Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercised stock options	$ 3,702,000	$ 13,136,000	$ 4,101,000
Deferred Compensation Plan (Dc Plan) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		1,000	1,000
Stock Purchase Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation Vesting Rate	25.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	282,000	485,000	765,000
Unallocated Share Based Compensation Expense	163,000
Unamortized Compensation Cost Amortization Period	1 year 9 months 18 days
Exercisable Aggregate intrinsic value	888,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	2,673,000	3,375,000	1,322,000
Exercised stock options	2,886,000	5,709,000	2,949,000
Stock Option Plan 2006 - Directors and Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			25,000
Exercisable Aggregate intrinsic value	442,000	570,000	45,000
Exercised stock options	814,000	2,130,000	450,000
Indexed Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable Aggregate intrinsic value		1,213,000	235,000
Exercised stock options		5,292,000	672,000
Restricted Stock Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Granted During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation	28,500	32,317	25,541
Stock Based Compensation Grants Fair Value	713,000	714,000	462,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	637,000	428,000	414,000
Unallocated Share Based Compensation Expense	1,401,000
Unamortized Compensation Cost Amortization Period	2 years 4 months 20 days
Vested Aggregate Fair Value	581,000	337,000	415,000
Restricted Stock Units and Stock Purchase Options Granted To Certain Executives [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation Vesting Rate	25.00%
Stock Based Compensation Grants Fair Value	2,100,000	3,700,000	1,700,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	2,077,000	1,317,000	1,020,000
Unallocated Share Based Compensation Expense	2,883,000
Unamortized Compensation Cost Amortization Period	2 years 6 months 18 days
Vested Aggregate Fair Value	2,002,000	1,050,000	775,000
Distribution Of The Fair Value In Restricted Stock Units		3,200,000	1,500,000
Distribution Of The Fair Value In Stock Purchase Options		500,000	200,000
Other Plans Expatriate Officer Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Salaries, Wages and Officers' Compensation	120,000	131,000	119,000
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	176,000	198,000
Restricted Stock Directors (Discontinued) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Based Compensation Vesting Rate	20.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		41,000	87,000
Vested Aggregate Fair Value		$ 75,000	$ 110,000

It represents distribution of the fair value in restricted stock units.

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It represents Distribution Of The Fair Value In Stock Purchase Options.

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The rate at which restricted stock and options are vested in each year, beginning the year following the grant.

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Unamortized stock based compensation

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No definition available.

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The period during which unamortized compensation cost will be amortized

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date, including liabilities incurred and payable to vendors for goods and services received, taxes, interest, rent and utilities, compensation costs, payroll taxes and fringe benefits (other than pension and postretirement obligations), contractual rights and obligations, and statutory obligations.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(1),(5))

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 1, 5

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Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

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-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

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Expenditures for salaries for officers and non-officers. Does not include allocated share-based compensation, pension and post-retirement benefit expense or other labor-related non-salary expense. For commercial and industrial companies, excludes any direct and overhead labor that is included in cost of goods sold.

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- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

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- Definition

Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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Gross number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

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Gross value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

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