Note 9 - Debt (Details) - Principal Payments Over Next 5 Years and Thereafter (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 9 - Debt (Details) - Principal Payments Over Next 5 Years and Thereafter [Line Items]
Principal Repayments - Next Twelve Months	$ 9,560
Principal Repayments - Year 2	9,590
Principal Repayments - Year 3	178,294
Principal Repayments - Year 4	895
Principal Repayments - Year 5	930
Principal Repayments - Total	199,269
Revolver [Member]
Note 9 - Debt (Details) - Principal Payments Over Next 5 Years and Thereafter [Line Items]
Principal Repayments - Year 3	146,075
Principal Repayments - Total	146,075
Term Loan [Member]
Note 9 - Debt (Details) - Principal Payments Over Next 5 Years and Thereafter [Line Items]
Principal Repayments - Next Twelve Months	8,750
Principal Repayments - Year 2	8,750
Principal Repayments - Year 3	31,354
Principal Repayments - Total	48,854
Industrial Revenue Bond [Member]
Note 9 - Debt (Details) - Principal Payments Over Next 5 Years and Thereafter [Line Items]
Principal Repayments - Next Twelve Months	810
Principal Repayments - Year 2	840
Principal Repayments - Year 3	865
Principal Repayments - Year 4	895
Principal Repayments - Year 5	930
Principal Repayments - Total	$ 4,340

Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Long Term Debt Including Current Maturities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zeus_LongTermDebtIncludingCurrentMaturities
Namespace Prefix:	zeus_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	zeus_Note9DebtDetailsPrincipalPaymentsOverNext5YearsandThereafterLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	zeus_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration