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SEGMENT INFORMATION (Textual) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 segment | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 Europe Welding | Dec. 31, 2011 Europe Welding | Dec. 31, 2010 Europe Welding | Jun. 30, 2011 Asia Pacific Welding | Dec. 31, 2012 Asia Pacific Welding | Dec. 31, 2011 Asia Pacific Welding | Dec. 31, 2010 Asia Pacific Welding | Jun. 30, 2012 South America Welding | Dec. 31, 2012 South America Welding | Dec. 31, 2010 South America Welding | Dec. 31, 2010 The Harris Products Group | Dec. 31, 2012 North America Welding | Dec. 31, 2012 United States | Dec. 31, 2011 United States | Dec. 31, 2010 United States | Dec. 31, 2012 Revenues Customer concentration risk Maximum | Dec. 31, 2011 Revenues Customer concentration risk Maximum | Dec. 31, 2010 Revenues Customer concentration risk Maximum
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of operating segments (segments) |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of total inventories valued using the LIFO method (as a percent) | 34.00% |  |  | 34.00% | 31.00% | 30.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special items, net charges for rationalization actions | $ 5,037 | $ 3,059 | $ 1,258 | $ 9,354 | $ 282 | $ (384) | $ 3,637 | $ 188 | $ 1,990 | $ (75) | $ 3,151 | $ 93 | $ 427 | $ 1,381 |  |  |  | $ 827 |  |  |  |  |  |
Special items, gain (loss) on the sale of assets at a rationalized operation |  |  |  | 103 |  |  | 103 | (204) |  |  |  | 203 | 4,555 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset Impairment Charges |  |  |  | 1,842 |  |  |  |  | 496 |  | 1,842 |  | 387 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special items, increased employee severance obligation requirements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,381 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special items, charge for the impact resulting from the change in functional currency to the U.S. dollar and devaluation of the Venezuelan currency |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,123 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special items, net charge related to environmental costs associated with the sale of property at a rationalized operation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 871 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Export sales excluding intercompany sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 268,331 | $ 242,380 | $ 197,057 |  |  |
Percentage of concentration of credit risk not met other than separately disclosed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00%

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