ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS During October 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Easom Automation Systems, Inc. ("Easom"). Easom, based in Detroit, Michigan, is an integrator and manufacturer of automation and positioning solutions, serving heavy fabrication, aerospace and automotive OEMs and suppliers. The acquisition advances the Company's leadership position in automated welding and cutting solutions. Easom has annual sales of approximately $30,000. In addition, during 2014, the Company acquired the remaining interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Harris Soldas Especiais S.A. During November 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Robolution GmbH ("Robolution"). Robolution, based outside of Frankfurt, Germany, is a leading European provider of robotic arc welding systems. The acquisition added to the Company's growing automation business and will enable the Company to better support automation customers across three continents. During November 2013, the Company acquired an ownership interest in Burlington Automation Corporation ("Burlington"). Burlington, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is a leader in the design and manufacture of 3D robotic plasma cutting systems whose products are sold under the brand name Python X^®. The acquisition broadens the Company's portfolio of automated cutting and welding process solutions. Combined revenues for Robolution and Burlington in 2013 were approximately $35,000. In addition, during 2013, the Company acquired a greater interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Lincoln Electric Heli (Zhengzhou) Welding Materials Company Ltd. During 2012, the Company completed the acquisitions of Tennessee Rand, Inc. ("Tenn Rand"), Kaliburn, Burny and Cleveland Motion Control businesses (collectively, "Kaliburn"), Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. (“Wayne Trail”), and Weartech International, Inc. (“Weartech”). Tenn Rand, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a leader in the design and manufacture of tooling and robotic systems for welding applications. The acquisition added tool design, system building and machining capabilities that will enable the Company to further expand its welding automation business. Kaliburn, headquartered in Ladson, South Carolina, is a designer and manufacturer of shape cutting solutions, producer of shape cutting control systems and manufacturer of web tension transducers and engineered machine systems. The acquisitions added to the Company's cutting business portfolio. Wayne Trail, based in Fort Loramie, Ohio, is a manufacturer of automated systems and tooling, serving a wide range of applications in the metal processing market. The acquisition added to the Company’s welding and automated solutions portfolio. Weartech, based in Anaheim, California, is a producer of cobalt-based hard facing and wear-resistant welding consumables. The acquisition added to the Company’s consumables portfolio. Combined annual revenues for Tenn Rand, Kaliburn, Wayne Trail and Weartech at the dates of acquisition were approximately $161,000. Pro forma information related to these acquisitions has not been presented because the impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Acquired companies are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.

ACQUISITIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

During October 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Easom Automation Systems, Inc. ("Easom"). Easom, based in Detroit, Michigan, is an integrator and manufacturer of automation and positioning solutions, serving heavy fabrication, aerospace and automotive OEMs and suppliers. The acquisition advances the Company's leadership position in automated welding and cutting solutions. Easom has annual sales of approximately $30,000. In addition, during 2014, the Company acquired the remaining interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Harris Soldas Especiais S.A.

During November 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Robolution GmbH ("Robolution"). Robolution, based outside of Frankfurt, Germany, is a leading European provider of robotic arc welding systems. The acquisition added to the Company's growing automation business and will enable the Company to better support automation customers across three continents.

During November 2013, the Company acquired an ownership interest in Burlington Automation Corporation ("Burlington"). Burlington, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is a leader in the design and manufacture of 3D robotic plasma cutting systems whose products are sold under the brand name Python X^®. The acquisition broadens the Company's portfolio of automated cutting and welding process solutions.

Combined revenues for Robolution and Burlington in 2013 were approximately $35,000. In addition, during 2013, the Company acquired a greater interest in its majority-owned joint venture, Lincoln Electric Heli (Zhengzhou) Welding Materials Company Ltd.

During 2012, the Company completed the acquisitions of Tennessee Rand, Inc. ("Tenn Rand"), Kaliburn, Burny and Cleveland Motion Control businesses (collectively, "Kaliburn"), Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. (“Wayne Trail”), and Weartech International, Inc. (“Weartech”).

Tenn Rand, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a leader in the design and manufacture of tooling and robotic systems for welding applications. The acquisition added tool design, system building and machining capabilities that will enable the Company to further expand its welding automation business.

Kaliburn, headquartered in Ladson, South Carolina, is a designer and manufacturer of shape cutting solutions, producer of shape cutting control systems and manufacturer of web tension transducers and engineered machine systems. The acquisitions added to the Company's cutting business portfolio.

Wayne Trail, based in Fort Loramie, Ohio, is a manufacturer of automated systems and tooling, serving a wide range of applications in the metal processing market. The acquisition added to the Company’s welding and automated solutions portfolio.

Weartech, based in Anaheim, California, is a producer of cobalt-based hard facing and wear-resistant welding consumables. The acquisition added to the Company’s consumables portfolio.

Combined annual revenues for Tenn Rand, Kaliburn, Wayne Trail and Weartech at the dates of acquisition were approximately $161,000.

Pro forma information related to these acquisitions has not been presented because the impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income is not material. Acquired companies are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.