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Note 3 - Inventories (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
LIFO Inventory Amount | $ 46,500,000 us-gaap_LIFOInventoryAmount | $ 46,600,000 us-gaap_LIFOInventoryAmount
Percentage of LIFO Inventory | 16.60%us-gaap_PercentageOfLIFOInventory | 15.00%us-gaap_PercentageOfLIFOInventory
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Period Charge | 250,000 us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReservePeriodCharge |
Inventory Difference Using FIFO Basis | $ 3,500,000 zeus_InventoryDifferenceUsingFIFOBasis | $ 3,200,000 zeus_InventoryDifferenceUsingFIFOBasis

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- Details
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- Definition The change in the inventory reserve representing the cumulative difference in cost between the first in, first out and the last in, first out inventory valuation methods, which change has been reflected in the statement of income during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section L + Details
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- Definition The amount of LIFO (last in first out) inventory present at the reporting date when inventory is also valued using different valuation methods. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361739&loc=d3e7789-107766 + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The percentage of LIFO (last in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The difference in inventory balance if costed on a FIFO basis compared to LIFO basis + References No definition available. + Details
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