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SEGMENT INFORMATION (Textual) (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) segment | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |
Number of operating segments (segments) | segment |  | 3 |  |
Percentage of total inventories valued using the LIFO method (as a percent) |  | 32.00% | 40.00% |
Special items |  |  |  |
Asset Impairment Charges |  | $ 1,441 |  |
Special items charge (Gain) |  | (15,330) | $ 34,348 | $ 189,910
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | [1] | 1,091 |  |
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax |  |  | 4,334 |
Europe Welding |  |  |  |
Special items |  |  |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | [1] | 0 |  |
The Harris Products Group |  |  |  |
Special items |  |  |  |
Special items charge (Gain) |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | [1] | 0 |  |
United States |  |  |  |
Special items |  |  |  |
EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToForeignCountries1 |  | $ 151,630 | $ 134,216 | $ 175,049
Revenues | Customer concentration risk | Maximum |  |  |  |
Special items |  |  |  |
Percentage of concentration of credit risk not met other than separately disclosed |  | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00%
[1] | The Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test, using a combination of income and market valuation approaches, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge to the carrying value of goodwill. The impairment charge is recorded within Rationalization and asset impairment charges in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

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