v2.4.0.8
Segment Data (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2013
number
Sep. 28, 2013
Jun. 29, 2013
Mar. 30, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Sep. 29, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 28, 2013
number
Dec. 29, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]                      
Number of reportable segments                 2    
Number of countries served globally 25               25    
Goodwill impairment loss                   $ 0  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales 2,526,370,000 2,348,956,000 2,391,810,000 2,293,511,000 2,408,438,000 2,231,058,000 2,201,452,000 2,099,019,000 9,560,647,000 8,939,967,000 8,530,242,000
Operating income 186,883,000 160,477,000 176,065,000 153,629,000 181,342,000 149,622,000 154,702,000 133,295,000 677,054,000 618,961,000 582,149,000
Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment                 664,694,000 604,188,000 569,307,000
Depreciation and amortization                 128,035,000 125,322,000 115,896,000
Income taxes                 190,891,000 187,858,000 180,212,000
Interest income                 12,853,000 13,394,000 15,593,000
Interest expense                 27,538,000 30,902,000 30,377,000
Purchases of fixed assets                 60,215,000 51,237,000 45,176,000
Total assets 5,624,636,000       5,333,997,000       5,624,636,000 5,333,997,000 4,740,144,000
Health Care Distribution [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 9,240,600,000 8,656,554,000 8,279,622,000
Operating income                 590,664,000 541,667,000 512,094,000
Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment                 581,759,000 529,236,000 501,266,000
Depreciation and amortization                 113,670,000 113,688,000 106,485,000
Income taxes                 165,869,000 165,346,000 157,391,000
Interest income                 12,816,000 13,293,000 15,531,000
Interest expense                 27,375,000 30,790,000 30,350,000
Purchases of fixed assets                 57,364,000 47,057,000 42,751,000
Total assets 5,277,354,000       5,001,188,000       5,277,354,000 5,001,188,000 4,542,331,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] | Dental [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 4,997,972,000 4,774,482,000 4,764,898,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] | Animal Health [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 2,599,461,000 2,321,151,000 2,010,270,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] | Medical [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 1,643,167,000 1,560,921,000 1,504,454,000
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]
                     
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 320,047,000 283,413,000 250,620,000
Operating income                 86,390,000 77,294,000 70,055,000
Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment                 82,935,000 74,952,000 68,041,000
Depreciation and amortization                 14,365,000 11,634,000 9,411,000
Income taxes                 25,022,000 22,512,000 22,821,000
Interest income                 37,000 101,000 62,000
Interest expense                 163,000 112,000 27,000
Purchases of fixed assets                 2,851,000 4,180,000 2,425,000
Total assets $ 347,282,000       $ 332,809,000       $ 347,282,000 $ 332,809,000 $ 197,813,000