Document_and_Entity_Informatio
| Document and Entity Information | 9 Months Ended | |
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Oct. 31, 2013 | |
| Document and Entity Information | ' | ' |
| Entity Registrant Name | 'STEEL DYNAMICS INC | ' |
| Entity Central Index Key | '0001022671 | ' |
| Document Type | '10-Q | ' |
| Document Period End Date | 30-Sep-13 | ' |
| Amendment Flag | 'false | ' |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | '--12-31 | ' |
| Entity Current Reporting Status | 'Yes | ' |
| Entity Filer Category | 'Large Accelerated Filer | ' |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | ' | 221,984,201 |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | '2013 | ' |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | 'Q3 | ' |
CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | ||
| Current assets | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | $370,056 | $375,917 |
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | ' | 31,520 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 722,867 | 599,499 |
| Accounts receivable-related parties | 50,006 | 42,864 |
| Inventories | 1,192,032 | 1,202,507 |
| Deferred income taxes | 25,228 | 23,449 |
| Other current assets | 25,126 | 20,469 |
| Total current assets | 2,385,315 | 2,296,225 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,241,067 | 2,231,198 |
| Restricted cash | 23,016 | 27,749 |
| Intangible assets, net | 393,531 | 416,635 |
| Goodwill | 733,650 | 738,542 |
| Other assets | 97,726 | 105,067 |
| Total assets | 5,874,305 | 5,815,416 |
| Current liabilities | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 411,201 | 344,953 |
| Accounts payable-related parties | 15,205 | 15,144 |
| Income taxes payable | 7,649 | 16,941 |
| Accrued payroll and benefits | 79,589 | 85,802 |
| Accrued interest | 23,060 | 35,306 |
| Accrued expenses | 82,157 | 81,900 |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 335,341 | 29,631 |
| Total current liabilities | 954,202 | 609,677 |
| Long-term debt | ' | ' |
| Term note | 226,875 | 247,500 |
| Senior notes | 1,500,000 | 1,600,000 |
| Convertible senior notes | ' | 287,496 |
| Other long-term debt | 46,744 | 37,610 |
| Total long-term debt | 1,773,619 | 2,172,606 |
| Deferred income taxes | 565,798 | 537,304 |
| Other liabilities | 22,898 | 19,173 |
| Commitments and contingencies | ' | ' |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 110,054 | 98,814 |
| Equity | ' | ' |
| Common stock voting, $.0025 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 257,314,197 and 255,592,901 shares issued; and 221,349,383 and 219,522,655 shares outstanding, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 641 | 637 |
| Treasury stock, at cost; 35,964,814 and 36,070,246 shares, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | -718,373 | -720,479 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,060,780 | 1,037,687 |
| Retained earnings | 2,149,389 | 2,087,620 |
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,492,437 | 2,405,465 |
| Noncontrolling interests | -44,703 | -27,623 |
| Total equity | 2,447,734 | 2,377,842 |
| Total liabilities and equity | $5,874,305 | $5,815,416 |
CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
| Common stock voting, par value (in dollars per share) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Common stock voting, shares authorized (in shares) | 900,000,000 | 900,000,000 |
| Common stock voting, shares issued (in shares) | 257,314,197 | 255,592,901 |
| Common stock voting, shares outstanding (in shares) | 221,349,383 | 219,522,655 |
| Treasury stock, shares (in shares) | 35,964,814 | 36,070,246 |
CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 |
| Net sales | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Unrelated parties | $1,838,464 | $1,624,561 | $5,302,285 | $5,359,753 |
| Related parties | 73,274 | 68,829 | 206,489 | 225,480 |
| Total net sales | 1,911,738 | 1,693,390 | 5,508,774 | 5,585,233 |
| Costs of goods sold | 1,714,546 | 1,536,989 | 4,987,626 | 5,045,432 |
| Gross profit | 197,192 | 156,401 | 521,148 | 539,801 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 67,553 | 62,984 | 198,171 | 188,603 |
| Profit sharing | 8,469 | 3,954 | 19,891 | 20,237 |
| Amortization of intangible assets | 7,897 | 8,848 | 24,075 | 26,831 |
| Impairment charges | ' | 7,894 | 308 | 7,894 |
| Total selling, general and administrative expenses | 83,919 | 83,680 | 242,445 | 243,565 |
| Operating income | 113,273 | 72,721 | 278,703 | 296,236 |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 30,970 | 41,490 | 97,064 | 123,708 |
| Other expense (income), net | -1,852 | 24,010 | -4,144 | 32,366 |
| Income before income taxes | 84,155 | 7,221 | 185,783 | 140,162 |
| Income taxes | 33,065 | 1,116 | 70,168 | 52,975 |
| Net income | 51,090 | 6,105 | 115,615 | 87,187 |
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 6,396 | 6,728 | 19,044 | 15,793 |
| Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $57,486 | $12,833 | $134,659 | $102,980 |
| Basic earnings per share attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. stockholders (in dollars per share) | $0.26 | $0.06 | $0.61 | $0.47 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) | 220,926 | 219,191 | 220,464 | 219,097 |
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. stockholders, including the effect of assumed conversions when dilutive (in dollars per share) | $0.25 | $0.06 | $0.59 | $0.47 |
| Weighted average common shares and share equivalents outstanding (in shares) | 239,001 | 220,044 | 238,497 | 236,536 |
| Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) | $0.11 | $0.10 | $0.33 | $0.30 |
CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 |
| Operating activities: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net income | $51,090 | $6,105 | $115,615 | $87,187 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | 58,202 | 58,953 | 172,089 | 170,027 |
| Equity-based compensation | 2,515 | 738 | 9,612 | 9,463 |
| Impairment charges | ' | 7,894 | 308 | 7,894 |
| Deferred income taxes | 9,861 | 34,633 | 31,608 | 54,464 |
| (Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 1,739 | -152 | 944 | -565 |
| Changes in certain assets and liabilities: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts receivable | 254 | 2,690 | -130,510 | 15,604 |
| Inventories | -23,648 | 43,005 | 10,360 | 6,702 |
| Other assets | -1,727 | -7,484 | 8,414 | -4,917 |
| Accounts payable | 59,801 | 6,920 | 52,419 | -19,015 |
| Income taxes receivable/payable | 16,354 | 25,993 | -9,972 | 16,917 |
| Accrued expenses and liabilities | 8,825 | -61,929 | -15,196 | -104,375 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 183,266 | 117,366 | 245,691 | 239,386 |
| Investing activities: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | -52,162 | -58,342 | -146,744 | -158,686 |
| Proceeds from maturity of short-term commercial paper | ' | 9,998 | 31,520 | 84,830 |
| Other investing activities | 844 | 655 | 4,121 | -20,379 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | -51,318 | -47,689 | -111,103 | -94,235 |
| Financing activities: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Issuance of current and long-term debt | 9,526 | 760,000 | 418,819 | 1,049,969 |
| Repayment of current and long-term debt | -4,097 | -946,858 | -512,100 | -1,252,202 |
| Debt issuance costs | ' | -11,625 | -6,192 | -13,813 |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including related tax effect | 7,925 | 583 | 18,516 | 2,021 |
| Contributions from noncontrolling investors, net | 5,275 | 16,320 | 10,972 | 30,943 |
| Dividends paid | -24,274 | -21,915 | -70,464 | -65,710 |
| Net cash used in financing activities | -5,645 | -203,495 | -140,449 | -248,792 |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | 126,303 | -133,818 | -5,861 | -103,641 |
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | 243,753 | 420,938 | 375,917 | 390,761 |
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | 370,056 | 287,120 | 370,056 | 287,120 |
| Supplemental disclosure information: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash paid for interest | 40,075 | 42,413 | 107,390 | 123,973 |
| Cash paid for federal and state income taxes, net | $3,022 | $3,629 | $41,547 | $43,976 |
Description_of_the_Business_an
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | ' | |||||||
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | ' | |||||||
| Note 1. Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | ||||||||
| Description of the Business | ||||||||
| Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), together with its subsidiaries (the company), is a domestic manufacturer of steel products and metals recycler. The company has three reporting segments: steel operations, metals recycling and ferrous resources operations, and steel fabrication operations. | ||||||||
| Steel Operations. Steel operations include the company’s Flat Roll Division, Structural and Rail Division, Engineered Bar Products Division, Roanoke Bar Division, Steel of West Virginia (SWVA) and The Techs operations. These operations consist of mini-mills, producing steel from steel scrap, using electric arc furnaces, continuous casting, automated rolling mills, and downstream finishing facilities. The company’s steel operations sell directly to end users and service centers. These products are used in numerous industry sectors, including the automotive, construction, commercial, transportation and industrial machinery markets. Steel operations accounted for approximately 61% and 62% of the company’s external net sales during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 60% and 62% of the company’s external net sales during the ninth-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||
| Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations. Metals recycling and ferrous resources operations include OmniSource Corporation (OmniSource), the company’s metals recycling, steel scrap procurement, and processing locations, and our two ironmaking initiatives: Iron Dynamics (IDI), a liquid pig iron production facility; and our Minnesota iron operations, an iron nugget production facility and operations to supply the nugget facility with its primary raw material, iron concentrate. Metals recycling and ferrous resources operations accounted for approximately 32% and 31% of the company’s external net sales during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 33% and 32% of the company’s external net sales during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||
| Steel Fabrication Operations. Steel fabrication operations include the company’s New Millennium Building Systems plants located throughout the United States and Northern Mexico. Revenues from these plants are generated from the fabrication of trusses, girders, steel joists and steel decking used within the non-residential construction industry. Steel fabrication operations accounted for approximately 6% and 6% of the company’s external net sales during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 6% and 5% of the company’s external net sales during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||
| Significant Accounting Policies | ||||||||
| Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SDI, together with its wholly and majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries, after elimination of significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests represent the noncontrolling owner’s proportionate share in the equity, income, or losses of the company’s majority-owned or controlled consolidated subsidiaries. | ||||||||
| Use of Estimates. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, accordingly, include amounts that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and in the notes thereto. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill; valuation allowances for trade receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets; income taxes; unrecognized income tax benefits; potential environmental liabilities; and litigation claims and settlements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. | ||||||||
| In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim period results. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. | ||||||||
| Goodwill. The company’s goodwill is allocated to the following reporting units at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, (in thousands): | ||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| OmniSource — Metals Recycling/Ferrous Resources Segment | $ | 559,901 | $ | 564,793 | ||||
| The Techs — Steel Segment | 142,783 | 142,783 | ||||||
| Roanoke Bar Division — Steel Segment | 29,041 | 29,041 | ||||||
| New Millennium Building Systems — Fabrication Segment | 1,925 | 1,925 | ||||||
| $ | 733,650 | $ | 738,542 | |||||
| OmniSource goodwill decreased $4.9 million from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013, in recognition of the 2013 tax benefit related to the amortization of the component of OmniSource tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill. | ||||||||
Earnings_Per_Share
| Earnings Per Share | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings Per Share | ' | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings Per Share | ' | |||||||||||||||||
| Note 2. Earnings Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the weighted average dilutive effect of common share equivalents outstanding during the period applied to the company’s basic earnings per share. Common share equivalents represent potentially dilutive stock options, restricted and deferred stock units, restricted shares, and dilutive shares related to the company’s 5.125% convertible senior notes. Common share equivalents are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. Options to purchase 2.4 million and 6.5 million shares were anti-dilutive at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The computation of diluted earnings per share for the three-month period ended September 30, 2012 did not include the after-tax equivalent of interest of $2.4 million for the company’s 5.125% senior convertible notes, due 2014 and the related weighted average equivalent of 16.6 million shares, as the result would have been anti-dilutive. | ||||||||||||||||||
| The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the company’s basic and diluted earnings per share computations for net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. (in thousands, except per share data): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | Shares | Per Share | Net Income | Shares | Per Share | |||||||||||||
| (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 57,486 | 220,926 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 12,833 | 219,191 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||
| Dilutive common share equivalents | — | 1,366 | — | 853 | ||||||||||||||
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, net of tax | 2,358 | 16,709 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 59,844 | 239,001 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 12,833 | 220,044 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | Shares | Per Share | Net Income | Shares | Per Share | |||||||||||||
| (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 134,659 | 220,464 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 102,980 | 219,097 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||
| Dilutive common share equivalents | — | 1,363 | — | 908 | ||||||||||||||
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, net of tax | 7,074 | 16,670 | 7,074 | 16,531 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 141,733 | 238,497 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 110,054 | 236,536 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||
Inventories
| Inventories | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||
| Inventories | ' | |||||||
| Inventories | ' | |||||||
| Note 3. Inventories | ||||||||
| Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using a weighted average method for scrap, and a first-in, first-out basis for all other inventories. Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands): | ||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Raw materials | $ | 583,335 | $ | 594,388 | ||||
| Supplies | 280,841 | 278,494 | ||||||
| Work-in-progress | 97,508 | 82,934 | ||||||
| Finished goods | 230,348 | 246,691 | ||||||
| Total inventories | $ | 1,192,032 | $ | 1,202,507 | ||||
Debt
| Debt | 9 Months Ended |
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |
| Debt | ' |
| Debt | ' |
| Note 4. Debt | |
| On March 26, 2013, the company issued $400.0 million of 51/4% Senior Notes due 2023 (2023 Notes). Interest on the 2023 Notes is due semiannually on April 15 and October 15, with the first payment due on October 15, 2013. The 2023 Notes are redeemable at any time after April 15, 2018. The redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) is 102.625% during the period April 15, 2018 to April 14, 2019; 101.750% during the period April 15, 2019 to April 14, 2020; 100.875% during the period April 15, 2020 to April 14, 2021; and 100% on and after April 15, 2021, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In addition, at any time before April 15, 2016, the company may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes with the net cash proceeds from one or more sales of the company’s common stock at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 105.250%, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. The 2023 Notes are unsecured and rank pari passu with all existing and future senior unsubordinated unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all subordinated indebtedness. | |
| A portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes was used to fund the March 26, 2013 purchase of $301.7 million (plus accrued interest) of the company’s 63/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (2015 Notes) pursuant to a tender offer. On April 9, 2013, the company used the remaining proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes, along with available cash, to repay the remaining outstanding 2015 Notes due at a price of 100% of the principal amount of $198.3 million (plus accrued interest). As a result of the tender offer to purchase the 2015 Notes in March and the early payoff of the remaining balance of the 2015 Notes in April, the company recorded expenses related to tender premiums, unamortized debt issuance costs write-off, and tender expenses of $2.6 million, which is reflected in other expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. |
Changes_in_Equity
| Changes in Equity | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in Equity | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in Equity | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note 5. Changes in Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of total equity, equity attributable to stockholders of Steel Dynamics, Inc. and equity and redeemable amounts attributable to the noncontrolling interests (in thousands): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders of Steel Dynamics, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Additional | Retained | Treasury | Noncontrolling | Total | Redeemable | |||||||||||||||||
| Paid-In | Noncontrolling | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Capital | Earnings | Stock | Interests | Equity | Interests | |||||||||||||||||
| Balances at January 1, 2013 | $ | 637 | $ | 1,037,687 | $ | 2,087,620 | $ | (720,479 | ) | $ | (27,623 | ) | $ | 2,377,842 | $ | 98,814 | |||||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax effect | 4 | 18,512 | — | — | — | 18,516 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | — | — | (72,860 | ) | — | — | (72,860 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and issuance of restricted stock | — | 6,813 | (30 | ) | 2,106 | — | 8,889 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of noncontrolling interest | — | (2,232 | ) | — | — | 2,232 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling investors | — | — | — | — | 126 | 126 | 11,240 | ||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling investors | — | — | — | — | (394 | ) | (394 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | 134,659 | — | (19,044 | ) | 115,615 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Balances at September 30, 2013 | $ | 641 | $ | 1,060,780 | $ | 2,149,389 | $ | (718,373 | ) | $ | (44,703 | ) | $ | 2,447,734 | $ | 110,054 | |||||||
Derivative_Financial_Instrumen
| Derivative Financial Instruments | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Financial Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Financial Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
| Note 6. Derivative Financial Instruments | |||||||||||||||||||
| The company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The company utilizes derivative instruments to mitigate interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, and commodity margin risk. Interest rate swaps may be entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with the company’s fixed and floating-rate borrowings. Forward exchange contracts on various foreign currencies may be entered into to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk as necessary. No interest rate swaps or significant forward exchange contracts on foreign currency existed for the periods presented. The company routinely enters into forward exchange traded futures and option contracts to manage the price risk associated with nonferrous metals inventory as well as purchases and sales of nonferrous metals (specifically aluminum, copper, nickel and silver). The company offsets fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under master netting agreements. The company began to designate certain of its nonferrous metals, forward exchange futures contracts as fair value hedges of inventory and firm sales commitments in January 2013. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Futures Contracts. If the company is “long” on futures contracts, it means the company has more futures contracts purchased than futures contracts sold for the underlying commodity. If the company is “short” on futures contracts, it means the company has more futures contracts sold than futures contracts purchased for the underlying commodity. The following summarizes the company’s futures contract commitments as of September 30, 2013 (MT represents metric tons and Lbs represents pounds): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Futures | Long/Short | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Aluminum | Long | 2,300 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Aluminum | Short | 2,225 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Copper | Long | 2,710 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Copper | Short | 8,448 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Silver | Short | 686 | Lbs | ||||||||||||||||
| The following summarizes the location and amounts of the fair values and gains or losses related to derivatives included in the company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, and for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance sheet location | September 30, | December 31, 2012 | September 30, | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Other current assets | $ | 413 | $ | 660 | ||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments not designated as hedges - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Other current assets | $ | 285 | $ | 4,024 | $ | 625 | $ | 1,854 | ||||||||||
| Total derivative instruments | $ | 698 | $ | 4,024 | $ | 1,285 | $ | 1,854 | |||||||||||
| Location of gain | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | Hedged items | Location of gain (loss) | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | |||||||||||||||
| income on derivatives for the three | income on related hedged items for | ||||||||||||||||||
| months ended | the three months ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| (loss) recognized in | September 30, | September 30, | in fair value hedge | recognized in income on | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| income on derivatives | 2013 | 2012 | relationships | related hedged item | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | 381 | Firm commitments | Costs of goods sold | $ | (1,736 | ) | |||||||||||
| Inventory | Costs of goods sold | 364 | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | (1,372 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | (2,836 | ) | $ | (9,085 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Location of gain | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | Hedged items | Location of gain (loss) | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | |||||||||||||||
| income on derivatives for the nine | income on related hedged items for | ||||||||||||||||||
| months ended | the nine months ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| (loss) recognized in | September 30, | September 30, | in fair value hedge | recognized in income on | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| income on derivatives | 2013 | 2012 | relationships | related hedged item | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | 7,773 | Firm commitments | Costs of goods sold | $ | 877 | ||||||||||||
| Inventory | Costs of goods sold | (8,458 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | (7,581 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | 3,793 | $ | (6,810 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges had ineffectiveness resulting in losses of $312,000 and $199,000 during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively; and a loss excluded from hedge effectiveness testing of $678,000 that increased costs of goods sold during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, and a gain of $392,000 that reduced costs of goods sold during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fair_Value_Measurements
| Fair Value Measurements | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements | ' | |||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements | ' | |||||||||||||
| Note 7. Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||||
| FASB accounting standards provide a comprehensive framework for measuring fair value and set forth a definition of fair value and establish a hierarchy prioritizing the inputs to valuation techniques, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable value inputs. Levels within the hierarchy are defined as follows: | ||||||||||||||
| · Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets; | ||||||||||||||
| · Level 2—Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets (other than those included in Level 1) which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and | ||||||||||||||
| · Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. | ||||||||||||||
| The following table sets forth financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and the respective levels to which the fair value measurements are classified within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012 (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||
| Total | Quoted Prices in | Significant | Significant | |||||||||||
| Active Markets | Other | Unobservable | ||||||||||||
| for Identical | Observable | Inputs | ||||||||||||
| Assets | Inputs | (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
| (Level 1) | (Level 2) | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures — financial assets | $ | 698 | $ | — | $ | 698 | $ | — | ||||||
| Commodity futures — financial liabilities | 1,285 | — | 1,285 | — | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | $ | 31,520 | $ | — | $ | 31,520 | $ | — | ||||||
| Commodity futures — financial assets | 4,024 | — | 4,024 | — | ||||||||||
| Commodity futures — financial liabilities | 1,854 | — | 1,854 | — | ||||||||||
| The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and equivalents approximate fair value. The fair values of short-term commercial paper and commodity futures and options contracts are estimated by the use of quoted market prices, estimates obtained from brokers, and other appropriate valuation techniques based on references available. The fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, as determined by quoted market prices (Level 2), was approximately $2.2 billion and $2.3 billion (with a corresponding carrying amount in the consolidated balance sheets of $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion) at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||||
Commitments_and_Contingencies
| Commitments and Contingencies | 9 Months Ended |
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | ' |
| Commitments and Contingencies | ' |
| Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies | |
| The company is involved in various routine litigation matters, including administrative proceedings, regulatory proceedings, governmental investigations, environmental matters, and commercial and construction contract disputes, none of which are expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. | |
| The company is involved, along with eight other steel manufacturing companies, in a class action antitrust complaint filed in federal court in Chicago, Illinois in September 2008, which alleges a conspiracy to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize the price at which steel products were sold in the United States starting in 2005, by artificially restricting the supply of such steel products. All but one of the Complaints were brought on behalf of a purported class consisting of all direct purchasers of steel products between January 1, 2005, and the present. The other Complaint was brought on behalf of a purported class consisting of all indirect purchasers of steel products within the same time period. In addition, in December 2010, we and the other co-defendants were served with a substantially similar complaint in the Circuit Court of Cocke County, Tennessee, purporting to be on behalf of indirect purchasers of steel products in Tennessee. That case has been removed to the federal court in Chicago that is hearing the main complaint. All Complaints seek treble damages and costs, including reasonable attorney fees, pre- and post-judgment interest and injunctive relief. In January 2009, Steel Dynamics and the other defendants filed a Joint Motion to Dismiss all of the direct purchaser lawsuits, but this motion was denied in June 2009. Following a period of preliminary discovery relating to class certification matters, Plaintiffs filed their Motion for Class Certification in May 2012, and on February 28, 2013, Defendants filed their Joint Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification, together with joint motions to exclude the expert opinions of both of Plaintiffs’ two retained experts. On October 15, 2013, Plaintiffs submitted their Reply papers, together with responses to Defendants’ Daubert motions. Additional briefing is anticipated on all issues related to the pending motions. Due to the uncertain nature of litigation, we cannot presently determine the ultimate outcome of this litigation. However, we have determined, based on the information available at this time, that there is not presently a “reasonable possibility” (as that term is defined in ASC 450-20-20), that the outcome of these legal proceedings would have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. | |
| Although not presently necessary or appropriate to make a dollar estimate of exposure to loss, if any, in connection with the above matter, we may in the future determine that a loss accrual is necessary. Although we may make loss accruals, if and as warranted, any amounts that we may accrue from time to time could vary significantly from the amounts we actually pay, due to inherent uncertainties and the inherent shortcomings of the estimation process, the uncertainties involved in litigation and other factors. Additionally, an adverse result could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. |
Segment_Information
| Segment Information | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Information | ' | |||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Information | ' | |||||||||||||||||||
| Note 9. Segment Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The company has three reportable segments: steel operations, metals recycling and ferrous resources operations, and steel fabrication operations. These operations are described in Note 1 to the financial statements. Revenues included in the category “Other” are from subsidiary operations that are below the quantitative thresholds required for reportable segments and primarily consist of further processing, slitting, and sale of certain steel products and the resale of certain secondary and excess steel products. In addition, “Other” also includes certain unallocated corporate accounts, such as the company’s senior secured credit facilities, senior notes and convertible senior notes, certain other investments, and certain profit sharing expenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The company’s operations are primarily organized and managed by operating segment. Operating segment performance and resource allocations are primarily based on operating results before income taxes. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with those described in Note 1 to the financial statements. Intra-segment and intra-company sales and any related profits are eliminated in consolidation. Refer to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, for more information related to the company’s segment reporting. The company’s segment results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 1,102,048 | $ | 557,765 | $ | 119,134 | $ | 24,593 | $ | — | $ | 1,803,540 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 60,381 | 47,616 | — | 201 | — | 108,198 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 54,537 | 313,113 | 134 | 7,918 | (375,702 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 1,216,966 | 918,494 | 119,268 | 32,712 | (375,702 | ) | 1,911,738 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 146,564 | (17,135 | ) | 3,265 | (17,274 | )(1) | (2,147 | )(2) | 113,273 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 133,041 | (24,567 | ) | 1,751 | (23,922 | ) | (2,148 | ) | 84,155 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 26,815 | 27,713 | 2,219 | 1,506 | (51 | ) | 58,202 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 33,985 | 17,385 | 297 | 495 | — | 52,162 | ||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | 2,581,798 | 2,530,979 | 272,786 | 699,244 | -3 | (210,502 | )(4) | 5,874,305 | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | 533,966 | 593,674 | 22,908 | 2,366,273 | -5 | (200,304 | )(6) | 3,316,517 | ||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the three months ended September 30, 2013 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (9.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company-wide equity-based compensation | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (7.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (17.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit reduction from intra-company sales | $ | (2.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (3) Cash and equivalents | $ | 325.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 25.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 72.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs, net | 27.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intra-company debt | 153.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 699.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (4) Elimination of intra-company receivables | $ | (46.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (153.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (10.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (210.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (5) Accounts payable | $ | 43.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 7.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | 22.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | 2,041.80 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 204.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 46.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,366.30 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (6) Elimination of intra-company payables | $ | (47.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (153.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (200.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 985,524 | $ | 475,547 | $ | 102,401 | $ | 17,156 | $ | — | $ | 1,580,628 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 65,825 | 46,684 | — | 253 | — | 112,762 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 48,157 | 268,137 | 41 | 4,864 | (321,199 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 1,099,506 | 790,368 | 102,442 | 22,273 | (321,199 | ) | 1,693,390 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 106,927 | (15,697 | ) | 3,141 | (17,759 | )(1) | (3,891 | )(2) | 72,721 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 88,394 | (24,829 | ) | 1,225 | (53,678 | ) | (3,891 | ) | 7,221 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 25,937 | 26,449 | 2,100 | 4,518 | (51 | ) | 58,953 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 14,625 | 42,370 | 1,005 | 342 | — | 58,342 | ||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | 2,523,616 | 2,586,568 | 249,988 | 597,297 | -3 | (181,953 | )(4) | 5,775,516 | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | 482,348 | 507,367 | 18,143 | 2,505,036 | -5 | (170,206 | )(6) | 3,342,688 | ||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the three months ended September 30, 2012 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (7.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (2.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (17.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit reduction from intra-company sales | $ | (3.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (3) Cash and equivalents | $ | 246.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 28.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 75.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs, net | 29.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intra-company debt | 129.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 87.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 597.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (4) Elimination of intra-company receivables | $ | (35.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (129.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (17.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (182.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (5) Accounts payable | $ | 32.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 12.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | 28.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued profit sharing | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | 2,156.20 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 240.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 18.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,505.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (6) Elimination of intra-company payables | $ | (39.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (129.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (170.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the nine months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 3,152,111 | $ | 1,653,975 | $ | 316,526 | $ | 64,792 | $ | — | $ | 5,187,404 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 162,646 | 158,026 | — | 698 | — | 321,370 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 168,482 | 865,143 | 1,276 | 20,198 | (1,055,099 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 3,483,239 | 2,677,144 | 317,802 | 85,688 | (1,055,099 | ) | 5,508,774 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 351,410 | (34,210 | ) | 7,125 | (48,147 | )(1) | 2,525 | -2 | 278,703 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 309,780 | (56,860 | ) | 2,475 | (72,136 | ) | 2,524 | 185,783 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 79,698 | 81,553 | 6,455 | 4,536 | (153 | ) | 172,089 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 93,244 | 49,999 | 2,000 | 1,501 | — | 146,744 | ||||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the nine months ended September 30, 2013 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (26.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company-wide equity-based compensation | (7.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (16.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (48.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit increase from intra-company sales | $ | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the nine months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 3,279,344 | $ | 1,643,522 | $ | 273,060 | $ | 54,071 | $ | — | $ | 5,249,997 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 166,025 | 168,818 | — | 393 | — | 335,236 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 148,839 | 1,009,604 | 45 | 12,290 | (1,170,778 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 3,594,208 | 2,821,944 | 273,105 | 66,754 | (1,170,778 | ) | 5,585,233 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 380,832 | (30,905 | ) | 666 | (49,294 | )(1) | (5,063 | )(2) | 296,236 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 325,521 | (57,932 | ) | (4,408 | ) | (117,956 | ) | (5,063 | ) | 140,162 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 78,405 | 78,114 | 6,007 | 7,654 | (153 | ) | 170,027 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 26,848 | 127,133 | 3,502 | 1,203 | — | 158,686 | ||||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (22.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company-wide stock option expense | (5.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (15.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (49.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit reduction from intra-company sales | $ | (5.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Condensed_Consolidating_Inform
| Condensed Consolidating Information | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Information | ' | ||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Information | ' | ||||||||||||||||
| Note 10. Condensed Consolidating Information | |||||||||||||||||
| Certain 100%-owned subsidiaries of SDI have fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of the indebtedness relating to the issuance of the company’s senior notes due 2014, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023. Following are the company’s condensed consolidating financial statements, including the guarantors, which present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of (i) SDI (in each case, reflecting investments in its consolidated subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting), (ii) the guarantor subsidiaries of SDI, (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries of SDI, and (iv) the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information on a consolidated basis. The following statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. | |||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Combined | Consolidating | Total | |||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | 322,212 | $ | 37,710 | $ | 10,134 | $ | — | $ | 370,056 | |||||||
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 311,333 | 900,928 | 35,210 | (474,598 | ) | 772,873 | |||||||||||
| Inventories | 622,008 | 471,537 | 102,803 | (4,316 | ) | 1,192,032 | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | 57,805 | 7,301 | 3,987 | (18,739 | ) | 50,354 | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | 1,313,358 | 1,417,476 | 152,134 | (497,653 | ) | 2,385,315 | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,042,112 | 634,552 | 566,873 | (2,470 | ) | 2,241,067 | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | — | 393,531 | — | — | 393,531 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 733,650 | — | — | 733,650 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 2,621,656 | 25,367 | 8,266 | (2,534,547 | ) | 120,742 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,977,126 | $ | 3,204,576 | $ | 727,273 | $ | (3,034,670 | ) | $ | 5,874,305 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 155,868 | $ | 257,009 | $ | 83,830 | $ | (70,301 | ) | $ | 426,406 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | 119,919 | 105,444 | 10,014 | (42,922 | ) | 192,455 | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 312,076 | 300 | 46,060 | (23,095 | ) | 335,341 | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 587,863 | 362,753 | 139,904 | (136,318 | ) | 954,202 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,732,445 | — | 202,825 | (161,651 | ) | 1,773,619 | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 164,381 | 1,968,990 | 44,567 | (1,589,242 | ) | 588,696 | |||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | — | — | 110,054 | — | 110,054 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock | 641 | 33,896 | 18,121 | (52,017 | ) | 641 | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock | (718,373 | ) | — | — | — | (718,373 | ) | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 1,060,780 | 117,737 | 525,230 | (642,967 | ) | 1,060,780 | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 2,149,389 | 721,200 | (268,725 | ) | (452,475 | ) | 2,149,389 | ||||||||||
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,492,437 | 872,833 | 274,626 | (1,147,459 | ) | 2,492,437 | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | — | — | (44,703 | ) | — | (44,703 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total equity | 2,492,437 | 872,833 | 229,923 | (1,147,459 | ) | 2,447,734 | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 4,977,126 | $ | 3,204,576 | $ | 727,273 | $ | (3,034,670 | ) | $ | 5,874,305 | ||||||
| Combined | Consolidating | Total | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | 322,707 | $ | 41,675 | $ | 11,535 | $ | — | $ | 375,917 | |||||||
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | 31,520 | — | — | — | 31,520 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 277,428 | 772,868 | 11,293 | (419,226 | ) | 642,363 | |||||||||||
| Inventories | 564,882 | 536,331 | 107,422 | (6,128 | ) | 1,202,507 | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | 51,268 | 7,253 | 4,006 | (18,609 | ) | 43,918 | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | 1,247,805 | 1,358,127 | 134,256 | (443,963 | ) | 2,296,225 | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,017,587 | 664,332 | 551,903 | (2,624 | ) | 2,231,198 | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | — | 416,635 | — | — | 416,635 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 738,542 | — | — | 738,542 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 2,768,360 | 30,862 | 9,189 | (2,675,595 | ) | 132,816 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,033,752 | $ | 3,208,498 | $ | 695,348 | $ | (3,122,182 | ) | $ | 5,815,416 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 150,191 | $ | 219,415 | $ | 56,472 | $ | (65,981 | ) | $ | 360,097 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | 144,719 | 98,484 | 9,877 | (33,131 | ) | 219,949 | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 14,237 | 300 | 52,595 | (37,501 | ) | 29,631 | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 309,147 | 318,199 | 118,944 | (136,613 | ) | 609,677 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 2,140,958 | — | 169,223 | (137,575 | ) | 2,172,606 | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 178,182 | 2,087,957 | 41,581 | (1,751,243 | ) | 556,477 | |||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | — | — | 98,814 | — | 98,814 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock | 637 | 33,896 | 18,121 | (52,017 | ) | 637 | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock | (720,479 | ) | — | — | — | (720,479 | ) | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 1,037,687 | 117,737 | 476,677 | (594,414 | ) | 1,037,687 | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 2,087,620 | 650,709 | (200,389 | ) | (450,320 | ) | 2,087,620 | ||||||||||
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,405,465 | 802,342 | 294,409 | (1,096,751 | ) | 2,405,465 | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | — | — | (27,623 | ) | — | (27,623 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total equity | 2,405,465 | 802,342 | 266,786 | (1,096,751 | ) | 2,377,842 | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 5,033,752 | $ | 3,208,498 | $ | 695,348 | $ | (3,122,182 | ) | $ | 5,815,416 | ||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 902,280 | $ | 2,136,327 | $ | 91,198 | $ | (1,218,067 | ) | $ | 1,911,738 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 760,589 | 2,025,470 | 114,408 | (1,185,921 | ) | 1,714,546 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 141,691 | 110,857 | (23,210 | ) | (32,146 | ) | 197,192 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 30,073 | 55,348 | 2,622 | (4,124 | ) | 83,919 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 111,618 | 55,509 | (25,832 | ) | (28,022 | ) | 113,273 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 19,733 | 10,561 | 1,915 | (1,239 | ) | 30,970 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (2,423 | ) | 631 | (1,301 | ) | 1,241 | (1,852 | ) | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net loss of subsidiaries | 94,308 | 44,317 | (26,446 | ) | (28,024 | ) | 84,155 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | 24,930 | 16,579 | 2,004 | (10,448 | ) | 33,065 | |||||||||||
| 69,378 | 27,738 | (28,450 | ) | (17,576 | ) | 51,090 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (11,892 | ) | — | — | 11,892 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 6,396 | — | 6,396 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 57,486 | $ | 27,738 | $ | (22,054 | ) | $ | (5,684 | ) | $ | 57,486 | |||||
| For the three months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 785,168 | $ | 1,918,774 | $ | 48,167 | $ | (1,058,719 | ) | $ | 1,693,390 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 685,074 | 1,823,447 | 69,520 | (1,041,052 | ) | 1,536,989 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 100,094 | 95,327 | (21,353 | ) | (17,667 | ) | 156,401 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 19,927 | 53,023 | 14,032 | (3,302 | ) | 83,680 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 80,167 | 42,304 | (35,385 | ) | (14,365 | ) | 72,721 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 27,153 | 13,997 | 1,619 | (1,279 | ) | 41,490 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 23,345 | 434 | (1,046 | ) | 1,277 | 24,010 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries | 29,669 | 27,873 | (35,958 | ) | (14,363 | ) | 7,221 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | (2,771 | ) | 8,668 | 73 | (4,854 | ) | 1,116 | ||||||||||
| 32,440 | 19,205 | (36,031 | ) | (9,509 | ) | 6,105 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (19,607 | ) | — | — | 19,607 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 6,728 | — | 6,728 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 12,833 | $ | 19,205 | $ | (29,303 | ) | $ | 10,098 | $ | 12,833 | ||||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,566,286 | $ | 6,150,327 | $ | 245,607 | $ | (3,453,446 | ) | $ | 5,508,774 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 2,220,737 | 5,840,025 | 318,163 | (3,391,299 | ) | 4,987,626 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 345,549 | 310,302 | (72,556 | ) | (62,147 | ) | 521,148 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 83,675 | 164,104 | 7,433 | (12,767 | ) | 242,445 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 261,874 | 146,198 | (79,989 | ) | (49,380 | ) | 278,703 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 61,927 | 33,351 | 5,405 | (3,619 | ) | 97,064 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (4,776 | ) | 645 | (3,633 | ) | 3,620 | (4,144 | ) | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net loss of subsidiaries | 204,723 | 112,202 | (81,761 | ) | (49,381 | ) | 185,783 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | 41,945 | 41,712 | 4,085 | (17,574 | ) | 70,168 | |||||||||||
| 162,778 | 70,490 | (85,846 | ) | (31,807 | ) | 115,615 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (28,119 | ) | — | — | 28,119 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 19,044 | — | 19,044 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 134,659 | $ | 70,490 | $ | (66,802 | ) | $ | (3,688 | ) | $ | 134,659 | |||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,625,152 | $ | 6,408,166 | $ | 131,024 | $ | (3,579,109 | ) | $ | 5,585,233 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 2,275,227 | 6,106,504 | 189,477 | (3,525,776 | ) | 5,045,432 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 349,925 | 301,662 | (58,453 | ) | (53,333 | ) | 539,801 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 72,196 | 160,513 | 20,940 | (10,084 | ) | 243,565 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 277,729 | 141,149 | (79,393 | ) | (43,249 | ) | 296,236 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 81,583 | 41,208 | 5,068 | (4,151 | ) | 123,708 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 31,419 | (436 | ) | (2,767 | ) | 4,150 | 32,366 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries | 164,727 | 100,377 | (81,694 | ) | (43,248 | ) | 140,162 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | 31,809 | 36,354 | 444 | (15,632 | ) | 52,975 | |||||||||||
| 132,918 | 64,023 | (82,138 | ) | (27,616 | ) | 87,187 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (29,938 | ) | — | — | 29,938 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 15,793 | — | 15,793 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 102,980 | $ | 64,023 | $ | (66,345 | ) | $ | 2,322 | $ | 102,980 | ||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 126,404 | $ | 164,383 | $ | (56,636 | ) | $ | 11,540 | $ | 245,691 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (115,979 | ) | (28,654 | ) | (20,230 | ) | 53,760 | (111,103 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (10,920 | ) | (139,694 | ) | 75,465 | (65,300 | ) | (140,449 | ) | ||||||||
| Decrease in cash and equivalents | (495 | ) | (3,965 | ) | (1,401 | ) | — | (5,861 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | 322,707 | 41,675 | 11,535 | — | 375,917 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | $ | 322,212 | $ | 37,710 | $ | 10,134 | $ | — | $ | 370,056 | |||||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 145,121 | $ | 128,705 | $ | (39,928 | ) | $ | 5,488 | $ | 239,386 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (19,249 | ) | (74,342 | ) | (81,123 | ) | 80,479 | (94,235 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (183,982 | ) | (86,072 | ) | 107,229 | (85,967 | ) | (248,792 | ) | ||||||||
| Decrease in cash and equivalents | (58,110 | ) | (31,709 | ) | (13,822 | ) | — | (103,641 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | 301,073 | 58,699 | 30,989 | — | 390,761 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | $ | 242,963 | $ | 26,990 | $ | 17,167 | $ | — | $ | 287,120 | |||||||
Description_of_the_Business_an1
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended |
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | ' |
| Principles of Consolidation | ' |
| Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SDI, together with its wholly and majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries, after elimination of significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests represent the noncontrolling owner’s proportionate share in the equity, income, or losses of the company’s majority-owned or controlled consolidated subsidiaries. | |
| Use of Estimates | ' |
| Use of Estimates. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, accordingly, include amounts that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and in the notes thereto. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill; valuation allowances for trade receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets; income taxes; unrecognized income tax benefits; potential environmental liabilities; and litigation claims and settlements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. | |
| In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim period results. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. |
Description_of_the_Business_an2
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | ' | |||||||
| Schedule of allocation of goodwill to reporting units | ' | |||||||
| The company’s goodwill is allocated to the following reporting units at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, (in thousands): | ||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| OmniSource — Metals Recycling/Ferrous Resources Segment | $ | 559,901 | $ | 564,793 | ||||
| The Techs — Steel Segment | 142,783 | 142,783 | ||||||
| Roanoke Bar Division — Steel Segment | 29,041 | 29,041 | ||||||
| New Millennium Building Systems — Fabrication Segment | 1,925 | 1,925 | ||||||
| $ | 733,650 | $ | 738,542 | |||||
Earnings_Per_Share_Tables
| Earnings Per Share (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings Per Share | ' | |||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share | ' | |||||||||||||||||
| The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the company’s basic and diluted earnings per share computations for net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. (in thousands, except per share data): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | Shares | Per Share | Net Income | Shares | Per Share | |||||||||||||
| (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 57,486 | 220,926 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 12,833 | 219,191 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||
| Dilutive common share equivalents | — | 1,366 | — | 853 | ||||||||||||||
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, net of tax | 2,358 | 16,709 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 59,844 | 239,001 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 12,833 | 220,044 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | Shares | Per Share | Net Income | Shares | Per Share | |||||||||||||
| (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | (Numerator) | (Denominator) | Amount | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 134,659 | 220,464 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 102,980 | 219,097 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||
| Dilutive common share equivalents | — | 1,363 | — | 908 | ||||||||||||||
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, net of tax | 7,074 | 16,670 | 7,074 | 16,531 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 141,733 | 238,497 | $ | 0.59 | $ | 110,054 | 236,536 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||
Inventories_Tables
| Inventories (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||
| Inventories | ' | |||||||
| Schedule of inventories | ' | |||||||
| Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands): | ||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Raw materials | $ | 583,335 | $ | 594,388 | ||||
| Supplies | 280,841 | 278,494 | ||||||
| Work-in-progress | 97,508 | 82,934 | ||||||
| Finished goods | 230,348 | 246,691 | ||||||
| Total inventories | $ | 1,192,032 | $ | 1,202,507 | ||||
Changes_in_Equity_Tables
| Changes in Equity (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in Equity | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of stockholders' equity | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of total equity, equity attributable to stockholders of Steel Dynamics, Inc. and equity and redeemable amounts attributable to the noncontrolling interests (in thousands): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders of Steel Dynamics, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Additional | Retained | Treasury | Noncontrolling | Total | Redeemable | |||||||||||||||||
| Paid-In | Noncontrolling | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Capital | Earnings | Stock | Interests | Equity | Interests | |||||||||||||||||
| Balances at January 1, 2013 | $ | 637 | $ | 1,037,687 | $ | 2,087,620 | $ | (720,479 | ) | $ | (27,623 | ) | $ | 2,377,842 | $ | 98,814 | |||||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax effect | 4 | 18,512 | — | — | — | 18,516 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | — | — | (72,860 | ) | — | — | (72,860 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and issuance of restricted stock | — | 6,813 | (30 | ) | 2,106 | — | 8,889 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of noncontrolling interest | — | (2,232 | ) | — | — | 2,232 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling investors | — | — | — | — | 126 | 126 | 11,240 | ||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling investors | — | — | — | — | (394 | ) | (394 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | 134,659 | — | (19,044 | ) | 115,615 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Balances at September 30, 2013 | $ | 641 | $ | 1,060,780 | $ | 2,149,389 | $ | (718,373 | ) | $ | (44,703 | ) | $ | 2,447,734 | $ | 110,054 | |||||||
Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1
| Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Financial Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity option and futures contract commitments for non monetary notional amount | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
| The following summarizes the company’s futures contract commitments as of September 30, 2013 (MT represents metric tons and Lbs represents pounds): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Futures | Long/Short | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Aluminum | Long | 2,300 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Aluminum | Short | 2,225 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Copper | Long | 2,710 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Copper | Short | 8,448 | MT | ||||||||||||||||
| Silver | Short | 686 | Lbs | ||||||||||||||||
| Summary of the location and amounts of the fair values and gains or losses related to derivatives included in the entity's financial statements | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
| The following summarizes the location and amounts of the fair values and gains or losses related to derivatives included in the company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, and for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance sheet location | September 30, | December 31, 2012 | September 30, | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Other current assets | $ | 413 | $ | 660 | ||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments not designated as hedges - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Other current assets | $ | 285 | $ | 4,024 | $ | 625 | $ | 1,854 | ||||||||||
| Total derivative instruments | $ | 698 | $ | 4,024 | $ | 1,285 | $ | 1,854 | |||||||||||
| Location of gain | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | Hedged items | Location of gain (loss) | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | |||||||||||||||
| income on derivatives for the three | income on related hedged items for | ||||||||||||||||||
| months ended | the three months ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| (loss) recognized in | September 30, | September 30, | in fair value hedge | recognized in income on | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| income on derivatives | 2013 | 2012 | relationships | related hedged item | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | 381 | Firm commitments | Costs of goods sold | $ | (1,736 | ) | |||||||||||
| Inventory | Costs of goods sold | 364 | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | (1,372 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | (2,836 | ) | $ | (9,085 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Location of gain | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | Hedged items | Location of gain (loss) | Amount of gain (loss) recognized in | |||||||||||||||
| income on derivatives for the nine | income on related hedged items for | ||||||||||||||||||
| months ended | the nine months ended | ||||||||||||||||||
| (loss) recognized in | September 30, | September 30, | in fair value hedge | recognized in income on | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| income on derivatives | 2013 | 2012 | relationships | related hedged item | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | 7,773 | Firm commitments | Costs of goods sold | $ | 877 | ||||||||||||
| Inventory | Costs of goods sold | (8,458 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | (7,581 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures | Costs of goods sold | $ | 3,793 | $ | (6,810 | ) | |||||||||||||
Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables
| Fair Value Measurements (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements | ' | |||||||||||||
| Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis | ' | |||||||||||||
| The following table sets forth financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and the respective levels to which the fair value measurements are classified within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012 (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||
| Total | Quoted Prices in | Significant | Significant | |||||||||||
| Active Markets | Other | Unobservable | ||||||||||||
| for Identical | Observable | Inputs | ||||||||||||
| Assets | Inputs | (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
| (Level 1) | (Level 2) | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity futures — financial assets | $ | 698 | $ | — | $ | 698 | $ | — | ||||||
| Commodity futures — financial liabilities | 1,285 | — | 1,285 | — | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | $ | 31,520 | $ | — | $ | 31,520 | $ | — | ||||||
| Commodity futures — financial assets | 4,024 | — | 4,024 | — | ||||||||||
| Commodity futures — financial liabilities | 1,854 | — | 1,854 | — | ||||||||||
Segment_Information_Tables
| Segment Information (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Information | ' | |||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of operating segment results | ' | |||||||||||||||||||
| The company’s segment results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 1,102,048 | $ | 557,765 | $ | 119,134 | $ | 24,593 | $ | — | $ | 1,803,540 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 60,381 | 47,616 | — | 201 | — | 108,198 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 54,537 | 313,113 | 134 | 7,918 | (375,702 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 1,216,966 | 918,494 | 119,268 | 32,712 | (375,702 | ) | 1,911,738 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 146,564 | (17,135 | ) | 3,265 | (17,274 | )(1) | (2,147 | )(2) | 113,273 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 133,041 | (24,567 | ) | 1,751 | (23,922 | ) | (2,148 | ) | 84,155 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 26,815 | 27,713 | 2,219 | 1,506 | (51 | ) | 58,202 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 33,985 | 17,385 | 297 | 495 | — | 52,162 | ||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | 2,581,798 | 2,530,979 | 272,786 | 699,244 | -3 | (210,502 | )(4) | 5,874,305 | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | 533,966 | 593,674 | 22,908 | 2,366,273 | -5 | (200,304 | )(6) | 3,316,517 | ||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the three months ended September 30, 2013 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (9.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company-wide equity-based compensation | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (7.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (17.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit reduction from intra-company sales | $ | (2.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (3) Cash and equivalents | $ | 325.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 25.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 72.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs, net | 27.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intra-company debt | 153.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 699.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (4) Elimination of intra-company receivables | $ | (46.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (153.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (10.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (210.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (5) Accounts payable | $ | 43.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 7.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | 22.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | 2,041.80 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 204.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 46.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,366.30 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (6) Elimination of intra-company payables | $ | (47.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (153.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (200.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 985,524 | $ | 475,547 | $ | 102,401 | $ | 17,156 | $ | — | $ | 1,580,628 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 65,825 | 46,684 | — | 253 | — | 112,762 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 48,157 | 268,137 | 41 | 4,864 | (321,199 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 1,099,506 | 790,368 | 102,442 | 22,273 | (321,199 | ) | 1,693,390 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 106,927 | (15,697 | ) | 3,141 | (17,759 | )(1) | (3,891 | )(2) | 72,721 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 88,394 | (24,829 | ) | 1,225 | (53,678 | ) | (3,891 | ) | 7,221 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 25,937 | 26,449 | 2,100 | 4,518 | (51 | ) | 58,953 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 14,625 | 42,370 | 1,005 | 342 | — | 58,342 | ||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | 2,523,616 | 2,586,568 | 249,988 | 597,297 | -3 | (181,953 | )(4) | 5,775,516 | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | 482,348 | 507,367 | 18,143 | 2,505,036 | -5 | (170,206 | )(6) | 3,342,688 | ||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the three months ended September 30, 2012 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (7.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (2.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (17.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit reduction from intra-company sales | $ | (3.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (3) Cash and equivalents | $ | 246.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 28.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 75.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs, net | 29.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intra-company debt | 129.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 87.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 597.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (4) Elimination of intra-company receivables | $ | (35.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (129.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (17.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (182.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (5) Accounts payable | $ | 32.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 12.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | 28.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued profit sharing | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | 2,156.20 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 240.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 18.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,505.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (6) Elimination of intra-company payables | $ | (39.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of intra-company debt | (129.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (170.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the nine months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 3,152,111 | $ | 1,653,975 | $ | 316,526 | $ | 64,792 | $ | — | $ | 5,187,404 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 162,646 | 158,026 | — | 698 | — | 321,370 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 168,482 | 865,143 | 1,276 | 20,198 | (1,055,099 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 3,483,239 | 2,677,144 | 317,802 | 85,688 | (1,055,099 | ) | 5,508,774 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 351,410 | (34,210 | ) | 7,125 | (48,147 | )(1) | 2,525 | -2 | 278,703 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 309,780 | (56,860 | ) | 2,475 | (72,136 | ) | 2,524 | 185,783 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 79,698 | 81,553 | 6,455 | 4,536 | (153 | ) | 172,089 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 93,244 | 49,999 | 2,000 | 1,501 | — | 146,744 | ||||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the nine months ended September 30, 2013 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (26.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company-wide equity-based compensation | (7.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (16.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (48.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit increase from intra-company sales | $ | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the nine months ended | Metals Recycling / | Steel Fabrication | ||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Steel Operations | Ferrous Resources | Operations | Other | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External | $ | 3,279,344 | $ | 1,643,522 | $ | 273,060 | $ | 54,071 | $ | — | $ | 5,249,997 | ||||||||
| External Non-U.S. | 166,025 | 168,818 | — | 393 | — | 335,236 | ||||||||||||||
| Other segments | 148,839 | 1,009,604 | 45 | 12,290 | (1,170,778 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| 3,594,208 | 2,821,944 | 273,105 | 66,754 | (1,170,778 | ) | 5,585,233 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 380,832 | (30,905 | ) | 666 | (49,294 | )(1) | (5,063 | )(2) | 296,236 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 325,521 | (57,932 | ) | (4,408 | ) | (117,956 | ) | (5,063 | ) | 140,162 | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 78,405 | 78,114 | 6,007 | 7,654 | (153 | ) | 170,027 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 26,848 | 127,133 | 3,502 | 1,203 | — | 158,686 | ||||||||||||||
| Footnotes related to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 segment results (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Corporate SG&A | $ | (22.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Company-wide stock option expense | (5.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profit sharing | (15.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (49.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Gross profit reduction from intra-company sales | $ | (5.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Condensed_Consolidating_Inform1
| Condensed Consolidating Information (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Information | ' | ||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets | ' | ||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Combined | Consolidating | Total | |||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | 322,212 | $ | 37,710 | $ | 10,134 | $ | — | $ | 370,056 | |||||||
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 311,333 | 900,928 | 35,210 | (474,598 | ) | 772,873 | |||||||||||
| Inventories | 622,008 | 471,537 | 102,803 | (4,316 | ) | 1,192,032 | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | 57,805 | 7,301 | 3,987 | (18,739 | ) | 50,354 | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | 1,313,358 | 1,417,476 | 152,134 | (497,653 | ) | 2,385,315 | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,042,112 | 634,552 | 566,873 | (2,470 | ) | 2,241,067 | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | — | 393,531 | — | — | 393,531 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 733,650 | — | — | 733,650 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 2,621,656 | 25,367 | 8,266 | (2,534,547 | ) | 120,742 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,977,126 | $ | 3,204,576 | $ | 727,273 | $ | (3,034,670 | ) | $ | 5,874,305 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 155,868 | $ | 257,009 | $ | 83,830 | $ | (70,301 | ) | $ | 426,406 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | 119,919 | 105,444 | 10,014 | (42,922 | ) | 192,455 | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 312,076 | 300 | 46,060 | (23,095 | ) | 335,341 | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 587,863 | 362,753 | 139,904 | (136,318 | ) | 954,202 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,732,445 | — | 202,825 | (161,651 | ) | 1,773,619 | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 164,381 | 1,968,990 | 44,567 | (1,589,242 | ) | 588,696 | |||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | — | — | 110,054 | — | 110,054 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock | 641 | 33,896 | 18,121 | (52,017 | ) | 641 | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock | (718,373 | ) | — | — | — | (718,373 | ) | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 1,060,780 | 117,737 | 525,230 | (642,967 | ) | 1,060,780 | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 2,149,389 | 721,200 | (268,725 | ) | (452,475 | ) | 2,149,389 | ||||||||||
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,492,437 | 872,833 | 274,626 | (1,147,459 | ) | 2,492,437 | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | — | — | (44,703 | ) | — | (44,703 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total equity | 2,492,437 | 872,833 | 229,923 | (1,147,459 | ) | 2,447,734 | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 4,977,126 | $ | 3,204,576 | $ | 727,273 | $ | (3,034,670 | ) | $ | 5,874,305 | ||||||
| Combined | Consolidating | Total | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | 322,707 | $ | 41,675 | $ | 11,535 | $ | — | $ | 375,917 | |||||||
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | 31,520 | — | — | — | 31,520 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 277,428 | 772,868 | 11,293 | (419,226 | ) | 642,363 | |||||||||||
| Inventories | 564,882 | 536,331 | 107,422 | (6,128 | ) | 1,202,507 | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | 51,268 | 7,253 | 4,006 | (18,609 | ) | 43,918 | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | 1,247,805 | 1,358,127 | 134,256 | (443,963 | ) | 2,296,225 | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,017,587 | 664,332 | 551,903 | (2,624 | ) | 2,231,198 | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | — | 416,635 | — | — | 416,635 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 738,542 | — | — | 738,542 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 2,768,360 | 30,862 | 9,189 | (2,675,595 | ) | 132,816 | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,033,752 | $ | 3,208,498 | $ | 695,348 | $ | (3,122,182 | ) | $ | 5,815,416 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 150,191 | $ | 219,415 | $ | 56,472 | $ | (65,981 | ) | $ | 360,097 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | 144,719 | 98,484 | 9,877 | (33,131 | ) | 219,949 | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 14,237 | 300 | 52,595 | (37,501 | ) | 29,631 | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 309,147 | 318,199 | 118,944 | (136,613 | ) | 609,677 | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 2,140,958 | — | 169,223 | (137,575 | ) | 2,172,606 | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 178,182 | 2,087,957 | 41,581 | (1,751,243 | ) | 556,477 | |||||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | — | — | 98,814 | — | 98,814 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock | 637 | 33,896 | 18,121 | (52,017 | ) | 637 | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock | (720,479 | ) | — | — | — | (720,479 | ) | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 1,037,687 | 117,737 | 476,677 | (594,414 | ) | 1,037,687 | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 2,087,620 | 650,709 | (200,389 | ) | (450,320 | ) | 2,087,620 | ||||||||||
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,405,465 | 802,342 | 294,409 | (1,096,751 | ) | 2,405,465 | |||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | — | — | (27,623 | ) | — | (27,623 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total equity | 2,405,465 | 802,342 | 266,786 | (1,096,751 | ) | 2,377,842 | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 5,033,752 | $ | 3,208,498 | $ | 695,348 | $ | (3,122,182 | ) | $ | 5,815,416 | ||||||
| Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations | ' | ||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 902,280 | $ | 2,136,327 | $ | 91,198 | $ | (1,218,067 | ) | $ | 1,911,738 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 760,589 | 2,025,470 | 114,408 | (1,185,921 | ) | 1,714,546 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 141,691 | 110,857 | (23,210 | ) | (32,146 | ) | 197,192 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 30,073 | 55,348 | 2,622 | (4,124 | ) | 83,919 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 111,618 | 55,509 | (25,832 | ) | (28,022 | ) | 113,273 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 19,733 | 10,561 | 1,915 | (1,239 | ) | 30,970 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (2,423 | ) | 631 | (1,301 | ) | 1,241 | (1,852 | ) | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net loss of subsidiaries | 94,308 | 44,317 | (26,446 | ) | (28,024 | ) | 84,155 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | 24,930 | 16,579 | 2,004 | (10,448 | ) | 33,065 | |||||||||||
| 69,378 | 27,738 | (28,450 | ) | (17,576 | ) | 51,090 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (11,892 | ) | — | — | 11,892 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 6,396 | — | 6,396 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 57,486 | $ | 27,738 | $ | (22,054 | ) | $ | (5,684 | ) | $ | 57,486 | |||||
| For the three months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 785,168 | $ | 1,918,774 | $ | 48,167 | $ | (1,058,719 | ) | $ | 1,693,390 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 685,074 | 1,823,447 | 69,520 | (1,041,052 | ) | 1,536,989 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 100,094 | 95,327 | (21,353 | ) | (17,667 | ) | 156,401 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 19,927 | 53,023 | 14,032 | (3,302 | ) | 83,680 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 80,167 | 42,304 | (35,385 | ) | (14,365 | ) | 72,721 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 27,153 | 13,997 | 1,619 | (1,279 | ) | 41,490 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 23,345 | 434 | (1,046 | ) | 1,277 | 24,010 | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries | 29,669 | 27,873 | (35,958 | ) | (14,363 | ) | 7,221 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | (2,771 | ) | 8,668 | 73 | (4,854 | ) | 1,116 | ||||||||||
| 32,440 | 19,205 | (36,031 | ) | (9,509 | ) | 6,105 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (19,607 | ) | — | — | 19,607 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 6,728 | — | 6,728 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 12,833 | $ | 19,205 | $ | (29,303 | ) | $ | 10,098 | $ | 12,833 | ||||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,566,286 | $ | 6,150,327 | $ | 245,607 | $ | (3,453,446 | ) | $ | 5,508,774 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 2,220,737 | 5,840,025 | 318,163 | (3,391,299 | ) | 4,987,626 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 345,549 | 310,302 | (72,556 | ) | (62,147 | ) | 521,148 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 83,675 | 164,104 | 7,433 | (12,767 | ) | 242,445 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 261,874 | 146,198 | (79,989 | ) | (49,380 | ) | 278,703 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 61,927 | 33,351 | 5,405 | (3,619 | ) | 97,064 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (4,776 | ) | 645 | (3,633 | ) | 3,620 | (4,144 | ) | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net loss of subsidiaries | 204,723 | 112,202 | (81,761 | ) | (49,381 | ) | 185,783 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | 41,945 | 41,712 | 4,085 | (17,574 | ) | 70,168 | |||||||||||
| 162,778 | 70,490 | (85,846 | ) | (31,807 | ) | 115,615 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (28,119 | ) | — | — | 28,119 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 19,044 | — | 19,044 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 134,659 | $ | 70,490 | $ | (66,802 | ) | $ | (3,688 | ) | $ | 134,659 | |||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,625,152 | $ | 6,408,166 | $ | 131,024 | $ | (3,579,109 | ) | $ | 5,585,233 | ||||||
| Costs of goods sold | 2,275,227 | 6,106,504 | 189,477 | (3,525,776 | ) | 5,045,432 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | 349,925 | 301,662 | (58,453 | ) | (53,333 | ) | 539,801 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 72,196 | 160,513 | 20,940 | (10,084 | ) | 243,565 | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 277,729 | 141,149 | (79,393 | ) | (43,249 | ) | 296,236 | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 81,583 | 41,208 | 5,068 | (4,151 | ) | 123,708 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 31,419 | (436 | ) | (2,767 | ) | 4,150 | 32,366 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries | 164,727 | 100,377 | (81,694 | ) | (43,248 | ) | 140,162 | ||||||||||
| Income taxes (benefit) | 31,809 | 36,354 | 444 | (15,632 | ) | 52,975 | |||||||||||
| 132,918 | 64,023 | (82,138 | ) | (27,616 | ) | 87,187 | |||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | (29,938 | ) | — | — | 29,938 | — | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 15,793 | — | 15,793 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | $ | 102,980 | $ | 64,023 | $ | (66,345 | ) | $ | 2,322 | $ | 102,980 | ||||||
| Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows | ' | ||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2013 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 126,404 | $ | 164,383 | $ | (56,636 | ) | $ | 11,540 | $ | 245,691 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (115,979 | ) | (28,654 | ) | (20,230 | ) | 53,760 | (111,103 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (10,920 | ) | (139,694 | ) | 75,465 | (65,300 | ) | (140,449 | ) | ||||||||
| Decrease in cash and equivalents | (495 | ) | (3,965 | ) | (1,401 | ) | — | (5,861 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | 322,707 | 41,675 | 11,535 | — | 375,917 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | $ | 322,212 | $ | 37,710 | $ | 10,134 | $ | — | $ | 370,056 | |||||||
| For the nine months ended, | Combined | Consolidating | Total | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2012 | Parent | Guarantors | Non-Guarantors | Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 145,121 | $ | 128,705 | $ | (39,928 | ) | $ | 5,488 | $ | 239,386 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (19,249 | ) | (74,342 | ) | (81,123 | ) | 80,479 | (94,235 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (183,982 | ) | (86,072 | ) | 107,229 | (85,967 | ) | (248,792 | ) | ||||||||
| Decrease in cash and equivalents | (58,110 | ) | (31,709 | ) | (13,822 | ) | — | (103,641 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | 301,073 | 58,699 | 30,989 | — | 390,761 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | $ | 242,963 | $ | 26,990 | $ | 17,167 | $ | — | $ | 287,120 | |||||||
Description_of_the_Business_an3
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | |
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Number of reporting segments | ' | ' | 3 | ' |
| Steel Operations | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Percentage of external net sales | 61.00% | 62.00% | 60.00% | 62.00% |
| Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Number of iron making initiatives | ' | ' | 2 | ' |
| Percentage of external net sales | 32.00% | 31.00% | 33.00% | 32.00% |
| Steel Fabrication Operations | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Percentage of external net sales | 6.00% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 5.00% |
Description_of_the_Business_an4
| Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | |
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
| Goodwill | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | $733,650,000 | $738,542,000 |
| Omni Source - Metals Recycling/Ferrous Resources Segment | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | 559,901,000 | 564,793,000 |
| Goodwill decrease due to tax benefit related to the amortization of the component | 4,900,000 | ' |
| The Techs - Steel Segment | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | 142,783,000 | 142,783,000 |
| Roanoke Bar Division - Steel Segment | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | 29,041,000 | 29,041,000 |
| New Millennium Building Systems - Fabrication Segment | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | $1,925,000 | $1,925,000 |
Earnings_Per_Share_Details
| Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | |
| Net Income (Numerator) | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Basic earnings - net income (loss) (in dollars) | $57,486,000 | $12,833,000 | $134,659,000 | $102,980,000 |
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, net of tax (in dollars) | 2,358,000 | ' | 7,074,000 | 7,074,000 |
| Diluted earnings - net income (loss) (in dollars) | 59,844,000 | 12,833,000 | 141,733,000 | 110,054,000 |
| Shares (Denominator) | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) | 220,926,000 | 219,191,000 | 220,464,000 | 219,097,000 |
| Dilutive common share equivalents (in shares) | 1,366,000 | 853,000 | 1,363,000 | 908,000 |
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, net of tax (in shares) | 16,709,000 | ' | 16,670,000 | 16,531,000 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares) | 239,001,000 | 220,044,000 | 238,497,000 | 236,536,000 |
| Per Share Amount | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $0.26 | $0.06 | $0.61 | $0.47 |
| Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $0.25 | $0.06 | $0.59 | $0.47 |
| 5.125% convertible senior notes, due 2014 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Stated interest rate on convertible senior notes (as a percent) | 5.13% | 5.13% | 5.13% | 5.13% |
| Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount (in shares) | ' | 16,600,000 | ' | ' |
| After-tax equivalent of interest (in dollars) | ' | $2,400,000 | ' | ' |
| Options | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount (in shares) | ' | ' | 2,400,000 | 6,500,000 |
Inventories_Details
| Inventories (Details) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | ||
| Inventories | ' | ' |
| Raw materials | $583,335 | $594,388 |
| Supplies | 280,841 | 278,494 |
| Work-in-progress | 97,508 | 82,934 |
| Finished goods | 230,348 | 246,691 |
| Total inventories | $1,192,032 | $1,202,507 |
Debt_Details
| Debt (Details) (USD $) | 0 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |
| In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Apr. 09, 2013 | Mar. 26, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
| 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Debt issued | ' | $400 | ' |
| Effective interest rate ( as a percent) | ' | 5.25% | ' |
| 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 | Debt redemption period April 15, 2018 to April 14, 2019 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent) | ' | ' | 102.63% |
| 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 | Debt redemption period April 15, 2019 to April 14, 2020 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent) | ' | ' | 101.75% |
| 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 | Debt redemption period April 15, 2020 to April 14, 2021 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent) | ' | ' | 100.88% |
| 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 | Debt redemption before April 15, 2016 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent) | ' | ' | 105.25% |
| Maximum redemption of debt instrument (as a percent) | ' | ' | 35.00% |
| 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 | Debt redemption on or after April 15, 2021 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent) | ' | ' | 100.00% |
| 6 3/4% senior notes, due 2015 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long Term Debt | ' | ' | ' |
| Effective interest rate ( as a percent) | ' | 6.75% | ' |
| Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent) | 100.00% | ' | ' |
| Redemption of debt | 198.3 | 301.7 | ' |
| Expenses recorded related to tender offer and early payoff of Senior Notes related to tender premiums, unamortized debt issuance cost write-off, and tender expenses | ' | ' | $2.60 |
Changes_in_Equity_Details
| Changes in Equity (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | $2,377,842 | ' |
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax effect | ' | ' | 18,516 | ' |
| Dividends declared | ' | ' | -72,860 | ' |
| Equity-based compensation and issuance of restricted stock | ' | ' | 8,889 | ' |
| Contributions from noncontrolling investors | ' | ' | 126 | ' |
| Distributions to noncontrolling investors | ' | ' | -394 | ' |
| Net income (loss) | 51,090 | 6,105 | 115,615 | 87,187 |
| Balances | 2,447,734 | ' | 2,447,734 | ' |
| Common Stock | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | 637 | ' |
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax effect | ' | ' | 4 | ' |
| Balances | 641 | ' | 641 | ' |
| Additional Paid-In Capital | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | 1,037,687 | ' |
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax effect | ' | ' | 18,512 | ' |
| Equity-based compensation and issuance of restricted stock | ' | ' | 6,813 | ' |
| Acquisition of noncontrolling interest | ' | ' | -2,232 | ' |
| Balances | 1,060,780 | ' | 1,060,780 | ' |
| Retained Earnings | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | 2,087,620 | ' |
| Dividends declared | ' | ' | -72,860 | ' |
| Equity-based compensation and issuance of restricted stock | ' | ' | -30 | ' |
| Net income (loss) | ' | ' | 134,659 | ' |
| Balances | 2,149,389 | ' | 2,149,389 | ' |
| Treasury Stock | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | -720,479 | ' |
| Equity-based compensation and issuance of restricted stock | ' | ' | 2,106 | ' |
| Balances | -718,373 | ' | -718,373 | ' |
| Noncontrolling Interests | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | -27,623 | ' |
| Acquisition of noncontrolling interest | ' | ' | 2,232 | ' |
| Contributions from noncontrolling investors | ' | ' | 126 | ' |
| Distributions to noncontrolling investors | ' | ' | -394 | ' |
| Net income (loss) | ' | ' | -19,044 | ' |
| Balances | -44,703 | ' | -44,703 | ' |
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Increase (Decrease) in Equity | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Balances | ' | ' | 98,814 | ' |
| Contributions from noncontrolling investors | ' | ' | 11,240 | ' |
| Balances | $110,054 | ' | $110,054 | ' |
Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2
| Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
| Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity futures, asset derivatives (in dollars) | $698,000 | ' | $698,000 | ' | $4,024,000 |
| Commodity futures, liability derivatives (in dollars) | 1,285,000 | ' | 1,285,000 | ' | 1,854,000 |
| Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Amount of loss recognized in income on related hedged items | 312,000 | ' | 199,000 | ' | ' |
| Gain (loss) excluded from hedge effectiveness testing | -678,000 | ' | 392,000 | ' | ' |
| Interest rate swap | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Number of derivative instruments | 0 | ' | 0 | ' | ' |
| Forward exchange contracts on foreign currency | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Number of derivative instruments | 0 | ' | 0 | ' | ' |
| Designated | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items | -1,372,000 | ' | -7,581,000 | ' | ' |
| Designated | Commodity Futures | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity futures, asset derivatives (in dollars) | 413,000 | ' | 413,000 | ' | ' |
| Commodity futures, liability derivatives (in dollars) | 660,000 | ' | 660,000 | ' | ' |
| Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items | 381,000 | ' | 7,773,000 | ' | ' |
| Designated | Firm commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items | -1,736,000 | ' | 877,000 | ' | ' |
| Designated | Inventory | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items | 364,000 | ' | -8,458,000 | ' | ' |
| Not designated | Commodity Futures | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity futures, asset derivatives (in dollars) | 285,000 | ' | 285,000 | ' | 4,024,000 |
| Commodity futures, liability derivatives (in dollars) | 625,000 | ' | 625,000 | ' | 1,854,000 |
| Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives | ($2,836,000) | ($9,085,000) | $3,793,000 | ($6,810,000) | ' |
| Aluminum | Long | Commodity futures net | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs) | 2,300 | ' | 2,300 | ' | ' |
| Aluminum | Short | Commodity futures net | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs) | 2,225 | ' | 2,225 | ' | ' |
| Copper | Long | Commodity futures net | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs) | 2,710 | ' | 2,710 | ' | ' |
| Copper | Short | Commodity futures net | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs) | 8,448 | ' | 8,448 | ' | ' |
| Silver | Short | Commodity futures net | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract commitments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs) | 686 | ' | 686 | ' | ' |
Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail
| Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
| Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements | ' | ' |
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | ' | $31,520,000 |
| Recurring basis | Total | ' | ' |
| Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements | ' | ' |
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | ' | 31,520,000 |
| Carrying amount of long-term debt, including current maturities | 2,100,000,000 | 2,200,000,000 |
| Recurring basis | Total | Commodity futures net | ' | ' |
| Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements | ' | ' |
| Commodity futures - financial assets | 698,000 | 4,024,000 |
| Commodity futures - financial liabilities | 1,285,000 | 1,854,000 |
| Recurring basis | Level 2 | ' | ' |
| Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements | ' | ' |
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | ' | 31,520,000 |
| Fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities | 2,200,000,000 | 2,300,000,000 |
| Recurring basis | Level 2 | Commodity futures net | ' | ' |
| Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements | ' | ' |
| Commodity futures - financial assets | 698,000 | 4,024,000 |
| Commodity futures - financial liabilities | $1,285,000 | $1,854,000 |
Commitments_and_Contingencies_
| Commitments and Contingencies (Details) | 9 Months Ended |
| Sep. 30, 2013 | |
| item | |
| Company | |
| Complaint | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | ' |
| Number of other steel manufacturing companies also served with a class action antitrust complaint | 8 |
| Number of the complaints not brought on behalf of steel product purchasers | 1 |
| Number of retained experts | 2 |
Segment_Information_Details
| Segment Information (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
| segment | |||||
| Segment Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Number of reporting segments | ' | ' | 3 | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net Sales, External | $1,803,540 | $1,580,628 | $5,187,404 | $5,249,997 | ' |
| Net Sales, External Non-U.S. | 108,198 | 112,762 | 321,370 | 335,236 | ' |
| Total net sales | 1,911,738 | 1,693,390 | 5,508,774 | 5,585,233 | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | 113,273 | 72,721 | 278,703 | 296,236 | ' |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 84,155 | 7,221 | 185,783 | 140,162 | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | 58,202 | 58,953 | 172,089 | 170,027 | ' |
| Capital expenditures | 52,162 | 58,342 | 146,744 | 158,686 | ' |
| Assets | 5,874,305 | 5,775,516 | 5,874,305 | 5,775,516 | 5,815,416 |
| Liabilities | 3,316,517 | 3,342,688 | 3,316,517 | 3,342,688 | ' |
| Steel Operations | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net Sales, External | 1,102,048 | 985,524 | 3,152,111 | 3,279,344 | ' |
| Net Sales, External Non-U.S. | 60,381 | 65,825 | 162,646 | 166,025 | ' |
| Net Sales, Other segments | 54,537 | 48,157 | 168,482 | 148,839 | ' |
| Total net sales | 1,216,966 | 1,099,506 | 3,483,239 | 3,594,208 | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | 146,564 | 106,927 | 351,410 | 380,832 | ' |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 133,041 | 88,394 | 309,780 | 325,521 | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | 26,815 | 25,937 | 79,698 | 78,405 | ' |
| Capital expenditures | 33,985 | 14,625 | 93,244 | 26,848 | ' |
| Assets | 2,581,798 | 2,523,616 | 2,581,798 | 2,523,616 | ' |
| Liabilities | 533,966 | 482,348 | 533,966 | 482,348 | ' |
| Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net Sales, External | 557,765 | 475,547 | 1,653,975 | 1,643,522 | ' |
| Net Sales, External Non-U.S. | 47,616 | 46,684 | 158,026 | 168,818 | ' |
| Net Sales, Other segments | 313,113 | 268,137 | 865,143 | 1,009,604 | ' |
| Total net sales | 918,494 | 790,368 | 2,677,144 | 2,821,944 | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | -17,135 | -15,697 | -34,210 | -30,905 | ' |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | -24,567 | -24,829 | -56,860 | -57,932 | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | 27,713 | 26,449 | 81,553 | 78,114 | ' |
| Capital expenditures | 17,385 | 42,370 | 49,999 | 127,133 | ' |
| Assets | 2,530,979 | 2,586,568 | 2,530,979 | 2,586,568 | ' |
| Liabilities | 593,674 | 507,367 | 593,674 | 507,367 | ' |
| Steel Fabrication Operations | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net Sales, External | 119,134 | 102,401 | 316,526 | 273,060 | ' |
| Net Sales, Other segments | 134 | 41 | 1,276 | 45 | ' |
| Total net sales | 119,268 | 102,442 | 317,802 | 273,105 | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | 3,265 | 3,141 | 7,125 | 666 | ' |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,751 | 1,225 | 2,475 | -4,408 | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,219 | 2,100 | 6,455 | 6,007 | ' |
| Capital expenditures | 297 | 1,005 | 2,000 | 3,502 | ' |
| Assets | 272,786 | 249,988 | 272,786 | 249,988 | ' |
| Liabilities | 22,908 | 18,143 | 22,908 | 18,143 | ' |
| Other | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net Sales, External | 24,593 | 17,156 | 64,792 | 54,071 | ' |
| Net Sales, External Non-U.S. | 201 | 253 | 698 | 393 | ' |
| Net Sales, Other segments | 7,918 | 4,864 | 20,198 | 12,290 | ' |
| Total net sales | 32,712 | 22,273 | 85,688 | 66,754 | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | -17,274 | -17,759 | -48,147 | -49,294 | ' |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | -23,922 | -53,678 | -72,136 | -117,956 | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,506 | 4,518 | 4,536 | 7,654 | ' |
| Capital expenditures | 495 | 342 | 1,501 | 1,203 | ' |
| Assets | 699,244 | 597,297 | 699,244 | 597,297 | ' |
| Liabilities | 2,366,273 | 2,505,036 | 2,366,273 | 2,505,036 | ' |
| Eliminations | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Segment Reporting Information | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net Sales, Other segments | -375,702 | -321,199 | -1,055,099 | -1,170,778 | ' |
| Total net sales | -375,702 | -321,199 | -1,055,099 | -1,170,778 | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | -2,147 | -3,891 | 2,525 | -5,063 | ' |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | -2,148 | -3,891 | 2,524 | -5,063 | ' |
| Depreciation and amortization | -51 | -51 | -153 | -153 | ' |
| Assets | -210,502 | -181,953 | -210,502 | -181,953 | ' |
| Liabilities | ($200,304) | ($170,206) | ($200,304) | ($170,206) | ' |
Segment_Information_Details_2
| Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
| Operating income (loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Profit sharing | ($8,469,000) | ($3,954,000) | ($19,891,000) | ($20,237,000) | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Impairment charges | ' | -7,894,000 | -308,000 | -7,894,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Operating income | 113,273,000 | 72,721,000 | 278,703,000 | 296,236,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Assets | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | 370,056,000 | 287,120,000 | 370,056,000 | 287,120,000 | 243,753,000 | 375,917,000 | 420,938,000 | 390,761,000 |
| Deferred income taxes | 25,228,000 | ' | 25,228,000 | ' | ' | 23,449,000 | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,241,067,000 | ' | 2,241,067,000 | ' | ' | 2,231,198,000 | ' | ' |
| Other | 120,742,000 | ' | 120,742,000 | ' | ' | 132,816,000 | ' | ' |
| Total assets | 5,874,305,000 | 5,775,516,000 | 5,874,305,000 | 5,775,516,000 | ' | 5,815,416,000 | ' | ' |
| Liabilities | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 426,406,000 | ' | 426,406,000 | ' | ' | 360,097,000 | ' | ' |
| Income taxes payable | 7,649,000 | ' | 7,649,000 | ' | ' | 16,941,000 | ' | ' |
| Accrued interest | 23,060,000 | ' | 23,060,000 | ' | ' | 35,306,000 | ' | ' |
| Deferred income taxes | 565,798,000 | ' | 565,798,000 | ' | ' | 537,304,000 | ' | ' |
| Liabilities | 3,316,517,000 | 3,342,688,000 | 3,316,517,000 | 3,342,688,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Other | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Corporate SG & A | -9,200,000 | -7,600,000 | -26,300,000 | -22,400,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Company-wide equity- based compensation | -2,100,000 | ' | -7,300,000 | -5,700,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Profit sharing | -7,400,000 | -2,900,000 | -16,500,000 | -15,300,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Impairment charges | ' | -7,900,000 | ' | -7,900,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Other, net | 1,400,000 | 600,000 | 2,000,000 | 2,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Operating income | -17,274,000 | -17,759,000 | -48,147,000 | -49,294,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Assets | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | 325,800,000 | 246,800,000 | 325,800,000 | 246,800,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Income taxes receivable | ' | 900,000 | ' | 900,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Deferred income taxes | 25,200,000 | 28,200,000 | 25,200,000 | 28,200,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 72,900,000 | 75,700,000 | 72,900,000 | 75,700,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Debt issuance costs, net | 27,700,000 | 29,400,000 | 27,700,000 | 29,400,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Intra-company debt | 153,600,000 | 129,100,000 | 153,600,000 | 129,100,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Other | 94,000,000 | 87,200,000 | 94,000,000 | 87,200,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Total assets | 699,244,000 | 597,297,000 | 699,244,000 | 597,297,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Liabilities | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 43,100,000 | 32,300,000 | 43,100,000 | 32,300,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Income taxes payable | 7,700,000 | 12,700,000 | 7,700,000 | 12,700,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued interest | 22,900,000 | 28,900,000 | 22,900,000 | 28,900,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued profit sharing | ' | 15,500,000 | ' | 15,500,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Debt | 2,041,800,000 | 2,156,200,000 | 2,041,800,000 | 2,156,200,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Deferred income taxes | 204,600,000 | 240,900,000 | 204,600,000 | 240,900,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Other | 46,200,000 | 18,500,000 | 46,200,000 | 18,500,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Liabilities | $2,366,273,000 | $2,505,036,000 | $2,366,273,000 | $2,505,036,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Segment_Information_Details_3
| Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
| Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
| Operating income (loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Gross profit increase (reduction) from intra-company sales | $197,192,000 | $156,401,000 | $521,148,000 | $539,801,000 | ' |
| Assets elimination | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Elimination of intra-company receivables | 772,873,000 | ' | 772,873,000 | ' | 642,363,000 |
| Other | 120,742,000 | ' | 120,742,000 | ' | 132,816,000 |
| Total assets | 5,874,305,000 | 5,775,516,000 | 5,874,305,000 | 5,775,516,000 | 5,815,416,000 |
| Liabilities elimination | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Elimination of intra-company payables | 426,406,000 | ' | 426,406,000 | ' | 360,097,000 |
| Liabilities | 3,316,517,000 | 3,342,688,000 | 3,316,517,000 | 3,342,688,000 | ' |
| Eliminations | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Operating income (loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Gross profit increase (reduction) from intra-company sales | 2,100,000 | -3,900,000 | 2,500,000 | -5,100,000 | ' |
| Assets elimination | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Elimination of intra-company receivables | -46,900,000 | -35,800,000 | -46,900,000 | -35,800,000 | ' |
| Elimination of intra-company debt | -153,600,000 | -129,100,000 | -153,600,000 | -129,100,000 | ' |
| Other | -10,000,000 | -17,100,000 | -10,000,000 | -17,100,000 | ' |
| Total assets | -210,502,000 | -181,953,000 | -210,502,000 | -181,953,000 | ' |
| Liabilities elimination | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Elimination of intra-company payables | -47,300,000 | -39,000,000 | -47,300,000 | -39,000,000 | ' |
| Elimination of intra-company debt | -153,600,000 | -129,100,000 | -153,600,000 | -129,100,000 | ' |
| Other liabilities | 600,000 | -2,100,000 | 600,000 | -2,100,000 | ' |
| Liabilities | ($200,304,000) | ($170,206,000) | ($200,304,000) | ($170,206,000) | ' |
Condensed_Consolidating_Inform2
| Condensed Consolidating Information (Details) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | |||||
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Ownership interest in subsidiaries (as a percent) | 100.00% | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | $370,056 | $243,753 | $375,917 | $287,120 | $420,938 | $390,761 |
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | ' | ' | 31,520 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts receivable, net | 772,873 | ' | 642,363 | ' | ' | ' |
| Inventories | 1,192,032 | ' | 1,202,507 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other current assets | 50,354 | ' | 43,918 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current assets | 2,385,315 | ' | 2,296,225 | ' | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,241,067 | ' | 2,231,198 | ' | ' | ' |
| Intangible assets, net | 393,531 | ' | 416,635 | ' | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | 733,650 | ' | 738,542 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 120,742 | ' | 132,816 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total assets | 5,874,305 | ' | 5,815,416 | 5,775,516 | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 426,406 | ' | 360,097 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued expenses | 192,455 | ' | 219,949 | ' | ' | ' |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 335,341 | ' | 29,631 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current liabilities | 954,202 | ' | 609,677 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long-term debt | 1,773,619 | ' | 2,172,606 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other liabilities | 588,696 | ' | 556,477 | ' | ' | ' |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 110,054 | ' | 98,814 | ' | ' | ' |
| Common stock | 641 | ' | 637 | ' | ' | ' |
| Treasury stock | -718,373 | ' | -720,479 | ' | ' | ' |
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,060,780 | ' | 1,037,687 | ' | ' | ' |
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 2,149,389 | ' | 2,087,620 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,492,437 | ' | 2,405,465 | ' | ' | ' |
| Noncontrolling interests | -44,703 | ' | -27,623 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total equity | 2,447,734 | ' | 2,377,842 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total liabilities and equity | 5,874,305 | ' | 5,815,416 | ' | ' | ' |
| Parent | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | 322,212 | ' | 322,707 | 242,963 | ' | 301,073 |
| Investments in short-term commercial paper | ' | ' | 31,520 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts receivable, net | 311,333 | ' | 277,428 | ' | ' | ' |
| Inventories | 622,008 | ' | 564,882 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other current assets | 57,805 | ' | 51,268 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current assets | 1,313,358 | ' | 1,247,805 | ' | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,042,112 | ' | 1,017,587 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 2,621,656 | ' | 2,768,360 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total assets | 4,977,126 | ' | 5,033,752 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 155,868 | ' | 150,191 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued expenses | 119,919 | ' | 144,719 | ' | ' | ' |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 312,076 | ' | 14,237 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current liabilities | 587,863 | ' | 309,147 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long-term debt | 1,732,445 | ' | 2,140,958 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other liabilities | 164,381 | ' | 178,182 | ' | ' | ' |
| Common stock | 641 | ' | 637 | ' | ' | ' |
| Treasury stock | -718,373 | ' | -720,479 | ' | ' | ' |
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,060,780 | ' | 1,037,687 | ' | ' | ' |
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 2,149,389 | ' | 2,087,620 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 2,492,437 | ' | 2,405,465 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total equity | 2,492,437 | ' | 2,405,465 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total liabilities and equity | 4,977,126 | ' | 5,033,752 | ' | ' | ' |
| Guarantors | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | 37,710 | ' | 41,675 | 26,990 | ' | 58,699 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 900,928 | ' | 772,868 | ' | ' | ' |
| Inventories | 471,537 | ' | 536,331 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other current assets | 7,301 | ' | 7,253 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current assets | 1,417,476 | ' | 1,358,127 | ' | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 634,552 | ' | 664,332 | ' | ' | ' |
| Intangible assets, net | 393,531 | ' | 416,635 | ' | ' | ' |
| Goodwill | 733,650 | ' | 738,542 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 25,367 | ' | 30,862 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total assets | 3,204,576 | ' | 3,208,498 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 257,009 | ' | 219,415 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued expenses | 105,444 | ' | 98,484 | ' | ' | ' |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 300 | ' | 300 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current liabilities | 362,753 | ' | 318,199 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other liabilities | 1,968,990 | ' | 2,087,957 | ' | ' | ' |
| Common stock | 33,896 | ' | 33,896 | ' | ' | ' |
| Additional paid-in capital | 117,737 | ' | 117,737 | ' | ' | ' |
| Retained earnings (deficit) | 721,200 | ' | 650,709 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 872,833 | ' | 802,342 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total equity | 872,833 | ' | 802,342 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total liabilities and equity | 3,204,576 | ' | 3,208,498 | ' | ' | ' |
| Combined Non-Guarantors | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Cash and equivalents | 10,134 | ' | 11,535 | 17,167 | ' | 30,989 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 35,210 | ' | 11,293 | ' | ' | ' |
| Inventories | 102,803 | ' | 107,422 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other current assets | 3,987 | ' | 4,006 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current assets | 152,134 | ' | 134,256 | ' | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 566,873 | ' | 551,903 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other assets, including investments in subs | 8,266 | ' | 9,189 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total assets | 727,273 | ' | 695,348 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | 83,830 | ' | 56,472 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued expenses | 10,014 | ' | 9,877 | ' | ' | ' |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 46,060 | ' | 52,595 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current liabilities | 139,904 | ' | 118,944 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long-term debt | 202,825 | ' | 169,223 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other liabilities | 44,567 | ' | 41,581 | ' | ' | ' |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 110,054 | ' | 98,814 | ' | ' | ' |
| Common stock | 18,121 | ' | 18,121 | ' | ' | ' |
| Additional paid-in capital | 525,230 | ' | 476,677 | ' | ' | ' |
| Retained earnings (deficit) | -268,725 | ' | -200,389 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | 274,626 | ' | 294,409 | ' | ' | ' |
| Noncontrolling interests | -44,703 | ' | -27,623 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total equity | 229,923 | ' | 266,786 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total liabilities and equity | 727,273 | ' | 695,348 | ' | ' | ' |
| Consolidating Adjustments | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts receivable, net | -474,598 | ' | -419,226 | ' | ' | ' |
| Inventories | -4,316 | ' | -6,128 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other current assets | -18,739 | ' | -18,609 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current assets | -497,653 | ' | -443,963 | ' | ' | ' |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | -2,470 | ' | -2,624 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other assets, including investments in subs | -2,534,547 | ' | -2,675,595 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total assets | -3,034,670 | ' | -3,122,182 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accounts payable | -70,301 | ' | -65,981 | ' | ' | ' |
| Accrued expenses | -42,922 | ' | -33,131 | ' | ' | ' |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | -23,095 | ' | -37,501 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total current liabilities | -136,318 | ' | -136,613 | ' | ' | ' |
| Long-term debt | -161,651 | ' | -137,575 | ' | ' | ' |
| Other liabilities | -1,589,242 | ' | -1,751,243 | ' | ' | ' |
| Common stock | -52,017 | ' | -52,017 | ' | ' | ' |
| Additional paid-in capital | -642,967 | ' | -594,414 | ' | ' | ' |
| Retained earnings (deficit) | -452,475 | ' | -450,320 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total Steel Dynamics, Inc. equity | -1,147,459 | ' | -1,096,751 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total equity | -1,147,459 | ' | -1,096,751 | ' | ' | ' |
| Total liabilities and equity | ($3,034,670) | ' | ($3,122,182) | ' | ' | ' |
Condensed_Consolidating_Inform3
| Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 2) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net sales | $1,911,738 | $1,693,390 | $5,508,774 | $5,585,233 |
| Costs of goods sold | 1,714,546 | 1,536,989 | 4,987,626 | 5,045,432 |
| Gross profit | 197,192 | 156,401 | 521,148 | 539,801 |
| Selling, general and administrative | 83,919 | 83,680 | 242,445 | 243,565 |
| Operating income | 113,273 | 72,721 | 278,703 | 296,236 |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 30,970 | 41,490 | 97,064 | 123,708 |
| Other (income) expense, net | -1,852 | 24,010 | -4,144 | 32,366 |
| Income before income taxes | 84,155 | 7,221 | 185,783 | 140,162 |
| Income taxes (benefit) | 33,065 | 1,116 | 70,168 | 52,975 |
| Net income | 51,090 | 6,105 | 115,615 | 87,187 |
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 6,396 | 6,728 | 19,044 | 15,793 |
| Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | 57,486 | 12,833 | 134,659 | 102,980 |
| Parent | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net sales | 902,280 | 785,168 | 2,566,286 | 2,625,152 |
| Costs of goods sold | 760,589 | 685,074 | 2,220,737 | 2,275,227 |
| Gross profit | 141,691 | 100,094 | 345,549 | 349,925 |
| Selling, general and administrative | 30,073 | 19,927 | 83,675 | 72,196 |
| Operating income | 111,618 | 80,167 | 261,874 | 277,729 |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 19,733 | 27,153 | 61,927 | 81,583 |
| Other (income) expense, net | -2,423 | 23,345 | -4,776 | 31,419 |
| Income before income taxes | 94,308 | 29,669 | 204,723 | 164,727 |
| Income taxes (benefit) | 24,930 | -2,771 | 41,945 | 31,809 |
| Net income | 69,378 | 32,440 | 162,778 | 132,918 |
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | -11,892 | -19,607 | -28,119 | -29,938 |
| Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | 57,486 | 12,833 | 134,659 | 102,980 |
| Guarantors | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net sales | 2,136,327 | 1,918,774 | 6,150,327 | 6,408,166 |
| Costs of goods sold | 2,025,470 | 1,823,447 | 5,840,025 | 6,106,504 |
| Gross profit | 110,857 | 95,327 | 310,302 | 301,662 |
| Selling, general and administrative | 55,348 | 53,023 | 164,104 | 160,513 |
| Operating income | 55,509 | 42,304 | 146,198 | 141,149 |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 10,561 | 13,997 | 33,351 | 41,208 |
| Other (income) expense, net | 631 | 434 | 645 | -436 |
| Income before income taxes | 44,317 | 27,873 | 112,202 | 100,377 |
| Income taxes (benefit) | 16,579 | 8,668 | 41,712 | 36,354 |
| Net income | 27,738 | 19,205 | 70,490 | 64,023 |
| Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | 27,738 | 19,205 | 70,490 | 64,023 |
| Combined Non-Guarantors | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net sales | 91,198 | 48,167 | 245,607 | 131,024 |
| Costs of goods sold | 114,408 | 69,520 | 318,163 | 189,477 |
| Gross profit | -23,210 | -21,353 | -72,556 | -58,453 |
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,622 | 14,032 | 7,433 | 20,940 |
| Operating income | -25,832 | -35,385 | -79,989 | -79,393 |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | 1,915 | 1,619 | 5,405 | 5,068 |
| Other (income) expense, net | -1,301 | -1,046 | -3,633 | -2,767 |
| Income before income taxes | -26,446 | -35,958 | -81,761 | -81,694 |
| Income taxes (benefit) | 2,004 | 73 | 4,085 | 444 |
| Net income | -28,450 | -36,031 | -85,846 | -82,138 |
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 6,396 | 6,728 | 19,044 | 15,793 |
| Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | -22,054 | -29,303 | -66,802 | -66,345 |
| Consolidating Adjustments | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net sales | -1,218,067 | -1,058,719 | -3,453,446 | -3,579,109 |
| Costs of goods sold | -1,185,921 | -1,041,052 | -3,391,299 | -3,525,776 |
| Gross profit | -32,146 | -17,667 | -62,147 | -53,333 |
| Selling, general and administrative | -4,124 | -3,302 | -12,767 | -10,084 |
| Operating income | -28,022 | -14,365 | -49,380 | -43,249 |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | -1,239 | -1,279 | -3,619 | -4,151 |
| Other (income) expense, net | 1,241 | 1,277 | 3,620 | 4,150 |
| Income before income taxes | -28,024 | -14,363 | -49,381 | -43,248 |
| Income taxes (benefit) | -10,448 | -4,854 | -17,574 | -15,632 |
| Net income | -17,576 | -9,509 | -31,807 | -27,616 |
| Equity in net loss of subsidiaries | 11,892 | 19,607 | 28,119 | 29,938 |
| Net income attributable to Steel Dynamics, Inc. | ($5,684) | $10,098 | ($3,688) | $2,322 |
Condensed_Consolidating_Inform4
| Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 3) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
| In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $183,266 | $117,366 | $245,691 | $239,386 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | -51,318 | -47,689 | -111,103 | -94,235 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | -5,645 | -203,495 | -140,449 | -248,792 |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | 126,303 | -133,818 | -5,861 | -103,641 |
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | 243,753 | 420,938 | 375,917 | 390,761 |
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | 370,056 | 287,120 | 370,056 | 287,120 |
| Parent | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ' | ' | 126,404 | 145,121 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ' | ' | -115,979 | -19,249 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ' | ' | -10,920 | -183,982 |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | ' | ' | -495 | -58,110 |
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | ' | ' | 322,707 | 301,073 |
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | 322,212 | 242,963 | 322,212 | 242,963 |
| Guarantors | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ' | ' | 164,383 | 128,705 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ' | ' | -28,654 | -74,342 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ' | ' | -139,694 | -86,072 |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | ' | ' | -3,965 | -31,709 |
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | ' | ' | 41,675 | 58,699 |
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | 37,710 | 26,990 | 37,710 | 26,990 |
| Combined Non-Guarantors | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ' | ' | -56,636 | -39,928 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ' | ' | -20,230 | -81,123 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ' | ' | 75,465 | 107,229 |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | ' | ' | -1,401 | -13,822 |
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of period | ' | ' | 11,535 | 30,989 |
| Cash and equivalents at end of period | 10,134 | 17,167 | 10,134 | 17,167 |
| Consolidating Adjustments | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements | ' | ' | ' | ' |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ' | ' | 11,540 | 5,488 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ' | ' | 53,760 | 80,479 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ' | ' | ($65,300) | ($85,967) |