Note 10 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments: (Detail) - Fair Value Heirarchy (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed interest rate hedge	$ 923
Fixed interest rate hedge	923
Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Embedded customer derivatives	0	0
Nickel swaps	0	0
Interest rate swap	0	0
Fixed interest rate hedge	0
Fixed interest rate hedge	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Embedded customer derivatives	16	55
Nickel swaps	39	55
Interest rate swap	468	492
Fixed interest rate hedge	923
Fixed interest rate hedge	923
Total liabilities at fair value	1,446	547
Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Embedded customer derivatives	0	0
Nickel swaps	0	0
Interest rate swap	0	0
Fixed interest rate hedge	0
Fixed interest rate hedge	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Recorded [Member] \| Total [Member]
Embedded customer derivatives	16	55
Nickel swaps	39	55
Interest rate swap	468	492
Fixed interest rate hedge	923
Fixed interest rate hedge	923
Total liabilities at fair value	1,446	547
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Industrial Revenue Bond [Member]
Long Term Debt	5,125	5,880
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Long Term Debt	0	0
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Total liabilities at fair value	5,125	5,880
Revolver	0	0
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Industrial Revenue Bond [Member]
Long Term Debt	0	0
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Long Term Debt	59,792	66,354
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Total liabilities at fair value	270,807	236,759
Revolver	211,015	170,405
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Industrial Revenue Bond [Member]
Long Term Debt	0	0
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Long Term Debt	0	0
Not Recorded [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Revolver	0	0
Not Recorded [Member] \| Total [Member] \| Industrial Revenue Bond [Member]
Long Term Debt	5,125	5,880
Not Recorded [Member] \| Total [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Long Term Debt	59,792	66,354
Not Recorded [Member] \| Total [Member]
Total liabilities at fair value	275,932	242,639
Revolver	$ 211,015	$ 170,405

Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References+ Details

Derivative instrument obligations meeting the definition of a liability which the Company is a party to as of the balance sheet date.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as an asset.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44B

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 12-16, 44A, 44B

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44A

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44A, 44B

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References+ Details