

LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Summary of assets held under capital leases and included in property, plant and equipment	'
	The following table summarizes assets held under capital leases and included in property, plant and equipment:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Buildings	$	461		$	441
	Machinery and equipment	110			209
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(100		)	(163		)
	Net capital leases	$	471		$	487

PRODUCT_WARRANTY_COSTS_Tables

PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of the changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals	'
	The changes in product warranty accruals for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at beginning of year	$	15,304		$	15,781		$	16,879
	Accruals for warranties	12,786			10,872			10,395
	Settlements	(12,794		)	(11,477		)	(11,260		)
	Foreign currency translation	(116		)	128			(233		)
	Balance at end of year	$	15,180		$	15,304		$	15,781

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_DATA_UNAUD1

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of quarterly financial data	'
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	2013
	Net sales	$	718,573	$	727,432	$	691,875	$	714,791
	Gross profit	226,572		240,338		232,697		243,047
	Income before income taxes	90,679		106,534		97,840		121,388
	Net income	66,806		72,606		66,044		88,324
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.81	$	0.88	$	0.81	$	1.09
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.8	$	0.87	$	0.8	$	1.07
	2012
	Net sales	$	727,122	$	744,045	$	697,552	$	684,648
	Gross profit	215,265		224,997		213,362		213,032
	Income before income taxes	92,919		98,157		90,889		87,605
	Net income	64,243		66,319		64,765		62,084
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.77	$	0.8	$	0.78	$	0.75
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.76	$	0.79	$	0.77	$	0.74

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE2

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Translation of Foreign Currencies) (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 08, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	VEB	VEB
Foreign Currency Transaction [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency transaction losses	$7,759	$4,608	$4,904	'	'
Venezuela - Foreign Currency	'	'	'	'	'
Official exchange rate set by Venezuelan government for nonessential goods after devaluation (in bolivars per U.S. dollar)	'	'	'	'	4.3
Official bolivars exchange rate after 2013 devaluation (in bolivars per U.S. dollar)	'	'	'	6.3	'
Venezuela - Highly Inflationary Economy	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax	8,081	'	'	'	'
Higher cost of goods sold due to the liquidation of inventory valued at the historical exchange rate	-4,117	'	'	'	'
Net bolivar-denominated monetary assets position	38,633	31,545	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents Located in Venezuela	$50,642	$32,610	'	'	'

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE3

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Equity Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Minimum	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest in equity investments (as a percent)	20.00%	'
Maximum	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest in equity investments (as a percent)	50.00%	'
Investments in Turkey and Chile	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of retained earnings that represents undistributed earnings of 50% or less owned equity investments	$16,694	$15,034

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE4

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Machinery, tools and equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Useful life of property, plant and equipment	'3 years
Machinery, tools and equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Useful life of property, plant and equipment	'20 years
Buildings | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Useful life of property, plant and equipment	'50 years

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE5

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Product Warranties	'	'	'
Period of warranty services (in years)	'3 years	'	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	45,850	107,814	626,135
Research and Development	'	'	'
Research and development costs	$42,126	$37,305	$32,834
Bonus	'	'	'
Costs related to the Company's discretionary employee bonus programs	$123,571	$124,947	$104,361

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$88,324	$66,044	$72,606	$66,806	$62,084	$64,765	$66,319	$64,243	$293,780	$257,411	$217,186
Denominator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	81,978,000	83,087,000	83,681,000
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and awards (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,064,000	1,088,000	1,027,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	83,042,000	84,175,000	84,708,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.09	$0.81	$0.88	$0.81	$0.75	$0.78	$0.80	$0.77	$3.58	$3.10	$2.60
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.07	$0.80	$0.87	$0.80	$0.74	$0.77	$0.79	$0.76	$3.54	$3.06	$2.56
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,850	107,814	626,135

ACQUISITIONS_Details

ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 12, 2012

Apr. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Jan. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

2013 Acquisitions [Member]

Tennessee Rand, Inc.

Kaliburn

Wayne Trail Technologies Inc.

Weartech International Inc.

Techalloy

Torchmate

OOO Severstal-metiz

SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)

SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)

SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)

Acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consideration paid in cash and assumed debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$54,023

$144,423

$65,321

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,225

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of assets acquired

30,051

'

'

'

73,257

'

'

'

30,051

73,257

46,837

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill from acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,197

71,166

22,290

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual sales at the date of acquisition

714,791

691,875

727,432

718,573

684,648

697,552

744,045

727,122

2,852,671

2,853,367

2,694,609

'

35,000

35,000

36,000

50,000

40,000

70,000

13,000

'

'

'

'

Sales for last annual period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000

'

'

'

Contingent consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,806

$5,375

'

Period of estimated sales as basis for contingent consideration (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'5 years

'

Sales for prior annual period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'not significant

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLES_Chang

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$132,903	$65,101
Additions and adjustments	43,419	66,697
Foreign currency translation	-1,607	1,105
Balance at the end of the period	174,715	132,903
North America Welding	'	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	86,277	18,514
Additions and adjustments	44,446	67,740
Foreign currency translation	-284	23
Balance at the end of the period	130,439	86,277
Europe Welding	'	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	25,357	23,867
Additions and adjustments	0	66
Foreign currency translation	-927	1,424
Balance at the end of the period	24,430	25,357
Asia Pacific Welding	'	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,248	5,208
Additions and adjustments	0	0
Foreign currency translation	111	40
Balance at the end of the period	5,359	5,248
South America Welding	'	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	614	561
Additions and adjustments	0	0
Foreign currency translation	-52	53
Balance at the end of the period	562	614
The Harris Products Group	'	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	15,407	16,951
Additions and adjustments	-1,027	-1,109
Foreign currency translation	-455	-435
Balance at the end of the period	$13,925	$15,407

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLES_Gross

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES (Gross and Net Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gross intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class	'	'
Gross Amount	$186,940	$160,168
Accumulated Amortization	58,238	45,542
Indefinite Lived Assets	18,310	18,276
Total Intangible, Net	147,012	132,902
Trademarks and trade names	'	'
Gross intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class	'	'
Gross Amount	38,566	30,611
Accumulated Amortization	11,898	9,493
Indefinite Lived Assets	18,310	18,276
Total Intangible, Net	44,978	39,394
Weighted average life (in years)	'12 years	'
Customer relationships	'	'
Gross intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class	'	'
Gross Amount	74,935	63,906
Accumulated Amortization	16,837	12,099
Indefinite Lived Assets	0	0
Total Intangible, Net	58,098	51,807
Weighted average life (in years)	'14 years	'
Patents	'	'
Gross intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class	'	'
Gross Amount	23,861	20,882
Accumulated Amortization	6,205	5,103
Indefinite Lived Assets	0	0
Total Intangible, Net	17,656	15,779
Weighted average life (in years)	'20 years	'
Other	'	'
Gross intangible assets other than goodwill by asset class	'	'
Gross Amount	49,578	44,769
Accumulated Amortization	23,298	18,847
Indefinite Lived Assets	0	0
Total Intangible, Net	$26,280	$25,922
Weighted average life (in years)	'14 years	'

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLES_Textu

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Aggregate amortization expense	$13,342	$10,641	$6,661
Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the next five years	'	'	'
2014	15,745	'	'
2015	15,337	'	'
2016	14,367	'	'
2017	12,228	'	'
2018	$11,484	'	'

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Financial_

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Financial Information of Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$714,791	$691,875	$727,432	$718,573	$684,648	$697,552	$744,045	$727,122	$2,852,671	$2,853,367	$2,694,609
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,852,671	2,853,367	2,694,609
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	437,351	380,508	305,196
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,366	10,735	282
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	415,985	369,773	304,914
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,320	3,988	3,121
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,864	-4,191	-6,704
Income before income taxes	121,388	97,840	106,534	90,679	87,605	90,889	98,157	92,919	416,441	369,570	301,331
Total assets	2,151,867	'	'	'	2,089,863	'	'	'	2,151,867	2,089,863	1,976,776
Equity investments in affiliates	26,618	'	'	'	24,606	'	'	'	26,618	24,606	24,618
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,015	52,715	65,813
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	68,883	65,334	62,051
North America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,652,769	1,580,818	1,309,499
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	127,254	131,062	136,314
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,780,023	1,711,880	1,445,813
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	318,507	293,070	227,924
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,052	827	0
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	317,455	292,243	227,924
Total assets	1,048,412	'	'	'	980,093	'	'	'	1,048,412	980,093	771,315
Equity investments in affiliates	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41,181	36,834	31,826
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	39,086	33,479	29,237
Europe Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	429,548	452,227	508,692
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	19,911	16,048	17,422
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	449,459	468,275	526,114
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	36,247	37,299	36,171
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,045	3,534	392
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34,202	33,765	35,779
Total assets	403,094	'	'	'	451,654	'	'	'	403,094	451,654	436,327
Equity investments in affiliates	23,315	'	'	'	21,798	'	'	'	23,315	21,798	20,500
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,305	5,372	8,566
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,933	11,008	11,736
Asia Pacific Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	266,282	324,482	376,276
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,906	14,829	15,614
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	281,188	339,311	391,890
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,815	7,247	2,629
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,071	4,993	-110
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,256	2,254	2,739
Total assets	325,656	'	'	'	350,189	'	'	'	325,656	350,189	380,282
Equity investments in affiliates	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,073	8,833	21,498
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,559	15,102	14,663
South America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	195,895	161,483	156,684
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	233	38	494
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	196,128	161,521	157,178
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	57,306	18,301	12,895
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	2,538	9,660	'	'	'	'	12,198	1,381	0
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,108	16,920	12,895
Total assets	169,027	'	'	'	134,650	'	'	'	169,027	134,650	110,781
Equity investments in affiliates	3,303	'	'	'	2,808	'	'	'	3,303	2,808	4,118
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,840	899	2,314
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,893	1,878	2,033
The Harris Products Group	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	308,177	334,357	343,458
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,605	8,549	8,496
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	317,782	342,906	351,954
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27,826	29,477	25,151
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27,826	29,477	25,151
Total assets	162,496	'	'	'	195,881	'	'	'	162,496	195,881	181,916
Equity investments in affiliates	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,931	831	1,792
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,636	3,934	4,714
Corporate / Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Revenue from Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-171,909	-170,526	-178,340
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-171,909	-170,526	-178,340
EBIT, as adjusted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,350	-4,886	426
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
EBIT	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,350	-4,886	426
Total assets	43,182	'	'	'	-22,604	'	'	'	43,182	-22,604	96,155
Equity investments in affiliates	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,315	-54	-183
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($224)	($67)	($332)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Geographic

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Geographic Split of Net Sales and Property, Plant and Equipment ) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Geographic split of the Company's net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$714,791	$691,875	$727,432	$718,573	$684,648	$697,552	$744,045	$727,122	$2,852,671	$2,853,367	$2,694,609
Total property, plant and equipment, net	484,005	'	'	'	486,236	'	'	'	484,005	486,236	470,451
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic split of the Company's net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,350,309	1,283,066	1,092,838
Total property, plant and equipment, net	162,357	'	'	'	170,831	'	'	'	162,357	170,831	149,637
China	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic split of the Company's net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	219,490	229,996	286,121
Total property, plant and equipment, net	83,416	'	'	'	92,744	'	'	'	83,416	92,744	96,374
Other foreign countries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic split of the Company's net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,282,872	1,340,305	1,315,650
Total property, plant and equipment, net	238,685	'	'	'	223,050	'	'	'	238,685	223,050	224,801
Corporate / Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic split of the Company's net sales, based on the location of the customer, and property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment, net	($453)	'	'	'	($389)	'	'	'	($453)	($389)	($361)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Textual_De

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
								segment
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,658	$7,615	'
Number of operating segments (segments)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5	'	'
Percentage of total inventories valued using the LIFO method (as a percent)	38.00%	'	'	'	34.00%	'	'	38.00%	34.00%	31.00%
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions	259	1,627	851	1,051	5,037	3,059	1,258	8,463	9,354	282
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,366	10,735	282
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	156	'	'
Asset Impairment Charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,961	'	'
Europe Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,765	3,637	'
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	188
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,045	3,534	392
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	103	-204
Asia Pacific Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	841	3,151	93
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	922	'	'
Other Asset Impairment Charges	'	4,675	'	'	'	'	'	4,444	'	'
Land Sales	705	'	'	'	'	'	'	705	'	'
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,071	4,993	-110
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	154	'	203
Asset Impairment Charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	235	1,842	'
South America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,381	'	'	'
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	2,538	9,660	'	'	'	12,198	1,381	0
The Harris Products Group	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
North America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financial information for the reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,052	827	'
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,052	827	0
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToForeignCountries1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$260,195	$268,331	$242,380
Revenues | Customer concentration risk | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of concentration of credit risk not met other than separately disclosed	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

RATIONALIZATION_AND_ASSET_IMPA2

RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Summary of Activity Related to Rationalization Liabilities by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$3,057	$255	'
Payments and other adjustments	-3,439	-4,813	'
Charged to expense	3,658	7,615	'
Balance at the end of the period	3,276	3,057	'
North America Welding	'	'	'
Activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	0	0	'
Payments and other adjustments	-586	-827	'
Charged to expense	1,052	827	'
Balance at the end of the period	466	0	'
Europe Welding	'	'	'
Activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,013	173	'
Payments and other adjustments	-1,343	-1,797	'
Charged to expense	1,765	3,637	'
Balance at the end of the period	2,435	2,013	'
Asia Pacific Welding	'	'	'
Activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,044	0	'
Payments and other adjustments	-1,510	-2,107	'
Charged to expense	841	3,151	93
Balance at the end of the period	375	1,044	0
The Harris Products Group	'	'	'
Activity related to the rationalization liabilities by segment	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	0	82	'
Payments and other adjustments	0	-82	'
Charged to expense	0	0	'
Balance at the end of the period	$0	$0	'

RATIONALIZATION_AND_ASSET_IMPA3

RATIONALIZATION AND ASSET IMPAIRMENTS (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains)	$259	$1,627	$851	$1,051	$5,037	$3,059	$1,258	$8,463	$9,354	$282
Special items charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,366	10,735	282
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,658	7,615	'
Restructuring liability	3,276	'	'	'	3,057	'	'	3,276	3,057	255
Asset impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,961	'	'
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	156	'	'
North America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,052	827	0
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,052	827	'
Restructuring liability	466	'	'	'	0	'	'	466	0	0
Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,832	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,599	'	'
Restructuring liability	1,209	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,209	'	'
Asset impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	233	'	'
Europe Welding 2012 Plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	213	'	'
Restructuring liability	1,226	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,226	'	'
Asia Pacific Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,071	4,993	-110
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	841	3,151	93
Restructuring liability	375	'	'	'	1,044	'	'	375	1,044	0
Asset impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	235	1,842	'
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	154	'	203
Restructuring Charges Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	922	'	'
Other Asset Impairment Charges	'	4,675	'	'	'	'	'	4,444	'	'
The Harris Products Group	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Special items charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'
Restructuring liability	0	'	'	'	0	'	'	0	0	82
Employee Severance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Employee severance and other related costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,658	'	'
Employee Severance | North America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72	'	'
Employee Severance | Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56	'	'
Employee Severance | Europe Welding 2012 Plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	285	'	'
Employee Severance | Asia Pacific Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees affected due to rationalization activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	268	'	'
Employee Severance | Minimum | Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected restructuring costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	400	'	'
Employee Severance | Maximum | Europe Welding 2013 Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected restructuring costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$700	'	'

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

($151,941)

'

'

'

($235,400)

'

'

'

($151,941)

($235,400)

($247,881)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

62,053

-8,815

'

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,406

21,296

'

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

83,459

12,481

'

Net sales

714,791

691,875

727,432

718,573

684,648

697,552

744,045

727,122

2,852,671

2,853,367

2,694,609

Income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124,754

112,354

84,318

Cost of goods sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,910,017

1,986,711

1,957,872

Selling, general & administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

527,206

495,221

439,775

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

369

'

'

'

80

'

'

'

369

80

912

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-681

-1,997

'

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

970

[1]

1,165

[1]

'

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

289

-832

'

Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

-160,693

'

'

'

-261,844

'

'

'

-160,693

-261,844

-255,369

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82,050

[2]

-26,373

[2]

'

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,101

[2]

19,898

[2]

'

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101,151

-6,475

'

Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

8,383

'

'

'

26,364

'

'

'

8,383

26,364

6,576

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-19,316

[3]

19,555

[3]

'

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,335

[3]

233

[3]

'

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-17,981

19,788

'

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,556

-3,492

'

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,819

-153

'

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Sales | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

619

931

'

Income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99

157

'

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cost of goods sold | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

295

169

'

Cost of goods sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

418

234

'

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Selling, general & administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($67)

'

'

[1]

During the 2013 period, this AOCI reclassification is a component of Net sales of $619 (net of tax of $99), Cost of goods sold of $418 (net of tax of $295) and SG&A of $(67) with no tax effect; during the 2012 period, the reclassification is a component of Net sales of $931 (net of tax of $157) and Cost of goods sold of $234 (net of tax of $169). (See Note 13 - Derivatives for additional details.)

[2]

This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs (net of tax of $60,556 and $(3,492) during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively). (See Note 11 - Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans for additional details.)

[3]

The Other comprehensive income before reclassifications excludes $(1,819) and $(153) attributable to Non-controlling interests in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The reclassified AOCI component is included in the computation of Non-controlling interests. (See Consolidated Statements of Equity for additional details.)

DEBT_Schedule_of_Debt_Details

DEBT (Schedule of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	$4,506	$2,055
Less current portion	715	456
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,791	1,599
Short-term debt	'	'
Amounts due banks, interest at 11.28% (11.32% in 2012)	14,581	18,220
Current portion of long-term debt	715	456
Total short-term debt	15,296	18,676
Total debt	19,087	20,275
Capital leases due through 2017, interest at 1.12% to 3.63%	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	236	267
Short-term debt	'	'
Interest rate, low end of range (as a percent)	1.12%	'
Interest rate, high end of range (as a percent)	3.63%	'
Other borrowings due through 2023, interest up to 4.00%	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	$4,270	$1,788
Short-term debt	'	'
Interest rate, high end of range (as a percent)	4.00%	'

DEBT_Senior_Unsecured_Notes_De

DEBT (Senior Unsecured Notes) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt	'	'
Fair value of long-term debt	$4,212	$1,919

DEBT_Revolving_Credit_Agreemen

DEBT (Revolving Credit Agreement) (Details) (Revolving credit agreement, USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Revolving credit agreement	'	'	'
Debt	'	'	'
Borrowing capacity under the line of credit	'	$300,000	$300,000
Credit agreement initiation date	26-Jul-12	'	'
Credit facility covenant compliance	'	'	'As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants
Term of the credit agreement (in years)	'	'5 years	'
Additional increase in borrowing capacity of the line of credit available at the entity's option	'	$100,000	$100,000

DEBT_Capital_Leases_Details

DEBT (Capital Leases) (Details) (Capital leases due through 2017, interest at 1.12% to 3.63%, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital leases due through 2017, interest at 1.12% to 3.63%	'	'
Debt	'	'
Capital lease indebtedness secured by property, plant and equipment	$236	$267

DEBT_Other_Textual_Details

DEBT (Other Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	$15,297	'	'
2015	535	'	'
2016	446	'	'
2017	285	'	'
2018	202	'	'
Thereafter	774	'	'
Total interest paid	2,864	4,423	6,979
Short-term borrowings included in amounts due banks	$14,581	$18,220	'
Weighted average interest rates of borrowings of foreign subsidiaries (as a percent)	11.30%	11.30%	'

STOCK_PLANS_Summary_of_Stock_O

STOCK PLANS (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (Stock options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock options	'	'	'
Stock Options, Shares	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year (in shares)	3,060,944	3,632,463	3,779,824
Granted (in shares)	273,105	412,980	459,263
Exercised (in shares)	-774,783	-962,029	-572,795
Canceled (in shares)	-106,618	-22,470	-33,829
Balance at end of year (in shares)	2,452,648	3,060,944	3,632,463
Exercisable at end of year (in shares)	1,837,014	2,208,455	2,677,071
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$30.98	$26.05	$23.99
Shares granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$70.88	$47.66	$35.34
Shares exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$26.20	$19.52	$19.82
Shares canceled, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$40.54	$24.07	$26.62
Balance at end of year, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$36.52	$30.98	$26.05
Exercisable at end of year, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$29.93	$27.19	$23.73

STOCK_PLANS_Stock_Option_Weigh

STOCK PLANS (Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions) (Details) (Stock options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock options	'	'	'
Stock Plans	'	'	'
Expected volatility (as a percent)	32.97%	45.67%	41.92%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	1.40%	1.66%	1.63%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.52%	0.70%	0.80%
Expected option life (in years)	'4 years 4 months 24 days	'4 years 6 months	'4 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average fair value per option granted during the year (in dollars per share)	$18.14	$15.87	$10.97

STOCK_PLANS_NonVested_Stock_Op

STOCK PLANS (Non-Vested Stock Option Activity) (Details) (Stock options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock options	'	'	'
Stock Plans	'	'	'
Balance of Nonvested Options (in shares)	615,634	852,489	'
Granted (in shares)	273,105	412,980	459,263
Vested (in shares)	-410,542	'	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-99,418	'	'
Nonvested stock options, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, weighted average fair value at grant date (in dollars per share)	$13.63	'	'
Granted, weighted average fair value at grant date (in dollars per share)	$18.14	$15.87	$10.97
Vested, weighted average fair value at grant date (in dollars per share)	$12.50	'	'
Forfeited, weighted average fair value at grant date (in dollars per share)	$14.04	'	'
Balance at end of year, weighted average fair value at grant date (in dollars per share)	$16.32	$13.63	'

STOCK_PLANS_Summary_of_Stock_O1

STOCK PLANS (Summary of Stock Options by Exercise Price Range) (Details) (Stock options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Information about awards outstanding	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	'6 years 6 months
Outstanding	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	2,452,648
Exercisable	'
Options Exercisable, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	1,837,014
Exercise Price Range 1	'
Information about awards outstanding	'
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	29.99
Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	'4 years 7 months 6 days
Outstanding	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	738,614
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	23.41
Exercisable	'
Options Exercisable, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	738,614
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	23.41
Exercise Price Range 2	'
Information about awards outstanding	'
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	30
Exercise price, high end of range (in dollars per share)	39.99
Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	'6 years 2 months 12 days
Outstanding	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	1,092,456
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	33.2
Exercisable	'
Options Exercisable, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	1,001,199
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	33
Exercise Price Range 3	'
Information about awards outstanding	'
Exercise price, low end of range (in dollars per share)	40
Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	'9 years 4 months 24 days
Outstanding	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	621,578
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	57.93
Exercisable	'
Options Exercisable, Number of Stock Options (in shares)	97,201
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	47.85

STOCK_PLANS_Summary_of_Restric

STOCK PLANS (Summary of Restricted Stock Awards) (Details) (Restricted stock awards, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted stock awards	'		'		'
Shares	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year (in shares)	336,808		379,233		523,730
Shares granted (in shares)	14,464		20,099		22,779
Shares vested (in shares)	-224,021	[1]	-62,524	[1]	-159,842	[1]
Shares forfeited (in shares)	-11,935		0		-7,434
Balance at end of year (in shares)	'		336,808		379,233
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	115,316		318,088		'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$28.49		$28.06		$27.36
Shares granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$70.88		$47.81		$35.55
Shares vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$25.68	[1]	$32.10	[1]	$26.97	[1]
Shares forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$25.76		$0		$24.67
Balance at end of year, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	'		$28.49		$28.06
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39.55		$28.74		'
[1]	Includes shares vested but not exercisable

STOCK_PLANS_Summary_NonVested_

STOCK PLANS (Summary Non-Vested Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) (Restricted stock awards, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted stock awards	'	'	'
Shares	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year (in shares)	318,088	'	'
Shares granted (in shares)	14,464	20,099	22,779
Shares vested (in shares)	-205,301	'	'
Shares forfeited (in shares)	-11,935	0	-7,434
Balance at end of year (in shares)	115,316	318,088	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$28.74	'	'
Shares granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$70.88	$47.81	$35.55
Shares vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$25.80	'	'
Shares forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$25.76	$0	$24.67
Balance at end of year, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$39.55	$28.74	'

STOCK_PLANS_RSUs_Details

STOCK PLANS (RSUs) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year (in shares)	288,669	166,519	0
Shares granted (in shares)	69,925	133,944	166,519
Shares vested (in shares)	-33,698	-10,499	0
Shares forfeited (in shares)	-40,952	-1,295	0
Balance at end of year (in shares)	283,944	288,669	166,519
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$40.83	$34.55	$0
Shares granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$67.17	$47.97	$34.55
Shares vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$39.20	$33.06	$0
Shares forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$41.70	$35.55	$0
Balance at end of year, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$47.38	$40.83	$34.55

STOCK_PLANS_Textual_Details

STOCK PLANS (Textual) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Apr. 28, 2006

Apr. 28, 2006

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Stock options

Stock options

Stock options

Restricted stock awards

Restricted stock awards

Restricted stock awards

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units

1995 Lincoln Stock Purchase Plan

1995 Lincoln Stock Purchase Plan

1995 Lincoln Stock Purchase Plan

EPI Plan

Director Plan

2005 Plan

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock awards

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock awards

Restricted Stock Units

1995 Lincoln Stock Purchase Plan

Stock Plans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum additional number of the Company's common shares that may be granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

6,000,000

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common shares available for future grant under all plans (in shares)

2,315,239

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award expiration (in years)

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award vesting period (in years)

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'3 years

'5 years

'5 years

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of awards outstanding

'

'

'

$85,404,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of awards exercisable

'

'

'

76,076,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of awards exercised

'

'

'

20,297,000

18,776,000

10,028,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares converted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

205,301

'

'

33,698

10,499

0

'

'

'

'

'

31,552

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred RSUs (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,012

'

'

'

'

'

Shares granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,464

20,099

22,779

69,925

133,944

166,519

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares granted (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$70.88

$47.81

$35.55

$67.17

$47.97

$34.55

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining weighted average life of non-vested restricted awards (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 9 months 18 days

'

'

'4 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total stock-based compensation expense

9,734,000

8,961,000

6,610,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized in the period

3,727,000

3,409,000

2,515,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested stock options, restricted shares and restricted stock units

21,633,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense (in months)

'3 years 4 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dollar value of shares that each employee has the ability to purchase on the open market, on a commission-free basis annually under the plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,000

Shares purchased (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,653

4,908

4,466

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

COMMON_STOCK_REPURCHASE_PROGRA1

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
COMMON SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM	'
Shares authorized for repurchase under share repurchase program (in shares)	45,000,000
Shares purchased in the open market under share repurchase program (in shares)	2,671,614
Average cost per share of shares purchased in the open market under share repurchase program (in dollars per share)	$61.67
Remaining shares available for repurchase under the stock repurchase program (in shares)	15,670,759

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT2

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Obligations and Funded Status) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Change in benefit obligations	'	'	'
Benefit obligations at beginning of year	$1,033,725	$991,979	'
Service cost	23,188	21,538	17,331
Interest cost	37,225	41,584	44,161
Plan participants' contributions	221	334	'
Plan amendments	1,623	-3,681	'
Actuarial (gain) loss	-91,851	70,015	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	59,296	86,722	'
Settlement/curtailment	-1,390	-3,946	'
Currency translation	-2,003	2,624	'
Benefit obligations at end of year	941,442	1,033,725	991,979
Change in plan assets	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	813,897	749,456	'
Actual return on plan assets	101,044	83,156	'
Employer contributions	85,456	68,029	'
Plan participants' contributions	221	334	'
Benefits paid	-57,644	-85,238	'
Settlement	-1,390	-3,798	'
Currency translation	-1,589	1,958	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	939,995	813,897	749,456
Net amount recognized	'	'	'
Funded status at end of year	-1,447	-219,828	'
Unrecognized net loss	258,781	422,042	'
Unrecognized prior service cost	-2,547	-4,101	'
Unrecognized transition assets, net	26	26	'
Net amount recognized	$254,813	$198,139	'

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT3

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'
Prepaid Pension Costs	$36,116	$0
Accrued pension liability, current	-10,564	-3,639
Accrued pension liability, long-term	-26,999	-216,189
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, excluding tax effects	256,260	417,967
Net amount recognized	$254,813	$198,139

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT4

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Components of Pension Cost for Defined Benefit Plans) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of Pension Cost for Defined Benefit Plan	'	'	'
Service cost	$23,188	$21,538	$17,331
Interest cost	37,225	41,584	44,161
Expected return on plan assets	-61,244	-58,754	-57,405
Amortization of prior service cost	-613	-90	-62
Amortization of net loss	30,929	31,085	21,816
Settlement/curtailment (gain) loss	423	895	529
Pension cost for defined benefit plans	$29,908	$36,258	$26,370

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT5

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. pension plans	'	'
Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	$37,355	$956,837
Accumulated benefit obligation	33,416	905,541
Fair value of plan assets	10,028	755,491
Non-U.S. pension plans	'	'
Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	49,990	76,884
Accumulated benefit obligation	42,593	70,492
Fair value of plan assets	$39,753	$58,403

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT6

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Benefit Payments for Plans) (Details) (U.S. pension plans, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. pension plans	'
Benefit Payments for Plans	'
2014	$61,755
2015	53,992
2016	61,654
2017	59,570
2018	58,422
2019 through 2023	$307,094

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT7

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Measure the Benefit Obligation) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the benefit obligation	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.70%	3.80%
Rate of increase in compensation (as a percent)	4.20%	4.00%

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT8

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Measure the Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Weighted average assumptions used to measure the net periodic benefit cost	'	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.80%	4.20%	5.30%
Rate of increase in compensation (as a percent)	4.10%	4.00%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	7.40%	7.70%	7.90%

RETIREMENT_ANNUITY_AND_GUARANT9

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Pension Plan Assets by Level with the Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	$939,995		$813,897		$749,456
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		112,933		'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	907,432		673,881		'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	32,563		27,083		'
Corporate stock	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		107,763	[1]	'
Corporate stock | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		107,763		'
Corporate stock | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		0		'
Corporate stock | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		0		'
Cash and cash equivalents	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	4,686	[2]	5,170		'
Cash and cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		5,170		'
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	4,686		0		'
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		0		'
Corporate and other obligations	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		412	[3]	'
Corporate and other obligations | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		0		'
Corporate and other obligations | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		412		'
Corporate and other obligations | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	'		0		'
Common trusts and 103-12 investments	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	902,746	[2]	673,469	[2]	'
Common trusts and 103-12 investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		0		'
Common trusts and 103-12 investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	902,746		673,469		'
Common trusts and 103-12 investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		0		'
Private equity funds	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	32,563	[4]	27,083	[4]	'
Private equity funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		0		'
Private equity funds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	0		0		'
Private equity funds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'		'
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy	'		'		'
Total assets at fair value	$32,563		$27,083		'
[1]	This investment category includes publicly traded equity investments directly held by the plans. Investments are valued at the unadjusted quoted close prices reported on the reporting date.
[2]	Common trusts and 103-12 investments are comprised of a number of investment funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of assets including equity securities, corporate and governmental bonds, equity and credit indexes, and money markets. Trusts are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as determined by their custodian. NAV represents the accumulation of the unadjusted quoted close prices on the reporting date for the underlying investments divided by the total shares outstanding at the reporting dates.
[3]	This investment category is composed of publicly traded bonds and asset backed securities which are valued at the quoted closing market prices on the reporting date.
[4]	Private equity funds consist of four funds seeking capital appreciation by investing in private equity investment partnerships and venture capital companies. Funds are comprised of unrestricted and restricted publicly traded securities and privately held securities. Unrestricted securities are valued at the closing market price on the reporting date. Restricted securities may be valued at a discount from such closing public market price, depending on facts and circumstances. Privately held securities are valued at fair value as determined by the fund directors and general partners.

Recovered_Sheet1

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Pension Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Retirement Annuity and Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plans	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$813,897		$749,456
Realized and unrealized (losses) gains	101,044		83,156
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	939,995		813,897
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'
Retirement Annuity and Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plans	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	32,563		27,083
Private equity funds	'		'
Retirement Annuity and Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plans	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	32,563	[1]	27,083	[1]
Private equity funds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'		'
Retirement Annuity and Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plans	'		'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	27,083		'
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements	2,186		'
Realized and unrealized (losses) gains	3,294		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	32,563		'
The amount of total (losses) gains during the period attributable to the change in unrealized (losses) gains relating to Level 3 net assets still held at the reporting date	$3,035		'
[1]	Private equity funds consist of four funds seeking capital appreciation by investing in private equity investment partnerships and venture capital companies. Funds are comprised of unrestricted and restricted publicly traded securities and privately held securities. Unrestricted securities are valued at the closing market price on the reporting date. Restricted securities may be valued at a discount from such closing public market price, depending on facts and circumstances. Privately held securities are valued at fair value as determined by the fund directors and general partners.

Recovered_Sheet2

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Defined Contribution Plans) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2006
				Minimum	Maximum
Defined Contribution Plan	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of eligible compensation that may be invested by all U.S. employees covered under the plan (as a percent)	1.00%	'	'	'	'
Employer match of employee contributions of first 6% of eligible compensation (as a percent)	35.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of eligible compensation, matched 35% by employer (as a percent)	6.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of base pay as additional annual Company contribution to participants hired after November 1, 1997 (as a percent)	2.00%	'	'	4.00%	10.00%
Annual costs recognized for defined contribution plans	$10,812	$9,405	$8,478	'	'

Recovered_Sheet3

RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	hours
After-tax amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'
Unrecognized actuarial net loss	$162,983	'	'
Unrecognized prior service credits	-2,307	'	'
Unrecognized transition obligations	17	'	'
Pre-tax amounts expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during next fiscal year	'	'	'
Unrecognized actuarial net loss	16,104	'	'
Unrecognized prior service credits	-618	'	'
Unrecognized transition obligations	-4	'	'
Total accumulated benefit obligation for all plans	891,397	976,033	'
Contributions to Plans	'	'	'
Expected contribution to the plans during the next fiscal year	20,000	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	'	'	'
Total net pension costs	29,908	36,258	26,370
Projected benefit obligation	941,442	1,033,725	991,979
Multi-Employer Plans	'	'	'
Annual pension costs of multi-employer plans for operations in Europe	1,048	972	966
Other Benefits	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of every standard work week for which, the Company will provide work to employees in Cleveland, Ohio, area operations, covered under the guaranteed continuous employment plan (as a percent)	75.00%	'	'
Hours in a standard work week under Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plan (hours)	40	'	'
Minimum notice period for the termination of Guaranteed Continuous Employment Plan (in months)	'6 months	'	'
Supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP)	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	'	'	'
Total net pension costs	2,329	2,254	2,110
Projected benefit obligation	$22,877	$25,646	$23,930
Equity Securities	'	'	'
Target allocation for pension plan assets	'	'	'
Target plan asset allocations range minimum	60.00%	'	'
Target plan asset allocations range maximum	70.00%	'	'
Debt Securities	'	'	'
Target allocation for pension plan assets	'	'	'
Target plan asset allocations range minimum	30.00%	'	'
Target plan asset allocations range maximum	40.00%	'	'

INCOME_TAXES_Components_of_Inc

INCOME TAXES (Components of Income (Loss) before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
U.S.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$281,724	$243,382	$204,667
Non-U.S.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	134,717	126,188	96,664
Income before income taxes	$121,388	$97,840	$106,534	$90,679	$87,605	$90,889	$98,157	$92,919	$416,441	$369,570	$301,331

INCOME_TAXES_Components_of_Inc1

INCOME TAXES (Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$58,099	$72,809	$42,510
Non-U.S.	40,348	33,510	19,970
State and local	8,490	8,172	6,699
Current income tax expense (benefit)	106,937	114,491	69,179
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	21,946	-1,673	12,140
Non-U.S.	-5,734	-750	2,768
State and local	1,605	286	231
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	17,817	-2,137	15,139
Total	$124,754	$112,354	$84,318

INCOME_TAXES_Income_Tax_Rate_R

INCOME TAXES (Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Differences between total income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes	'	'	'
Statutory rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Statutory rate of 35% applied to pre-tax income	$145,754	$129,350	$105,466
Effect of state and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,124	5,598	4,585
Taxes (less) more than the U.S. tax rate on non-U.S. earnings, including utilization of tax loss carry-forwards, losses with no benefit and changes in non-U.S. valuation allowance	-17,352	-11,263	-13,637
Manufacturing deduction	-6,386	-6,287	-5,330
U.S. tax cost (benefit) of foreign source income	995	-4,766	145
Resolution and adjustments to uncertain tax positions	-313	-1,493	-5,103
Other	-5,068	1,215	-1,808
Total	124,754	112,354	84,318
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	29.96%	30.40%	27.98%
Total income tax payments, net of refunds	$84,567	$78,506	$62,600

INCOME_TAXES_Deferred_Taxes_De

INCOME TAXES (Deferred Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Tax loss and credit carry-forwards	$51,762	$40,373
Inventory	1,277	1,328
Other accruals	15,709	14,981
Employee benefits	18,909	17,904
Pension obligations	4,643	82,903
Other	9,828	12,686
Deferred tax assets, gross	102,128	170,175
Valuation allowance	-49,684	-38,799
Deferred tax assets, net	52,444	131,376
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	38,653	41,380
Intangible assets	24,014	19,545
Inventory	7,311	5,783
Pension obligations	7,315	2,940
Other	8,777	8,769
Deferred tax liabilities	86,070	78,417
Total Deferred taxes	-33,626	52,959
Tax loss carryforwards of certain subsidiaries that will expire in various years from 2014 through 2030	121,044	'
Tax loss carryforwards of certain subsidiaries for which there is no expiration date	77,380	'
Unremitted earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that are not expected to be permanently reinvested	$8,354	'

INCOME_TAXES_Unrecognized_Tax_

INCOME TAXES (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the year	$25,255	$26,656
Increase related to current year tax provisions	1,990	3,838
Increase related to prior years' tax positions	208	212
Increase related to acquisitions	3,528	1,274
Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities	-95	-940
Resolution of and other decreases in prior years' tax liabilities	-3,491	-5,964
Other	-1,488	179
Balance at the end of the year	25,907	25,255
Interest and penalties expense (benefit)	492	893
Accrued interest and penalties	10,257	10,295
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	13,739	14,839
Reasonably possible further reduction in prior years' unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months	4,284	'
Possible increase in Canadian federal and provincial tax due to reassessment	58,824	'
Possible interest on Canadian tax reassessment	16,022	'
Interest percentage charged on tax assessment (percent)	5.00%	'
Rate of interest to be earned on tax deposit upon favorable outcome (percent)	1.00%	'
Tax deposit	$84,128	'

DERIVATIVES_Fair_Value_of_Deri

DERIVATIVES (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Assets	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets	$1,734	$1,593
Other Current Liabilities	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities	494	1,227
Designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other Current Assets	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets	706	352
Designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other Current Liabilities	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities	219	325
Not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other Current Assets	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets	766	510
Not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other Current Liabilities	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities	228	902
Not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Other Current Assets	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets	262	731
Not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Other Current Liabilities	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities	$47	$0

DERIVATIVES_Derivatives_Income

DERIVATIVES (Derivatives Income Statement Impact) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign exchange contracts | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'
Effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the entity's Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Gains (losses) recognized in income	$215	$3,711
Commodity contracts | Cost of goods sold	'	'
Effects of undesignated derivative instruments on the entity's Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Gains (losses) recognized in income	$2,882	($1,117)

DERIVATIVES_AOCI_Impact_Detail

DERIVATIVES (AOCI Impact) (Details) (Foreign exchange contracts, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI, net of tax	$369	$80
Sales	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to earnings	619	931
Cost of goods sold	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to earnings	418	234
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'	'
Fair values of derivative instruments	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to earnings	($67)	$0

DERIVATIVES_Textual_Details

DERIVATIVES (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
		Designated as hedging instruments	Designated as hedging instruments	Not designated as hedging instruments	Not designated as hedging instruments	Not designated as hedging instruments	Not designated as hedging instruments	Not designated as hedging instruments	Not designated as hedging instruments
		Foreign exchange contracts	Foreign exchange contracts	Foreign exchange contracts	Foreign exchange contracts	Silver forward contract	Silver forward contract	Copper forward contract	Copper forward contract
						ozt	ozt	lb	lb
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum period for which derivative contracts cover currency and commodity exposures (in years)	'2 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial	'Hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial for the three years ended December 31, 2013.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of derivative instruments	'	$36,880	$39,597	$186,158	$189,259	'	'	'	'
Notional amounts of forward contracts that are not designated as hedges	'	'	'	'	'	290,000	275,000	375,000	375,000
Expected gain to be reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, to earnings	$369	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Period for expected loss to be reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, to earnings (in months)	'12 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

FAIR_VALUE_Summary_of_Fair_Val

FAIR VALUE (Summary of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)

SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Recurring basis

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

Fair value

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Commodity contracts

Commodity contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Commodity contracts

Commodity contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Commodity contracts

Commodity contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Commodity contracts

Commodity contracts

Assets:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

$1,472

$862

$262

$731

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

'

'

$1,472

$862

$262

$731

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total assets

'

'

'

1,734

1,593

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

1,734

1,593

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

Liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

447

1,227

47

'

'

'

0

0

0

'

'

'

447

1,227

47

'

'

'

0

0

0

'

Contingent consideration

'

5,375

3,806

5,375

4,894

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

5,375

4,894

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value

17,225

'

'

16,974

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

16,974

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred compensation

'

'

'

20,132

16,882

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

20,132

16,882

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

Total liabilities

'

'

'

$42,975

$23,003

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

$20,626

$18,109

'

'

'

'

$22,349

$4,894

'

'

'

'

FAIR_VALUE_Textual_Details

FAIR VALUE (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)	SSCO Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Arc Products)	Minimum [Member]	Maximum	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
							Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration	'	'	$3,806	$5,375	'	'	$5,375	$4,894
Non-cash accretion of contingent consideration	'	'	'	481	'	'	'	'
Period of estimated sales as basis for contingent consideration (in years)	'3 years	'	'5 years	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Weighted average discount rate (percent)	16.30%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average compound annual revenue growth rate (percent)	'	'	'	'	14.80%	18.80%	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	'	$17,225	'	'	'	'	$16,974	'

INVENTORY_Details

INVENTORY (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of total inventories valued using the LIFO method (as a percent)	38.00%	34.00%	31.00%
Excess of current cost over LIFO cost	$70,882	$72,173	'

LEASES_Details

LEASES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets held under capital leases	'	'	'
Less: accumulated depreciation	($100)	($163)	'
Net capital leases	471	487	'
Total future minimum lease payments for noncancelable operating leases	'	'	'
2014	13,263	'	'
2015	10,391	'	'
2016	8,240	'	'
2017	5,637	'	'
2018	4,071	'	'
Thereafter	6,568	'	'
Rental expense	18,642	17,751	15,221
Buildings	'	'	'
Assets held under capital leases	'	'	'
Gross capital leases	461	441	'
Machinery and equipment	'	'	'
Assets held under capital leases	'	'	'
Gross capital leases	$110	$209	'

CONTINGENCIES_Details

CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Accrual for contingent liabilities, primarily for product liability claims	$2,735	$5,636
Asset for recoveries from insurance carriers related to the insured claims outstanding	$0	$1,311

PRODUCT_WARRANTY_COSTS_Details

PRODUCT WARRANTY COSTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in the carrying amount of product warranty accruals	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$15,304	$15,781	$16,879
Accruals for warranties	12,786	10,872	10,395
Settlements	-12,794	-11,477	-11,260
Foreign currency translation	-116	128	-233
Balance at end of year	$15,180	$15,304	$15,781

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_DATA_UNAUD2

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$714,791	$691,875	$727,432	$718,573	$684,648	$697,552	$744,045	$727,122	$2,852,671	$2,853,367	$2,694,609
Gross profit	243,047	232,697	240,338	226,572	213,032	213,362	224,997	215,265	942,654	866,656	736,737
Income before income taxes	121,388	97,840	106,534	90,679	87,605	90,889	98,157	92,919	416,441	369,570	301,331
Net income	88,324	66,044	72,606	66,806	62,084	64,765	66,319	64,243	293,780	257,411	217,186
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.09	$0.81	$0.88	$0.81	$0.75	$0.78	$0.80	$0.77	$3.58	$3.10	$2.60
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.07	$0.80	$0.87	$0.80	$0.74	$0.77	$0.79	$0.76	$3.54	$3.06	$2.56
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains (charges)	-259	-1,627	-851	-1,051	-5,037	-3,059	-1,258	'	-8,463	-9,354	-282
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains (charges), after-tax	-223	-1,595	-579	-673	-3,823	-2,704	-915	'	'	'	'
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,366	10,735	282
Asia Pacific Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	266,282	324,482	376,276
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,071	4,993	-110
Other Asset Impairment Charges	'	4,675	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,444	'	'
Other Asset Impairment Charges Net of Tax	'	4,503	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Land Sales	-705	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-705	'	'
Noncontrolling Interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Asset Impairment Charges	'	1,021	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Land Sales	-47	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
North America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,652,769	1,580,818	1,309,499
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,052	827	0
South America Welding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	195,895	161,483	156,684
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains (charges)	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,381	'	'	'	'
Rationalization and asset impairment net gains (charges), after-tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	-906	'	'	'	'
Special items charge (Gain)	'	'	$2,538	$9,660	'	'	'	'	$12,198	$1,381	$0

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL1

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (Allowance for doubtful accounts, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts	'		'		'
Changes in valuation and qualifying accounts	'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$8,654		$7,079		$7,855
Additions: Charged to Costs and Expenses	2,671		3,368		2,173
Additions: Charged to Other Accounts	49	[1]	68	[1]	-303	[1]
Deductions	2,976	[2]	1,861	[2]	2,646	[2]
Balance at End of Period	$8,398		$8,654		$7,079
[1]	Currency translation adjustment.
[2]	Uncollectible accounts written-off, net of recoveries.