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SEGMENT INFORMATION (Financial Information of Reportable Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (1,696) |  | $ (4,232) |  |  |  | $ (758) |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | $ 736,307 |  | $ 730,783 |  | $ 777,008 |  | $ 759,174 |  | 743,827 |  | 737,099 |  | $ 790,052 |  | 757,696 |  | $ 3,003,272 |  | $ 3,028,674 | $ 2,624,431
Revenue from Related Parties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,003,272 |  | 3,028,674 | 2,624,431
EBIT, as adjusted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 400,753 |  | 422,694 | 370,338
Special items charge (Gain) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,845 |  | 36,469 | (15,330)
EBIT |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 391,908 |  | 386,225 | 385,668
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,527 |  | 6,938 | 4,788
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (25,942) |  | (24,503) | (24,220)
Income before income taxes |  | 80,294 | [1] | 91,797 | [2] | 103,484 | [3] | 92,918 | [4] | 94,455 | [1] | 95,744 | [2] | 94,263 | [3] | 84,198 | [4] | 368,493 |  | 368,660 | 366,236
Total assets |  | 2,371,213 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,349,825 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,371,213 |  | 2,349,825 | 2,406,547
Equity investments in affiliates |  | 4,274 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 31,228 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,274 |  | 31,228 | 28,526
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 69,615 |  | 71,246 | 61,656
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 81,487 |  | 72,346 | 68,115
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) |  | 8,851 |  | 1,495 |  | 1,307 |  | 3,535 |  | 932 |  | 2,636 |  | 11,542 |  | 10,175 |  | 15,188 |  | 25,285 | 6,590
Business Combination, Inventory Step Up |  |  |  | 1,609 |  | 1,399 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,578
Acquisition Transaction and Integration Costs |  |  |  |  |  | 1,014 |  | $ 790 |  | 833 |  | $ 970 |  | $ 788 |  | $ 1,907 |  | 1,804 |  | 4,498 | 15,002
Business Combination, Bargain Purchase, Gain Recognized, Amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 49,650
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  | $ 3,554 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss), Net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,601 |  | 0 | 0
The Harris Products Group |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 333,150 |  | 302,389 | 290,628
Revenue from Related Parties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,487 |  | 6,969 | 8,190
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 340,637 |  | 309,358 | 298,818
EBIT, as adjusted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45,701 |  | 36,564 | 36,442
Special items charge (Gain) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,770 | [5] | 0 | 0
EBIT |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 43,931 |  | 36,564 | 36,442
Total assets |  | 203,602 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 203,095 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 203,602 |  | 203,095 | 175,151
Equity investments in affiliates |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,383 |  | 2,909 | 3,949
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,636 |  | 3,045 | 2,885
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,770 |  |  |
Corporate / Eliminations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Revenue from Related Parties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (148,520) |  | (144,481) | (124,432)
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (148,520) |  | (144,481) | (124,432)
EBIT, as adjusted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (10,948) |  | (8,887) | 309
Special items charge (Gain) | [6] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,804 |  | 4,498 | (34,648)
EBIT |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (12,752) |  | (13,385) | 34,957
Total assets |  | (154,543) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (99,307) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (154,543) |  | (99,307) | 57,990
Equity investments in affiliates |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (462) |  | (91) | (172)
Acquisition Transaction and Integration Costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,804 |  | 4,498 | 15,002
Americas Welding [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (6,686) | (8,150)
Goodwill, Impairment Loss |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,091
Net Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,815,746 |  | 1,806,514 | 1,609,779
Revenue from Related Parties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 123,342 |  | 118,936 | 97,382
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,939,088 |  | 1,925,450 | 1,707,161
EBIT, as adjusted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 315,719 |  | 340,744 | 291,866
Special items charge (Gain) | [7] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,115 |  | 6,686 | 9,242
EBIT |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 312,604 |  | 334,058 | 282,624
Total assets |  | 1,490,395 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,418,905 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,490,395 |  | 1,418,905 | 1,253,411
Equity investments in affiliates |  | 4,274 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,204 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,274 |  | 4,204 | 4,037
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 39,106 |  | 42,053 | 43,158
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 55,300 |  | 47,008 | 47,038
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,716 |  |  |
Business Combination, Inventory Step Up |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,399 |  |  |
International Welding [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial information for the reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 854,376 |  | 919,771 | 724,024
Revenue from Related Parties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17,691 |  | 18,576 | 18,860
Segment, including Inter-segment, sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 872,067 |  | 938,347 | 742,884
EBIT, as adjusted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50,281 |  | 54,273 | 41,721
Special items charge (Gain) | [8] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,156 |  | 25,285 | 10,076
EBIT |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 48,125 |  | 28,988 | 31,645
Total assets |  | 831,759 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 827,132 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 831,759 |  | 827,132 | 919,995
Equity investments in affiliates |  | $ 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 27,024 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 27,024 | 24,489
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,126 |  | 26,284 | 14,549
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22,013 |  | 22,384 | 18,364
Rationalization and asset impairment charges (gains) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,702 |  | $ 25,285 | 5,498
Business Combination, Inventory Step Up |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,609 |  |  | $ 4,578
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,554 |  |  |
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss), Net |  |  |  | $ 7,601 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 7,601 |  |  |
[1] | 2019 includes special item charges of $8,851 ($7,284 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges. 2018 includes special item charges of $1,696 ($1,272 after-tax) for pension settlement charges, $932 ($841 gain after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges and gains or losses on the disposal of assets, a $4,424 credit related to the U.S. Tax Act and acquisition-related items including $833 ($690 after-tax) for acquisition transaction and integration costs.
[2] | 2019 includes special item charges of $1,495 ($1,240 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges, $1,609 for amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories and $7,601 for a gain on change in control related to the acquisition of Askaynak. 2018 includes special item charges of $4,232 ($3,176 after-tax) for pension settlement charges, $2,636 ($2,575 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges, an adjustment to taxes on unremitted foreign earnings related to the U.S. Tax Act of $2,323 and acquisition-related items including $970 ($797 after-tax) for acquisition transaction and integration costs.
[3] | 2019 includes special item charges of $3,554 ($2,586 after-tax) for gains on the disposal of assets, $1,399 ($1,049 after-tax) for amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories, $1,014 ($867 after-tax) for acquisition transaction and integration costs, $1,307 ($937 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges and $4,852 for the settlement of a tax item as well as tax deductions associated with an investment in a subsidiary. 2018 includes special item charges of $11,542 ($10,362 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges and $788 ($675 after-tax) for acquisition transaction and integration costs.
[4] | 2019 includes special item charges of $3,535 ($2,814 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges and $790 ($698 after-tax) for acquisition transaction and integration costs. 2018 includes special item charges of $758 ($569 after-tax) for pension settlement charges, $10,175 ($7,870 after-tax) for Rationalization and asset impairment charges, an adjustment to taxes on unremitted foreign earnings related to the U.S. Tax Act of $2,500 and $1,907 ($1,520 after-tax) for acquisition transaction and integration costs.
[5] | Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $1,770
[6] | acquisition transaction and integration costs of $1,804 related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. 2018 special items reflect acquisition transaction and integration costs of $4,498 related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. 2017 special items reflect a bargain purchase gain of $49,650 and acquisition transaction and integration costs of $15,002 related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
[7] | 2019 special items reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $1,716 and amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $1,399 related to the acquisition of Baker. 2018 special items reflect pension settlement charges of $6,686 in Americas Welding related to lump sum pension payments. 2017 special items reflect pension settlement charges of $8,150 related to lump sum pension payments, as well as non-cash charges of $1,091 related to the impairment of goodwill.
[8] | Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $11,702, amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $1,609 related to the acquisition of Askaynak, gains on disposals of assets of $3,554 and a gain on change in control of $7,601 related to the acquisition of Askaynak. 2018 special items reflect Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $25,285 related to employee severance, asset impairments, gains or losses on disposal of assets and other related costs. 2017 special items reflect amortization of step up in value of acquired inventories of $4,578 related to the Air Liquide Welding acquisition as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, as well as Rationalization and asset impairment charges of $5,498 related to employee severance, asset impairments and other related costs.

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