XML 30 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Jul. 31, 2014 | Jan. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Aug. 31, 2013 | Jul. 31, 2013 | Jul. 31, 2012 | Feb. 29, 2012 | Jan. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 354,838,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  |  | $ 350,350,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  |  |  |  |
Pro forma effect of business acquisition | The pro forma effect of the ongoing operations for Waters, Medimass, ULSP LaserComp, ESS, Nonlinear Dynamics, Scarabaeus, Blue Reference, the Israeli s ales and service distributor and Baehr, either individually or in the aggregate, as though these acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the periods covered by this report wa s immaterial. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisitions in 2014 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable and other assets acquired | 550,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssets / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible assets acquired | 18,457,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill | 11,631,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total assets acquired | 30,638,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities acquired | 294,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued contingent consideration | 3,336,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContingentLiability / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid | 27,008,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Medimass [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible assets acquired |  | 18,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_MedimassMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  | 8,000,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_MedimassMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued contingent consideration |  | 3,336,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContingentLiability / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_MedimassMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  | 23,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_MedimassMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Medimass [Member] | Unpatented Technology |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible assets acquired |  | 13,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_MedimassMember / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UnpatentedTechnologyMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average useful life of acquired intangible assets |  | 15 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Medimass [Member] | In-Process Research and Development |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible assets acquired |  | 5,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_MedimassMember / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ULSP [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  |  | 3,000,000 us-gaap_Goodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_ULSPMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  | 4,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_ULSPMember |  |  |  |  |  |
ULSP [Member] | Unpatented Technology |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible assets acquired |  |  | 1,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_ULSPMember / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UnpatentedTechnologyMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average useful life of acquired intangible assets |  |  | 10 years |  |  |  |  |  |
LaserComp [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  | 12,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_LaserCompMember |  |  |  |  |
ESS [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  | 3,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_ESSMember |  |  |  |  |
Nonlinear Dynamics [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  |  | 23,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_NonlinearDynamicsMember |  |  |  |
Scarabaeus [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  |  |  | 4,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_ScarabaeusMember |  |  |
Blue Reference [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_BlueReferenceMember |  |
Israeli sales and service distributor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_IsraeliSalesAndServiceDistributorMember |
Baehr [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration paid for acquired entity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,000,000 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_BaehrMember
Debt acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = wat_BaehrMember

X
- Definition Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of pro forma results of operations for a material business acquisition or series of individually immaterial business acquisitions that are material in the aggregate. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of assets acquired at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of liability arising from an inherited contingency (as defined) which has been recognized as of the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744172&loc=d3e2207-128464 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContingentLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of liabilities due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount recognized as of the acquisition date for the identifiable assets acquired in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744172&loc=d3e2207-128464 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_AcquisitionsIn2014Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_BaehrMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_BlueReferenceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_ESSMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_IsraeliSalesAndServiceDistributorMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_LaserCompMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_MedimassMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_NonlinearDynamicsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_ScarabaeusMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wat_ULSPMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |