LMI Aerospace (LMIA) 10-Q 7 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	1-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LMI AEROSPACE INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001059562	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	12,920,949
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,295	$1,572
Accounts receivable, net	65,079	72,853
Inventories	117,248	113,178
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,767	4,411
Deferred income taxes	2,599	2,693
Total current assets	191,988	194,707
Property, plant and equipment, net	102,369	103,375
Goodwill	113,223	113,223
Intangible assets, net	54,334	55,465
Other assets	12,629	13,281
Total assets	474,543	480,051
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	19,788	19,388
Accrued expenses	18,141	19,082
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	5,306	5,242
Total current liabilities	43,235	43,712
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments	279,950	285,369
Other long-term liabilities	3,630	3,915
Deferred income taxes	3,168	2,911
Total long-term liabilities	286,748	292,195
Shareholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 28,000,000 shares; issued 12,947,221 and 12,873,208 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	259	257
Preferred stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued at either date	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	93,776	92,692
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-592	-507
Treasury stock, at cost, 29,271 and 22,321 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-345	-202
Retained earnings	51,462	51,904
Total shareholders’ equity	144,560	144,144
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$474,543	$480,051

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Shareholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.02
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	28,000,000	28,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	12,947,221	12,873,208
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.02
Preferred stock, authorized shares (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	29,271	22,321

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Sales and service revenue	'	'
Product sales	$76,484	$82,114
Service revenue	19,267	23,952
Net sales	95,751	106,066
Cost of sales and service revenue	'	'
Cost of product sales	62,100	65,138
Cost of service revenue	16,190	20,874
Cost of sales	78,290	86,012
Gross profit	17,461	20,054
Selling, general and administrative expenses	13,344	13,981
Restructuring expense	428	0
Income from operations	3,689	6,073
Other (expense) income:	'	'
Interest expense	-4,259	-4,113
Other, net	112	480
Total other expense	-4,147	-3,633
(Loss) income before income taxes	-458	2,440
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	-16	603
Net (loss) income	-442	1,837
Other comprehensive loss:	'	'
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	44	-122
Unrealized loss on interest rate hedges, net of tax of $0 and $94, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively	-129	-161
Total comprehensive (loss) income	($527)	$1,554
Amounts per common share:	'	'
Net (loss) income per common share	($0.03)	$0.15
Net (loss) income per common share assuming dilution	($0.03)	$0.14
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	12,663,818	12,582,207
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding (in shares)	12,663,818	12,693,657

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Unrealized loss on interest rate hedges, tax	$0	$94

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating activities:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($442)	$1,837
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	5,547	4,791
Restricted stock compensation	301	360
Other noncash items	-296	-258
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	7,772	-13,653
Inventories	-4,070	-7,469
Prepaid expenses and other assets	326	-558
Current income taxes	129	972
Accounts payable	1,018	947
Accrued expenses	-270	2,569
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	10,015	-10,462
Investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-4,869	-12,592
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	899	1,866
Net cash used by investing activities	-3,970	-10,726
Financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	5,750
Principal payments on long-term debt and notes payable	-1,294	-1,138
Advances on revolving line of credit	27,500	17,500
Payments on revolving line of credit	-31,500	-4,500
Other, net	-28	0
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	-5,322	17,612
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	723	-3,576
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,572	4,347
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,295	771
Supplemental disclosure of noncash transactions:	'	'
Defined contribution plan funding in company stock	$848	$901

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair representation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in the  Annual Report on Form 10-K of LMI Aerospace, Inc. (“the Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Recent Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." The amendments in this update change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity, or a business or nonprofit activity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results and when the component or group of components meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, is disposed by sale or is disposed of by other than by sale (for example, by abandonment or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff). ASU 2014-8 is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.”  ASU 2013-11 requires entities to net its liability for unrecognized tax positions against a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law.  The provisions of this new guidance are effective as of the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2014.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounts_Receivable_Net

Accounts Receivable, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	'
	Accounts Receivable, Net
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
		31-Mar-14			31-Dec-13
	Trade receivables	$	56,056		$	63,804
	Unbilled revenue	7,309			7,256
	Other receivables	1,892			1,973
		65,257			73,033
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(178		)	(180		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	65,079		$	72,853
	Under contract accounting, unbilled revenue on long-term contracts arise when the sales or revenues based on performance attainment, though appropriately recognized, cannot be billed yet under terms of the contract as of the balance sheet date. Accounts receivable expected to be collected after one year is not material.
	The Company records changes in contract estimates using the cumulative catch-up method in accordance with the Revenue Recognition topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.  Cumulative catch-up adjustments had the following impacts to operating income for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Favorable adjustments	$	271		$	—
	Unfavorable adjustments	(306		)	(295		)
	Net unfavorable operating income adjustments	$	(35	)	$	(295	)

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following:
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Raw materials	$	16,941	$	17,099
	Work in progress	24,018		21,605
	Manufactured and purchased components	23,708		21,675
	Finished goods	38,057		40,572
	Product inventory	102,724		100,951
	Capitalized contract costs (1)	14,524		12,227
	Total inventories	$	117,248	$	113,178
	(1) Includes a reduction to inventory related to a loss reserve on a long-term production contract of $2,893 and $2,057 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively
	Inventories include capitalized contract costs relating to programs and contracts with long-term production cycles, substantially all of which are not expected to be realized within one year.   The Company believes these amounts will be fully recovered over the life of the contracts. Anticipated losses on contracts are recognized, when required, and reported as a reduction of related contract costs recorded in inventory and as additional cost of sales. The Company is engaged in a contract accounted for using the units of delivery method where estimated costs exceed the total contract revenue. A provision for the remaining estimated loss on this contract of $5,146 and $5,222 is reported as a reduction to inventory of $2,893 and $2,057 and an increase in accrued expenses of $2,253 and $3,165 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The net goodwill balance at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of $50,741 related to acquisitions in the Engineering Services segment in July 2007 and August of 2012, $6,194 from the acquisition of Integrated Technologies, Inc. (“Intec”) in January 2009, and $56,288 from the acquisition of Valent in December 2012.  Net goodwill at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 includes an impairment charge of $73,528 related to Valent and goodwill related to Tempco, Inc. of $5,653, which was fully impaired.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets primarily consist of trademarks and customer intangibles resulting from the acquisitions of Versaform Corporation, D3, Intec, TASS, and Valent.   The carrying values were as follows:
		31-Mar-14			31-Dec-13
	Trademarks	$	778		$	778
	Customer intangible assets	68,991			68,991
	Other	1,274			1,481
	Accumulated amortization	(16,709		)	(15,785		)
	Intangible assets, net	$	54,334		$	55,465
	Intangibles amortization expense was $1,131 and $1,162 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The accumulated amortization balances at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, were $526 and $475 for trademarks, $15,595 and $14,555 for customer intangible assets, and $588 and $755 for other intangible assets.   Valent intangible assets are amortized on the straight-line method as this approximates the pattern of economic benefit of each intangible asset.  All other remaining intangible assets are not material.   The carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives is assessed at least annually, during the fourth quarter, unless a triggering event occurs, and an impairment charge is recorded if appropriate.
	We have experienced a slowdown in the demand for design engineering services over the past few quarters, which is cyclical in nature.  This cyclical demand has led to lower than originally expected revenue and profitability.  If the slowdown continues, it could lead to a triggering event and potential impairment for intangible assets and goodwill.  Further, our Valent acquisition has not achieved the sales and profitability we originally expected due, in substantial part, to delays in customer awards and longer ramp up times on new contracts as they migrate to full production.  Although we believe this lower sales growth is temporary, continued lower sales growth could lead to a triggering event and potential additional impairment to intangibles assets and goodwill. See Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2013 for additional discussion on the goodwill impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Longterm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'
	Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Term loan under credit agreement, variable	$	222,188	$	222,750
	Revolver under credit agreement, variable	32,000		36,000
	Missouri IRBs at fixed rate of 2.80% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	7,650		7,756
	Capital leases, at fixed rates ranging from 2.04% to 7.73% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	14,233		14,572
	Notes payable, principal and interest payable monthly, at fixed rates, up to 3.60% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	9,185		9,533
	Total debt	285,256		290,611
	Less current installments	5,306		5,242
	Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	279,950	$	285,369
	On December 28, 2012, the Company entered into a credit agreement that was subsequently amended on February 7, 2013 in conjunction with its completed syndication, increasing the Company's borrowing limits and reducing its rates.  The credit agreement includes a revolving credit facility of up to $125,000 and a term loan facility of $225,000.   The agreement was amended again on August 21, 2013 to provide more flexibility on the financial covenants through 2014. Borrowings under the facilities are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets and bear interest at either the LIBOR rate plus a margin of up to 3.50% and 4.00%, respectively, with a LIBOR floor of 1.25% or the alternate base rate (“ABR”) which is the highest of the following plus a margin of up to 2.50% and 3.00%, respectively, with the applicable margins for the revolving credit facility subject to a step-down grid based on the total leverage ratio of the Company:
	•Prime rate,
	•Federal funds rate plus 0.5%,
	•The adjusted Eurodollar rate for an interest period of one month plus 1% or,
	▪The 2.25% ABR rate floor.
	The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.375% and 0.625% per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility, depending on the leverage ratio. At March 31, 2014, the commitment fee required was 0.625%.
	The revolving credit and term loan facilities mature on the fifth and sixth year anniversary dates of December 28, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
	The maturity dates are subject to acceleration upon breach of the financial covenants (consisting of a maximum total leverage ratio and senior leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio) and other customary non-financial covenants contained in the credit agreement.  These financial covenants were eased in the amendment dated August 21, 2013 but will align with the levels in the original credit agreement by January 1, 2015.
	The credit agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants that limit and in some circumstances prohibit, our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt, sell, lease or transfer our assets, pay dividends, make investments, guarantee debt or obligations, create liens, enter into transactions with our affiliates and enter into certain merger, consolidation or other reorganization transactions.  This agreement also requires mandatory prepayments of excess cash at certain leverage levels.  These restrictions could limit our ability to obtain future financing, make acquisitions or needed capital expenditures, withstand the current or future downturns in our business or the economy in general, conduct operations or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities that may arise, any of which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors that have less debt and are not subject to such restrictions.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company is in compliance with all of its financial and non-financial covenants.
	As previously reported, the Company's recent EBITDA and cash generation, including in the first quarter of 2014, has been lower than originally expected. The Company's recent cost reduction efforts are designed, in primary part, to improve the Company's EBITDA and cash position. However, if the Company's lower performance continues, the Company could be non-compliant with its required leverage ratio in its credit agreement as soon as June 30, 2014. Per out senior credit agreement, maximum leverage ratio is calculated as consolidated net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA. The Company's maximum leverage ratio target was 5.5 times at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and steps down to 5.25 at June 30, 2014. The Company's actual leverage ratio was 4.93 and 4.97 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. As a result, the Company is currently in discussions to refinance its credit facility and is optimistic about its ability to do so, but cannot provide assurance that it will be successful in doing so or on terms favorable to the Company. If the Company fails to meet any covenants in the credit facility and the Company is unsuccessful in refinancing its credit facility or cannot otherwise secure a waiver of such failure, the Company would not be in compliance with its credit agreement and the lenders would be entitled to exercise various rights, including causing the amounts outstanding under the term loan facility and revolving credit facility to become immediately due and payable.
	Additional discussion of the Company's debt and cash flow can be found in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Liquidity and Capital Resources.

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	'
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
	Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  A fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
	Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2:	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
	Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.  There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013.
			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value as of March 31, 2014
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements:		Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Asset:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	517	$	—	$	517	$	—
			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements:		Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Asset:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	18	$	—	$	18	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	392	$	—	$	392	$	—
	-1	The fair values of interest rate derivatives are the amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the contracts, considering quoted market prices of comparable agreements. (Also see Note 7)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company has interest rate risk with respect to interest expense on variable rate debt.  At March 31, 2014, the Company had $254,188 of variable rate debt outstanding.  In compliance with its credit agreement, the Company purchased option and swap derivative contracts to hedge against the potential impact on earnings from an increase in market interest rates associated with the interest payments on its variable rate term credit facility.  The objective of the hedge transactions is to reduce the variability of cash flows due to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate on the term debt.  The purchased options have a strike price of 1.25%, based on 30-day LIBOR with maturity dates each month through December 31, 2014 and payment dates coinciding directly with the term debt.  Interest rate swaps entered into on March 28, 2013 are effective from December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2015 and effectively swaps a notional amount of $112,500 from the floating LIBOR interest rate with a floor of 1.25% for a 1.63% fixed interest rate. The interest rate swaps entered into on November 15, 2013 are effective from December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2016, respectively, and effectively swap a notional amount of $80,000 and $100,000, respectively, from the floating LIBOR interest rate with a floor of 1.25% for a 1.565% fixed interest rate and floor of 1.25% for a 1.99% fixed interest rate, respectively. The derivatives are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as current assets and liabilities at fair value, as of March 31, 2014 as follows:
	Derivative Asset and Liability	Location in Condensed		March 31,				December 31,
		Consolidated Balance Sheet		2014				2013
	Derivative designated as hedging instrument:
	Interest rate purchased option fair value	Other current assets		$	—			$	18
	Derivative designated as hedging instrument:
	Interest rate swap fair value	Other long term liabilities		$	517			$	392
	The Company has designated and accounts for this swap and purchased options as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.  For a cash flow hedge, the Company reports the gain or loss, net of taxes, from the effective portion of the hedge as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) deferring it and reclassifying it into earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedged transaction affects earnings and in the same line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as the impact of the hedged transaction.  Amounts reported in AOCI related to these derivatives are reclassified from AOCI to earnings as interest payments are made on the Company’s term credit facility debt in amounts necessary to convert the floating rate interest expense into fixed rate interest expense.  The terms of these derivatives and the variable rate debt coincide making it highly effective so no amounts were excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and any ineffectiveness portion has not been, and is not expected to be, significant.  The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	The following amounts are included in AOCI and earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI, net of tax, on Derivative (Effective Portion)				Amount of
						(Gain) Loss Reclassified
						from AOCI
						into
						Income (Effective Portion)(1)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate derivatives	$	(129	)		$	—
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Interest rate derivatives	$	(161	)		$	—
	(1)No amounts related to the interest rate derivatives were reclassified from AOCI to interest expense during the period.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic net income per common share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net income per common share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of restricted stock, using the if-converted methods.  The following table shows a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Numerators
	Net (loss) income	$	(442	)	$	1,837
	Denominators
	Weighted average common shares - basic	12,663,818			12,582,207
	Dilutive effect of restricted stock	—			111,450
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	12,663,818			12,693,657
	Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.03	)	$	0.15
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.03	)	$	0.14
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, 115,656 shares are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These securities could be dilutive in future periods.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	On July 7, 2005, the Company’s shareholders approved the LMI Aerospace, Inc. 2005 Long-term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other share-based grants and cash bonus awards to employees and directors.  All share-based grants or awards are subject to a time-based vesting schedule.
	A summary of the activity for non-vested restricted stock awards under the Plan is presented below:
	Restricted Stock Awards	Shares		Weighted
				Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	219,751		$	19.74
	Granted	31,355		15
	Vested	(35,000	)	16.7
	Forfeited	(6,950	)	20.51
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	209,156		$	19.52
	Common stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards granted under the Plan was $301 and $360 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested, share-based awards granted or awarded under the Plan were $1,884 and $1,857 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years and 1.2 years, respectively.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Information	'
	Business Segment Information
	The Company is organized into two reportable segments: the Aerostructures segment and the Engineering Services segment.  The Aerostructures segment fabricates, machines, finishes, integrates, assembles and kits formed and machined close tolerance aluminum, specialty alloy and composite components for use by the aerospace and defense industries.  The Engineering Services segment provides a complete range of design, engineering and program management services supporting aircraft lifecycles from conceptual design, analysis and certification through production support, fleet support and service life extensions via a complete turnkey engineering solution.
	Corporate assets, liabilities and expenses related to the Company's corporate offices, except for interest expense and income taxes, primarily support, and are recorded in, the Aerostructures segment. The table below presents information about reported segments on the same basis used internally to evaluate segment performance:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Aerostructures	$	77,704		$	83,014
	Engineering Services	18,706			23,646
	Eliminations	(659		)	(594		)
		$	95,751		$	106,066
	Income from operations:
	Aerostructures	$	2,807		$	5,428
	Engineering Services	946			649
	Eliminations	(64		)	(4		)
		$	3,689		$	6,073

Customer_Concentration

Customer Concentration	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Customer Concentration	'
	Customer Concentration
	Direct sales, through both of the Company’s business segments, to our largest customer, Spirit Aerosystems (“Spirit”), accounted for 33.6% and 28.7% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.    Accounts receivable balances related to Spirit were 34.3% and 27.8% of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Direct sales, through both of the Company’s business segments, to our second largest customer, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a General Dynamics company (“Gulfstream”), accounted for 14.1% and 18.2% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Accounts receivable balances related to Gulfstream were 11.2% and 8.5% of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Direct sales, through both of the Company’s business segments, to our third largest customer, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), accounted for 11.9% and 17.8% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Accounts receivable balances resulting from direct sales to Boeing were 8.8% and 5.7% of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was 3.5% and 24.7% , respectively. The Company's tax benefit in the first quarter of 2014 reflects the full valuation allowance on deferred tax benefits generated in the quarter. The rate for the first quarter of 2013 included a $300 benefit recognized in the first quarter of 2013 for the enactment of the American Taxpayer Relief Act in January 2013, which extended retroactively, the federal research and development credit for two years from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013.

Restructuring

Restructuring	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring	'
	Restructuring
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company committed to a restructuring plan that will result in the closure of its Precise Machine facility located in Fort Worth, Texas. As a result, the Company recognized severance expense of $453 in year ended December 31, 2013 related to the closure and additional restructuring related expenses of $93 in the quarter ended March 31, 2014. These restructuring expenses were reflected in the selling, general, and administrative section on a separate line of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. This restructuring plan did not have a material impact on cash flow in the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The Company expects the restructuring plan to be completed in the second quarter of 2014.
	In addition, on January 23, 2014, the Company announced plans to relocate the work performed relative to machining operations at its Savannah, Georgia facility to other locations within the company. As a result, severance expense of $41 was recognized in the first quarter of 2014. These restructuring expenses were reflected in the selling, general, and administrative section on a separate line of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). This restructuring plan did not have a material impact on cash flow in the quarter ended March 31, 2014. It is expected that this reorganization will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2014.
	In the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized additional severance expense of $294 relative to other employment separation activities. Payments associated with these activities are expected to be made over the next twelve months. These restructuring expenses were reflected in the selling, general, and administrative section on a separate line of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
	The following table summarizes the incurred and expected charges associated with these restructuring activities:
		Expense			Remaining		Total Expense
		Incurred through			Expense to be		Expected to be
		31-Mar-14			Incurred		Incurred
					(In Thousands)
	Employee severance arrangement - Precise closure	$	546		$	31	$	577
	Employee severance arrangement - Savannah	41			—		41
	Other employee severance arrangements	294			—		294
	Lease termination costs - Precise closure	—			165		165
	Total	$	881		$	196	$	1,077
	In addition to the restructuring expenses detailed in the table above, the Company expects to incur additional project expenses of approximately $350, of which $276 has been recognized as of March 31, 2014, associated with the integration of work previously performed at the Precise Machine facility. The company also expects to recognize approximately $500 in other project costs, of which $280 have been recognized as of March 31, 2014, largely related to accelerated depreciation on property, plant and equipment at its Savannah facility. These expenses are recognized in the cost of sales and selling, general, and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
	The following table summarizes restructuring activity related to the Precise Machine facility closure, the Savannah machining relocation, and other employee separation activities:
		Employee
		Severance
	Accrued restructuring balance as of December 31, 2013	$	422
	Accrual additions	428
	Cash payments	(121		)
	Accrued restructuring balance as of March 31, 2014	$	729

Legal_Contingencies

Legal Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Legal Contingencies	'
	Legal Contingencies
	The Company has been named as a defendant in certain pending lawsuits in the normal course of business (the “Pending Lawsuits”). Also, as of March 31, 2014, the Company may become the subject of proceedings by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice ("DoJ") as a result of the Waste Water Allegations (as defined in Part II, Item 1, "Legal Proceedings" of this Form 10-Q) and by the Environmental Protection Agency as a result of the Voluntarily Disclosed Matters (as defined in the Company's 2013 Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1. Business, Governmental Regulations and Environmental Compliance) related to Ozark Mountain Technologies, LLC, its Cuba, Missouri facility ("OMT"). It is the policy of management to disclose the amount or range of reasonably possible losses.  In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, the losses, if any, resulting from the Pending Lawsuits should not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations, and the losses, if any, resulting from the Waste Water Allegations and Voluntarily Disclosed Matters cannot be estimated because the actions to be taken, if any, by the relevant government agencies remain uncertain.
	On May 6, 2014, we received information from the DoJ that indicated the DoJ is prepared to move forward with a one count indictment naming OMT as a defendant. The DoJ has also advised that the alleged violations may subject the Company to fines. We cannot, however, estimate the amount of such fines at this time because we do not have sufficient information regarding the allegations. Based on the information we do have, we continue to believe the Waste Water Allegations do not have substantial merit and are seeking to work with the DoJ to reach a resolution of this matter.
	As further disclosed in the Company's 2013 Form 10-K, Item 3 - Legal Proceedings, the Company believes a proceeding by the Missouri Attorney General is contemplated with respect to alleged violations of certain state environmental regulations by OMT and the state issues relating to the Voluntary Disclosed Matters. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel and based on the discussions the Company has had with the Missouri Attorney General’s office, the Company has established a loss contingency of $234, which represents management’s current estimate of the minimum penalty the Missouri Attorney General is contemplating assessing on the Company.
	OMT became a subsidiary of LMI as a result of LMI’s acquisition of Valent Aerostructures (“Valent”) in December 2012. The Company believes certain environmental representations set forth in the purchase agreement pursuant to which Valent acquired OMT, and the purchase agreement pursuant to which LMI acquired Valent, provide the Company with certain rights of indemnification with respect to the matters disclosed herein. The Company also has insurance policies that it believes covers various environmental issues at Valent and its subsidiaries, including OMT, and breaches by Valent and OMT of their respective environmental representations and warranties in each of the purchase agreements. As a result, the Company believes its rights of indemnification and insurance coverage may provide for a recovery of some or all of the costs associated with the matters disclosed herein. We cannot provide any assurance, however, that we will ultimately prevail in any claim for indemnification or secure insurance proceeds from our insurance policies.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair representation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in the  Annual Report on Form 10-K of LMI Aerospace, Inc. (“the Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Recent Accounting Standards	'
	Recent Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." The amendments in this update change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity, or a business or nonprofit activity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results and when the component or group of components meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, is disposed by sale or is disposed of by other than by sale (for example, by abandonment or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff). ASU 2014-8 is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.”  ASU 2013-11 requires entities to net its liability for unrecognized tax positions against a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law.  The provisions of this new guidance are effective as of the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2014.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounts_Receivable_Net_Tables

Accounts Receivable, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accounts receivable, net	'
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
		31-Mar-14			31-Dec-13
	Trade receivables	$	56,056		$	63,804
	Unbilled revenue	7,309			7,256
	Other receivables	1,892			1,973
		65,257			73,033
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(178		)	(180		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	65,079		$	72,853
Impact of operating income	'
	Cumulative catch-up adjustments had the following impacts to operating income for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Favorable adjustments	$	271		$	—
	Unfavorable adjustments	(306		)	(295		)
	Net unfavorable operating income adjustments	$	(35	)	$	(295	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories consist of the following:
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Raw materials	$	16,941	$	17,099
	Work in progress	24,018		21,605
	Manufactured and purchased components	23,708		21,675
	Finished goods	38,057		40,572
	Product inventory	102,724		100,951
	Capitalized contract costs (1)	14,524		12,227
	Total inventories	$	117,248	$	113,178
	(1) Includes a reduction to inventory related to a loss reserve on a long-term production contract of $2,893 and $2,057 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Finite and infinite lived intangible assets	'
	Intangible assets primarily consist of trademarks and customer intangibles resulting from the acquisitions of Versaform Corporation, D3, Intec, TASS, and Valent.   The carrying values were as follows:
		31-Mar-14			31-Dec-13
	Trademarks	$	778		$	778
	Customer intangible assets	68,991			68,991
	Other	1,274			1,481
	Accumulated amortization	(16,709		)	(15,785		)
	Intangible assets, net	$	54,334		$	55,465

Longterm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas1

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term debt	'
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Term loan under credit agreement, variable	$	222,188	$	222,750
	Revolver under credit agreement, variable	32,000		36,000
	Missouri IRBs at fixed rate of 2.80% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	7,650		7,756
	Capital leases, at fixed rates ranging from 2.04% to 7.73% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	14,233		14,572
	Notes payable, principal and interest payable monthly, at fixed rates, up to 3.60% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	9,185		9,533
	Total debt	285,256		290,611
	Less current installments	5,306		5,242
	Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	279,950	$	285,369

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure1

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.  There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013.
			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value as of March 31, 2014
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements:		Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Asset:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	517	$	—	$	517	$	—
			Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements:		Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Asset:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	18	$	—	$	18	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives (1)		$	392	$	—	$	392	$	—
	-1	The fair values of interest rate derivatives are the amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the contracts, considering quoted market prices of comparable agreements. (Also see Note 7)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives Recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	The derivatives are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as current assets and liabilities at fair value, as of March 31, 2014 as follows:
	Derivative Asset and Liability	Location in Condensed		March 31,				December 31,
		Consolidated Balance Sheet		2014				2013
	Derivative designated as hedging instrument:
	Interest rate purchased option fair value	Other current assets		$	—			$	18
	Derivative designated as hedging instrument:
	Interest rate swap fair value	Other long term liabilities		$	517			$	392
Derivatives Recognized in the AOCI and Earnings	'
	The following amounts are included in AOCI and earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI, net of tax, on Derivative (Effective Portion)				Amount of
						(Gain) Loss Reclassified
						from AOCI
						into
						Income (Effective Portion)(1)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate derivatives	$	(129	)		$	—
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Interest rate derivatives	$	(161	)		$	—
	(1)No amounts related to the interest rate derivatives were reclassified from AOCI to interest expense during the period.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	The following table shows a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Numerators
	Net (loss) income	$	(442	)	$	1,837
	Denominators
	Weighted average common shares - basic	12,663,818			12,582,207
	Dilutive effect of restricted stock	—			111,450
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	12,663,818			12,693,657
	Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.03	)	$	0.15
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.03	)	$	0.14

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of the activity for non-vested restricted stock awards	'
	A summary of the activity for non-vested restricted stock awards under the Plan is presented below:
	Restricted Stock Awards	Shares		Weighted
				Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	219,751		$	19.74
	Granted	31,355		15
	Vested	(35,000	)	16.7
	Forfeited	(6,950	)	20.51
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	209,156		$	19.52

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance	'
	The table below presents information about reported segments on the same basis used internally to evaluate segment performance:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Aerostructures	$	77,704		$	83,014
	Engineering Services	18,706			23,646
	Eliminations	(659		)	(594		)
		$	95,751		$	106,066
	Income from operations:
	Aerostructures	$	2,807		$	5,428
	Engineering Services	946			649
	Eliminations	(64		)	(4		)
		$	3,689		$	6,073

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of incurred and expected restructuring charges	'
	The following table summarizes the incurred and expected charges associated with these restructuring activities:
		Expense			Remaining		Total Expense
		Incurred through			Expense to be		Expected to be
		31-Mar-14			Incurred		Incurred
					(In Thousands)
	Employee severance arrangement - Precise closure	$	546		$	31	$	577
	Employee severance arrangement - Savannah	41			—		41
	Other employee severance arrangements	294			—		294
	Lease termination costs - Precise closure	—			165		165
	Total	$	881		$	196	$	1,077
Schedule of restructuring activity	'
	The following table summarizes restructuring activity related to the Precise Machine facility closure, the Savannah machining relocation, and other employee separation activities:
		Employee
		Severance
	Accrued restructuring balance as of December 31, 2013	$	422
	Accrual additions	428
	Cash payments	(121		)
	Accrued restructuring balance as of March 31, 2014	$	729

Accounts_Receivable_Net_Detail

Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trade receivables	$56,056	'	$63,804
Unbilled revenue	7,309	'	7,256
Other receivables	1,892	'	1,973
Accounts receivable, gross	65,257	'	73,033
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	-178	'	-180
Accounts receivable, net	65,079	'	72,853
Change in Accounting Estimate [Abstract]	'	'	'
Favorable adjustments	271	0	'
Unfavorable adjustments	-306	-295	'
Net operating income adjustments	($35)	($295)	'

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'		'
Raw materials	$16,941		$17,099
Work in progress	24,018		21,605
Manufactured and purchased components	23,708		21,675
Finished goods	38,057		40,572
Product inventory	102,724		100,951
Capitalized contract costs	14,524	[1]	12,227	[1]
Total inventories	117,248		113,178
Loss on Long-term Production Contracts [Member]	'		'
Inventories [Abstract]	'		'
Inventory Valuation Reserves	2,893		2,057
Billings in Excess of Cost	2,253		3,165
Valent Aerostructures, LLC [Member]	'		'
Inventories [Abstract]	'		'
Loss on Contracts	$5,146		$5,222
[1]	Includes a reduction to inventory related to a loss reserve on a long-term production contract of $2,893 and $2,057 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
			Engineering Services [Member]	Engineering Services [Member]	Integrated Technologies, Inc. [Member]	Integrated Technologies, Inc. [Member]	Tempco [Member]	Valent Aerostructures, LLC [Member]	Valent Aerostructures, LLC [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill acquired	$113,223	$113,223	$50,741	$50,741	$6,194	$6,194	'	$56,288	$56,288
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$73,528	'	'	'	'	'	$5,653	'	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trademarks	$778	'	$778
Customer intangible assets	68,991	'	68,991
Other	1,274	'	1,481
Accumulated amortization	-16,709	'	-15,785
Intangible assets, net	54,334	'	55,465
Amortization expense on intangible assets	1,131	1,162	'
Trademarks [Member]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated amortization	-526	'	-475
Customer Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated amortization	-15,595	'	-14,555
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated amortization	($588)	'	($755)

Longterm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas2

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt gross	285,256	290,611
Less current installments	5,306	5,242
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments	279,950	285,369
Term Loan Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt gross	222,188	222,750
Revolver Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt gross	32,000	36,000
Missouri IRBs [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt gross	7,650	7,756
Fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	2.80%	2.80%
Capital Leases [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt gross	14,233	14,572
Capital Leases [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)	2.04%	2.04%
Capital Leases [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	7.73%	7.73%
Notes Payable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt gross	9,185	9,533
Notes Payable [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	3.60%	3.60%

Longterm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas3

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Line of Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 07, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 07, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Term Loan Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Term Loan Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Term Loan Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Revolver Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Revolver Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Revolver Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Revolver Under Credit Agreement, Variable [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Alternate Base Rate [Member]

Federal funds rate [Member]

One Month Eurodollar [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Alternate Base Rate [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Alternate Base Rate [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$225,000,000

'

'

'

$125,000,000

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'

'

Variable rate floor (in hundredths)

'

'

1.25%

2.25%

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'

'

'

'

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'

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'

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Spread over reference rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

0.50%

1.00%

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'

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3.50%

2.50%

'

'

4.00%

3.00%

'

Commitment fee (in hundredths)

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'

'

'

'

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0.38%

0.63%

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'

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0.63%

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'

'

'

Maximum total leverage ratio target

5.5

5.5

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.25

Total Leverage Ratio

4.93

4.97

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure2

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) (Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Asset:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	$0	[1]	$18	[1]
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	517	[1]	392	[1]
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Asset:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Asset:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	0	[1]	18	[1]
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	517	[1]	392	[1]
Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Asset:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Liabilities:	'		'
Interest rate derivatives	$0	[1]	$0	[1]
[1]	The fair values of interest rate derivatives are the amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the contracts, considering quoted market prices of comparable agreements. (Also see Note 7)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Nov. 15, 2013	Nov. 15, 2013	Mar. 28, 2013	Nov. 15, 2013	Nov. 15, 2013
		Interest Rate Swap Two [Member]	Interest Rate Swap Three [Member]	LIBOR [Member]	LIBOR [Member]	LIBOR [Member]
				Interest Rate Swap One [Member]	Interest Rate Swap Two [Member]	Interest Rate Swap Three [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Variable rate debt	$254,188,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchased options strike price	1.25%	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount	'	$80,000	$100,000	$112,500,000	'	'
Floor interest rate (in hundredths)	'	'	'	1.25%	1.25%	1.25%
Fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	'	1.57%	1.99%	1.63%	'	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments, Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location (Details) (Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate purchased option fair value	$0	$18
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swap fair value	$517	$392

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments, Derivative Type (Details) (Interest Rate Swap [Member], Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI, net of tax, on Derivative (Effective Portion)	($129)		($161)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$0	[1]	$0	[1]
[1]	No amounts related to the interest rate derivatives were reclassified from AOCI to interest expense during the period.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerators [Abstract]	'	'
Net (loss) income	($442)	$1,837
Denominators [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average common shares - basic (in shares)	12,663,818	12,582,207
Dilutive effect of restricted stock (in shares)	0	111,450
Weighted average common shares - diluted (in shares)	12,663,818	12,693,657
Basic (loss) earnings per share	($0.03)	$0.15
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	($0.03)	$0.14
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	115,656	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense	$301	$360	'	'
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Shares	'	'	'	'
Outstanding beginning balance (in shares)	219,751	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	31,355	'	'	'
Vested (in shares)	-35,000	'	'	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-6,950	'	'	'
Outstanding ending balance (in shares)	209,156	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Outstanding beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$19.74	'	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$15	'	'	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	$16.70	'	'	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$20.51	'	'	'
Outstanding ending balance (in dollars per share)	$19.52	'	'	'
Compensation expense	301	360	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	$1,884	'	'	$1,857
Costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period	'1 year 6 months	'	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reportable segments	2	'
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	$95,751	$106,066
Income from operations	3,689	6,073
Aerostructures [Member]	'	'
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	77,704	83,014
Income from operations	2,807	5,428
Engineering Services [Member]	'	'
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	18,706	23,646
Income from operations	946	649
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	-659	-594
Income from operations	($64)	($4)

Customer_Concentration_Details

Customer Concentration (Details)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Spirit [Member]

Spirit [Member]

Spirit [Member]

Spirit [Member]

Gulfstream [Member]

Gulfstream [Member]

Gulfstream [Member]

Gulfstream [Member]

Boeing [Member]

Boeing [Member]

Boeing [Member]

Boeing [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Revenue and Accounts Receivable, Major Customer [Line Items]

'

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'

'

Percentage attributable to customer (in hundredths)

33.60%

28.70%

34.30%

27.80%

14.10%

18.20%

11.20%

8.50%

11.90%

17.80%

8.80%

5.70%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	3.50%	24.70%
Income tax benefit (expense), American Taxpayer Relief Act	'	$300

Restructuring_Details

Restructuring (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, expense incurred to date	$881	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	196	'
Restructuring activities, total expense to be incurred	1,077	'
Precise Machine [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	350	'
Other Expense [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	500	'
Employee Severance [Member] | Precise Machine [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, expense incurred to date	546	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	31	'
Restructuring activities, total expense to be incurred	577	'
Employee Severance [Member] | Relocation of Machining Operations from Savannah Facility [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, expense incurred to date	41	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	0	'
Restructuring activities, total expense to be incurred	41	'
Employee Severance [Member] | Other Expense [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, expense incurred to date	294	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	0	'
Restructuring activities, total expense to be incurred	294	'
Lease Termination [Member] | Precise Machine [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring activities, expense incurred to date	0	'
Restructuring activities, remaining expense to be incurred	165	'
Restructuring activities, total expense to be incurred	165	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Precise Machine [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Project expenses recognized	276	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Other Expense [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Project expenses recognized	280	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | Precise Machine [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring related expenses	93	453
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | Relocation of Machining Operations from Savannah Facility [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring related expenses	41	'
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | Other Expense [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring related expenses	$294	'

Restructuring_Restructuring_Re

Restructuring - Restructuring Reserve (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Accrual additions	$428	$0
Employee Severance [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Accrued restructuring balance as of December 31, 2013	422	'
Accrual additions	428	'
Cash payments	-121	'
Accrued restructuring balance as of March 31, 2014	$729	'

Legal_Contingencies_Details

Legal Contingencies (Details) (Unfavorable Regulatory Action [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Unfavorable Regulatory Action [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss contingency accrual	$234