v3.3.1.900
Defined Benefit Plans Obligation and Asset Rollforward (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Benefit Plan $ 3,428 $ 11,850 $ 4,877
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year 1,469,103    
Fair value of plan assets, end of year 1,337,405 1,469,103  
Pension Benefits [Member]      
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year 1,765,493 1,640,418  
Acquisitions 31,914 48,938  
Service cost 4,612 4,883 3,985
Interest cost 54,807 70,469 63,132
Actuarial loss (gain) (93,878) 211,170  
Foreign exchange effect (77,854) (97,525)  
Benefits paid (105,589) (111,971)  
Settlements (29,811) (1,387)  
Other 949 498  
Projected benefit obligation, end of year 1,550,643 1,765,493 1,640,418
Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year 1,530,327 1,739,642  
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year 1,469,103 1,367,315  
Acquisitions 28,591 42,051  
Actual return on plan assets (9,390) 174,065  
Employer contribution [1] 45,594 69,714  
Foreign exchange effect (63,060) (70,851)  
Settlements (28,399) (1,387)  
Other 555 167  
Fair value of plan assets, end of year 1,337,405 1,469,103 1,367,315
Funded status, end of year (213,238) (296,390)  
Non-current assets 73,914 58,997  
Current liabilities (4,741) (5,328)  
Non-current liabilities (282,411) (350,059)  
Total (213,238) (296,390)  
Other Post-Retirement Benefits [Member]      
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year 35,085 28,823  
Acquisitions 4,983 1,011  
Service cost 33 155 179
Interest cost 1,170 1,304 1,090
Actuarial loss (gain) (6,410) 5,553  
Foreign exchange effect 0 0  
Benefits paid (1,942) (1,761)  
Settlements 0 0  
Other 174 0  
Projected benefit obligation, end of year 33,093 35,085 28,823
Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year 33,093 35,085  
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year 0 0  
Acquisitions 0 0  
Actual return on plan assets 0 0  
Employer contribution 1,942 1,761  
Foreign exchange effect 0 0  
Settlements 0 0  
Other 0 0  
Fair value of plan assets, end of year 0 0 0
Funded status, end of year (33,093) (35,085)  
Non-current assets 0 0  
Current liabilities (2,915) (2,749)  
Non-current liabilities (30,178) (32,336)  
Total (33,093) (35,085)  
Foreign Pension Benefits [Member]      
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year 1,265,143 1,205,554  
Acquisitions 0 21,578  
Service cost 4,506 4,883 3,985
Interest cost 37,253 51,658 46,775
Actuarial loss (gain) (64,801) 144,232  
Foreign exchange effect (77,854) (97,525)  
Benefits paid (60,162) (64,347)  
Settlements (29,811) (1,387)  
Other 949 497  
Projected benefit obligation, end of year 1,075,223 1,265,143 1,205,554
Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year 1,054,907 1,239,292  
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year 1,079,497 999,197  
Acquisitions 0 20,873  
Actual return on plan assets 11,159 139,460  
Employer contribution 41,659 56,384  
Foreign exchange effect (63,060) (70,851)  
Settlements (28,399) (1,387)  
Other 555 168  
Fair value of plan assets, end of year 981,249 1,079,497 $ 999,197
Funded status, end of year (93,974) (185,646)  
All Plans [Member]      
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Benefit Plan $ 3,400 $ 11,900  
[1] Contributions during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 include contributions of 66,000 and 183,000 shares of Colfax Common stock, respectively, with values on the contribution dates of approximately $3.4 million and $11.9 million, respectively.