CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 2,010	$ 7,444
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	914	876
Provision for doubtful accounts	61	45
Stock-based compensation	100	100
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(119)
Issuance of non-employee director shares	75	100
Deferred income tax provision	(27)	418
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(13,529)	(24,302)
Inventories	(3,978)	(13,974)
Prepaid expenses	(1,125)	810
Accounts payable	6,297	16,078
Accrued liabilities	(1,970)	4,870
Net cash flows from operating activities	(11,291)	(7,535)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(691)	(608)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1	989
Payments received on notes receivable	4	142
Net cash flows from investing activities	(686)	523
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on long-term obligations	(4)	(19)
Payments of cash dividends	(1,437)	(1,415)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	297	611
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	119
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,025)	(823)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS	436	574
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS	(12,566)	(7,261)
CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS, beginning of period	50,153	46,334
CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS, end of period	37,587	39,073
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash payments for interest	266	239
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 934	$ 750

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).