Quaker Chemical (KWR) 10-Q 29 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document period end date	30-Sep-13
Amendment flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Period Focus	Q3
Current fiscal year end date	-19
Entity central index key	81362
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity filer category	Accelerated Filer
Entity registrant name	Quaker Chemical Corporation
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity well known seasoned issuer	No
Entity common stock shares outstanding	13,187,320

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$184,059	$180,923	$545,098	$535,358
Cost of goods sold	118,069	121,797	349,186	355,801
Gross profit	65,990	59,126	195,912	179,557
Selling, general and administrative expenses	47,183	43,263	139,901	130,009
Operating income	18,807	15,863	56,011	49,548
Other (Expense) Income, Net	-685	322	1,962	529
Interest Expense	-717	-1,034	-2,223	-3,359
Interest Income	267	149	665	409
Income Before Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Associated Companies	17,672	15,300	56,415	47,127
Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies	5,972	4,373	16,933	12,692
Income before equity in net income of associated companies	11,700	10,927	39,482	34,435
Equity in net income of associated companies	1,605	696	4,689	2,038
Net Income	13,305	11,623	44,171	36,473
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	754	698	1,918	2,075
Net Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$12,551	$10,925	$42,253	$34,398
Per share data:
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$0.95	$0.84	$3.21	$2.65
Diluted Earnings per Common Share	$0.95	$0.83	$3.21	$2.63
Dividends Declared	$0.25	$0.25	$0.75	$0.73

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$13,305	$11,623	$44,171	$36,473
Currency Translation Adjustments	2,272	1,832	-3,674	-1,829
Defined Retirement Benefit Plans	-180	204	1,688	1,258
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives	0	73	0	272
Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities	-333	430	-616	1,135
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	1,759	2,539	-2,602	836
Comprehensive Income	15,064	14,162	41,569	37,309
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-499	-926	-699	-2,169
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$14,565	$13,236	$40,870	$35,140

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$53,945	$32,547
Accounts receivable, net	166,584	154,197
Inventories
Raw materials and supplies	40,599	40,417
Work-in-process and finished goods	36,071	32,054
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,870	18,595
Total current assets	314,069	277,810
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	229,384	225,177
Less accumulated depreciation	-145,116	-140,065
Net property, plant and equipment	84,268	85,112
Goodwill	58,511	59,169
Other intangible assets, net	32,028	32,809
Investments in associated companies	17,789	16,603
Deferred income taxes	27,284	30,673
Other assets	36,038	34,458
Total assets	569,987	536,634
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	1,432	1,468
Accounts and other payables	81,289	70,794
Accrued compensation	17,027	16,842
Other current liabilities	27,399	18,688
Total current liabilities	127,147	107,792
Long-term debt	17,765	30,000
Deferred income taxes	6,127	6,383
Other non-current liabilities	94,105	102,783
Total liabilities	245,144	246,958
Equity
Common stock $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2013 - 13,187,320 shares; 2012 - 13,094,901 shares	13,187	13,095
Capital in excess of par value	97,816	94,470
Retained earnings	247,833	215,390
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-43,238	-41,855
Total Quaker shareholders' equity	315,598	281,100
Noncontrolling interest	9,245	8,576
Total equity	324,843	289,676
Total liabilities and equity	$569,987	$536,634

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common Stock Par Value	$1	$1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	13,187,320	13,094,901

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net Income	$44,171	$36,473
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	9,219	9,001
Amortization	2,621	2,283
Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends	-2,525	-1,854
Deferred compensation and other, net	-50	1,848
Stock-based compensation	3,133	2,954
Loss (Gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	193	-75
Insurance settlement realized	-731	-1,074
Pension and other postretirement benefits	-561	-1,823
(Decrease) increase in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	-13,222	-1,381
Inventories	-4,569	-875
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,017	-1,976
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	13,256	-1,731
Net cash provided by operating activities	51,952	41,770
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment	-7,330	-8,757
Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-2,478	-2,635
Proceeds from disposition of assets	391	193
Insurance settlement received and interest earned	40	53
Change in restricted cash, net	691	1,021
Net cash used in investing activities	-8,686	-10,125
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	-12,289	-9,672
Dividends paid	-9,721	-9,410
Stock options exercised, other	-510	-828
Excess Tax Benefit Related to Stock Option Exercises, Cash Flow	815	2,164
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders	-30	-30
Net cash used in financing activities	-21,735	-17,776
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-133	-606
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	21,398	13,263
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32,547	16,909
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	53,945	30,172
Other Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Accrued Property, Plant and Equipment Purchases	$1,178	$0

Condensed_Financial_Informatio

Condensed Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 1 – Condensed Financial Information
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial reporting and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as discussed below) which are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. Certain reclassifications of prior year data have been made to improve comparability. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The Company's reportable operating segments evidence the structure of the Company's internal organization, the method by which the Company's resources are allocated and the manner by which the Company assesses its performance. In the third quarter of 2013, certain internal shifts in the Company's management and changes to the structure of internally reported information occurred. The Company currently believes its structure, its resource allocation and its performance assessment are now more closely aligned with its four geographical regions: the North America region, the Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) region, the Asia Pacific region and the South America region. Therefore, the Company changed its reportable operating segments from ones categorized by product nature to ones organized by geography. All prior period information has been recast to reflect these four regions as the Company's new reportable operating segments. See Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB's”) guidance regarding the disclosure of reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”). The guidance requires the disclosure of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, the related tax amounts and the income statement line items affected by the reclassifications, either parenthetically on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income or in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company elected to present the information in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's results or financial condition. See Note 10 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
	Effective January 1, 2010, Venezuela's economy was considered to be hyperinflationary under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as it had experienced a rate of general inflation in excess of 100% over the latest three-year period, based upon the blended Consumer Price Index and National Consumer Price Index. Accordingly, all gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of the Company's Venezuelan 50% owned equity affiliate (Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A.) were required to be recorded directly to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. On January 8, 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the devaluation of the Bolivar Fuerte and the establishment of a two-tiered exchange structure. In February 2013, the Venezuelan Government announced a further devaluation of the Bolivar Fuerte. Accordingly, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $357, or $0.03 per diluted share, in equity in net income of associated companies on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income during the first quarter of 2013.
	During 2002 and 2003, the Company's Netherlands and Italian subsidiaries paid excise taxes on mineral oil sales in Italy in the total amount of approximately $2,000. Alleging that the mineral oil excise tax was contrary to European Union directives, the subsidiaries filed with the Customs' Authority of Milan (“Customs Office” or “Office”) requests to obtain a refund of the above-mentioned amount. The parties appealed rulings to various levels of tax courts up through the Supreme Court of Italy. In March 2012, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal of the Customs Office, ruling in favor of the subsidiaries and granting a refund for the amounts requested. After filing an enforcement action, the Company collected approximately $2,057, along with approximately $483 of interest, in the second quarter of 2013. This amount was recorded as other income on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income in the second quarter of 2013.
	During the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded charges of $1,156 to its allowance for doubtful accounts and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) due to the bankruptcies of two U.S. customers. In addition, during the second quarter of 2012, the Company incurred a total charge of approximately $609 related to CFO transition costs, which were also recorded in SG&A.
	As part of the Company's chemical management services, certain third-party product sales to customers are managed by the Company. Where the Company acts as the principal, revenue is recognized on a gross reporting basis at the selling price negotiated with customers. Where the Company acts as an agent, such revenue is recorded using net reporting as service revenues, at the amount of the administrative fee earned by the Company for ordering the goods. Third-party products transferred under arrangements resulting in net reporting totaled $30,288 and $30,878 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Out_of_Period_Adjustment

Out of Period Adjustment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]	Note 2 – Out of Period Adjustment
	As previously disclosed in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company had reassessed its ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies of its captive insurance equity affiliate, Primex. Based on its ownership percentage and other factors, the Company determined that, during 2012, the Company obtained the ability to significantly influence Primex and, as a result, changed its method of accounting from the cost to equity method. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified errors in Primex's estimated 2012 financial statements, which primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by Primex. The identified errors resulted in a cumulative $1,038 understatement of the Company's equity in net income from associated companies for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company corrected the errors related to Primex in the first quarter of 2013, which had the net effect of increasing equity in net income from associated companies by $1,038 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company does not believe this adjustment is material to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 or to the Company's projected results for the current year and, therefore, has not restated any prior period amounts. As the Company's assessment was based on projected full year 2013 results, the Company will update its assessment at year-end based upon actual 2013 results.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 3 – Business Segments
	The Company's reportable operating segments evidence the structure of the Company's internal organization, the method by which the Company's resources are allocated and the manner by which the Company assesses its performance. In the third quarter of 2013, certain internal shifts in the Company's management and changes to the structure of internally reported information occurred. The Company currently believes its structure, its resource allocation and its performance assessment are now more closely aligned with its four geographical regions: North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and South America. Therefore, the Company changed its reportable operating segments from ones categorized by product nature to ones organized by geography. All prior period information has been recast to reflect these four regions as the Company's new reportable operating segments.
	Though the Company changed its reportable operating segments in the third quarter of 2013, the calculation of the reportable segment's measure of earnings remains relatively consistent with past practices. Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses, for the Company's reportable segments are comprised of revenues less costs of goods sold and SG&A directly related to the respective regions' product sales. The indirect operating expenses consist of SG&A related expenses that are not directly attributable to the product sales of each respective reporting segment. Other items not specifically identified with the Company's reportable operating segments include interest expense, interest income, license fees from non-consolidated affiliates and other income (expense).
	The following table presents information about the Company's reportable operating segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net sales
		North America	$	79,602	$	78,690	$	231,111	$	236,079
		EMEA		44,452		43,376		140,314		131,353
		Asia Pacific		44,063		42,503		124,593		117,379
		South America		15,942		16,354		49,080		50,547
	Total net sales		$	184,059	$	180,923	$	545,098	$	535,358
	Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses
		North America	$	15,203	$	13,650	$	46,238	$	44,959
		EMEA		6,781		5,554		22,332		19,604
		Asia Pacific		11,214		10,078		31,612		27,413
		South America		2,598		584		7,830		5,021
	Total operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses			35,796		29,866		108,012		96,997
	Indirect operating expenses			-16,131		-13,185		-49,380		-45,166
	Amortization expense			-858		-818		-2,621		-2,283
	Consolidated operating income			18,807		15,863		56,011		49,548
	Other (expense) income, net			-685		322		1,962		529
	Interest expense			-717		-1,034		-2,223		-3,359
	Interest income			267		149		665		409
	Consolidated income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies		$	17,672	$	15,300	$	56,415	$	47,127
	Inter-segment revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $2,413 and $7,704 for North America, $5,771 and $15,427 for EMEA, $745 and $2,423 for Asia Pacific and zero for South America, respectively. Inter-segment revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $3,063 and $8,596 for North America, $4,726 and $11,895 for EMEA, $862 and $1,738 for Asia Pacific and zero for South America, respectively. However, all inter-segment transactions have been eliminated from each reportable operating segment's net sales and earnings for all periods presented above.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block]	Note 4 – Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognized the following share-based compensation expense in SG&A in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
				For the Nine Months Ended
				September 30,
				2013			2012
		Stock options		$	378		$	403
		Nonvested stock awards and restricted stock units			1,372			1,120
		Employee stock purchase plan			43			35
		Non-elective and elective 401(k) matching contribution in stock			1,283			1,351
		Director stock ownership plan			57			45
		Total share-based compensation expense		$	3,133		$	2,954
	As of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the Company recorded $815 and $2,164, respectively, of excess tax benefits in capital in excess of par value on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, related to stock option exercises. The Company's estimated taxes payable was sufficient to fully recognize these benefits as cash inflows from financing activities in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, which represented the Company's estimate of cash savings through the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
	Stock option activity under all plans is as follows:
									Weighted
									Average
					Weighted Average				Remaining
			Number of		Exercise Price per				Contractual
			Shares		Share				Term (years)
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2012		107,455		$	31.23
		Options granted	29,302			58.26
		Options exercised	-54,245			26.56
		Options forfeited	-3,601			37.81
		Options expired	-768			37.37
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013		78,143		$	44.24				5.5
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2013		14,732		$	30.23				4.3
	As of September 30, 2013, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding was approximately $2,189, and the total intrinsic value of exercisable options was $619. Intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the current market price of the underlying security and the strike price of a related option.
	A summary of the Company's outstanding stock options at September 30, 2013 is as follows:
									Weighted		Weighted		Number	Weighted
							Number		Average		Average		Exercisable	Average
	Range of						Outstanding		Contractual		Exercise		at	Exercise
	Exercise Prices						at 9/30/2013		Life		Price		9/30/13	Price
	$	0	-		$	10	0		0		$	0	0	$	0
	$	10.01	-		$	20	6,155		3.3			18.82	6,155		18.82
	$	20.01	-		$	30	0		0			0	0		0
	$	30.01	-		$	40	40,494		5.1			37.85	7,846		37.68
	$	40.01	-		$	50	2,192		5.7			46.21	731		46.21
	$	50.01	-		$	60	29,302		6.4			58.26	0		0
							78,143		5.5			44.24	14,732		30.23
	As of September 30, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense related to options granted during 2011 was $61, for options granted during 2012 was $289 and for options granted in 2013 was $517.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company granted stock options under the Company's LTIP plan that are subject only to time vesting over a three-year period. For the purposes of determining the fair value of stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions set forth in the table below:
			2013
		Number of options granted	29,302
		Dividend yield	2.49	%
		Expected volatility	57.28	%
		Risk-free interest rate	0.63	%
		Expected term (years)	4
	Approximately $121 of expense was recorded on these options during the first nine months of 2013. The fair value of these awards is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards.
	Activity of nonvested shares granted under the Company's LTIP plan is shown below:
	Activity of nonvested shares granted under the Company's LTIP plan is shown below:
					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			Shares		(per share)
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2012	122,944		$	31.98
		Granted	51,659		$	61.56
		Vested	-51,981		$	26.02
		Forfeited	-6,638		$	41.7
		Nonvested awards, September 30, 2013	115,984		$	47.27
	The fair value of the nonvested stock is based on the trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company adjusts the grant date fair value for expected forfeitures based on historical experience for similar awards. As of September 30, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $3,285 to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 2.43 years.
	Activity of nonvested restricted stock units granted under the Company's LTIP plan is shown below:
					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			units		(per unit)
	Nonvested awards, December 31, 2012	2,100		$	38.13
	Granted	1,418		$	58.26
	Nonvested awards, September 30, 2013	3,518		$	46.24
The fair value of the nonvested restricted stock units is based on the trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company adjusts the grant date fair value for expected forfeitures based on historical experience for similar awards. As of September 30, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $91 to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 2.14 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 2000, the Board adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) whereby employees may purchase Company stock through a payroll deduction plan. Purchases are made from the plan and credited to each participant's account at the end of each month, the “Investment Date.” The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the fair market value on the Investment Date. The plan is compensatory and the 15% discount is expensed on the Investment Date. All employees, including officers, are eligible to participate in this plan. A participant may withdraw all uninvested payment balances credited to a participant's account at any time. An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan.
2013 Director Stock Ownership Plan
In March 2013, the Company adopted the 2013 Director Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”), subject to the approval by the Company's shareholders at the annual meeting, to encourage the Directors to increase their investment in the Company. The Plan was approved at the Company's May 2013 shareholders' meeting. The Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 75,000 shares of Quaker common stock in accordance with the terms of the Plan in payment of all or a portion of the annual cash retainer payable to each of the Company's non-employee directors in 2013 and subsequent years during the term of the Plan. Under the Plan, each director who, on May 1st of the applicable calendar year, owns less than 400% of the annual cash retainer for the applicable calendar year, divided by the average of the closing price of a share of Quaker Common Stock as reported by the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange for the previous calendar year (the “Threshold Amount”), is required to receive 75% of the annual cash retainer in Quaker common stock and 25% of the retainer in cash, unless the director elects to receive a greater percentage of Quaker common stock (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer for the applicable year. Each director who owns more than the Threshold Amount may elect to receive common stock in payment of a percentage (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer. The annual retainer is $50 and the retainer payment date is June 1. The Plan was adopted in order to replace the 2003 Director Stock Ownership Plan, which expired in May 2013.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben

Pension and Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
General Discussion Of Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 5 – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
						Other								Other
						Postretirement								Postretirement
		Pension Benefits				Benefits				Pension Benefits				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Service cost	$	789	$	605	$	9	$	5	$	2,355	$	1,843	$	26	$	14
	Interest cost and other		1,394		1,442		46		71		4,172		4,369		138		213
	Expected return on plan assets		-1,476		-1,358		0		0		-4,417		-4,101		0		0
	Actuarial loss amortization		989		687		8		31		2,961		2,067		24		92
	Prior service cost amortization		23		28		0		0		155		84		0		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,719	$	1,404	$	63	$	107	$	5,226	$	4,262	$	188	$	319
	Employer Contributions:
	The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, that it expected to make minimum cash contributions of $6,610 to its pension plans and $719 to its other postretirement benefit plan in 2013. However, the Company exercised its option under the provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (“MAP-21”) to reduce its current contributions. As of September 30, 2013, $5,556 and $461 of contributions had been made to the Company's pension plans and its other postretirement benefit plans, respectively. The Company does not expect to make any further material contributions to its pension plans or other postretirement benefit plans for the duration of 2013.

Income_Taxes_and_Uncertain_Tax

Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 6 – Income Taxes and Uncertain Income Tax Positions
	The Company's effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2013 of 30.0% was higher than the first nine months of 2012 effective tax rate of 26.9%. Both effective tax rates reflect decreases in reserves for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years of approximately $0.13 and $0.15 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Also, contributing to the higher effective tax rate was an increase in an Asia Pacific subsidiary's effective tax rate from 15%, in 2012, to 25%, in 2013, which is further discussed below.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company's cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $12,352. At December 31, 2012, the Company's cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $12,410.
	The Company continues to recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company recognized $39 and $(294) for interest and $101 and $342 for penalties on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and recognized $57 and $6 for interest and $70 and $264 for penalties on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had accrued $2,036 for cumulative interest and $2,015 for cumulative penalties compared to $2,288 for cumulative interest and $1,630 for cumulative penalties at December 31, 2012.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized a decrease in its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $472 due to the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a decrease in its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $426 due to the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized a $2,167 decrease in its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a $1,498 decrease in its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years.
	The Company estimates that during the year ending December 31, 2013 it will reduce its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $2,400 to $2,500 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations with regard to certain tax positions. This estimated reduction in the cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits does not consider any increase in liability for unrecognized tax benefits with regard to existing tax positions or any increase in cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits with regard to new tax positions for the year ending December 31, 2013.
	The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. Federal income tax, as well as the income tax of various state and foreign tax jurisdictions. Tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include the Netherlands and the United Kingdom from 2007, Brazil from 2008, Spain from 2009, the United States, China and Italy from 2010, and various domestic state tax jurisdictions from 1993.
	In the first quarter of 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) initiated a limited scope audit of the Company's 2010 Federal Income Tax Return. By letter dated March 25, 2013, the IRS notified the Company that it had completed the review of the Company's 2010 Federal Income Tax Return without any changes to the reported tax.
	During the second quarter of 2012, the Italian tax authorities initiated a transfer pricing audit of the Company's Italian subsidiary. On July 7, 2012, the Company received a preliminary tax report related to this transfer pricing audit, which proposed several adjustments to the taxable income of the subsidiary. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company's Italian subsidiary received an assessment for the tax year 2007, which the Company appealed during the first quarter of 2013. On June 24, 2013, a hearing was held before the Provincial Tax Court of Varese, Italy. On September 16, 2013, the Provincial Tax Court of Varese delivered a decision confirming the Italian tax authorities' proposed adjustment to the taxable income of the subsidiary, but denying the proposed assessment of penalties. The Company will appeal the decision of the Provincial Tax Court to the Regional Tax Court. The Company and outside counsel believe the Company should prevail on the merits of its case.  The Company does not believe it has any exposures warranting an uncertain tax position reserve as of September 30, 2013.
	In March of 2013, certain tax authorities in Asia Pacific announced they would review the original applications of all companies that received a certain concessionary tax rate.  If the tax authorities had found issues with the application, they could disallow the benefits of such tax rate retroactively.  The Company currently understands that a retroactive disallowance of this concessionary tax rate would affect only 2012.  Currently, no appointment with the tax auditor has been scheduled. The Company does not believe that its past status is at risk and, as a result, no uncertain tax position has been recorded.
	In June 2013, a subsidiary in the Company's Asia Pacific region applied for recertification of a prior concessionary tax rate with its respective tax authorities, which would renew the subsidiary's tax rate at 15% compared to its statutory tax rate of 25%. In September 2013, the Company's subsidiary was listed as one of the companies which received approval for the tax rate by its government's respective administrating agency for tax years 2013, 2014, and 2015. This publication marks the commencement of a 15 business day period of public notice and comment, which ended during October 2013. The Company recorded tax expense at the current statutory rate of 25% through the third quarter of 2013, as the Company's recertification of its concessionary tax rate remained contingent on receiving no adverse public comment during the comment period. If the Company had recognized the renewal of this tax rate in the third quarter of 2013, then the reduced effective tax rate would have yielded an estimated $0.08 per diluted share of additional earnings in the quarter. As of the filing of this Report on Form 10-Q, the period for comment has expired and the Company has not received a public notice or comment challenging the approval status. Assuming there are no other significant developments related to this event, the Company will recognize the change to its effective tax rate in its financial statements in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Note 7 – Earnings Per Share
	The following table summarizes earnings per share calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	12,551	$	10,925	$	42,253	$	34,398
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-109		-103		-358		-402
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,442	$	10,822	$	41,895	$	33,996
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,062,417		12,937,417		13,034,289		12,840,029
	Basic earnings per common share		$	0.95	$	0.84	$	3.21	$	2.65
	Diluted earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	12,551	$	10,925	$	42,253	$	34,398
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-109		-102		-357		-401
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,442	$	10,823	$	41,896	$	33,997
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,062,417		12,937,417		13,034,289		12,840,029
		Effect of dilutive securities and employee stock options		22,488		33,892		25,909		70,265
		Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		13,084,905		12,971,309		13,060,198		12,910,294
	Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.95	$	0.83	$	3.21	$	2.63
	The following number of stock options are not included in diluted earnings per share since the effect would have been anti-dilutive: 2,858 and 4,537 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, and 4,118 and 6,386 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	In the third quarter of 2013, certain internal shifts in the Company's management and changes to the structure of internally reported information occurred. The Company currently believes its structure, its resource allocation and its performance assessment are now more closely aligned with its four geographical regions: North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and South America. See Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. Similarly, the Company reassessed and changed its reporting units for goodwill testing purposes during the third quarter of 2013 to adhere to its geographical orientation. Based on its revised reporting units, the Company completed its annual impairment test as of the end of the third quarter of 2013 and no impairment charge was warranted. The estimated fair value of each of the Company's reporting units substantially exceeded its carrying value, with none of the Company's reporting units at risk for failing step one of the goodwill impairment test. In addition, the Company has recorded no impairment charges in the past.
	The changes in carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
			North									South
			America			EMEA			Asia Pacific			America			Total
		Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	28,535		$	11,411		$	15,323		$	3,900		$	59,169
		Goodwill additions		277			0			0			0			277
		Currency translation adjustments		-541			-147			-197			-50			-935
		Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	28,271		$	11,264		$	15,126		$	3,850		$	58,511
	Gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization for definite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:
				Gross Carrying						Accumulated
				Amount						Amortization
				2013			2012			2013			2012
		Definite-lived intangible assets
			Customer lists and rights to sell	$	33,543		$	32,356		$	9,733		$	8,192
			Trademarks and patents		6,785			6,760			3,029			2,548
			Formulations and product technology		5,808			5,278			3,655			3,423
			Other		5,541			5,467			4,332			3,989
			Total	$	51,677		$	49,861		$	20,749		$	18,152
	The Company recorded $2,621 and $2,283 of amortization expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Estimated annual aggregate amortization expense for the current year and subsequent five years is as follows:
		For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	3,445
		For the year ended December 31, 2014	$	3,253
		For the year ended December 31, 2015	$	3,253
		For the year ended December 31, 2016	$	2,774
		For the year ended December 31, 2017	$	2,110
		For the year ended December 31, 2018	$	2,087
	The Company has two indefinite-lived intangible assets totaling $1,100 for trademarks at September 30, 2013.

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10 – Equity and Noncontrolling Interest
	The following table presents the changes in equity and noncontrolling interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
													Accumulated
							Capital in						Other
				Common			Excess of			Retained			Comprehensive			Noncontrolling
				Stock			Par Value			Earnings			Loss			Interest		Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013			$	13,168		$	97,085		$	238,580		$	-45,252		$	8,776	$	312,357
		Net income			0			0			12,551			0			754		13,305
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive income			0			0			0			2,014			-255		1,759
		Dividends ($0.25 per share)			0			0			-3,298			0			0		-3,298
		Dvidends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			0			0			0			0			-30		-30
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			19			368			0			0			0		387
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			363			0			0			0		363
	Balance at September 30, 2013			$	13,187		$	97,816		$	247,833		$	-43,238		$	9,245	$	324,843
	Balance at June 30, 2012			$	13,011		$	92,199		$	197,881		$	-30,536		$	8,190	$	280,745
		Net income			0			0			10,925			0			698		11,623
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive income			0			0			0			2,311			228		2,539
		Dividends ($0.245 per share)			0			0			-3,214			0			0		-3,214
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			71			902			0			0			0		973
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			744			0			0			0		744
	Balance at September 30, 2012			$	13,082		$	93,845		$	205,592		$	-28,225		$	9,116	$	293,410
													Accumulated
							Capital in						Other
				Common			Excess of			Retained			Comprehensive			Noncontrolling
				Stock			Par Value			Earnings			Loss			Interest		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012			$	13,095		$	94,470		$	215,390		$	-41,855		$	8,576	$	289,676
		Net income			0			0			42,253			0			1,918		44,171
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			-1,383			-1,219		-2,602
		Dividends ($0.745 per share)			0			0			-9,810			0			0		-9,810
		Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0			0			0			0			-30		-30
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			92			2,531			0			0			0		2,623
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			815			0			0			0		815
	Balance at September 30, 2013			$	13,187		$	97,816		$	247,833		$	-43,238		$	9,245	$	324,843
	Balance at December 31, 2011			$	12,912		$	89,725		$	180,710		$	-28,967		$	6,977	$	261,357
		Net income			0			0			34,398			0			2,075		36,473
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive income			0			0			0			742			94		836
		Dividends ($0.73 per share)			0			0			-9,516			0			0		-9,516
		Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0			0			0			0			-30		-30
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			170			1,956			0			0			0		2,126
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			2,164			0			0			0		2,164
	Balance at September 30, 2012			$	13,082		$	93,845		$	205,592		$	-28,225		$	9,116	$	293,410
	The following tables show the reclassifications from and resulting balances of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
												Unrealized
			Currency			Defined			Change in			gain (loss) in
			translation			benefit			fair value of			available-for-
			adjustments			pension plans			derivatives			sale securities			Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013		$	-1,646		$	-45,046		$	0		$	1,440		$	-45,252
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			2,527			-1,016			0			494			2,005
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1,019			0			-998			21
	Current period other comprehensive income (loss)			2,527			3			0			-504			2,026
	Related tax amounts			0			-183			0			171			-12
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			2,527			-180			0			-333			2,014
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	881		$	-45,226		$	0		$	1,107		$	-43,238
	Balance at June 30, 2012		$	1,182		$	-33,206		$	-73		$	1,561		$	-30,536
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,604			-312			38			774			2,104
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			746			74			-122			698
	Current period other comprehensive income			1,604			434			112			652			2,802
	Related tax amounts			0			-230			-39			-222			-491
	Net current period other comprehensive income			1,604			204			73			430			2,311
	Balance at September 30, 2012		$	2,786		$	-33,002		$	0		$	1,991		$	-28,225
												Unrealized
			Currency			Defined			Change in			gain (loss) in
			translation			benefit			fair value of			available-for-
			adjustments			pension plans			derivatives			sale securities			Total
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	3,336		$	-46,914		$	0		$	1,723		$	-41,855
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			-2,455			-468			0			1,353			-1,570
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			3,140			0			-2,286			854
Current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-2,455			2,672			0			-933			-716
Related tax amounts			0			-984			0			317			-667
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-2,455			1,688			0			-616			-1,383
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	881		$	-45,226		$	0		$	1,107		$	-43,238
Balance at December 31, 2011		$	4,709		$	-34,260		$	-272		$	856		$	-28,967
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			-1,923			-204			26			2,363			262
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			2,243			392			-644			1,991
Current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-1,923			2,039			418			1,719			2,253
Related tax amounts			0			-781			-146			-584			-1,511
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-1,923			1,258			272			1,135			742
Balance at September 30, 2012		$	2,786		$	-33,002		$	0		$	1,991		$	-28,225
Approximately 27% and 73% of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for defined benefit retirement plans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were recorded in cost of goods sold and SG&A, respectively. See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. All reclassifications are recorded in interest expense for changes in fair value of derivatives and, also, reclassifications related to unrealized gain (loss) in available-for-sale securities relate to the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company and, therefore, are recorded in equity in net income of associated companies. The amounts reported in other comprehensive income for the Company's non-controlling interests are related to currency translation adjustments.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9 – Debt
	As discussed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2013, the Company entered into a revised syndicated multicurrency credit facility on June 14, 2013, which amended and replaced the Company's previous credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. and certain other major financial institutions. The revised facility increased the maximum principal amount available for revolving credit borrowings under this facility from $175,000 to $300,000, which can be increased to $400,000 at the Company's option if the lenders agree and the Company satisfies certain conditions. This facility matures in June 2018. In addition, the revised facility amended certain financial, acquisition and other covenants, but the consolidated leverage ratio calculation, for which access to credit under the former facility largely depended upon, remains relatively consistent and cannot exceed 3.50 to 1. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the consolidated leverage ratio was below 1.0 to 1 and the Company was also in compliance with all of the current and former facilities' other covenants, respectively. At September 30, 2013, the Company had no amounts outstanding under this revised facility. At December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $12,200 outstanding under its former facility.

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 11 – Business Acquisitions
	In May 2013, the Company acquired a business that primarily related to tin plating for its North America reportable operating segment for net consideration of approximately $1,831. The Company allocated $830 of intangible assets, comprised of formulations, to be amortized over 10 years; a non-competition agreement, to be amortized over 4 years; and a customer list, to be amortized over 10 years. In addition, the Company recorded $277 of goodwill, all of which will be tax deductible. The remaining purchase price was allocated between the acquisition date fair value of inventory purchased of $454 and fixed assets purchased of $270.
	In January 2013, the Company acquired a chemical milling maskants distribution network for net consideration of approximately $647, which was assigned to the North American reportable operating segment. The Company also assumed an additional $100 hold-back of consideration liability to be paid to the former owners at one year from the acquisition date. The acquired intangible was included with the Company's customer lists and rights to sell intangible assets and will be amortized over 5 years.
	In July 2012, the Company acquired NP Coil Dexter Industries, S.r.l. for approximately $2,748, including short-term debt and long-term debt of approximately $1,186 and $854, respectively. NP Coil Dexter is a manufacturer and supplier of metal surface treatment products. The Company allocated $3,825 of intangible assets, comprised of trademarks and formulations, to be amortized over 10 years; two customer lists to be amortized over 8 and 4 years, respectively; and a non-competition agreement to be amortized over 5 years. In addition, the Company recorded $1,786 of goodwill, none of which will be tax deductible and was assigned to the European reportable operating segment. At June 30, 2013, the valuation of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date was finalized. Liabilities assumed include a hold-back of consideration to be paid to the former shareholders at eighteen months from the acquisition date. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an increase to other income of approximately $1,033 on its Consolidated Statement of Income related to a change in the fair value of this hold-back of consideration liability.
	The following table shows the allocation of the purchase price of the assets and liabilities:
				NP Coil Dexter
		2012 Acquisition		Industries S.r.l.
		Current assets		$	5,536
		Fixed assets			1,211
		Intangibles			3,825
		Goodwill			1,786
		Other long-term assets			783
			Total assets purchased		13,141
		Short-term debt			-1,186
		Other current liabilties			-6,168
		Long-term debt			-854
		Other long-term liabilities			-1,258
		Present value of hold-back			-927
			Total liabilities assumed		-10,393
		Cash paid for an acquisition		$	2,748
	Included in the 2012 acquisition of NP Coil Dexter Industries, S.r.l. was approximately $113 of cash acquired.
	Certain pro forma and other disclosures have not been provided for these acquisitions because the effects were not material.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements
	The Company values its company-owned life insurance policies, various deferred compensation assets and liabilities, acquisition-related consideration and an obligation related to a non-competition agreement at fair value. The Company's assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are as follows (in thousands):
						Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		30-Sep-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,795		$	0		$	1,795		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			396			0			396			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		67			67			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		12			12			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			37			37			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		8			8			0			0
	Total		$	2,321		$	130		$	2,191		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		30-Sep-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	369		$	369		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		102			102			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		87			87			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			193			193			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		44			44			0			0
		Fixed general account		165			0			165			0
	Acquisition-related consideration			5,921			0			0			5,921
	Total		$	6,881		$	795		$	165		$	5,921
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		31-Dec-12			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,653		$	0		$	1,653		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			437			0			437			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		62			62			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		9			9			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			37			37			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		8			8			0			0
	Total		$	2,212		$	122		$	2,090		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		31-Dec-12			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	336		$	336		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		88			88			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		72			72			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			187			187			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		48			48			0			0
		Fixed general account		173			0			173			0
	Acquisition-related consideration			4,901			0			0			4,901
	Total		$	5,805		$	731		$	173		$	4,901
	The fair values of Company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) and COLI deferred compensation assets are based on quotes for like instruments with similar credit ratings and terms. The fair values of other deferred compensation assets and liabilities are based on quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of the Summit earnout is based on unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3. Significant inputs and assumptions are management's estimate of the probability of the earnout ultimately being met/paid and the discount rate used to present value the liability. The fair value of the obligation related to a non-competition agreement is also based on unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3. The significant inputs and assumptions for the obligation related to the non-competition agreement is management's estimate of the discount rate used to present value the liability. Significant changes in any Level 3 assumption in isolation would result in increases or decreases to the fair value measurements for the earnout and the obligation related to the non-competition agreement.
	Changes in the fair value of the Level 3 liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
							Non-competition
				Summit			Agreement
				Earnout			Obligation			Total
		Balance at December 31, 2012		$	4,497		$	404		$	4,901
		Interest accretion		512			21			533
		Change in fair value estimate		675			0			675
		Payments		0			-188			-188
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	5,684		$	237		$	5,921
During the first quarter of 2013, the Summit earnout liability became current and was reclassified from other non-current liabilities to other current liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, as the Company expects to settle the obligation within the next year.
Quantitative information about the Company's Level 3 fair value measurements at September 30, 2013 were as follows:
		Fair value at September 30, 2013		Valuation technique		Unobservable input		Input value
Summit earnout		5,684		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		14.50%
Non-competition agreement obligation		237		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		14.00%
The fair value of the Summit earnout is based on the weighted average probability of the outcome of different payout scenarios. As of September 30, 2013, the probabilities applied to the payout scenarios ranged from 15% to 70%, depending on the Company's estimate of the likelihood of each payout scenario. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company updated the fair value of the Summit earnout, which resulted in other expense and an increase to the liability of approximately $675.

Hedging_Activities

Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 13 – Hedging Activities
	The Company utilized interest rate swaps to mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates by converting a portion of the Company's variable interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt. These interest rate swaps had a combined notional amount of $15,000 during 2012 until their maturity, which occurred during the third quarter of 2012. The Company had no derivatives designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2012 and did not utilize any during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Information about the Company's interest rate derivatives is as follows:
	Cash Flow Hedges
	Interest Rate Swaps
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Amount of Gain Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative
	(Effective Portion)		$	0	$	73	$	0	$	272
	Amount and Location of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into
	Income (Effective Portion)	Interest Expense	$	0	$	-74	$	0	$	-392
	Amount and Location of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivative
	(Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Other Income	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies
	In April of 1992, the Company identified certain soil and groundwater contamination at AC Products, Inc. (“ACP”), a wholly owned subsidiary. In voluntary coordination with the Santa Ana California Regional Water Quality Board (“SACRWQB”), ACP has been remediating the contamination, the principal contaminant of which is perchloroethylene (“PERC”). On or about December 18, 2004, the Orange County Water District (“OCWD”) filed a civil complaint in Superior Court in Orange County, California against ACP and other parties potentially responsible for groundwater contamination. OCWD was seeking to recover compensatory and other damages related to the investigation and remediation of the contamination in the groundwater. Effective October 17, 2007, ACP and OCWD settled all claims related to this litigation. Pursuant to the settlement agreement with OCWD, ACP agreed to pay $2,000. In addition to the $2,000 payment, ACP agreed to operate the two existing groundwater treatment systems associated with its extraction wells P-2 and P-3 so as to hydraulically contain groundwater contamination emanating from ACP's site until such time as the concentrations of PERC are below the current Federal maximum contaminant level for four consecutive quarterly sampling events. On September 11, 2012, ACP received a letter from the SACRWQB advising that no further action is required to remediate the soil contamination on site. As of September 30, 2013, the Company believes that the range of potential-known liabilities associated with the ACP water remediation program is approximately $475 to $850, for which the Company has sufficient reserves.
	The low and high ends of the range are based on the length of operation of the two extraction wells as determined by groundwater modeling with planned higher maintenance costs in later years if a longer treatment period is required. Costs of operation include the operation and maintenance of the extraction wells, groundwater monitoring and program management. The duration of the well operation was estimated based on historical trends in concentrations in the monitoring wells within the proximity of the applicable extraction wells. Also factored into the model was the impact of water injected into the underground aquifer from a planned water treatment system to be installed by OCWD adjacent to P-2. Based on the modeling, it is estimated that P-2 will operate for another one to two and one-quarter years. The Company is in the process of closing P-3. Operation and maintenance costs were based on historical expenditures and estimated inflation. As mentioned above, a significantly higher maintenance expense was factored into the range if the system operates for the longer period.
	The Company believes, although there can be no assurance regarding the outcome of other unrelated environmental matters, that it has made adequate accruals for costs associated with other environmental problems of which it is aware. Approximately $205 and $230 was accrued at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, to provide for such anticipated future environmental assessments and remediation costs.
	An inactive subsidiary of the Company that was acquired in 1978 sold certain products containing asbestos, primarily on an installed basis, and is among the defendants in numerous lawsuits alleging injury due to exposure to asbestos. The subsidiary discontinued operations in 1991 and has no remaining assets other than the proceeds from insurance settlements received. To date, the overwhelming majority of these claims have been disposed of without payment and there have been no adverse judgments against the subsidiary. Based on a continued analysis of the existing and anticipated future claims against this subsidiary, it is currently projected that the subsidiary's total liability over the next 50 years for these claims is approximately $3,300 (excluding costs of defense). Although the Company has also been named as a defendant in certain of these cases, no claims have been actively pursued against the Company, and the Company has not contributed to the defense or settlement of any of these cases pursued against the subsidiary. These cases were handled by the subsidiary's primary and excess insurers who had agreed in 1997 to pay all defense costs and be responsible for all damages assessed against the subsidiary arising out of existing and future asbestos claims up to the aggregate limits of the policies. A significant portion of this primary insurance coverage was provided by an insurer that is now insolvent, and the other primary insurers have asserted that the aggregate limits of their policies have been exhausted. The subsidiary challenged the applicability of these limits to the claims being brought against the subsidiary. In response, two of the three carriers entered into separate settlement and release agreements with the subsidiary in late 2005 and early 2007 for $15,000 and $20,000, respectively. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary's asbestos litigation. During the third quarter of 2007, the subsidiary and the remaining primary insurance carrier entered into a Claim Handling and Funding Agreement, under which the carrier will pay 27% of defense and indemnity costs incurred by or on behalf of the subsidiary in connection with asbestos bodily injury claims for a minimum of five years beginning July 1, 2007. The agreement continues until terminated and can only be terminated by either party by providing the other party with a minimum of two years prior written notice. As of September 30, 2013, no notice of termination has been given under this agreement. At the end of the term of the agreement, the subsidiary may choose to again pursue its claim against this insurer regarding the application of the policy limits. The Company also believes that, if the coverage issues under the primary policies with the remaining carrier are resolved adversely to the subsidiary and all settlement proceeds were used, the subsidiary may have limited additional coverage from a state guarantee fund established following the insolvency of one of the subsidiary's primary insurers. Nevertheless, liabilities in respect of claims may exceed the assets and coverage available to the subsidiary.
	If the subsidiary's assets and insurance coverage were to be exhausted, claimants of the subsidiary may actively pursue claims against the Company because of the parent-subsidiary relationship. Although asbestos litigation is particularly difficult to predict, especially with respect to claims that are currently not being actively pursued against the Company, the Company does not believe that such claims would have merit or that the Company would be held to have liability for any unsatisfied obligations of the subsidiary as a result of such claims. After evaluating the nature of the claims filed against the subsidiary and the small number of such claims that have resulted in any payment, the potential availability of additional insurance coverage at the subsidiary level, the additional availability of the Company's own insurance and the Company's strong defenses to claims that it should be held responsible for the subsidiary's obligations because of the parent-subsidiary relationship, the Company believes it is not probable that the Company will incur any material losses. All of the asbestos cases pursued against the Company challenging the parent-subsidiary relationship are in the early stages of litigation. The Company has been successful to date having claims naming it dismissed during initial proceedings. Since the Company may be in this early stage of litigation for some time, it is not possible to estimate additional losses or range of loss, if any.
	As initially disclosed in the Company's second quarter 2010 Form 10-Q, one of the Company's subsidiaries may have paid certain value-added-taxes (“VAT”) incorrectly and, in certain cases, may not have collected sufficient VAT from certain customers. The VAT rules and regulations at issue are complex, vary among the jurisdictions and can be contradictory, in particular as to how they relate to the subsidiary's products and to sales between jurisdictions.
	Since its inception, the subsidiary had been consistent in its VAT collection and remittance practices and had never been contacted by any tax authority relative to VAT. The subsidiary later determined that for certain products, a portion of the VAT was incorrectly paid and that the total VAT due exceeds the amount originally collected and remitted by the subsidiary. In 2010, three jurisdictions contacted the subsidiary and, since then, the subsidiary has either participated in an amnesty program or entered into a settlement whereby it paid a reduced portion of the amounts owed in resolution of those jurisdictions' claims. The subsidiary has modified its VAT invoicing and payment procedures to eliminate or mitigate future exposure.
	In analyzing the subsidiary's exposure, it is difficult to estimate both the probability and the amount of any potential liabilities due to a number of factors, including: the decrease in exposure over time due to applicable statutes of limitations and actions taken by the subsidiary, the joint liability of customers and suppliers for a portion of the VAT, the availability of a VAT refund for VAT incorrectly paid through an administrative process, any amounts which may have been or will be paid by customers, as well as the timing and structure of any tax amnesties or settlements. In addition, interest and penalties on any VAT due can be a multiple of the base tax. The subsidiary may contest any tax assessment administratively and/or judicially for an extended period of time, but may ultimately resolve its disputes through participation in tax amnesty programs, which are a common practice for settling tax disputes in the jurisdictions in question and which have historically occurred on a regular basis, resulting in significant reductions of interest and penalties. Also, the timing of payments and refunds of VAT may not be contemporaneous, and, if additional VAT is owed, it may not be fully recoverable from customers. As a result, this matter has the potential to have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position, liquidity and capital resources and the results of operations.
	In 2010, the Company recorded a net charge of $4,132, which consisted of a net $3,901 charge related to two tax dispute settlements entered into by the subsidiary, as well as a net $231 charge representing management's best estimate based on the information available to it, including the factors noted above, of the amount that ultimately may be paid related to the other jurisdiction that had made inquiries. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had no accrual for remaining payments to be made under tax dispute settlements entered into by the subsidiary, as the respective accruals noted above were paid.
	The charges taken by the Company in 2010 assume a successful recovery of the VAT incorrectly paid, as well as reductions in interest and penalties from anticipated future amnesty programs or settlements. On a similar basis, if all other potentially impacted jurisdictions were to initiate audits and issue assessments, the remaining exposure, net of refunds, could be from $0 to $12,500 with one jurisdiction representing approximately 83 percent of this additional exposure, assuming the continued availability of future amnesty programs or settlements to reduce the interest and penalties. If there are future assessments but no such future amnesty programs or settlements, the potential exposure could be higher. In the third quarter of 2013, a jurisdiction, which is not the jurisdiction representing approximately 83 percent of this additional exposure, approached the subsidiary and initiated an audit of such subsidiary's prior VAT invoicing practices.  The review is ongoing and the outcome is currently unknown.
	The Company is party to other litigation which management currently believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis Of Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block]	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial reporting and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as discussed below) which are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. Certain reclassifications of prior year data have been made to improve comparability. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company's reportable operating segments evidence the structure of the Company's internal organization, the method by which the Company's resources are allocated and the manner by which the Company assesses its performance. In the third quarter of 2013, certain internal shifts in the Company's management and changes to the structure of internally reported information occurred. The Company currently believes its structure, its resource allocation and its performance assessment are now more closely aligned with its four geographical regions: the North America region, the Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) region, the Asia Pacific region and the South America region. Therefore, the Company changed its reportable operating segments from ones categorized by product nature to ones organized by geography. All prior period information has been recast to reflect these four regions as the Company's new reportable operating segments.
Comprehensive Income Policy [Policy Text Block]	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB's”) guidance regarding the disclosure of reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”). The guidance requires the disclosure of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, the related tax amounts and the income statement line items affected by the reclassifications, either parenthetically on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income or in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company elected to present the information in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's results or financial condition.
Revenue Recognition Accounting Policy, Gross and Net Revenue Disclosure [Policy Text Block]	As part of the Company's chemical management services, certain third-party product sales to customers are managed by the Company. Where the Company acts as the principal, revenue is recognized on a gross reporting basis at the selling price negotiated with customers. Where the Company acts as an agent, such revenue is recorded using net reporting as service revenues, at the amount of the administrative fee earned by the Company for ordering the goods.

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net sales
		North America	$	79,602	$	78,690	$	231,111	$	236,079
		EMEA		44,452		43,376		140,314		131,353
		Asia Pacific		44,063		42,503		124,593		117,379
		South America		15,942		16,354		49,080		50,547
	Total net sales		$	184,059	$	180,923	$	545,098	$	535,358
	Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses
		North America	$	15,203	$	13,650	$	46,238	$	44,959
		EMEA		6,781		5,554		22,332		19,604
		Asia Pacific		11,214		10,078		31,612		27,413
		South America		2,598		584		7,830		5,021
	Total operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses			35,796		29,866		108,012		96,997
	Indirect operating expenses			-16,131		-13,185		-49,380		-45,166
	Amortization expense			-858		-818		-2,621		-2,283
	Consolidated operating income			18,807		15,863		56,011		49,548
	Other (expense) income, net			-685		322		1,962		529
	Interest expense			-717		-1,034		-2,223		-3,359
	Interest income			267		149		665		409
	Consolidated income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies		$	17,672	$	15,300	$	56,415	$	47,127

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]				For the Nine Months Ended
				September 30,
				2013			2012
		Stock options		$	378		$	403
		Nonvested stock awards and restricted stock units			1,372			1,120
		Employee stock purchase plan			43			35
		Non-elective and elective 401(k) matching contribution in stock			1,283			1,351
		Director stock ownership plan			57			45
		Total share-based compensation expense		$	3,133		$	2,954
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]									Weighted
									Average
					Weighted Average				Remaining
			Number of		Exercise Price per				Contractual
			Shares		Share				Term (years)
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2012		107,455		$	31.23
		Options granted	29,302			58.26
		Options exercised	-54,245			26.56
		Options forfeited	-3,601			37.81
		Options expired	-768			37.37
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013		78,143		$	44.24				5.5
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2013		14,732		$	30.23				4.3
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]									Weighted		Weighted		Number	Weighted
							Number		Average		Average		Exercisable	Average
	Range of						Outstanding		Contractual		Exercise		at	Exercise
	Exercise Prices						at 9/30/2013		Life		Price		9/30/13	Price
	$	0	-		$	10	0		0		$	0	0	$	0
	$	10.01	-		$	20	6,155		3.3			18.82	6,155		18.82
	$	20.01	-		$	30	0		0			0	0		0
	$	30.01	-		$	40	40,494		5.1			37.85	7,846		37.68
	$	40.01	-		$	50	2,192		5.7			46.21	731		46.21
	$	50.01	-		$	60	29,302		6.4			58.26	0		0
							78,143		5.5			44.24	14,732		30.23
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]			2013
		Number of options granted	29,302
		Dividend yield	2.49	%
		Expected volatility	57.28	%
		Risk-free interest rate	0.63	%
		Expected term (years)	4
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			Shares		(per share)
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2012	122,944		$	31.98
		Granted	51,659		$	61.56
		Vested	-51,981		$	26.02
		Forfeited	-6,638		$	41.7
		Nonvested awards, September 30, 2013	115,984		$	47.27
					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			units		(per unit)
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2012	2,100		$	38.13
		Granted	1,418		$	58.26
		Nonvested awards, September 30, 2013	3,518		$	46.24

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben1

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
General Discussion Of Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
						Other								Other
						Postretirement								Postretirement
		Pension Benefits				Benefits				Pension Benefits				Benefits
			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Service cost	$	789	$	605	$	9	$	5	$	2,355	$	1,843	$	26	$	14
	Interest cost and other		1,394		1,442		46		71		4,172		4,369		138		213
	Expected return on plan assets		-1,476		-1,358		0		0		-4,417		-4,101		0		0
	Actuarial loss amortization		989		687		8		31		2,961		2,067		24		92
	Prior service cost amortization		23		28		0		0		155		84		0		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,719	$	1,404	$	63	$	107	$	5,226	$	4,262	$	188	$	319

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	12,551	$	10,925	$	42,253	$	34,398
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-109		-103		-358		-402
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,442	$	10,822	$	41,895	$	33,996
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,062,417		12,937,417		13,034,289		12,840,029
	Basic earnings per common share		$	0.95	$	0.84	$	3.21	$	2.65
	Diluted earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	12,551	$	10,925	$	42,253	$	34,398
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-109		-102		-357		-401
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,442	$	10,823	$	41,896	$	33,997
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,062,417		12,937,417		13,034,289		12,840,029
		Effect of dilutive securities and employee stock options		22,488		33,892		25,909		70,265
		Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		13,084,905		12,971,309		13,060,198		12,910,294
	Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.95	$	0.83	$	3.21	$	2.63

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]			North									South
			America			EMEA			Asia Pacific			America			Total
		Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	28,535		$	11,411		$	15,323		$	3,900		$	59,169
		Goodwill additions		277			0			0			0			277
		Currency translation adjustments		-541			-147			-197			-50			-935
		Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	28,271		$	11,264		$	15,126		$	3,850		$	58,511
Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]				Gross Carrying						Accumulated
				Amount						Amortization
				2013			2012			2013			2012
		Definite-lived intangible assets
			Customer lists and rights to sell	$	33,543		$	32,356		$	9,733		$	8,192
			Trademarks and patents		6,785			6,760			3,029			2,548
			Formulations and product technology		5,808			5,278			3,655			3,423
			Other		5,541			5,467			4,332			3,989
			Total	$	51,677		$	49,861		$	20,749		$	18,152
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]		For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	3,445
		For the year ended December 31, 2014	$	3,253
		For the year ended December 31, 2015	$	3,253
		For the year ended December 31, 2016	$	2,774
		For the year ended December 31, 2017	$	2,110
		For the year ended December 31, 2018	$	2,087

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte1

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]													Accumulated
							Capital in						Other
				Common			Excess of			Retained			Comprehensive			Noncontrolling
				Stock			Par Value			Earnings			Loss			Interest		Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013			$	13,168		$	97,085		$	238,580		$	-45,252		$	8,776	$	312,357
		Net income			0			0			12,551			0			754		13,305
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive income			0			0			0			2,014			-255		1,759
		Dividends ($0.25 per share)			0			0			-3,298			0			0		-3,298
		Dvidends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			0			0			0			0			-30		-30
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			19			368			0			0			0		387
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			363			0			0			0		363
	Balance at September 30, 2013			$	13,187		$	97,816		$	247,833		$	-43,238		$	9,245	$	324,843
	Balance at June 30, 2012			$	13,011		$	92,199		$	197,881		$	-30,536		$	8,190	$	280,745
		Net income			0			0			10,925			0			698		11,623
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive income			0			0			0			2,311			228		2,539
		Dividends ($0.245 per share)			0			0			-3,214			0			0		-3,214
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			71			902			0			0			0		973
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			744			0			0			0		744
	Balance at September 30, 2012			$	13,082		$	93,845		$	205,592		$	-28,225		$	9,116	$	293,410
													Accumulated
							Capital in						Other
				Common			Excess of			Retained			Comprehensive			Noncontrolling
				Stock			Par Value			Earnings			Loss			Interest		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012			$	13,095		$	94,470		$	215,390		$	-41,855		$	8,576	$	289,676
		Net income			0			0			42,253			0			1,918		44,171
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			-1,383			-1,219		-2,602
		Dividends ($0.745 per share)			0			0			-9,810			0			0		-9,810
		Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0			0			0			0			-30		-30
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			92			2,531			0			0			0		2,623
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			815			0			0			0		815
	Balance at September 30, 2013			$	13,187		$	97,816		$	247,833		$	-43,238		$	9,245	$	324,843
	Balance at December 31, 2011			$	12,912		$	89,725		$	180,710		$	-28,967		$	6,977	$	261,357
		Net income			0			0			34,398			0			2,075		36,473
		Amounts reported in other comprehensive income			0			0			0			742			94		836
		Dividends ($0.73 per share)			0			0			-9,516			0			0		-9,516
		Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0			0			0			0			-30		-30
		Share issuance and equity-based compensation plans			170			1,956			0			0			0		2,126
		Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises			0			2,164			0			0			0		2,164
	Balance at September 30, 2012			$	13,082		$	93,845		$	205,592		$	-28,225		$	9,116	$	293,410
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]												Unrealized
			Currency			Defined			Change in			gain (loss) in
			translation			benefit			fair value of			available-for-
			adjustments			pension plans			derivatives			sale securities			Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013		$	-1,646		$	-45,046		$	0		$	1,440		$	-45,252
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			2,527			-1,016			0			494			2,005
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1,019			0			-998			21
	Current period other comprehensive income (loss)			2,527			3			0			-504			2,026
	Related tax amounts			0			-183			0			171			-12
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			2,527			-180			0			-333			2,014
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	881		$	-45,226		$	0		$	1,107		$	-43,238
	Balance at June 30, 2012		$	1,182		$	-33,206		$	-73		$	1,561		$	-30,536
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,604			-312			38			774			2,104
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			746			74			-122			698
	Current period other comprehensive income			1,604			434			112			652			2,802
	Related tax amounts			0			-230			-39			-222			-491
	Net current period other comprehensive income			1,604			204			73			430			2,311
	Balance at September 30, 2012		$	2,786		$	-33,002		$	0		$	1,991		$	-28,225
												Unrealized
			Currency			Defined			Change in			gain (loss) in
			translation			benefit			fair value of			available-for-
			adjustments			pension plans			derivatives			sale securities			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	3,336		$	-46,914		$	0		$	1,723		$	-41,855
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			-2,455			-468			0			1,353			-1,570
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			3,140			0			-2,286			854
	Current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-2,455			2,672			0			-933			-716
	Related tax amounts			0			-984			0			317			-667
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-2,455			1,688			0			-616			-1,383
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	881		$	-45,226		$	0		$	1,107		$	-43,238
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	4,709		$	-34,260		$	-272		$	856		$	-28,967
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			-1,923			-204			26			2,363			262
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			2,243			392			-644			1,991
	Current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-1,923			2,039			418			1,719			2,253
	Related tax amounts			0			-781			-146			-584			-1,511
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income			-1,923			1,258			272			1,135			742
	Balance at September 30, 2012		$	2,786		$	-33,002		$	0		$	1,991		$	-28,225

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]				NP Coil Dexter
		2012 Acquisition		Industries S.r.l.
		Current assets		$	5,536
		Fixed assets			1,211
		Intangibles			3,825
		Goodwill			1,786
		Other long-term assets			783
			Total assets purchased		13,141
		Short-term debt			-1,186
		Other current liabilties			-6,168
		Long-term debt			-854
		Other long-term liabilities			-1,258
		Present value of hold-back			-927
			Total liabilities assumed		-10,393
		Cash paid for an acquisition		$	2,748

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]						Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		30-Sep-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,795		$	0		$	1,795		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			396			0			396			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		67			67			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		12			12			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			37			37			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		8			8			0			0
	Total		$	2,321		$	130		$	2,191		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		31-Dec-12			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,653		$	0		$	1,653		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			437			0			437			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		62			62			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		9			9			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			37			37			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		8			8			0			0
	Total		$	2,212		$	122		$	2,090		$	0
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]						Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		30-Sep-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	369		$	369		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		102			102			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		87			87			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			193			193			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		44			44			0			0
		Fixed general account		165			0			165			0
	Acquisition-related consideration			5,921			0			0			5,921
	Total		$	6,881		$	795		$	165		$	5,921
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		31-Dec-12			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	336		$	336		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		88			88			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		72			72			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			187			187			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		48			48			0			0
		Fixed general account		173			0			173			0
	Acquisition-related consideration			4,901			0			0			4,901
	Total		$	5,805		$	731		$	173		$	4,901
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]							Non-competition
				Summit			Agreement
				Earnout			Obligation			Total
		Balance at December 31, 2012		$	4,497		$	404		$	4,901
			Interest accretion		512			21			533
			Change in fair value estimate		675			0			675
			Payments		0			-188			-188
		Balance at September 30, 2013		$	5,684		$	237		$	5,921
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]			Fair value at September 30, 2013		Valuation technique		Unobservable input		Input value
	Summit earnout		5,684		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		14.50%
	Non-competition agreement obligation		237		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		14.00%

Hedging_Activities_Tables

Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	Cash Flow Hedges
	Interest Rate Swaps
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Amount of Gain Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative
	(Effective Portion)		$	0	$	73	$	0	$	272
	Amount and Location of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into
	Income (Effective Portion)	Interest Expense	$	0	$	-74	$	0	$	-392
	Amount and Location of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivative
	(Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Other Income	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0

Condensed_Financial_Informatio1

Condensed Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2003	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
						Kelko (Venezuela) [Member]	Kelko (Venezuela) [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Revenue Recognized Under Net Reporting Arrangements			$30,288	$30,878
Other Income	2,057
Interest Income, Other	483
Other Expense					2,000
Provision for Doubtful Accounts		1,156
CFO Transition Costs		609
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Inflationary Percentage							100.00%
Description Of Foreign Currency Devaluation Effects							On January 8, 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the devaluation of the Bolivar Fuerte and the establishment of a two-tiered exchange structure. In February 2013, the Venezuelan Government announced a further devaluation of the Bolivar Fuerte. Accordingly, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $357, or $0.03 per diluted share, in equity in net income of associated companies on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income during the first quarter of 2013.
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage							50.00%
Effect Of Currency Devaluation, Amount						$357
Effect Of Currency Devaluation, Per Diluted Share						$0.03

Out_of_Period_Adjustment_Detai

Out of Period Adjustment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Immaterial Error Correction	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified errors in Primex’s estimated 2012 financial statements, which primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by Primex. The identified errors resulted in a cumulative $1,038 understatement of the Company’s equity in net income from associated companies for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company corrected the errors related to Primex in the first quarter of 2013, which had the net effect of increasing equity in net income from associated companies by $1,038 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company does not believe this adjustment is material to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 or to the Company’s projected results for the current year and, therefore, has not restated any prior period amounts.
Amount of Error Correction	$1,038

Business_Segments_Details

Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$184,059	$180,923	$545,098	$535,358
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	35,796	29,866	108,012	96,997
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Indirect Operating Expenses	-16,131	-13,185	-49,380	-45,166
Amortization	-858	-818	-2,621	-2,283
Operating income	18,807	15,863	56,011	49,548
Other (Expense) Income, Net	-685	322	1,962	529
Interest Expense	-717	-1,034	-2,223	-3,359
Interest Income	267	149	665	409
Income Before Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Associated Companies	17,672	15,300	56,415	47,127
North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	79,602	78,690	231,111	236,079
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	15,203	13,650	46,238	44,959
North America [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	2,413	3,063	7,704	8,596
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	44,452	43,376	140,314	131,353
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	6,781	5,554	22,332	19,604
EMEA [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	5,771	4,726	15,427	11,895
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	44,063	42,503	124,593	117,379
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	11,214	10,078	31,612	27,413
Asia Pacific [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	745	862	2,423	1,738
South America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	15,942	16,354	49,080	50,547
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	2,598	584	7,830	5,021
South America [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$0	$0	$0	$0

Stock_Based_Compensation_Expen

Stock Based Compensation - Expense Table (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Options Compensation Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$378	$403
Nonvested Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Compensation Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,372	1,120
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Compensation Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	43	35
401 (k) Matching Stock Contribution Plan Compensation Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,283	1,351
Directors Stock Ownership Plan Compensation Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	57	45
Total Share-based Compensation Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$3,133	$2,954

Stock_Based_Compensation_Narra

Stock Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Outstanding Options, Intrinsic Value	$2,189
Exercisable Options, Intrinsic Value	619
Option Award Vesting Period	3 years
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
ESPP: Discount from Market Price	15.00%
ESPP: Maximum Ownership of Outstanding Shares	An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan.
D S O P 2013 [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Director Stock Ownership Plan Maximum Number of Shares Authorized Under Plan	75,000
Director Stock Ownership Plan Terms	Under the Plan, each director who, on May 1st of the applicable calendar year, owns less than 400% of the annual cash retainer for the applicable calendar year, divided by the average of the closing price of a share of Quaker Common Stock as reported by the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange for the previous calendar year (the “Threshold Amount”), is required to receive 75% of the annual cash retainer in Quaker common stock and 25% of the retainer in cash, unless the director elects to receive a greater percentage of Quaker common stock (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer for the applicable year. Each director who owns more than the Threshold Amount may elect to receive common stock in payment of a percentage (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer.
Director Retainer Annual Fee	50
Options Granted in Current Year [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense in Period, Stock Option Awards	121
Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense, Stock Option Awards	517
Options Granted in Previous Year [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense, Stock Option Awards	289
Options Granted in Second Previous Year [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense, Stock Option Awards	61
Restricted Stock LTIP Plan
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-based Compensation Expense, Nonvested Stock Award	3,285
Weighted Average Remaining Life, Nonvested Stock Awards	2 years 5 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) LTIP Plan
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-based Compensation Expense, Nonvested Stock Award	$91
Weighted Average Remaining Life, Nonvested Stock Awards	2 years 2 months

Stock_Based_Compensation_Exces

Stock Based Compensation - Excess Tax Benefit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	$363	$744	$815	$2,164
Excess Tax Benefit Related to Stock Option Exercises, Cash Flow			$815	$2,164

Stock_Based_Compensation_Optio

Stock Based Compensation - Options Grant (Details)	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
		Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Granted	29,302	29,302
Dividend Yield		2.49%
Expected Volatility		57.28%
Risk-free Interest Rate		0.63%
Expected Term (Years)		4 years

Stock_Based_Compensation_Optio1

Stock Based Compensation - Options Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	107,455
Options Granted	29,302
Options Exercised	-54,245
Options Forfeited	-3,601
Options Expired	-768
Ending Balance	78,143
Options Exerciseable	14,732
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at Beginning of Year	$31.23
Options Granted	$58.26
Options Exercised	$26.56
Options Forfeited	$37.81
Options Expired	$37.37
Outstanding at End of Period	$44.24
Options Exercisable	$30.23
Weighted Average Contractual Term [Abstract]
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	5 years 6 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	4 years 4 months

Stock_Based_Compensation_Optio2

Stock Based Compensation - Options Summary (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
$0.00 - $10.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$0
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$10
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
$10.01 - $20.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$10.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	6,155
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	3 years 4 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$18.82
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	6,155
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$18.82
$20.01 - $30.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$20.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$30
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
$30.01 - $40.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$30.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$40
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	40,494
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	5 years 1 month
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$37.85
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	7,846
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$37.68
$40.01 - $50.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$40.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$50
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	2,192
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	5 years 8 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$46.21
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	731
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$46.21
$50.01 - $60.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$50.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$60
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	29,302
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	6 years 5 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$58.26
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Total
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	78,143
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	5 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$44.24
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	14,732
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$30.23

Stock_Based_Compensation_Restr

Stock Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	122,944
Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	51,659
Nonvested Stock Awards Vested	-51,981
Nonvested Stock Awards Forfeited	-6,638
Ending Balance	115,984
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, Beginning of Period	$31.98
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	$61.56
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Vested	$26.02
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Forfeited	$41.70
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, End of Period	$47.27
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,100
Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	1,418
Nonvested Stock Awards Vested	0
Nonvested Stock Awards Forfeited	0
Ending Balance	3,518
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, Beginning of Period	$38.13
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	$58.26
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Vested	$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Forfeited	$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, End of Period	$46.24

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben2

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	$789	$605	$2,355	$1,843
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,394	1,442	4,172	4,369
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	-1,476	-1,358	-4,417	-4,101
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Losses	989	687	2,961	2,067
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost	23	28	155	84
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	1,719	1,404	5,226	4,262
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year					6,610
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer			5,556
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	9	5	26	14
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	46	71	138	213
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	0	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Losses	8	31	24	92
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost	0	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	63	107	188	319
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year					719
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer			$461

Income_Taxes_and_Uncertain_Tax1

Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
							China [Member]	China [Member]	Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
										The Netherlands [Member]	United Kingdom [Member]	Brazil [Member]	Spain [Member]	China [Member]	Italy [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations			30.00%	26.90%
Effect on EPS of Uncertain Tax Position Adjustments			$0.13	$0.15
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$12,352		$12,352			$12,410
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense	39	57	-294	6
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense	101	70	342	264
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	2,036		2,036			2,288
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued	2,015		2,015			1,630
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	472	426	2,167	1,498
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound					2,400
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound					$2,500
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination Year Under Examination									2010	2007	2007	2008	2009	2010	2010	1993
Statutory Tax Rate							25.00%	15.00%
Effect Of Tax Rate Change	$0.08

Earnings_Per_Share_Basic_Detai

Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$12,551	$10,925	$42,253	$34,398
Less: Income Allocated to Participating Securities	-109	-103	-358	-402
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$12,442	$10,822	$41,895	$33,996
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,062,417	12,937,417	13,034,289	12,840,029
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$0.95	$0.84	$3.21	$2.65

Earnings_Per_Share_Diluted_Det

Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$12,551	$10,925	$42,253	$34,398
Less: Income Allocated to Participating Securities	-109	-102	-357	-401
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$12,442	$10,823	$41,896	$33,997
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,062,417	12,937,417	13,034,289	12,840,029
Effect of Dilutive Securities	22,488	33,892	25,909	70,265
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,084,905	12,971,309	13,060,198	12,910,294
Diluted Earnings per Common Share	$0.95	$0.83	$3.21	$2.63

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Shares (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,858	4,537	4,118	6,386

Goodwill_Assets_Details

Goodwill Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$59,169
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	277
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-935
Goodwill, Ending Balance	58,511
North America [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	28,535
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	277
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-541
Goodwill, Ending Balance	28,271
Europe [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	11,411
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-147
Goodwill, Ending Balance	11,264
Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	15,323
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-197
Goodwill, Ending Balance	15,126
South America [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	3,900
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-50
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$3,850

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Customer Lists, Gross	$33,543	$32,356
Finite-Lived Trademarks, Gross	6,785	6,760
Formulations And Product Technology	5,808	5,278
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	5,541	5,467
Total	51,677	49,861
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Customer Lists	9,733	8,192
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Trademarks	3,029	2,548
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Formulations	3,655	3,423
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Other	4,332	3,989
Total	20,749	18,152
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
For the year ended December 31, 2013	3,445
For the year ended December 31, 2014	3,253
For the year ended December 31, 2015	3,253
For the year ended December 31, 2016	2,774
For the year ended December 31, 2017	2,110
For the year ended December 31, 2018	2,087
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Indefinite-Lived Trademarks	$1,100	$1,100

Intangible_Assets_Amortization

Intangible Assets - Amortization (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization	$858	$818	$2,621	$2,283

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Line of Credit, Current Facility [Member]	Line of Credit, Previous Facility [Member]	Line of Credit, Previous Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Current Borrowing Capacity	$300,000	$175,000
Line of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity	400,000
Line Of Credit Maturity Date	2018-06
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	In addition, the revised facility amended certain financial, acquisition and other covenants, but the consolidated leverage ratio calculation, for which access to credit under the former facility largely depended upon, remains relatively consistent and cannot exceed 3.50 to 1.
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance	the consolidated leverage ratio was below 1.0 to 1 and the Company was also in compliance with all of the current and former facilities’ other covenants, respectively.
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$0		$12,200

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte2

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Beginning Balance	$312,357	$280,745	$289,676	$261,357
Net Income	13,305	11,623	44,171	36,473
Amounts reported in other comprehensive income (loss)	1,759	2,539	-2,602	836
Dividends, Common Stock	-3,298	-3,214	-9,810	-9,516
Dividends Paid to Noncontrolling Interest	-30	0	-30	-30
Share Issuance and Equity-Based Compensation Plans	387	973	2,623	2,126
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	363	744	815	2,164
Ending Balance	324,843	293,410	324,843	293,410
Common Stock Member
Beginning Balance	13,168	13,011	13,095	12,912
Net Income	0	0	0	0
Amounts reported in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends, Common Stock	0	0	0	0
Dividends Paid to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Share Issuance and Equity-Based Compensation Plans	19	71	92	170
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	13,187	13,082	13,187	13,082
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Beginning Balance	97,085	92,199	94,470	89,725
Net Income	0	0	0	0
Amounts reported in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends, Common Stock	0	0	0	0
Dividends Paid to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Share Issuance and Equity-Based Compensation Plans	368	902	2,531	1,956
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	363	744	815	2,164
Ending Balance	97,816	93,845	97,816	93,845
Retained Earnings [Member]
Beginning Balance	238,580	197,881	215,390	180,710
Net Income	12,551	10,925	42,253	34,398
Amounts reported in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends, Common Stock	-3,298	-3,214	-9,810	-9,516
Dividends Paid to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Share Issuance and Equity-Based Compensation Plans	0	0	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	247,833	205,592	247,833	205,592
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Beginning Balance	-45,252	-30,536	-41,855	-28,967
Net Income	0	0	0	0
Amounts reported in other comprehensive income (loss)	2,014	2,311	-1,383	742
Dividends, Common Stock	0	0	0	0
Dividends Paid to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	0	0
Share Issuance and Equity-Based Compensation Plans	0	0	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	-43,238	-28,225	-43,238	-28,225
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance	8,776	8,190	8,576	6,977
Net Income	754	698	1,918	2,075
Amounts reported in other comprehensive income (loss)	-255	228	-1,219	94
Dividends, Common Stock	0	0	0	0
Dividends Paid to Noncontrolling Interest	-30	0	-30	-30
Share Issuance and Equity-Based Compensation Plans	0	0	0	0
Excess Tax Benefit From Stock Option Exercises	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	$9,245	$9,116	$9,245	$9,116

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte3

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest - Parentheticals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividends Declared	$0.25	$0.25	$0.75	$0.73

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte4

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest - Reclassifications (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at Beginning of Period	($45,252)	($30,536)	($41,855)	($28,967)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	2,005	2,104	-1,570	262
Reclassifications From Accumulated Comprehensive Income Loss To Income Statement	21	698	854	1,991
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	2,026	2,802	-716	2,253
Related Tax Amounts	-12	-491	-667	-1,511
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	2,014	2,311	-1,383	742
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at End of Period	-43,238	-28,225	-43,238	-28,225
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at Beginning of Period	-1,646	1,182	3,336	4,709
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	2,527	1,604	-2,455	-1,923
Reclassifications From Accumulated Comprehensive Income Loss To Income Statement	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	2,527	1,604	-2,455	-1,923
Related Tax Amounts	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	2,527	1,604	-2,455	-1,923
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at End of Period	881	2,786	881	2,786
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at Beginning of Period	-45,046	-33,206	-46,914	-34,260
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	-1,016	-312	-468	-204
Reclassifications From Accumulated Comprehensive Income Loss To Income Statement	1,019	746	3,140	2,243
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	3	434	2,672	2,039
Related Tax Amounts	-183	-230	-984	-781
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-180	204	1,688	1,258
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at End of Period	-45,226	-33,002	-45,226	-33,002
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at Beginning of Period	0	-73	0	-272
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	0	38	0	26
Reclassifications From Accumulated Comprehensive Income Loss To Income Statement	0	74	0	392
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	0	112	0	418
Related Tax Amounts	0	-39	0	-146
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	0	73	0	272
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at End of Period	0	0	0	0
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at Beginning of Period	1,440	1,561	1,723	856
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications	494	774	1,353	2,363
Reclassifications From Accumulated Comprehensive Income Loss To Income Statement	-998	-122	-2,286	-644
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-504	652	-933	1,719
Related Tax Amounts	171	-222	317	-584
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-333	430	-616	1,135
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Balance at End of Period	$1,107	$1,991	$1,107	$1,991

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte5

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cost of Sales [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Reclassification Percentage	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Operating Expense [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Reclassification Percentage	73.00%	73.00%	73.00%	73.00%

Business_Acquisitions_Table_De

Business Acquisitions - Table (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			NP Coil Dexter [Member]	Socomor [Member]	Tin Plating [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current Assets			$5,536
Inventory					454
Fixed Assets			1,211		270
Intangibles			3,825		830
Goodwill	58,511	59,169	1,786		277
Other Long-term Assets			783
Total Assets Acquired			13,141
Short-term Debt			-1,186
Other Current Liabilities			-6,168
Long-term Debt			-854
Other Non-current Liabilities			-1,258
Present Value of Hold-back			-927	-100
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Liabilities Assumed			-10,393
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price			$2,748

Business_Acquisitions_Narrativ

Business Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

NP Coil Dexter [Member]

NP Coil Dexter [Member]

NP Coil Dexter [Member]

NP Coil Dexter [Member]

NP Coil Dexter [Member]

NP Coil Dexter [Member]

Socomor [Member]

Socomor [Member]

Tin Plating [Member]

Tin Plating [Member]

Tin Plating [Member]

Tin Plating [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Trademarks [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Formulations And Product Technology[Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash Paid for Acquisitions

$2,748

$647

$1,831

Short-term Debt

1,186

Long-term Debt

854

Goodwill

58,511

59,169

1,786

277

Intangibles

3,825

830

Intangible Assets, Amortizable Life

8 years

4 years

5 years

10 years

5 years

10 years

4 years

10 years

Cash Acquired

113

Change in Fair Value Estimate

$1,033

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements - Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total Fair Value Inputs [Member]
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Company Owned Life Insurance	$1,795	$1,653
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	396	437
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	67	62
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	6	6
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	12	9
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	37	37
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	8	8
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,321	2,212
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Company Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	67	62
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	6	6
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	12	9
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	37	37
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	8	8
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	130	122
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Company Owned Life Insurance	1,795	1,653
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	396	437
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,191	2,090
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Company Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Liabil

Fair Value Measurements - Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total Fair Value Inputs [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	$369	$336
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	102	88
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	87	72
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	193	187
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	44	48
Fixed General Account	165	173
Interest Rate Derivatives	0	0
Acquisition-related Consideration	5,921	4,901
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	6,881	5,805
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	369	336
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	102	88
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	87	72
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	193	187
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	44	48
Fixed General Account	0	0
Interest Rate Derivatives	0	0
Acquisition-related Consideration	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	795	731
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed General Account	165	173
Interest Rate Derivatives	0	0
Acquisition-related Consideration	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	165	173
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed General Account	0	0
Interest Rate Derivatives	0	0
Acquisition-related Consideration	5,921	4,901
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$5,921	$4,901

Fair_Value_Measurements_Level_

Fair Value Measurements - Level 3 Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Summit Earnout [Member]	Summit Earnout [Member]	Non-competition Agreement Obligation [Member]
			Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$4,901		$4,497	$404
Interest Accretion	533		512	21
Change in Fair Value Estimate	675	675	675	0
Payments	-188		0	-188
Ending Balance	$5,921		$5,684	$237

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Quantit

Fair Value Disclosures - Quantitative Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Summit Earnout [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs Discount Rate		14.50%
Fair Value Inputs Weighted Average Probabilities		As of September 30, 2013, the probabilities applied to the payout scenarios ranged from 15% to 70%, depending on the Company’s estimate of the likelihood of each payout scenario.
Fair Value Measurements Valuation Techniques		Discounted cash flow
Acquisition-related Consideration		$5,684
Change in Fair Value Estimate	675
Non-competition Agreement Obligation [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs Discount Rate		14.00%
Fair Value Measurements Valuation Techniques		Discounted cash flow
Acquisition-related Consideration		$237

Hedging_Activities_Narrative_D

Hedging Activities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	$15,000

Hedging_Activities_Table_Detai

Hedging Activities - Table (Details) (Interest Rate Swap [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	$0	$73	$0	$272
Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	-74	0	-392
Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	$0	$0	$0	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2007	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
			ACP [Member]	ACP [Member]	SB Decking [Member]	VAT, Total [Member]	VAT, Total [Member]	VAT Settlement One [Member]	VAT Settlement Two [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement			$2,000				$4,132	$3,901	$231
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum				475		0
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum				850		12,500
P-2 Well Operation Range Estimate	one to two and one-quarter years
Unrelated Environmental Liability Accruals	205	230
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss					$3,300
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Terms	In response, two of the three carriers entered into separate settlement and release agreements with the subsidiary in late 2005 and early 2007 for $15,000 and $20,000, respectively. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary’s asbestos litigation. During the third quarter of 2007, the subsidiary and the remaining primary insurance carrier entered into a Claim Handling and Funding Agreement, under which the carrier will pay 27% of defense and indemnity costs incurred by or on behalf of the subsidiary in connection with asbestos bodily injury claims for a minimum of five years beginning July 1, 2007. The agreement continues until terminated and can only be terminated by either party by providing the other party with a minimum of two years prior written notice. As of September 30, 2013, no notice of termination has been given under this agreement. At the end of the term of the agreement, the subsidiary may choose to again pursue its claim against this insurer regarding the application of the policy limits.
Percentage of Potential Exposure Represented by One Jurisdiction						83.00%