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Business segment reporting (Details) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($) Segments | Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment reporting |  |  |  |
Number of reportable segments | Segments | 1 |  |  |
Net sales | $ 25,302 | $ 46,950 | $ 71,230 | $ 92,374
Gross profit | 3,697 | 14,315 | 8,669 | 19,796
(Loss) income from operations | (1,037) | 7,521 | $ (7,382) | 1,421
Piping Systems [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment reporting |  |  |  |
Segment reporting information, description of Products and Services |  |  | Piping Systems engineers, designs, manufactures and sells specialty piping, leak detection and location systems |
Net sales | 25,302 | 46,950 | $ 71,230 | 92,374
Gross profit | 3,697 | 14,315 | 8,669 | 19,796
(Loss) income from operations | 640 | 9,721 | (1,775) | 7,470
Corporate Segment [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment reporting |  |  |  |
(Loss) income from operations | $ (1,677) | $ (2,200) | $ (5,607) | $ (6,049)

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- Definition Description of the types of products and services from which the reportable segment derives its revenue. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8721-108599 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1,2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Details
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