Handy & Harman 10-Q 30 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 29, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HANDY & HARMAN LTD.	'
Trading Symbol	'hnh	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000106618	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	10,780,308

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$30,613	$10,300
Trade and other receivables - net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,307 and $1,981, respectively	97,421	77,546
Inventories, net	76,400	65,750
Deferred income tax assets - current	20,553	20,507
Prepaid and other current assets	9,166	9,578
Assets of discontinued operations	641	651
Total current assets	234,794	184,332
Property, plant and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation	91,054	91,197
Goodwill	77,564	77,512
Other intangibles, net	44,933	48,336
Investment in associated company	21,329	33,983
Deferred income tax assets	49,331	59,686
Other non-current assets	16,922	14,677
Total assets	535,927	509,723
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Trade payables	49,031	34,823
Accrued liabilities	28,311	28,047
Accrued environmental liabilities	1,786	3,213
Short-term debt	629	304
Current portion of long-term debt	352	12,818
Deferred income tax liabilities - current	401	433
Liabilities of discontinued operations	20	151
Total current liabilities	80,530	79,789
Long-term debt	220,272	144,069
Accrued pension liability	128,659	143,705
Other post-retirement benefit obligations	2,506	2,501
Other liabilities	6,452	5,787
Total liabilities	438,419	375,851
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Common stock - $.01 par value; authorized 180,000 shares; issued 13,582 and 13,444 shares, respectively	136	134
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-183,030	-181,931
Additional paid-in capital	568,110	565,441
Treasury stock, at cost - 2,800 and 458 shares, respectively	-70,298	-9,796
Accumulated deficit	-217,410	-239,976
Total stockholders' equity	97,508	133,872
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$535,927	$509,723

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$2,307	$1,981
Common stock - par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock - shares authorized (in shares)	180,000	180,000
Common stock - issued (in shares)	13,582	13,444
Treasury stock - number of shares (in shares)	2,800	458

Consolidated_Income_Statements

Consolidated Income Statements (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$188,701	$171,874	$546,040	$502,915
Cost of goods sold	135,679	121,977	390,513	357,381
Gross profit	53,022	49,897	155,527	145,534
Selling, general and administrative expenses	30,209	32,315	97,497	96,121
Pension expense	620	1,333	2,892	4,001
Operating income	22,193	16,249	55,138	45,412
Other:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	2,458	1,880	5,627	11,967
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives	-1,320	351	-854	-702
Other expense	0	14	114	279
Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment	21,055	14,004	50,251	33,868
Tax provision	7,953	5,657	19,944	13,563
Loss from associated company, net of tax	1,242	1,608	7,783	4,883
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	11,860	6,739	22,524	15,422
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-244	0	-835
Gain on disposal of assets, net of tax	0	3,148	42	14,943
Net income from discontinued operations	0	2,904	42	14,108
Net income	$11,860	$9,643	$22,566	$29,530
Basic and diluted income per share of common stock	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, net of tax, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.95	$0.51	$1.75	$1.16
Discontinued operations, net of tax, per share (in dollars shares)	$0	$0.22	$0.01	$1.06
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.95	$0.73	$1.76	$2.22
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	12,469	13,290	12,858	13,298

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$11,860	$9,643	$22,566	$29,530
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Change in market value of securities	0	0	0	7,113
Tax effect of change in market value of securities	0	0	0	-3,041
Changes in pension liability and other post-retirement benefit obligations	0	0	0	1,449
Tax effect of changes in pension liability and other post-retirement benefit obligations	0	0	0	-580
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-980	-1,949	-1,099	-2,655
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-980	-1,949	-1,099	2,286
Comprehensive income	$10,880	$7,694	$21,467	$31,816

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Additional Paid in Capital	Treasury Stock, at Cost	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$133,872	$134	($181,931)	$565,441	($9,796)	($239,976)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	13,444	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization, issuance and forfeitures of restricted stock grants (in shares)	'	138	'	'	'	'
Amortization, issuance and forfeitures of restricted stock grants	2,671	2	'	2,669	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-1,099	'	-1,099	'	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-60,502	'	'	'	-60,502	'
Net income	22,566	'	'	'	'	22,566
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$97,508	$136	($183,030)	$568,110	($70,298)	($217,410)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	13,582	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$22,566	$29,530
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	12,934	11,994
Non-cash stock-based compensation	3,773	3,647
Non-cash loss from investment in associated company, net of tax	7,783	4,883
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,215	645
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	5,662
Accrued interest not paid in cash	0	93
Deferred income taxes	15,172	20,666
Gain from asset dispositions	-87	-19
Non-cash (gain) loss from derivatives	-674	457
Reclassification of net cash settlements on precious metal contracts to investing activities	-180	-1,159
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-121	1,791
Non-cash gain on disposal of assets	-71	-27,573
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Trade and other receivables	-24,774	-19,510
Inventories	-11,036	-2,591
Prepaid and other current assets	336	-2,073
Other current liabilities	-3,886	-5,413
Other items, net	202	-1,063
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,152	19,967
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-9,773	-10,620
Net cash settlements on precious metal contracts	180	1,159
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-59,475
Proceeds from sale of assets	183	206
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	3,732	45,334
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	0	-102
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,678	-23,498
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from term loans - domestic	40,000	10,000
Proceeds from WHX CS Loan	12,600	0
Repayment of WHX CS Loan	-12,600	0
Net revolver borrowings	180,050	38,800
Net borrowings (repayments) on loans - foreign	342	-1,834
Repayments of term loans - domestic	-156,249	-6,895
Repurchases of Subordinated Notes	0	-36,307
Deferred finance charges	-3,230	-757
Net change in overdrafts	2,546	4,933
Purchases of treasury stock	-60,502	-5,010
Other financing activities	54	-390
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,011	2,540
Net change for the period	20,485	-991
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-172	28
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,300	15,301
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	30,613	14,338
Interest	4,671	7,389
Taxes	$4,246	$5,960

The_Company_and_Nature_of_Oper

The Company and Nature of Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
The Company and Nature Of Operations	'
	The Company and Nature of Operations
	Handy & Harman Ltd. ("HNH") is a diversified manufacturer of engineered niche industrial products. HNH's diverse product offerings are marketed throughout the United States and internationally. HNH owns Handy & Harman Group Ltd. ("H&H Group"), which owns Handy & Harman ("H&H") and Bairnco Corporation. HNH manages its group of businesses on a decentralized basis with operations principally in North America. HNH's business units encompass the following segments: Joining Materials, Tubing, Building Materials, Arlon Electronic Materials ("Arlon") and Kasco Blades and Route Repair Services ("Kasco"). All references herein to "we," "our" or the "Company" refer to HNH together with all of its subsidiaries.

Basis_Of_Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") have been condensed or omitted in accordance with those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain amounts for the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position and the results of operations and changes in cash flows for the interim periods. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on an organization's operations and financial results. In addition, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. The new guidance also requires disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The ASU is effective for the Company's 2015 fiscal year and is to be applied prospectively from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, and the guidance defines a five step process to achieve this core principle. The ASU is effective for the Company's 2017 fiscal year and may be applied either (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented with an election for certain specified practical expedients, or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application, with additional disclosure requirements. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance, but does not currently anticipate that the application of ASU No. 2014-09 will have a significant effect on its financial condition, results of operations or its cash flows. We have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in an entity's financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	2013 Acquisitions
	Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC
	On April 16, 2013, the Company and its indirect subsidiary, Lucas-Milhaupt Warwick LLC (together with the Company, "Buyer"), entered into an asset purchase agreement ("Purchase Agreement") with Wolverine Tube, Inc. ("Wolverine") and its subsidiary, Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC ("Wolverine Joining" and, together with Wolverine, "Seller"), pursuant to which the Buyer agreed to purchase substantially all of the assets of the Seller used in the business of Wolverine Joining, consisting of assets used for the development, manufacturing and sale of brazing, flux and soldering products, and the alloys for electrical, catalyst and other industrial specialties, other than certain leased real property, and to assume certain liabilities related to such business. By acquiring Wolverine Joining, the Company increased its capacity to produce brazing filler metals and fluxes, and broadened its platform for continued global expansion. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $59.7 million, reflecting a final working capital adjustment and certain other reductions totaling approximately $0.3 million as provided in the Purchase Agreement. The closing of this transaction occurred on April 26, 2013. Funding of the purchase price for the acquisition was from cash on hand and borrowings under the Company's then existing senior secured credit facility, which was amended in connection with the acquisition.
	In connection with the acquisition of Wolverine Joining, the Company incurred employee severance charges totaling approximately $0.4 million associated with the Company's integration activities, which were primarily recorded and paid in fiscal 2013 and reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses.
	The following table summarizes the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):
	Trade and other receivables	$	9,491
	Inventories	17,864
	Prepaid and other current assets	81
	Property, plant and equipment	5,549
	Goodwill	14,767
	Other intangibles	13,657
	Total assets acquired	61,409
	Trade payables	(1,167		)
	Accrued liabilities	(495		)
	Net assets acquired	$	59,747
	The goodwill of $14.8 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies expected from combining the operations of the Buyer and Seller. All of the goodwill is assigned to the Company's Joining Materials segment and is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Other intangibles consist primarily of acquired trade names of $4.6 million and customer relationships of $9.0 million. These intangible assets have been assigned 20-year useful lives based on the long operating history, broad market recognition and continued demand for the associated brands, and the limited turnover and long-standing relationships Wolverine Joining has with its existing customer base. The valuation of acquired trade names was performed utilizing a relief from royalty method, and significant assumptions used in the valuation included the royalty rate assumed and the expected level of future sales. The acquired customer relationships were valued using an excess earnings approach, and significant assumptions used in the valuation included the customer attrition rate assumed and the expected level of future sales.
	The amount of net sales and operating (loss) income of the acquired business, net of sales volume transferred to or from the acquired business unit as part of the Company's integration activities, included in the consolidated income statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $49.4 million and $(0.3) million, and $30.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, including $4.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of intercompany sales which were eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations of the acquired business are reported within the Company's Joining Materials segment. Pro forma net sales and net income of the combined entity had the acquisition date been January 1, 2012 are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30,
	(in thousands, except per share)		2014		2013
	Net sales		$	546,040	$	528,065
	Net income		$	22,566	$	30,961
	Net income per share		$	1.76	$	2.33
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		12,858		13,298
	This pro forma data is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results of future operations or of the results that would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2012. The information for fiscal 2014 is unchanged from the results reported in the consolidated income statement. The information for fiscal 2013 is based on historical financial information with respect to the acquisition and does not include operational or other changes which might have been effected by the Company. The 2013 supplemental pro forma earnings reflect adjustments to exclude $0.6 million of acquisition-related costs incurred in 2013 and $0.5 million of nonrecurring expense related to the fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventories.
	PAM Fastening Technology, Inc.
	On November 7, 2013, the Company, through its indirect subsidiary, OMG, Inc., acquired 100% of the stock of PAM Fastening Technology, Inc. ("PAM") for a cash purchase price of $9.2 million, net of cash acquired. PAM is a distributor of screw guns, collated screws and hot melt systems to the manufacturing and building industries in North America. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed included net working capital of trade receivables, inventories and trade payables; property, plant and equipment; and intangible assets, primarily trade names and customer relationships, valued at $2.5 million, $0.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively. This acquisition provides the Company with an add on product category to its existing fastening system product line. The amount of net sales and operating loss of the acquired business included in the consolidated income statement for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately $2.8 million and $(0.1) million, respectively. The amount of net sales and operating income of the acquired business included in the consolidated income statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately $9.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The results of operations of the acquired business are reported within the Company's Building Materials segment. In connection with the PAM acquisition, the Company has recorded goodwill totaling approximately $3.5 million, which is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, as well as deferred income tax liabilities associated with the acquired intangible assets of approximately $2.0 million.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	The following businesses are classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
	Continental Industries
	In January 2013, the Company divested substantially all of the assets and existing operations of its Continental Industries, Inc. ("Continental") business unit for a cash sales price totaling approximately $37.4 million, less transaction fees, reflecting a working capital adjustment of approximately $0.1 million paid in the third quarter of 2013. Proceeds of $3.7 million were held in escrow as of December 31, 2013 pending resolution of certain indemnification provisions contained in the sales agreement and were included in other receivables on the consolidated balance sheet. This escrow balance was released and received by the Company in July 2014. Continental manufactured plastic and steel fittings and connectors for natural gas, propane and water distribution service lines, along with exothermic welding products for electrical grounding, cathodic protection and lightning protection. It was part of the Company's Building Materials segment.
	Canfield Metal Coating Corporation
	In June 2013, the Company divested substantially all of the assets and existing operations of its Canfield Metal Coating Corporation ("CMCC") business unit for a cash sales price totaling approximately $9.5 million, less transaction fees, reflecting a final working capital adjustment of approximately $0.5 million. CMCC manufactured electro-galvanized and painted cold rolled sheet steel products primarily for the construction, entry door, container and appliance industries. It was part of the Company's Building Materials segment.
	Indiana Tube Mexico
	In July 2013, the Company divested substantially all of the equipment owned or utilized by Indiana Tube de México, S. De R.L. de C.V. ("ITM") for the manufacture of refrigeration condensers for a cash sales price totaling $3.7 million, less transaction fees. ITM's operations were part of the Company's Tubing segment.
	In connection with the shut-down of ITM's operations, the Company initiated a series of restructuring activities, which included the termination of all of ITM's employees and certain building lease termination costs. The total cost of these restructuring activities was $0.9 million, which was accrued as of June 30, 2013. Payment for the majority of these costs occurred during the third quarter of 2013, and the remaining restructuring payments were completed by the end of 2013.
	Indiana Tube Denmark
	In 2008, the Company decided to exit the welded specialty tubing market in Europe and close its Indiana Tube Danmark A/S subsidiary ("ITD"). During 2009, ITD ceased operations and sold or disposed of its inventory and most of its equipment. The Company completed the final liquidation of ITD in July 2013 and recognized $2.6 million in foreign currency translation gains in earnings during the third quarter of 2013, which were previously reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet.
	The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations have been segregated on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Assets of Discontinued Operations:
	Prepaid and other current assets	$	641	$	587
	Other non-current assets	—		64
	Total	$	641	$	651
	Liabilities of Discontinued Operations	$	20	$	151
	The net income from discontinued operations includes the following:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013
	Net sales	$	—	$	283		$	—	$	20,094
	Operating loss	—		(384		)	—		(1,287		)
	Interest and other expense	—		—			—		46
	Income tax benefit	—		(140		)	—		(498		)
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		(244		)	—		(835		)
	Gain on disposal of assets	—		3,492			71		27,573
	Income tax expense	—		344			29		12,630
	Gain on disposal of assets, net of tax	—		3,148			42		14,943
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	2,904		$	42	$	14,108

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories, net at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were comprised of:
		September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Finished products	$	22,942		$	21,887
	In-process	13,334			9,840
	Raw materials	16,950			15,246
	Fine and fabricated precious metals in various stages of completion	23,329			19,802
		76,555			66,775
	LIFO reserve	(155		)	(1,025		)
	Total	$	76,400		$	65,750
	In order to produce certain of its products, H&H purchases, maintains and utilizes precious metal inventory. H&H records certain of its precious metal inventory at the lower of last-in, first-out ("LIFO") cost or market, with any adjustments recorded through cost of goods sold. Remaining precious metal inventory is accounted for primarily at fair value.
	Certain customers and suppliers of H&H choose to do business on a "pool" basis and furnish precious metal to H&H for return in fabricated form or for purchase from or return to the supplier. When the customer metal is returned in fabricated form, the customer is charged a fabrication charge. The value of this customer metal is not included on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. To the extent H&H is able to utilize customer precious metal in its production processes, such customer metal replaces the need for H&H to purchase its own inventory. As of September 30, 2014, H&H's customer metal consisted of 172,209 ounces of silver, 532 ounces of gold and 1,391 ounces of palladium.
	Supplemental inventory information:	September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands, except per ounce)	2014			2013
	Precious metals stated at LIFO cost	$	9,078		$	5,090
	Precious metals stated under non-LIFO cost methods, primarily at fair value	$	14,096		$	13,687
	Market value per ounce:
	Silver	$	17.52		$	19.49
	Gold	$	1,213.75		$	1,201.50
	Palladium	$	802		$	711

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Segment		Balance at January 1, 2014				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Additions			Adjustments				Balance at		Accumulated
																	30-Sep-14		Impairment Losses
	Joining Materials		$	16,275			$	(24	)	$	—		$	—			$	16,251	$	—
	Tubing		1,895				—			—			—				1,895		—
	Building Materials		50,044				—			—			76				50,120		—
	Arlon		9,298				—			—			—				9,298		(1,140		)
	Total		$	77,512			$	(24	)	$	—		$	76			$	77,564	$	(1,140	)
	Other intangible assets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2014									December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Net			Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	Customer relationships	$	52,477		$	(18,817	)	$	33,660		$	52,565	$	(16,259	)	$	36,306
	Trademarks, trade names and brand names	10,249			(2,562		)	7,687			10,231		(2,116		)	8,115
	Patents and patent applications	5,300			(2,150		)	3,150			5,103		(1,870		)	3,233
	Non-compete agreements	709			(664		)	45			906		(839		)	67
	Other	1,758			(1,367		)	391			1,808		(1,193		)	615
	Total	$	70,493		$	(25,560	)	$	44,933		$	70,613	$	(22,277	)	$	48,336
	Amortization expense totaled $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $3.5 million and $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in amortization expense during 2014 was principally due to the Company's acquisitions of Wolverine Joining and PAM discussed in Note 3 - "Acquisitions."

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The Company holds an investment in the common stock of a public company, ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. ("ModusLink"), which is classified as an investment in associated company on the consolidated balance sheet. The value of this investment decreased from $34.0 million at December 31, 2013 to $21.3 million at September 30, 2014 due entirely to changes in the share price of ModusLink's common stock.
	As of March 11, 2013, Steel Partners Holdings L.P. ("SPLP") and its associated companies, which include the Company, owned a combined total of 6,481,185 ModusLink common shares, which represented 14.7% of ModusLink's outstanding shares. SPLP is a majority shareholder of HNH, owning directly or indirectly through its subsidiaries in excess of 50% of HNH's common shares. The power to vote and dispose of the securities held by SPLP is controlled by Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. ("SPH GP"). On February 11, 2013, SPLP entered into an agreement ("Investment Agreement") whereby, under certain conditions, it agreed to purchase 7,500,000 shares of ModusLink common stock at a price of $4.00 per share and receive warrants to purchase 2,000,000 additional shares of ModusLink common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share. In connection with the Investment Agreement, HNH agreed that for a period of two years following the date of the Investment Agreement, HNH and its affiliates, which include SPLP, ownership may not exceed 30% of ModusLink’s outstanding common stock in the aggregate, except for any acquisitions of common stock in connection with the exercise of the aforementioned 2,000,000 warrants.
	At its annual meeting held on March 12, 2013, ModusLink's stockholders voted to approve the Investment Agreement with SPLP and also to elect Warren G. Lichtenstein and Glen M. Kassan to the ModusLink Board of Directors, both of whom are directors of HNH, and Mr. Lichtenstein is Executive Chairman of SPH GP. Mr. Lichtenstein was also designated Chairman of the Board of ModusLink. Also on March 12, 2013, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement, SPLP purchased the 7,500,000 shares of ModusLink's common stock. As of September 30, 2014, SPLP and HNH own approximately 15.4% and 11.4% of ModusLink's common stock, respectively, for an aggregate ownership of 26.8%. The outstanding warrants to purchase 2,000,000 additional shares of ModusLink common stock held by SPLP will expire on the date that is five years following the closing of the Investment Agreement.
	As a result of the board representation described above, together with SPLP's direct ownership of an additional 15.4% of ModusLink common stock, HNH has concluded that it has significant influence over the operating and financial policies of ModusLink. The Company's investment in ModusLink became subject to the equity method of accounting as of March 12, 2013. HNH has elected the option to value its investment in ModusLink using fair value effective March 12, 2013 in order to more appropriately reflect the value of this investment in its consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company now carries its ModusLink investment on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses on the investment reported in net income or loss.
	HNH had historically accounted for its investment in ModusLink as an available-for-sale security in non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The unrealized gain or loss associated with this security was included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet and also in the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity, net of tax. The change in the unrealized gain or loss was included in other comprehensive income or loss. On March 12, 2013, the accumulated unrealized loss of $2.4 million, net of tax, related to our ModusLink investment that was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss was reclassified to earnings. Prior to March 12, 2013, there had been no sales or realized gains or losses from this marketable security, and no impairments, whether other-than-temporary or not, recognized in the consolidated income statement.
	ModusLink's fiscal year ends on July 31. Summarized unaudited information as to assets, liabilities and results of operations of ModusLink for the quarter ended July 31, 2014, its most recently completed fiscal quarter, and the comparable prior periods are as follows:
		July 31,			July 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Current assets	$	405,768		$	291,086
	Non-current assets	$	45,878		$	52,610
	Current liabilities	$	198,594		$	176,431
	Non-current liabilities	$	81,434		$	10,360
	Stockholders' equity	$	171,618		$	156,905
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		July 31,						July 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net revenue	$	164,700		$	181,001		$	531,985		$	557,453
	Gross profit	$	14,451		$	20,093		$	52,730		$	55,746
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(8,485	)	$	(8,835	)	$	(16,900	)	$	(29,499	)
	Net loss	$	(8,485	)	$	(8,841	)	$	(16,899	)	$	(29,697	)

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Short-term debt
	Foreign	$	629	$	304
	Long-term debt
	Senior term loans	—		116,000
	Revolving facilities	211,000		30,950
	Other H&H debt - domestic	8,102		8,279
	Foreign loan facilities	1,522		1,658
	Sub total	220,624		156,887
	Less portion due within one year	352		12,818
	Total long-term debt	220,272		144,069
	Total debt	$	221,253	$	157,191
	Senior Credit Facilities
	On August 29, 2014, H&H Group entered into an amended and restated senior credit agreement ("Senior Credit Facility"), which provides for an up to $365.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, including a $20.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $20.0 million sublimit for the issuance of swing loans. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest, at H&H Group's option, at either LIBOR or the Base Rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin as set forth in the loan agreement (2.50% and 1.50%, respectively, for LIBOR and Base Rate borrowings at September 30, 2014), and the revolving facility provides for a commitment fee to be paid on unused borrowings. The weighted-average interest rate on the revolving facility was 2.70% at September 30, 2014.
	The Senior Credit Facility will expire, with all amounts outstanding due and payable, on August 29, 2019. The Senior Credit Facility is guaranteed by substantially all existing and thereafter acquired or created domestic and Canadian wholly-owned subsidiaries of H&H Group. The Senior Credit Facility restricts H&H Group's ability to transfer cash or other assets to HNH, subject to certain exceptions, including required pension payments to the WHX Corporation Pension Plan ("WHX Pension Plan"). The Senior Credit Facility is subject to certain mandatory prepayment provisions and restrictive and financial covenants, which include a maximum ratio limit on Total Leverage and a minimum ratio limit on Fixed Charge Coverage, as defined, as well as a minimum liquidity level. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants at September 30, 2014.
	The Company's prior senior credit facility, as amended, consisted of a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $110.0 million and a senior term loan. On August 5, 2014, this agreement was further amended to, among other things, permit a new $40.0 million term loan and permit H&H Group to make a distribution to HNH of up to $80.0 million. The revolving facility provided for a commitment fee to be paid on unused borrowings. Borrowings under the senior credit facility bore interest, at H&H Group's option, at a rate based on LIBOR or the Base Rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin as set forth in the loan agreement. On August 29, 2014, all amounts outstanding under this agreement were repaid.
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	H&H Group entered into an interest rate swap agreement in February 2013 to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Under the interest rate swap, the Company receives one-month LIBOR in exchange for a fixed interest rate of 0.569% over the life of the agreement on an initial $56.4 million notional amount of debt, with the notional amount decreasing by $1.1 million, $1.8 million and $2.2 million per quarter in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The agreement expires in February 2016. H&H Group entered into a second interest rate swap agreement in June 2013, also to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Under the interest rate swap, the Company receives one-month LIBOR in exchange for a fixed interest rate of 0.598% over the life of the agreement on an initial $5.0 million notional amount of debt, with the notional amount decreasing by $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million per quarter in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The agreement expires in February 2016.
	WHX CS Loan
	On June 3, 2014, WHX CS Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a credit agreement ("WHX CS Loan"), which provided for a term loan facility with borrowing availability of up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million. The amounts outstanding under the WHX CS Loan bore interest at LIBOR plus 1.25%. On August 29, 2014, the WHX CS Loan was terminated and all outstanding amounts thereunder were repaid.
	Subordinated Notes
	On March 26, 2013, H&H Group instructed Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), as trustee and collateral agent, to deliver an irrevocable notice of H&H Group's election to redeem all of its outstanding 10% subordinated secured notes due 2017 ("Subordinated Notes") to the holders of the Subordinated Notes. Pursuant to the terms of that certain amended and restated indenture, dated as of December 13, 2010, as amended ("Indenture"), by and among H&H Group, the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo, as trustee and collateral agent, H&H Group also instructed Wells Fargo to redeem, on April 25, 2013, approximately $31.8 million principal amount of Subordinated Notes, representing all of the remaining outstanding Subordinated Notes, at a redemption price equal to 112.6% of the principal amount and accrued but unpaid payment-in-kind-interest thereof, plus accrued and unpaid cash interest. The Subordinated Notes were part of a unit ("Unit"), and each Unit consisted of (i) Subordinated Notes and (ii) warrants to purchase shares of common stock of the Company ("Warrants"). The Subordinated Notes and Warrants which comprised the Unit were not detachable until October 14, 2013. Accordingly, all Units were also redeemed. On March 26, 2013, H&H Group irrevocably deposited with Wells Fargo funds totaling $36.9 million for such redemption and interest payment in order to satisfy and discharge its obligations under the Indenture from both a legal and accounting perspective. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 included a $5.7 million loss associated with the redemption of the Subordinated Notes, including the redemption premium and the write-off of remaining deferred finance costs and unamortized debt discounts.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative Instruments
	Precious Metal and Commodity Inventories
	H&H's precious metal and commodity inventories are subject to market price fluctuations. H&H enters into commodity futures and forward contracts to mitigate the impact of price fluctuations on its precious and certain non-precious metal inventories that are not subject to fixed price contracts. The Company's hedging strategy is designed to protect it against normal volatility; therefore, abnormal price changes in these commodities or markets could negatively impact H&H's earnings. H&H does not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had the following outstanding futures contracts with settlement dates in December 2014. There were no forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2014.
						Notional Value
	Commodity	Amount				($ in millions)
	Silver	860,000		ounces		$	15.1
	Gold	1,200		ounces		$	1.5
	Copper	300,000		pounds		$	0.9
	Tin	50		metric tons		$	1
	H&H accounts for these contracts as either fair value hedges or economic hedges under the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815, Derivatives and Hedging.
	Fair Value Hedges. Of the total futures contracts outstanding, 610,000 ounces of silver and substantially all of the copper contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges under ASC 815. The fair values of these derivatives are recognized as derivative assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The net change in fair value of the derivative assets and liabilities, and the change in the fair value of the underlying hedged inventories, are recognized in the consolidated income statement, and such amounts principally offset each other due to the effectiveness of the hedges. Fair value hedges are associated primarily with the Company's precious metal inventory carried at fair value.
	Economic Hedges. The remaining outstanding futures contracts for silver, and all of the contracts for gold and tin, are accounted for as economic hedges. As these derivatives are not designated as accounting hedges under ASC 815, they are accounted for as derivatives with no hedge designation. The derivatives are marked to market, and both realized and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in current period earnings in the consolidated income statement. Economic hedges are associated primarily with the Company's precious metal inventory valued using the LIFO method.
	The futures contracts are exchange traded contracts acquired through a third party broker. Accordingly, the Company has determined that there is minimal credit risk of default. The Company estimates the fair value of its derivative contracts through the use of market quotes or with the assistance of brokers when market information is not available. The Company maintains collateral on account with the third-party broker. Such collateral consists of both cash that varies in amount depending on the value of open futures contracts, as well as ounces of precious metal held on account by the broker.
	Debt Agreements
	H&H Group has entered into two interest rate swap agreements to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. See Note 8 - "Debt" for further discussion of the terms of these arrangements. These derivatives are not designated as accounting hedges under U.S. GAAP; they are accounted for as derivatives with no hedge designation. The Company records the gains or losses both from the mark-to-market adjustments and net settlements in interest expense in the consolidated income statement as the hedges are intended to offset interest rate movements.
	The Company's Subordinated Notes had call premiums as well as Warrants associated with them. The Company treated the fair value of these features together as both a discount on the debt and a derivative liability at inception of the loan agreement. The discount was being amortized over the life of the notes as an adjustment to interest expense, and the derivative was marked to market at each balance sheet date. As discussed in Note 8 - "Debt," on March 26, 2013, the Company discharged its obligations associated with the Subordinated Notes and Warrants, and therefore, all discounts and derivative accounts related to the Subordinated Notes and Warrants are now zero.
	Effect of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Income Statements - Income/(Expense)
	(in thousands)		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
			September 30,							September 30,
	Derivative	Income Statement Line	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	2,337			$	(1,543	)	$	1,428		$	1,083
		Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	2,337			$	(1,543	)	$	1,428		$	1,083
	Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	52			$	—		$	25		$	—
	Commodity contracts	Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,320				(351		)	854			1,495
	Interest rate swap agreements	Interest expense	9				(161		)	(116		)	(265		)
	Derivative features of Subordinated Notes	Realized and unrealized loss on derivatives	—				—			—			(793		)
		Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	1,381			$	(512	)	$	763		$	437
		Total derivatives	$	3,718			$	(2,055	)	$	2,191		$	1,520
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets - Asset/(Liability)
	(in thousands)		September 30,				December 31,
	Derivative	Balance Sheet Location	2014				2013
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	$	1,227			$	1,778
		Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	1,227			$	1,778
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid and other current assets/Accrued liabilities	$	614			$	(158	)
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other liabilities	(155		)		(214		)
		Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	459			$	(372	)
		Total derivatives	$	1,686			$	1,406

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits	'
	Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
	The following table presents the components of net periodic pension expense for the Company's pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	4,929		$	4,649		$	15,504		$	13,946
	Expected return on plan assets	(6,034		)	(5,994		)	(18,167		)	(17,979		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			8			—			24
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,725			2,670			5,555			8,010
	Total	$	620		$	1,333		$	2,892		$	4,001
	The actuarial loss occurred principally because the historical investment returns on the assets of the WHX Pension Plan have been lower than the actuarial assumptions. The actuarial losses are being amortized over the average future lifetime of the participants, which is expected to be approximately 20 years. The Company believes that use of the future lifetime of the participants is appropriate because the WHX Pension Plan is completely inactive.
	The Company expects to have required minimum contributions to the WHX Pension Plan of $2.9 million for the remainder of 2014, $15.6 million, $10.4 million, $9.4 million, $9.8 million and $47.5 million in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and for the five years thereafter, respectively. Required future contributions are estimated based upon assumptions regarding such matters as discount rates on future obligations, assumed rates of return on plan assets and legislative changes. Actual future pension costs and required funding obligations will be affected by changes in the factors and assumptions described in the previous sentence, as well as other changes such as any plan termination.
	In addition to its pension plans, which are included in the table above, the Company also maintains several other post-retirement benefit plans covering certain of its employees and retirees. The approximate aggregate expense for these plans was $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1.5 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	Common Stock Repurchase Program
	On March 24, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $10.0 million of the Company's common stock. On June 6, 2014, the Board of Directors further approved the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $3.0 million of the Company's common stock, which is in addition to the previously approved repurchase of up to an aggregate of $10.0 million of common stock. Any such repurchases will be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices or in negotiated transactions off the market, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The repurchase program is expected to continue through the end of 2014 unless extended or shortened by the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has repurchased 242,383 shares for a total purchase price of approximately $5.8 million under the 2014 repurchase program.
	Tender Offer
	On August 7, 2014, the Company commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash up to $60.0 million in value of shares of its common stock. The tender offer expired on September 5, 2014, and a total of 2,099,843 shares were properly tendered and repurchased by the Company at a price of $26.00 per share, for a total cost of approximately $54.7 million, including related fees and expenses.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Changes, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss and its components follow:
	(in thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Changes in Net Pension and Other Benefit Obligations			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(29	)	$	(181,902	)	$	(181,931	)
	Current period loss	(1,099		)	—			(1,099		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(1,128	)	$	(181,902	)	$	(183,030	)

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors approved the grant of an aggregate of 219,483 shares of restricted stock under the 2007 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended ("2007 Plan"), to certain employees, members of the Board of Directors and service providers. Restricted stock grants made to employees are in lieu of a long-term incentive plan component in the Company's bonus plan for those individuals who receive shares of restricted stock.
	Compensation expense is measured based on the fair value of the stock-based awards on the grant date, as measured by the NASDAQ closing price for the Company's common stock. Compensation expense is recognized in the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. The restricted stock grants made to employees and service providers in 2014 vest in approximately equal annual installments over a three year period from the grant date. The restricted stock grants to the Company's non-employee directors vest one year from the grant date.
	The Company allows certain grantees to forego the issuance of shares to meet applicable income tax withholding due as a result of the vesting of restricted stock. Such shares are returned to the unissued shares of the Company's common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 52,622 shares were foregone by employees and service providers in connection with income tax withholding obligations.
	Restricted stock activity under the Company's 2007 Plan was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Employees
		and Service
	(shares)	Providers		Directors	Total
	Balance, January 1, 2014	645,411		620,000	1,265,411
	Granted	54,483		165,000	219,483
	Forfeited	(28,750	)	—	(28,750	)
	Reduced for income tax obligations	(52,622	)	—	(52,622	)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	618,522		785,000	1,403,522
	Vested	400,384		620,000	1,020,384
	Non-vested	218,138		165,000	383,138
	The Company has recognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $3.8 million and $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Unearned compensation expense related to restricted shares at September 30, 2014 is $3.9 million, which is net of an estimated 5% forfeiture rate for employees and service providers. This amount will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of the restricted shares.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, tax provisions from continuing operations of $8.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively, were recorded. The effective tax rates in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were 37.8% and 40.4%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, tax provisions from continuing operations of $19.9 million and $13.6 million, respectively, were recorded. The effective tax rates in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were 39.7% and 40.0%, respectively. The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items that occurred within the respective periods. Changes in the effective tax rate arise principally from differences in the mix of income between taxable jurisdictions, including the impact of foreign sourced income, as well as changes in estimates associated with our projected annual state tax expense.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	The computation of basic earnings per share of common stock is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company's common stock outstanding, as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(in thousands, except per share)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$	11,860	$	6,739	$	22,524	$	15,422
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	12,469		13,290		12,858		13,298
	Income from continuing operations, net of tax, per share	$	0.95	$	0.51	$	1.75	$	1.16
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	2,904	$	42	$	14,108
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	12,469		13,290		12,858		13,298
	Discontinued operations, net of tax, per share	$	—	$	0.22	$	0.01	$	1.06
	Net income	$	11,860	$	9,643	$	22,566	$	29,530
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	12,469		13,290		12,858		13,298
	Net income per share	$	0.95	$	0.73	$	1.76	$	2.22
	Diluted earnings per share gives effect to dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The Company had potentially dilutive common share equivalents, in the form of outstanding stock options, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, although none were dilutive because the exercise price of these equivalents exceeded the market value of the Company's common stock during those periods. As of September 30, 2014, stock options for an aggregate of 38,600 shares are excluded from the calculations above.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The valuation under this approach does not entail a significant degree of judgment ("Level 1").
	Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g. interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals or current market) and contractual prices for the underlying financial instrument, as well as other relevant economic measures ("Level 2").
	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date ("Level 3").
	The fair value of the Company's financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, and trade payables, approximate carrying value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. Carrying cost approximates fair value for the Company's long-term debt which has variable interest rates.
	The fair value of the Company's investment in associated company is a Level 1 measurement because the underlying security is listed on a national securities exchange.
	The precious metal and commodity inventories associated with the Company's fair value hedges (see Note 9 - "Derivative Instruments") are reported at fair value. Fair values of these inventories are based on quoted market prices on commodity exchanges and are considered Level 1 measurements. The derivative instruments that the Company purchases in connection with its precious metal and commodity inventories, specifically commodity futures and forward contracts, are also valued at fair value. The futures contracts are Level 1 measurements since they are traded on a commodity exchange. The forward contracts are entered into with a counterparty and are considered Level 2 measurements.
	The Company's interest rate swap agreements are considered Level 2 measurements as the inputs are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
	The following table summarizes the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Asset (Liability) as of September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Investment in associated company	$	21,329		$	21,329	$	—		$	—
	Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	$	15,421		$	15,421	$	—		$	—
	Commodity contracts on precious metal and commodity inventories	$	1,841		$	1,841	$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(155	)	$	—	$	(155	)	$	—
		Asset (Liability) as of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Investment in associated company	$	33,983		$	33,983	$	—		$	—
	Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	$	14,766		$	14,766	$	—		$	—
	Commodity contracts on precious metal and commodity inventories	$	1,620		$	1,620	$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(214	)	$	—	$	(214	)	$	—
	The Company's non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill and other intangible assets, any assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, or its long-lived assets written down to fair value. To measure fair value for such assets and liabilities, the Company uses techniques including an income approach, a market approach and/or appraisals (Level 3 inputs). Long-lived assets consisting of land and buildings used in previously operating businesses and currently unused, which total $9.3 million as of September 30, 2014, are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, and are included primarily in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. A reduction in the carrying value of such long-lived assets is recorded as an asset impairment charge in the consolidated income statement.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Environmental Matters
	Certain H&H Group subsidiaries have existing and contingent liabilities relating to environmental matters, including capital expenditures, costs of remediation, and potential fines and penalties relating to possible violations of national and state environmental laws. Those subsidiaries have substantial remediation expenses on an ongoing basis, although such costs are continually being readjusted based upon the emergence of new techniques and alternative methods. The Company had approximately $1.8 million accrued related to estimated environmental remediation costs as of September 30, 2014. The Company also has insurance coverage available for several of these matters and believes that excess insurance coverage may be available as well. During the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded insurance reimbursements totaling $2.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for previously incurred remediation costs.
	In addition, certain H&H Group subsidiaries have been identified as potentially responsible parties ("PRPs") under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") or similar state statutes at sites and are parties to administrative consent orders in connection with certain properties. Those subsidiaries may be subject to joint and several liabilities imposed by CERCLA on PRPs. Due to the technical and regulatory complexity of remedial activities and the difficulties attendant in identifying PRPs and allocating or determining liability among them, the subsidiaries are unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate cost of compliance with such laws.
	Based upon information currently available, however, the H&H Group subsidiaries do not expect that their respective environmental costs, including the incurrence of additional fines and penalties, if any, will have a material adverse effect on them or that the resolution of these environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of such subsidiaries or the Company, but there can be no such assurances. The Company anticipates that the H&H Group subsidiaries will pay any such amounts out of their respective working capital, although there is no assurance that they will have sufficient funds to pay them. In the event that the H&H Group subsidiaries are unable to fund their liabilities, claims could be made against their respective parent companies, including H&H Group and/or HNH, for payment of such liabilities.
	Among the sites where certain H&H Group subsidiaries may have more substantial environmental liabilities are the following:
	H&H has been working with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ("CTDEEP") with respect to its obligations under a 1989 consent order that applies to a property in Connecticut that H&H sold in 2003 ("Sold Parcel") and an adjacent parcel ("Adjacent Parcel") that together with the Sold Parcel comprises the site of a former H&H manufacturing facility. Remediation of all soil conditions on the Sold Parcel was completed on April 6, 2007. On September 11, 2008, the CTDEEP advised H&H that it had approved H&H's December 28, 2007 Soil Remediation Action Report, as amended, thereby concluding the active remediation of the Sold Parcel. The remaining remediation, monitoring and regulatory administrative costs for the Sold Parcel are expected to approximate $0.1 million. With respect to the Adjacent Parcel, an ecological risk assessment has been completed and the results, along with proposed clean up goals, will be submitted to the CTDEEP for their review and approval. The total remediation costs for the Adjacent Parcel cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the resolution of this matter will not be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of H&H or the Company.
	In 1986, Handy & Harman Electronic Materials Corporation ("HHEM"), a subsidiary of H&H, entered into an administrative consent order ("ACO") with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") with regard to certain property that it purchased in 1984 in New Jersey. The ACO involves investigation and remediation activities to be performed with regard to soil and groundwater contamination. Thereafter, in 1998, HHEM and H&H settled a case brought by the local municipality in regard to this site and also settled with certain of its insurance carriers. HHEM is actively remediating the property and continuing to investigate effective methods for achieving compliance with the ACO. A remedial investigation report was filed with the NJDEP in December 2007. By letter dated December 12, 2008, the NJDEP issued its approval with respect to additional investigation and remediation activities discussed in the December 2007 remedial investigation report. HHEM anticipates entering into discussions with the NJDEP to address that agency's potential natural resource damage claims, the ultimate scope and cost of which cannot be estimated at this time. Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the former owner/operator of the site, the responsibility for site investigation and remediation costs, as well as any other costs, as defined in the settlement agreement, related to or arising from environmental contamination on the property (collectively, "Costs") are contractually allocated 75% to the former owner/operator (with separate guaranties by the two joint venture partners of the former owner/operator for 37.5% each) and 25% jointly to HHEM and H&H after the first $1.0 million. The $1.0 million was paid solely by the former owner/operator. As of September 30, 2014, over and above the $1.0 million, total investigation and remediation costs of approximately $4.4 million and $1.4 million have been expended by the former owner/operator and HHEM, respectively, in accordance with the settlement agreement. Additionally, HHEM is currently being reimbursed indirectly through insurance coverage for a portion of the Costs for which HHEM is responsible. HHEM believes that there is additional excess insurance coverage, which it intends to pursue as necessary. HHEM anticipates that there will be additional remediation expenses to be incurred once a final remediation plan is agreed upon. There is no assurance that the former owner/operator or guarantors will continue to timely reimburse HHEM for expenditures and/or will be financially capable of fulfilling their obligations under the settlement agreement and the guaranties. The final Costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, and accordingly, there can be no assurance that the resolution of this matter will not be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of HHEM or the Company.
	HHEM is continuing to comply with a 1987 consent order from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ("MADEP") to investigate and remediate the soil and groundwater conditions at a commercial/industrial property in Massachusetts. On June 30, 2010, HHEM filed a Response Action Outcome report to close the site since HHEM's licensed site professional concluded that groundwater monitoring demonstrated that the groundwater conditions have stabilized or continue to improve at the site. On June 20, 2013, HHEM received the MADEP's Notice of Audit Findings and Notice of Noncompliance ("Notice"). HHEM and its consultant held meetings with the MADEP to resolve differences identified in the Notice. As a result of those meetings and subsequent discussions, HHEM will conduct additional sampling, testing, site investigations and install additional off-site wells. The additional work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2014, with the follow-up response report submitted to the MADEP in the first quarter of 2015. The cost of this additional work is estimated at $0.3 million. Additional costs could result from these testing activities and final acceptance of the remediation plan by the MADEP, which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
	Other Litigation
	In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations, claims and proceedings, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes, employment, environmental, health and safety matters, as well as claims associated with our historical acquisitions and divestitures. There is insurance coverage available for many of the foregoing actions. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations, claims and proceedings asserted against us, we do not believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations or liquidity.

Related_Party_Transactions_Not

Related Party Transactions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	As of September 30, 2014, SPLP owned directly or indirectly through its subsidiaries 7,131,185 shares of the Company's common stock, representing approximately 66.1% of outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2013, SPLP owned directly or indirectly through its subsidiaries 7,228,735 shares of the Company's common stock, representing approximately 55.7% of outstanding shares. The power to vote and dispose of the securities held by SPLP is controlled by SPH GP. Warren G. Lichtenstein, our Chairman of the Board of Directors, is also the Executive Chairman of SPH GP. Certain other affiliates of SPH GP hold positions with the Company, including Glen M. Kassan, as former Chief Executive Officer and present Vice Chairman, Jack Howard, as Vice Chairman and Principal Executive Officer, James F. McCabe, Jr., as Chief Financial Officer and Leonard J. McGill, as Chief Legal Officer. The increase in SPLP's ownership during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was principally due to the reduction in the number of outstanding shares of the Company's common stock as a result of the 2014 common stock repurchase program and the completion of the tender offer discussed in Note 11 - "Stockholders' Equity." In addition, DGT Holdings Corp., which is 82.7% owned by SPLP, tendered into the offer its 97,550 shares of the Company's common stock.
	The Company was indebted to SPLP under H&H Group's Subordinated Notes until March 26, 2013, when H&H Group delivered an irrevocable notice of its election to redeem all of its outstanding Subordinated Notes to the holders and irrevocably deposited funds for such redemption and interest payments in order to satisfy and discharge its obligations under the Indenture as more fully described in Note 8 - "Debt." SPLP received proceeds of $25.0 million in connection with the redemption of $21.6 million face amount of Subordinated Notes held by SPLP.
	The Company has entered into a Management Services Agreement, as amended ("Management Services Agreement"), with SP Corporate Services LLC ("SP Corporate"). SP Corporate is an affiliate of SPLP. Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, SP Corporate provides the Company with certain executive and corporate services, including, without limitation, legal, tax, accounting, treasury, consulting, auditing, administrative, compliance, environmental health and safety, human resources, marketing, investor relations and other similar services rendered for the Company or its subsidiaries. The Management Services Agreement further provides that the Company pay SP Corporate a fixed annual fee of approximately $8.89 million, consisting of (a) $1.74 million in consideration of the executive services provided by SP Corporate under the Management Services Agreement and (b) $7.15 million in consideration of the corporate services provided by SP Corporate under the Management Services Agreement. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company also reimbursed SP Corporate and its affiliates approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for business expenses incurred on its behalf pursuant to the Management Services Agreement. Such reimbursements totaled approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The fees payable under the Management Services Agreement are subject to an annual review and such adjustments as may be agreed upon by SP Corporate and the Company. The Management Services Agreement has a term of one year and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless and until terminated in accordance with the terms set forth therein, which include, under certain circumstances, the payment by the Company of a termination fee to SP Corporate.
	In connection with the Investment Agreement discussed in Note 7 - "Investments," ModusLink agreed to reimburse SPLP's reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses associated with the agreement up to a maximum of $0.2 million, which was principally paid by and reimbursed to the Company during the first quarter of 2013.

Reportable_Segments

Reportable Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reportable Segments	'
	Reportable Segments
	HNH is a diversified holding company whose strategic business units encompass the following segments: Joining Materials, Tubing, Building Materials, Arlon Electronic Materials and Kasco Blades and Route Repair Services. For a more complete description of the Company's segments, see "Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - The Company."
	Management has determined that certain operating companies should be aggregated and presented within a single segment on the basis that such segments have similar economic characteristics and share other qualitative characteristics. Management reviews net sales, gross profit and operating income to evaluate segment performance. Operating income for the segments generally includes costs directly attributable to the segment and excludes other unallocated general corporate expenses. Interest expense, other income and expense, and income taxes are not presented by segment since they are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by the Company's management.
	The following table presents information about the Company's reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Income Statement Data	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Joining Materials	$	54,621		$	51,059		$	162,796		$	152,491
	Tubing	19,768			23,248			61,834			68,628
	Building Materials	75,734			64,369			200,568			177,742
	Arlon	24,177			18,723			77,483			61,136
	Kasco	14,401			14,475			43,359			42,918
	Total net sales	$	188,701		$	171,874		$	546,040		$	502,915
	Segment operating income:
	Joining Materials	$	6,147		$	5,349		$	18,046		$	17,086
	Tubing	3,224			4,677			10,098			13,165
	Building Materials	10,998			9,647			25,924			23,586
	Arlon	3,552			1,718			13,622			7,676
	Kasco	1,082			1,119			2,468			3,249
	Total segment operating income	25,003			22,510			70,158			64,762
	Unallocated corporate expenses and non-operating units	(2,228		)	(4,939		)	(12,215		)	(15,368		)
	Unallocated pension expense	(620		)	(1,333		)	(2,892		)	(4,001		)
	Gain from asset dispositions	38			11			87			19
	Operating income	22,193			16,249			55,138			45,412
	Interest expense	(2,458		)	(1,880		)	(5,627		)	(11,967		)
	Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,320			(351		)	854			702
	Other expense	—			(14		)	(114		)	(279		)
	Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment	$	21,055		$	14,004		$	50,251		$	33,868

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on an organization's operations and financial results. In addition, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. The new guidance also requires disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The ASU is effective for the Company's 2015 fiscal year and is to be applied prospectively from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, and the guidance defines a five step process to achieve this core principle. The ASU is effective for the Company's 2017 fiscal year and may be applied either (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented with an election for certain specified practical expedients, or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application, with additional disclosure requirements. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance, but does not currently anticipate that the application of ASU No. 2014-09 will have a significant effect on its financial condition, results of operations or its cash flows. We have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in an entity's financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	'
	The following table summarizes the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):
	Trade and other receivables	$	9,491
	Inventories	17,864
	Prepaid and other current assets	81
	Property, plant and equipment	5,549
	Goodwill	14,767
	Other intangibles	13,657
	Total assets acquired	61,409
	Trade payables	(1,167		)
	Accrued liabilities	(495		)
	Net assets acquired	$	59,747
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	Pro forma net sales and net income of the combined entity had the acquisition date been January 1, 2012 are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30,
	(in thousands, except per share)		2014		2013
	Net sales		$	546,040	$	528,065
	Net income		$	22,566	$	30,961
	Net income per share		$	1.76	$	2.33
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		12,858		13,298

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations have been segregated on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Assets of Discontinued Operations:
	Prepaid and other current assets	$	641	$	587
	Other non-current assets	—		64
	Total	$	641	$	651
	Liabilities of Discontinued Operations	$	20	$	151
	The net income from discontinued operations includes the following:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013
	Net sales	$	—	$	283		$	—	$	20,094
	Operating loss	—		(384		)	—		(1,287		)
	Interest and other expense	—		—			—		46
	Income tax benefit	—		(140		)	—		(498		)
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		(244		)	—		(835		)
	Gain on disposal of assets	—		3,492			71		27,573
	Income tax expense	—		344			29		12,630
	Gain on disposal of assets, net of tax	—		3,148			42		14,943
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	2,904		$	42	$	14,108

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current	'
	Inventories, net at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were comprised of:
		September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Finished products	$	22,942		$	21,887
	In-process	13,334			9,840
	Raw materials	16,950			15,246
	Fine and fabricated precious metals in various stages of completion	23,329			19,802
		76,555			66,775
	LIFO reserve	(155		)	(1,025		)
	Total	$	76,400		$	65,750
Inventory Supplemental Disclosure	'
	As of September 30, 2014, H&H's customer metal consisted of 172,209 ounces of silver, 532 ounces of gold and 1,391 ounces of palladium.
	Supplemental inventory information:	September 30,			December 31,
	(in thousands, except per ounce)	2014			2013
	Precious metals stated at LIFO cost	$	9,078		$	5,090
	Precious metals stated under non-LIFO cost methods, primarily at fair value	$	14,096		$	13,687
	Market value per ounce:
	Silver	$	17.52		$	19.49
	Gold	$	1,213.75		$	1,201.50
	Palladium	$	802		$	711

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill	'
	The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Segment		Balance at January 1, 2014				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Additions			Adjustments				Balance at		Accumulated
																	30-Sep-14		Impairment Losses
	Joining Materials		$	16,275			$	(24	)	$	—		$	—			$	16,251	$	—
	Tubing		1,895				—			—			—				1,895		—
	Building Materials		50,044				—			—			76				50,120		—
	Arlon		9,298				—			—			—				9,298		(1,140		)
	Total		$	77,512			$	(24	)	$	—		$	76			$	77,564	$	(1,140	)
Summary of Other Intangible Assets	'
	Other intangible assets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2014									December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Net			Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	Customer relationships	$	52,477		$	(18,817	)	$	33,660		$	52,565	$	(16,259	)	$	36,306
	Trademarks, trade names and brand names	10,249			(2,562		)	7,687			10,231		(2,116		)	8,115
	Patents and patent applications	5,300			(2,150		)	3,150			5,103		(1,870		)	3,233
	Non-compete agreements	709			(664		)	45			906		(839		)	67
	Other	1,758			(1,367		)	391			1,808		(1,193		)	615
	Total	$	70,493		$	(25,560	)	$	44,933		$	70,613	$	(22,277	)	$	48,336

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments	'
	Summarized unaudited information as to assets, liabilities and results of operations of ModusLink for the quarter ended July 31, 2014, its most recently completed fiscal quarter, and the comparable prior periods are as follows:
		July 31,			July 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013
	Current assets	$	405,768		$	291,086
	Non-current assets	$	45,878		$	52,610
	Current liabilities	$	198,594		$	176,431
	Non-current liabilities	$	81,434		$	10,360
	Stockholders' equity	$	171,618		$	156,905
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		July 31,						July 31,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net revenue	$	164,700		$	181,001		$	531,985		$	557,453
	Gross profit	$	14,451		$	20,093		$	52,730		$	55,746
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(8,485	)	$	(8,835	)	$	(16,900	)	$	(29,499	)
	Net loss	$	(8,485	)	$	(8,841	)	$	(16,899	)	$	(29,697	)

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt	'
	Debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2013
	Short-term debt
	Foreign	$	629	$	304
	Long-term debt
	Senior term loans	—		116,000
	Revolving facilities	211,000		30,950
	Other H&H debt - domestic	8,102		8,279
	Foreign loan facilities	1,522		1,658
	Sub total	220,624		156,887
	Less portion due within one year	352		12,818
	Total long-term debt	220,272		144,069
	Total debt	$	221,253	$	157,191

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Outstanding Forward and Future Contracts	'
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had the following outstanding futures contracts with settlement dates in December 2014. There were no forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2014.
						Notional Value
	Commodity	Amount				($ in millions)
	Silver	860,000		ounces		$	15.1
	Gold	1,200		ounces		$	1.5
	Copper	300,000		pounds		$	0.9
	Tin	50		metric tons		$	1
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
	Effect of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Income Statements - Income/(Expense)
	(in thousands)		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
			September 30,							September 30,
	Derivative	Income Statement Line	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	2,337			$	(1,543	)	$	1,428		$	1,083
		Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	2,337			$	(1,543	)	$	1,428		$	1,083
	Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	52			$	—		$	25		$	—
	Commodity contracts	Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,320				(351		)	854			1,495
	Interest rate swap agreements	Interest expense	9				(161		)	(116		)	(265		)
	Derivative features of Subordinated Notes	Realized and unrealized loss on derivatives	—				—			—			(793		)
		Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	1,381			$	(512	)	$	763		$	437
		Total derivatives	$	3,718			$	(2,055	)	$	2,191		$	1,520
Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Fair Value	'
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets - Asset/(Liability)
	(in thousands)		September 30,				December 31,
	Derivative	Balance Sheet Location	2014				2013
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid and other current assets	$	1,227			$	1,778
		Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	1,227			$	1,778
	Commodity contracts	Prepaid and other current assets/Accrued liabilities	$	614			$	(158	)
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other liabilities	(155		)		(214		)
		Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	459			$	(372	)
		Total derivatives	$	1,686			$	1,406

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem1

Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The following table presents the components of net periodic pension expense for the Company's pension plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(in thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	4,929		$	4,649		$	15,504		$	13,946
	Expected return on plan assets	(6,034		)	(5,994		)	(18,167		)	(17,979		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			8			—			24
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,725			2,670			5,555			8,010
	Total	$	620		$	1,333		$	2,892		$	4,001

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Changes, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss and its components follow:
	(in thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Changes in Net Pension and Other Benefit Obligations			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(29	)	$	(181,902	)	$	(181,931	)
	Current period loss	(1,099		)	—			(1,099		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(1,128	)	$	(181,902	)	$	(183,030	)

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	Restricted stock activity under the Company's 2007 Plan was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Employees
		and Service
	(shares)	Providers		Directors	Total
	Balance, January 1, 2014	645,411		620,000	1,265,411
	Granted	54,483		165,000	219,483
	Forfeited	(28,750	)	—	(28,750	)
	Reduced for income tax obligations	(52,622	)	—	(52,622	)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	618,522		785,000	1,403,522
	Vested	400,384		620,000	1,020,384
	Non-vested	218,138		165,000	383,138

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method	'
	The computation of basic earnings per share of common stock is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company's common stock outstanding, as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(in thousands, except per share)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$	11,860	$	6,739	$	22,524	$	15,422
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	12,469		13,290		12,858		13,298
	Income from continuing operations, net of tax, per share	$	0.95	$	0.51	$	1.75	$	1.16
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	2,904	$	42	$	14,108
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	12,469		13,290		12,858		13,298
	Discontinued operations, net of tax, per share	$	—	$	0.22	$	0.01	$	1.06
	Net income	$	11,860	$	9,643	$	22,566	$	29,530
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	12,469		13,290		12,858		13,298
	Net income per share	$	0.95	$	0.73	$	1.76	$	2.22

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Asset (Liability) as of September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Investment in associated company	$	21,329		$	21,329	$	—		$	—
	Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	$	15,421		$	15,421	$	—		$	—
	Commodity contracts on precious metal and commodity inventories	$	1,841		$	1,841	$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(155	)	$	—	$	(155	)	$	—
		Asset (Liability) as of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Investment in associated company	$	33,983		$	33,983	$	—		$	—
	Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	$	14,766		$	14,766	$	—		$	—
	Commodity contracts on precious metal and commodity inventories	$	1,620		$	1,620	$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	(214	)	$	—	$	(214	)	$	—

Reportable_Segments_Tables

Reportable Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	The following table presents information about the Company's reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Income Statement Data	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	(in thousands)	September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Joining Materials	$	54,621		$	51,059		$	162,796		$	152,491
	Tubing	19,768			23,248			61,834			68,628
	Building Materials	75,734			64,369			200,568			177,742
	Arlon	24,177			18,723			77,483			61,136
	Kasco	14,401			14,475			43,359			42,918
	Total net sales	$	188,701		$	171,874		$	546,040		$	502,915
	Segment operating income:
	Joining Materials	$	6,147		$	5,349		$	18,046		$	17,086
	Tubing	3,224			4,677			10,098			13,165
	Building Materials	10,998			9,647			25,924			23,586
	Arlon	3,552			1,718			13,622			7,676
	Kasco	1,082			1,119			2,468			3,249
	Total segment operating income	25,003			22,510			70,158			64,762
	Unallocated corporate expenses and non-operating units	(2,228		)	(4,939		)	(12,215		)	(15,368		)
	Unallocated pension expense	(620		)	(1,333		)	(2,892		)	(4,001		)
	Gain from asset dispositions	38			11			87			19
	Operating income	22,193			16,249			55,138			45,412
	Interest expense	(2,458		)	(1,880		)	(5,627		)	(11,967		)
	Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,320			(351		)	854			702
	Other expense	—			(14		)	(114		)	(279		)
	Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment	$	21,055		$	14,004		$	50,251		$	33,868

Acquisitions_Narrative_Details

Acquisitions Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 16, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 16, 2013	Apr. 16, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013
			Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC	Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC	Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC	PAM Fastening Technology, Inc.	PAM Fastening Technology, Inc.	PAM Fastening Technology, Inc.	Acquired trade names	Customer relationships	Trade Names and Customer Relationships
									Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC	Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC	PAM Fastening Technology, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price	'	'	$59,700,000	'	'	$9,200,000	'	'	'	'	'
Working capital adjustments	'	'	300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Employee severance charges	'	'	400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	77,564,000	77,512,000	14,767,000	'	'	3,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Other intangibles	'	'	13,657,000	'	'	'	'	'	4,600,000	9,000,000	5,000,000
Useful lives (in years)	'	'	'	'20 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	49,400,000	30,700,000	'	2,800,000	9,100,000	'	'	'
Operating income	'	'	'	-300,000	1,000,000	'	-100,000	900,000	'	'	'
Intercompany sales	'	'	'	4,700,000	2,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition related costs	'	'	'	'	600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustment	'	'	'	'	500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of voting interests acquired (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, inventories and trade payables	'	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	5,549,000	'	'	200,000	'	'	'	'	'
Acquired intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	$2,000,000	'	'	'	'	'

Acquisitions_Assets_Acquired_a

Acquisitions Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 16, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Trade and other receivables	'	'	$9,491
Inventories	'	'	17,864
Prepaid and other current assets	'	'	81
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	5,549
Goodwill	77,564	77,512	14,767
Other intangibles	'	'	13,657
Total assets acquired	'	'	61,409
Trade payables	'	'	-1,167
Accrued liabilities	'	'	-495
Net assets acquired	'	'	$59,747

Acquisitions_Net_Sales_and_Net

Acquisitions Net Sales and Net Income of the Combined Entity (Details) (Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Wolverine Joining Technologies, LLC	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	$546,040	$528,065
Net income	$22,566	$30,961
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$1.76	$2.33
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	12,858	13,298

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations Narrative (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
	Continental	Continental	Canfield	ITM	ITM	Indiana Tube Denmark
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sale price	$37.40	'	$9.50	'	$3.70	'
Working capital adjustment	0.1	'	0.5	'	'	'
Proceeds held in escrow	'	3.7	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	'	'	'	0.9	'	'
Foreign currency translation gain	'	'	'	'	'	$2.60

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets	$641	'	$641	'	$587
Other non-current assets	0	'	0	'	64
Total	641	'	641	'	651
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations	20	'	20	'	151
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	0	283	0	20,094	'
Operating loss	0	-384	0	-1,287	'
Interest and other expense	0	0	0	46	'
Income tax benefit	0	-140	0	-498	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-244	0	-835	'
Gain on disposal of assets	0	3,492	71	27,573	'
Income tax expense	0	344	29	12,630	'
Gain on disposal of assets, net of tax	0	3,148	42	14,943	'
Net income from discontinued operations	$0	$2,904	$42	$14,108	'

Inventories_Summary_of_Invento

Inventories Summary of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished products	$22,942	$21,887
In-process	13,334	9,840
Raw materials	16,950	15,246
Fine and fabricated precious metals in various stages of completion	23,329	19,802
Inventory, before LIFO reserve	76,555	66,775
LIFO reserve	-155	-1,025
Total	$76,400	$65,750

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
	oz
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Customer metal, ounces of silver (in ounces)	172,209
Customer metal, ounces of gold (in ounces)	532
Customer metal, ounces of palladium (in ounces)	1,391

Inventories_Supplemental_Inven

Inventories Supplemental Inventory Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Precious metals stated at LIFO cost	$9,078	$5,090
Precious metals stated under non-LIFO cost methods, primarily at fair value	$14,096	$13,687
Silver (in dollars per ounce)	17.52	19.49
Gold (in dollars per ounce)	1,213.75	1,201.50
Palladium (in dollars per ounce)	802	711

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	$77,512
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	-24
Additions	0
Adjustments	76
Balance at end of period	77,564
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Impairment Losses	-1,140
Joining Materials	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	16,275
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	-24
Additions	0
Adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	16,251
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Impairment Losses	0
Tubing	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	1,895
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	0
Additions	0
Adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	1,895
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Impairment Losses	0
Building Materials	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	50,044
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	0
Additions	0
Adjustments	76
Balance at end of period	50,120
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Impairment Losses	0
Arlon	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	9,298
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	0
Additions	0
Adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	9,298
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Impairment Losses	($1,140)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	$70,493,000	'	$70,493,000	'	$70,613,000
Accumulated Amortization	-25,560,000	'	-25,560,000	'	-22,277,000
Net	44,933,000	'	44,933,000	'	48,336,000
Amortization of Deferred Charges [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense of other intangible assets	1,200,000	1,100,000	3,500,000	3,000,000	'
Customer relationships	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	52,477,000	'	52,477,000	'	52,565,000
Accumulated Amortization	-18,817,000	'	-18,817,000	'	-16,259,000
Net	33,660,000	'	33,660,000	'	36,306,000
Trademarks, trade names and brand names	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	10,249,000	'	10,249,000	'	10,231,000
Accumulated Amortization	-2,562,000	'	-2,562,000	'	-2,116,000
Net	7,687,000	'	7,687,000	'	8,115,000
Patents and patent applications	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	5,300,000	'	5,300,000	'	5,103,000
Accumulated Amortization	-2,150,000	'	-2,150,000	'	-1,870,000
Net	3,150,000	'	3,150,000	'	3,233,000
Non-compete agreements	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	709,000	'	709,000	'	906,000
Accumulated Amortization	-664,000	'	-664,000	'	-839,000
Net	45,000	'	45,000	'	67,000
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	1,758,000	'	1,758,000	'	1,808,000
Accumulated Amortization	-1,367,000	'	-1,367,000	'	-1,193,000
Net	$391,000	'	$391,000	'	$615,000

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments Narrative (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 12, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 12, 2013

Mar. 11, 2013

Feb. 11, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

ModusLink

ModusLink

ModusLink

ModusLink

ModusLink

ModusLink

ModusLink

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Maximum

Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities

SPLP

SPLP

SPLP

SPLP

HNH

SPLP and HNH

Level 1

Level 1

ModusLink

ModusLink

ModusLink

SPLP

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment in associated company

$21,329

$33,983

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21,300

$34,000

'

Number of shares owned (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

6,481,185

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage (as a percent)

'

'

'

15.40%

'

14.70%

'

11.40%

26.80%

'

'

30.00%

Number of shares purchased (in shares)

'

'

'

'

7,500,000

'

7,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

Sale price of shares (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4

'

'

'

'

'

Number of warrants purchased (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants expiration period (in years)

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price of rights (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

Period of investment agreement (in years)

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated unrealized loss

($1,099)

'

($2,400)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments_Summarized_Informa

Investments Summarized Information (Details) (ModusLink, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
ModusLink	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	$405,768	$291,086	$405,768	$291,086
Non-current assets	45,878	52,610	45,878	52,610
Current liabilities	198,594	176,431	198,594	176,431
Non-current liabilities	81,434	10,360	81,434	10,360
Stockholders' equity	171,618	156,905	171,618	156,905
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	164,700	181,001	531,985	557,453
Gross profit	14,451	20,093	52,730	55,746
Loss from continuing operations	-8,485	-8,835	-16,900	-29,499
Net loss	($8,485)	($8,841)	($16,899)	($29,697)

Debt_Schedule_of_Debt_Details

Debt Schedule of Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Short-term debt	'	'
Short-term debt	$629,000	$304,000
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	220,624,000	156,887,000
Less portion due within one year	352,000	12,818,000
Total long-term debt	220,272,000	144,069,000
Total debt	221,253,000	157,191,000
Revolving facilities	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	211,000,000	30,950,000
Other H&H debt - domestic	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	8,102,000	8,279,000
Foreign loan facilities	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Long-term debt	1,522,000	1,658,000
Foreign	'	'
Short-term debt	'	'
Short-term debt	$629,000	$304,000

Debt_Senior_Credit_Facility_De

Debt Senior Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 05, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 05, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Loans Payable

Loans Payable

Loans Payable

Loans Payable

Loans Payable

Interest rate swap agreements

Interest rate swap agreements

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

U.S. Base Rate

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

Revolving facilities

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

U.S. Base Rate

Sublimit for Issuance of Letters of Credit

Sublimit for the Issuance of Swing Loans

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$365,000,000

'

'

$20,000,000

$20,000,000

Long-term Debt

220,624,000

156,887,000

'

'

'

110,000,000

40,000,000

0

116,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Distributions

'

'

'

'

80,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Description of variable rate basis

'

'

'LIBOR

'Base Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

1.50%

'

'

Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.70%

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.60%

0.57%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

56,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in notional amount 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in notional amount 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

1,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in notional amount 2015

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000

$2,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_WHX_CS_Loan_Details

Debt WHX CS Loan (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 03, 2014
			WHX CS	WHX CS
			WHX CS Loan	WHX CS Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Maximum principal amount	$220,624,000	$156,887,000	'	$15,000,000
Description of variable rate basis	'	'	'LIBOR	'
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)	'	'	1.25%	'

Debt_Subordinated_Notes_Detail

Debt Subordinated Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2013	Mar. 26, 2013
				Derivative features of Subordinated Notes	Derivative features of Subordinated Notes	Derivative features of Subordinated Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stated percentage (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	10.00%
Repurchase amount	'	'	'	'	$31,800,000	$36,900,000
Redemption amount as percentage of principal Amount (as a percent)	'	'	'	112.60%	'	'
Loss on early retirement of debt	$5,700,000	$0	$5,662,000	'	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_Outstan

Derivative Instruments Outstanding Futures Contracts (Details) (Futures Contracts, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
	oz
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Silver, Ounces	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Amount	860,000
Notional Value	$15,100,000
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Gold, Ounces	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Amount	1,200
Notional Value	1,500,000
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Copper, Pounds	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Amount	300,000
Notional Value	900,000
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Tin, Tons	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Amount	50
Notional Value	$1,000,000
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Silver and Copper, Ounces	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Amount	610,000

Derivative_Instruments_Effects

Derivative Instruments Effects of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	$1,320	($351)	$854	$702
Total Impact on Derivative Instruments	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	3,718	-2,055	2,191	1,520
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	2,337	-1,543	1,428	1,083
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	2,337	-1,543	1,428	1,083
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	1,381	-512	763	437
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	52	0	25	0
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	1,320	-351	854	1,495
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate swap agreements | Interest expense	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	9	-161	-116	-265
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Derivative features of Subordinated Notes | Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments	$0	$0	$0	($793)

Derivative_Instruments_Fair_Va

Derivative Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivatives	$1,686	$1,406
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivatives	1,227	1,778
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Prepaid and other current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivatives	1,227	1,778
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivatives	459	-372
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Prepaid and other current assets/Accrued liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivatives	614	-158
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate swap agreements | Other liabilities	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivatives	($155)	($214)

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem2

Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits Components of Net Periodic Pension Expense (Details) (Pension Plans, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Plans	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest cost	$4,929	$4,649	$15,504	$13,946
Expected return on plan assets	-6,034	-5,994	-18,167	-17,979
Amortization of prior service cost	0	8	0	24
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,725	2,670	5,555	8,010
Total	$620	$1,333	$2,892	$4,001

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem3

Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Plans	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization period for pension plan actuarial gains (losses) (in years)	'	'	'20 years	'
Pension plan required minimum contributions, 2014	'	'	$2.90	'
Pension plan required minimum contributions, 2015	'	'	15.6	'
Pension plan required minimum contributions, 2016	10.4	'	10.4	'
Pension plan required minimum contributions, 2017	9.4	'	9.4	'
Pension plan required minimum contributions, 2018	9.8	'	9.8	'
Pension plan required minimum contributions, thereafter	47.5	'	47.5	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Aggregate expense of other postretirement benefit plans	$0.50	$0.40	$1.50	$1.40

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 05, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 05, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 05, 2014

Aug. 07, 2014

Jun. 05, 2014

Mar. 24, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Treasury Stock, at Cost

Treasury Stock, at Cost

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

Changes in Net Pension and Other Benefit Obligations

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock

2014 Share Repurchase Program

2014 Share Repurchase Program

Treasury Stock, at Cost

Common Stock

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program, authorized amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$60,000,000

$3,000,000

$10,000,000

'

'

Stock repurchased during period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,099,843

'

'

'

'

242,383

Purchases of treasury stock

'

60,502,000

54,700,000

60,502,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,800,000

'

Common stock repurchased (in dollars per share)

$26

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at beginning of period

'

-181,931,000

'

'

-29,000

-181,902,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current period loss

'

-1,099,000

'

'

-1,099,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at end of period

'

($183,030,000)

'

'

($1,128,000)

($181,902,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation Restricted Stock Activity (Details) (2007 Incentive Stock Plan, Restricted Stock)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding (in shares) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	1,265,411
Granted	219,483
Forfeited	-28,750
Reduced for income tax obligations	-52,622
Balance at end of period	1,403,522
Vested (in shares)	1,020,384
Non-vested (in shares)	383,138
Employees and Service Providers	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding (in shares) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	645,411
Granted	54,483
Forfeited	-28,750
Reduced for income tax obligations	-52,622
Balance at end of period	618,522
Vested (in shares)	400,384
Non-vested (in shares)	218,138
Directors	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding (in shares) [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	620,000
Granted	165,000
Forfeited	0
Reduced for income tax obligations	0
Balance at end of period	785,000
Vested (in shares)	620,000
Non-vested (in shares)	165,000

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details) (2007 Incentive Stock Plan, Restricted Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of shares approved for grant, restricted shares (in shares)	'	'	219,483	'
Non-cash stock based compensation	$1.40	$1.20	$3.80	$3.60
Unearned compensation expense, restricted shares	$3.90	'	$3.90	'
Estimated forfeiture rate, restricted shares (as a percent)	5.00%	'	5.00%	'
Shares foregone by employees and service provides (in shares)	'	'	52,622	'
Employees and Service Providers	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Award vesting period (in years)	'	'	'3 years	'
Directors	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Award vesting period (in years)	'	'	'1 year	'
Employees and Service Providers	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of shares approved for grant, restricted shares (in shares)	'	'	54,483	'
Shares foregone by employees and service provides (in shares)	'	'	52,622	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Tax provision	$7,953	$5,657	$19,944	$13,563
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	37.80%	40.40%	39.70%	40.00%

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share Computation of Basic Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$11,860	$6,739	$22,524	$15,422
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	12,469	13,290	12,858	13,298
Income from continuing operations, net of tax, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.95	$0.51	$1.75	$1.16
Net income from discontinued operations	0	2,904	42	14,108
Discontinued operations, net of tax, per share (in dollars shares)	$0	$0.22	$0.01	$1.06
Net income	$11,860	$9,643	$22,566	$29,530
Net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.95	$0.73	$1.76	$2.22

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share Narrative (Details) (Stock Options)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Options	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'
Outstanding options excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation due to anti-dilutive effect (in shares)	38,600

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) (Recurring, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in associated company	$21,329	$33,983
Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	15,421	14,766
Commodity contracts	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	1,841	1,620
Interest rate swap agreements	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	-155	-214
Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in associated company	21,329	33,983
Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	15,421	14,766
Level 1 | Commodity contracts	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	1,841	1,620
Level 1 | Interest rate swap agreements	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	0	0
Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in associated company	0	0
Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	0	0
Level 2 | Commodity contracts	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	0	0
Level 2 | Interest rate swap agreements	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	-155	-214
Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in associated company	0	0
Precious metal and commodity inventories recorded at fair value	0	0
Level 3 | Commodity contracts	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	0	0
Level 3 | Interest rate swap agreements	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details) (Non-current Assets, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Non-current Assets	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'
Long-lived assets, currently not in use	$9.30

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Costs	Environmental and Other Matters	Environmental and Other Matters	Environmental and Other Matters	Environmental and Other Matters	Environmental and Other Matters	Environmental and Other Matters	Environmental and Other Matters
			Second Joint Venture Partner of Former Owner / Operator			Sold Parcel	Costs	Costs	Costs	Industrial Property
							Former Owner / Operator [Member]	First Joint Venture Partner of Former Owner / Operator	Hhem and HandH
Environmetal Remediation Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued environmental liabilities	$1,786,000	$3,213,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance recoveries	'	'	'	2,000,000	1,100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Remediation cost, expected cost	'	'	'	'	'	100,000	'	'	'	'
Ownership responsibility for site investigation and remediation costs, percentage allocation (as a percent)	'	'	37.50%	'	'	'	75.00%	37.50%	25.00%	'
Environmental loss contingencies, payments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	'
Environmental remediation expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,400,000	'	1,400,000	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$300,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Nar

Related Party Transactions Narrative (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

SPH Group Holding LLC

SPH Group Holding LLC

Affiliated Entity

Affiliated Entity

Affiliated Entity

SP Corporate

SP Corporate

SP Corporate

SP Corporate

Derivative features of Subordinated Notes

SPH Group Holding LLC

Executive Services Fee

Corporate Services Fee

SPH Group Holding LLC

DGT Holdings Corp.

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock - outstanding (in shares)

'

'

7,131,185

7,228,735

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

97,550

Ownership interest (as a percent)

'

'

66.10%

55.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82.70%

Repayments of notes payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25,000,000

'

Principal amount

220,624,000

156,887,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,600,000

'

Related party management services fees and other arrangements

'

'

'

'

8,890,000

1,740,000

7,150,000

100,000

100,000

300,000

300,000

'

'

Management fee term (in years)

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of reimbursable expense

$200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reportable_Segments_Details

Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$188,701	$171,874	$546,040	$502,915
Segment operating income:	22,193	16,249	55,138	45,412
Unallocated pension expense	-620	-1,333	-2,892	-4,001
Interest expense	-2,458	-1,880	-5,627	-11,967
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	1,320	-351	854	702
Other expense	0	-14	-114	-279
Income from continuing operations before tax and equity investment	21,055	14,004	50,251	33,868
Joining Materials	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	54,621	51,059	162,796	152,491
Segment operating income:	6,147	5,349	18,046	17,086
Tubing	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	19,768	23,248	61,834	68,628
Segment operating income:	3,224	4,677	10,098	13,165
Building Materials	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	75,734	64,369	200,568	177,742
Segment operating income:	10,998	9,647	25,924	23,586
Arlon	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	24,177	18,723	77,483	61,136
Segment operating income:	3,552	1,718	13,622	7,676
Kasco	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	14,401	14,475	43,359	42,918
Segment operating income:	1,082	1,119	2,468	3,249
Total segment operating income	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income:	25,003	22,510	70,158	64,762
Reconciling Items	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income:	-2,228	-4,939	-12,215	-15,368
Unallocated pension expense	-620	-1,333	-2,892	-4,001
Gain from asset dispositions	$38	$11	$87	$19