Tower International (TOWR) 10-Q 30 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Tower International, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1485469
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	TOWR
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,469,782
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$106,348	$113,943
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,294 and $4,105	331,898	266,138
Inventories (Note 3)	81,682	81,336
Deferred tax asset - current	7,901	10,447
Prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other	77,278	96,349
Total current assets	605,107	568,213
Property, plant, and equipment, net	529,176	573,148
Goodwill (Note 6)	66,118	64,793
Investment in joint venture (Note 16)	7,975	0
Deferred tax asset - non-current	2,851	3,149
Other assets, net	27,891	28,819
Total assets	1,239,118	1,238,122
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations (Note 8)	69,428	74,605
Accounts payable	309,898	264,897
Accrued liabilities	120,962	134,664
Total current liabilities	500,288	474,166
Long-term debt, net of current maturities (Note 8)	451,790	411,590
Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities (Note 8)	10,154	10,783
Deferred tax liability - non-current	10,003	13,021
Pension liability (Note 10)	87,426	100,780
Other non-current liabilities	83,173	86,908
Total non-current liabilities	642,546	623,082
Total liabilities	1,142,834	1,097,248
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 350,000,000 authorized, 21,074,337 issued and 20,467,947 outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 20,830,425 issued and 20,247,134 outstanding at December 31, 2012	211	208
Additional paid in capital	326,759	321,032
Treasury stock, at cost, 606,390 shares as of September 30, 2013 and 583,291 shares as of December 31, 2012	-8,594	-8,297
Accumulated deficit	-276,457	-237,212
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 11)	-8,477	-12,484
Total Tower International, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	33,442	63,247
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	62,842	77,627
Total stockholders' equity	96,284	140,874
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,239,118	$1,238,122

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for accounts receivable (in dollars)	$2,294	$4,105
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	350,000,000	350,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,074,337	20,830,425
Common stock, shares outstanding	20,467,947	20,247,134
Treasury stock, shares	606,390	583,291

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$495,197	$492,127	$1,585,215	$1,576,770
Cost of sales	439,222	438,799	1,401,713	1,396,482
Gross profit	55,975	53,328	183,502	180,288
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	31,290	32,254	98,235	101,251
Amortization expense (Note 6)	646	1,120	2,134	3,439
Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net (Note 7)	1,575	3,186	18,906	7,953
Operating income	22,464	16,768	64,227	67,645
Interest expense	9,410	13,530	44,375	41,249
Interest income	283	358	898	831
Other expense (Note 8)	7,490	0	48,418	0
Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture	5,847	3,596	-27,668	27,227
Provision for income taxes (Note 9)	1,423	3,047	8,557	17,713
Equity in loss of joint venture, net of tax (Note 16)	-208	0	-373	0
Income / (loss) from continuing operations	4,216	549	-36,598	9,514
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 4)	0	-2,931	0	-578
Net income / (loss)	4,216	-2,382	-36,598	8,936
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	898	1,593	2,647	4,627
Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.	$3,318	($3,975)	($39,245)	$4,309
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	20,449,920	20,246,797	20,358,641	20,098,355
Diluted (in shares)	21,106,471	20,246,797	20,358,641	20,533,788
Basic income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:
Income / (loss) per share from continuing operations (Note 12) (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.05)	($1.93)	$0.24
Loss per share from discontinued operations (Note 12) (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.15)	$0	($0.03)
Income / (loss) per share (Note 12) (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.20)	($1.93)	$0.21
Diluted income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:
Income / (loss) per share from continuing operations (Note 12) (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.05)	($1.93)	$0.24
Loss per share from discontinued operations (Note 12) (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.15)	$0	($0.03)
Income / (loss) per share (Note 12) (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.20)	($1.93)	$0.21

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income / (loss)	$4,216	($2,382)	($36,598)	$8,936
Other comprehensive income / (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,483	5,426	5,128	-3,444
Unrealized gain / (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedge, net	-80	10	108	21
Other comprehensive income / (loss)	12,403	5,436	5,236	-3,423
Comprehensive income / (loss)	16,619	3,054	-31,362	5,513
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,626	2,055	3,876	4,747
Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.	$14,993	$999	($35,238)	$766

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income / (loss)	($36,598)	$8,936
Add: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-578
Income / (loss) from continuing operations	-36,598	9,514
Adjustments required to reconcile income / (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash restructuring and asset impairments, net	11,006	0
Premium on notes redemption and other fees	48,418	0
Deferred income tax provision	373	12,590
Depreciation and amortization	70,933	68,213
Non-cash share-based compensation	3,660	8,485
Pension expense / (income), net of contributions	-13,354	-15,949
Change in working capital and other operating items	-34,669	-45,076
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	49,769	37,777
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net	-47,224	-84,703
Investment in joint venture	-6,293	0
Net proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	12,040	0
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	-41,477	-84,703
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of treasury stock	-297	-3,167
Proceeds from borrowings	457,352	465,261
Repayments of borrowings	-484,847	-411,026
Proceeds from borrowings on Term Loan Credit Facility	417,900	0
Redemption of notes	-361,992	0
Premium paid on notes redemption and other fees	-43,078	0
Debt financing costs	-9,437	0
Premium paid on re-pricing of Term Loan B and other fees	-4,378	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	2,067	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends	-6,748	0
Net cash provided by / (used in) continuing financing activities	-33,458	51,068
Discontinued operations:
Net cash from discontinued operating activities	0	-11,936
Net cash from discontinued investing activities	15,694	-21,878
Net cash from discontinued financing activities	0	11,575
Net cash from discontinued operations	15,694	-22,239
Effect of exchange rate changes on continuing cash and cash equivalents	1,877	2,083
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-7,595	-16,014
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of period	113,943	134,984
End of period	106,348	118,970
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	40,865	48,674
Income taxes paid	8,036	6,738
Non-cash Activities:
Capital expenditures in liabilities for purchases of property, plant, and equipment	$15,590	$9,907

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
	Tower International, Inc., and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Tower International”), is a leading integrated global manufacturer of engineered structural metal components and assemblies, primarily serving automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), including Volkswagen Group, Ford, Chrysler, Fiat, Volvo, Nissan, Daimler, Toyota, BMW, Honda, Chery, PSA, and Geely. Products include body-structure stampings, frame and other chassis structures, as well as complex welded assemblies for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups, and sport utility vehicles (“SUVs”). Including both wholly owned subsidiaries and majority owned subsidiaries, the Company has strategically located production facilities in Brazil, the United States, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, and China, supported by engineering and sales locations in Brazil, the United States, Germany, Italy, China, India, and Japan.
	The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information furnished in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of such financial statements. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited year-end financial statements and the notes thereto included in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC. The interim results for the periods presented may not be indicative of the Company’s actual annual results.
	On October 14, 2010, the Company completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”), whereby Tower Automotive, LLC was converted to a Delaware corporation named Tower International, Inc.
	On December 28, 2012, the Company consummated the divestiture of its South Korean subsidiary. In accordance with FASB ASC No. 205, Discontinued Operations, the results of the Company’s South Korean subsidiary are presented as discontinued operations in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See note 4 for additional information.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements_

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]	Note 2. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has adopted all accounting pronouncements affecting the Company.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 3. Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Maintenance, repair, and non-productive inventory, which are considered consumables, are expensed when acquired in cost of sales. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Raw materials	$	37,835	$	32,781
	Work in process		19,886		22,735
	Finished goods		23,961		25,820
	Total	$	81,682	$	81,336

Discontinued_Operations_and_As

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 4. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
	On December 28, 2012, the Company’s subsidiaries, Tower Automotive Holdings Asia B.V. and Tower Automotive International Holdings B.V. (the “Sellers”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”) with SJ Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of SECO (“Buyer”), and consummated the divestiture of its Korean subsidiary, Seojin Industrial Company Ltd. (“Seojin”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Buyer assumed the outstanding debt of Seojin and acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Seojin for a purchase price of fifty billion Korean Won (approximately $47 million USD), of which the Company received 50% on December 28, 2012 and 40% on January 31, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company received $18.6 million and paid transaction costs of $2.9 million in connection with the sale of Seojin. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company expects to receive the remaining 10% in December 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a receivable recorded of approximately $4.7 million for the payments to be received in December 2013. This receivable is included in prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Seojin has been presented as a discontinued operation, in accordance with FASB ASC No. 205, Discontinued Operations.
	The following table discloses selected financial information of the discontinued operation in the International segment (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2012		September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	71,722	$	248,499
	Loss before provision for income taxes	$	-3,738	$	-721
	Benefit from income taxes		-807		-143
	Loss from discontinued operation, net of tax	$	-2,931	$	-578
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company completed the sale of two facilities that were considered held for sale in accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. On July 1, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its Bergisch Gladbach, Germany facility and received cash proceeds of $2.5 million. On July 26, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its Romulus, Michigan facility and received cash proceeds of $0.4 million. The Company did not incur any additional gain or loss in connection with the sale of these assets.

Tooling

Tooling	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Preproduction Costs Related to Long-term Supply Arrangements [Abstract]
Preproduction Costs Related to Long-term Supply Arrangements Disclosures [Text Block]	Note 5. Tooling
	Tooling represents costs incurred by the Company in the development of new tooling used in the manufacture of the Company’s products. All pre-production tooling costs incurred for tools that the Company will not own and that will be used in producing products supplied under long-term supply agreements are expensed as incurred, unless the supply agreement provides the Company with the non-cancellable right to use the tools or the reimbursement of such costs is contractually guaranteed by the customer. Generally, the customer agrees to reimburse the Company for certain of its tooling costs at the time the customer awards a contract to the Company.
	When the part for which tooling has been developed reaches a production-ready status, the Company is reimbursed by its customer for the cost of the tooling, at which time the tooling becomes the property of the customer. The Company has certain other tooling costs related to tools the Company has the contractual right to use during the life of the supply arrangement, which are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related product program. Customer-owned tooling is included in prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other while company-owned tooling is included in other assets, net in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The components of capitalized tooling costs are as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Customer-owned tooling, net	$	41,611	$	33,308
	Company-owned tooling		3,316		967
	Total tooling, net	$	44,927	$	34,275
	Any gain recognized, which is defined as the excess of reimbursement over cost, is amortized over the life of the program. If estimated costs are expected to be in excess of reimbursement, a loss is recorded in the period in which the loss is estimated.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is set forth below by reportable segment and on a consolidated basis (in thousands):
		International			Americas			Consolidated
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	61,826		$	2,967		$	64,793
	Currency translation adjustment		1,551			-226			1,325
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	63,377		$	2,741		$	66,118
	Intangibles
	The Company has certain intangible assets related to customer relationships in Europe and Brazil. These intangible assets have definite lives and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated lives of the related assets, which approximates the recognition of related revenue. The intangible assets are recorded in other assets, net in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company anticipates amortization expense of $2.7 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, at which time no further amortization expense will be incurred. The Company has incurred amortization expense of $0.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company incurred amortization expense of $1.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. The following table presents information about the intangible assets of the Company at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
				As of September 30, 2013						As of December 31, 2012
		Weighted		Gross			Accumulated			Gross		Accumulated
		Average		Carrying			Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
		Life		Amount						Amount
	Amortized intangible:
	Europe	7 years		$	16,016		$	14,369		$	15,978	$	12,759
	Brazil	7 years			5,471			4,916			5,532		4,392
	Total			$	21,487		$	19,285		$	21,510	$	17,151

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 7. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has executed various restructuring plans and may execute additional plans in the future to realign manufacturing capacity to prevailing global automotive production and to improve the utilization of existing facilities. Estimates of restructuring charges are based on information available at the time such charges are recorded. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in estimating restructuring expenses, actual amounts paid for such activities may differ from amounts initially recorded. Accordingly, the Company may record revisions of previous estimates by adjusting previously established reserves.
	Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges
	Net restructuring and asset impairment charges for each of the Company’s reportable segments include the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	International	$	393	$	-	$	1,608	$	1,753
	Americas		1,182		3,186		17,298		6,200
	Consolidated	$	1,575	$	3,186	$	18,906	$	7,953
	The following table sets forth the Company’s net restructuring and asset impairment charges by type for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Employee termination costs	$	602	$	639	$	1,646	$	2,497
	Other exit costs		973		2,547		6,254		5,456
	Asset impairment		-		-		11,006		-
	Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net	$	1,575	$	3,186	$	18,906	$	7,953
	The charges incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 related primarily to the following actions:
	2013 Actions
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to the ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions and the charges incurred in the International segment related to severance costs to reduce fixed costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to the closure of Tower Defense & Aerospace, LLC (“TD&A”) (described below), the ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions, and an impairment charge on a facility in Romulus, Michigan that the Company ceased using during the first quarter of 2013 and sold during the third quarter of 2013. During the same period, the charges incurred in the International segment related to an impairment charge on the Bergisch facility, which was classified as held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 and was sold during the third quarter of 2013, and severance costs to reduce fixed costs.
	Tower Defense & Aerospace
	In April 2013, the Company announced the closing of the operations of TD&A. In June 2013, the Company received $9.1 million in cash proceeds for the sale of substantially all of TD&A’s assets. In connection with such closure, the Company incurred $11.5 million of restructuring charges, of which $8.2 million represents an impairment charge, $2.8 million represents other exit costs, and $0.5 million represents severance costs. With respect to TD&A, the Company did not incur additional restructuring charges during the third quarter of 2013 and does not anticipate that it will incur additional restructuring charges during the fourth quarter of 2013.
	2012 Actions
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the charges incurred in the Americas segment related to the ongoing maintenance expense of facilities closed as a result of prior actions and the costs incurred to close two manufacturing facilities and relocate the operations to two of the Company’s existing manufacturing facilities. The charges incurred in the International segment related to severance costs in Europe to reduce  fixed costs.
	Restructuring Reserve
	The following table summarizes the activity in the restructuring reserve by segment, reflected in accrued liabilities, for the above-mentioned actions through September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		International		Americas		Consolidated
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	897	$	1,634	$	2,531
	Payments		-921		-1,333		-2,254
	Increase		570		1,076		1,646
	Adjustment		-		-20		-20
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	546	$	1,357	$	1,903
	Except as disclosed in the table above, the Company does not anticipate incurring additional material cash charges associated with the actions described above. The increase in the liability above does not agree with the restructuring charges in the table above as certain items related to the actions described are expensed as incurred. The liability primarily relates to severance, with the exception of costs accrued resulting from the ceased use of a facility in North America during the first quarter of 2012.
	The liability decreased during the first nine months of 2013 primarily due to severance payments made related to prior accruals. The majority of the $1.9 million restructuring reserve accrued as of September 30, 2013, is expected to be paid in 2013 and 2014.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company made payments related to prior accruals in Europe and North America of $0.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 8. Debt
	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Term Loan Credit Facility (net of discount of $1,969 and $0)	$	416,981	$	-
	Senior Secured Notes (net of discount of $0 and $7,152)		-		354,840
	Revolving Credit Facility		15,000		39,000
	Detroit Investment Fund indebtedness		-		476
	Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness		88,036		90,228
	Total debt		520,018		484,544
	Less: Current maturities		-68,228		-72,954
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	451,790	$	411,590
	The current maturities do not include capital lease obligations of $1.2 million and $1.7 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Term Loan Credit Facility
	On April 23, 2013, the Company entered into a Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “Term Loan Borrower”), the Company, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC (“Term Loan Holdco”), Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (the credit facility evidenced by the Term Loan Credit Agreement and related documentation, the “Term Loan Credit Facility”).
	The Term Loan Credit Agreement provided for an initial term loan of $420 million and permitted the Term Loan Borrower to request, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Term Loan Credit Agreement (including the agreement of one or more lenders to make incremental loans, which agreement may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of any lender), future disbursements of incremental term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to the greater of (i) $100 million and (ii) such other amount so long as Term Loan Holdco’s pro forma Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) does not exceed 2.00:1.00. The maturity date for the initial term loan disbursed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement was April 23, 2020.
	The proceeds of the initial term loan disbursed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement were used upon the closing of the Term Loan Credit Facility to redeem all of the outstanding 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “10.625% Senior Secured Notes” or the “notes”) previously issued pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2010, by and among the Term Loan Borrower and TA Holdings Finance, Inc., as issuers, the Company and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust FSB as trustee, and to pay all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and related fees and expenses, including a tender premium, in connection with the tender offer described below.
	The initial term loans made under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bore interest at (i) an alternate base rate (“the Alternate Base Rate”) (which is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2% and the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for a one month interest period plus 1%) plus a margin of 3.50% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.25%) plus a margin of 4.50%.
	On July 29, 2013, the Company amended the Term Loan and Credit Agreement, by entering into the First Refinancing Term Loan Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2013, by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC, as borrower, the Company, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC and the subsidiary guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, each of the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Amendment”).
	The purpose of the Amendment was to re-price the Term Loan Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Term Loan Credit Facility remains April 23, 2020. The Term Loan Credit Facility will bear interest at (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 2.75% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR rate by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.75%.
	In connection with the re-pricing described above, the Company incurred charges of approximately $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2013 that was recognized as other expense. These charges relate to a premium paid by the Company and expenses associated with the re-pricing.
	The Term Loan Borrower’s obligations under the Term Loan Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Company, on an unsecured basis, and Term Loan Holdco and certain of the Company's other direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, on a secured basis (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Term Loan Credit Facility is secured by (i) a first priority security interest in certain assets of the Term Loan Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, other than, inter alia, accounts, chattel paper, inventory, cash deposit accounts, securities accounts, machinery, equipment and real property and all contract rights, and records and proceeds relating to the foregoing and (ii)  on a second priority basis to all other assets of the Term Loan Borrower  and the Subsidiary Guarantor which have been pledged on a first priority bases to the agent for the benefit of the lenders under the amended ABL Revolver described below.
	The Term Loan Credit Agreement includes customary events of default and amounts due there under may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company made principal payments of $1 million on the Term Loan Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2013, the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Credit Facility was $417 million (net of a remaining $2 million original issue discount) and the interest rate was 4.75% per annum.
	Senior Secured Notes
	On August 24, 2010, the Company’s subsidiaries, Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC and TA Holdings Finance, Inc. (collectively, the “Issuers”), issued $430 million of 10.625% Senior Secured Notes (the “notes offering”). The notes were issued at an original issue discount of $12.8 million and bore an annual interest rate of 10.625%. The original issue discount was being amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximated the effective interest method, through interest expense over the term of the notes, which increased the effective annual interest rate to 11.25%. The notes were scheduled to mature on September 1, 2017.
	On April 23, 2013, the Company completed a cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase up to $276 million of the outstanding notes. An aggregate principal amount of $362 million of the notes was validly tendered in the Tender Offer and not validly withdrawn. The Company accepted for purchase $276 million in aggregate principal amount of the notes at an aggregate purchase price of 113.58% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, which resulted in a premium paid of $37.5 million and a tender fee of $0.7 million that were recognized as other expense. Because the maximum aggregate principal amount of $276 million for the notes was exceeded, the Company did not accept all of the notes tendered for purchase. The notes that were tendered but not accepted were promptly returned to the tendering parties. In connection with such repurchase, the Company accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount by $5.2 million and associated debt issue costs by $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2013. The accelerated amortization of the original issue discount and associated debt issue costs are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as interest expense.
	On May 24, 2013, the Company redeemed $43 million of the notes at 105% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which resulted in a premium paid of $2.2 million that was recognized as other expense. In connection with the redemption, the Company accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount by $0.8 million and associated debt issue costs by $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2013.
	On August 26, 2013, the Company redeemed the remaining $43 million of the notes at 105% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which resulted in a premium paid of $2.2 million that was recognized as other expense. In connection with the redemption, the Company accelerated the amortization of the original issue discount by $0.8 million and associated debt issue costs by $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2013. Per the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Company used the $45.2 million that was being held in an escrow account to cover this redemption and associated premium. As of September 30, 2013, the notes have been repaid in full and no balance remains outstanding.
	Amended Revolving Credit Facility
	On June 19, 2013, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “Borrower”), the Company, Tower Automotive Holdings I, LLC (“Holdco”), Tower Automotive Holdings II(a), LLC, Tower Automotive Holdings II(b), LLC, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC and each of the other financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Issuing Lender, as Swing Line Lender and as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”) for the Lenders.
	The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement amended and restated, in its entirety, the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2011, by and among the Borrower, its domestic affiliate, and domestic subsidiary guarantors, named therein, and the lenders party thereto, and the Agent. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement provides for an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Amended ABL Revolver”) in the aggregate amount of up to $150 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement also provides for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50 million, provided that the total amount of credit (inclusive of revolving loans and letters of credit) extended under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement is subject to an overall cap, on any date, equal to the lesser of $150 million or the amount of the borrowing base on such date. The maturity date for the Amended ABL Revolver is June 19, 2018.
	Advances under the Amended ABL Revolver bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus a base rate margin or LIBOR plus a Eurodollar margin. The applicable margins are determined by the average availability under the Amended ABL Revolver over the preceding three consecutive full calendar months and as of the date of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement were 1.00% per annum and 2.00% per annum for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively.
	The Amended Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company, on an unsecured basis, and certain of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, on a secured basis. The Amended Revolving Credit Facility is secured by the same assets of the Borrower and the subsidiary guarantors that secured the obligations under the prior ABL revolving facility. The Borrower’s and each subsidiary guarantor’s pledge of such assets as security for the obligations under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility is evidenced by a Second Amended and Restated ABL Security Agreement dated as of June 19, 2013 among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and the Agent.
	The Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement contains customary covenants applicable to certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and includes customary events of default and amounts due thereunder may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.
	In connection with the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, the Company paid debt issue costs of $1.7 million and accelerated the amortization of the debt issue costs associated with the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement by $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2013. These costs are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as interest expense.
	As of September 30, 2013, there was $148.6 million of borrowing availability under the Amended ABL Revolver, based on the value of the Company’s assets at August 31, 2013, of which $15 million of borrowings were outstanding and $11.5 million of letters of credit were outstanding. As of September 30, 2013, the applicable margins were 1% per annum and 2% per annum for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively, resulting in a weighted average interest rate of 2.19% per annum.
	Letter of Credit Facility
	On June 13, 2011, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Facility Agreement dated as of June 13, 2011 (the “Letter of Credit Facility Agreement”) by and among Tower Automotive Holdings USA, LLC (the “L/C Borrower”), the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as participant in respect of letters of credit issued thereunder, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender.
	The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement originally provided for a letter of credit facility (the “Letter of Credit Facility”) for the issuance of up to $38 million of letters of credit with a sublimit for Euro dominated letters of credit (with an option to increase the Letter of Credit Facility to $44.5 million in the future). Upon a third party drawing on letters of credit issued under the Letter of Credit Facility, the L/C Borrower will become obligated to pay to the lenders the amounts so drawn. The maturity date of the Letter of Credit Facility is June 13, 2014.
	The Company has amended the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to reduce the Letter of Credit Facility on multiple occasions. In addition, on April 22, 2013, the Company amended the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to, among other things, permit the incurrence of up to $430 million of indebtedness under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the granting of liens to secure such indebtedness. On June 20, 2013, the Company amended the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement to reduce the Letter of Credit Facility from $22.5 million to $8.5 million (with an option to increase the Letter of Credit Facility to $44.5 million in the future). In connection with the reduction of the Letter of Credit Facility, the Company incurred a breakage fee of $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2013. This fee is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as other expense. The remaining terms of the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement have remained the same.
	As of September 30, 2013, the outstanding letters of credit under the Letter of Credit Facility were $8.4 million. As of September 30, 2013, an 8.5% per annum fee is due on the total amount of the facility. This fee is subject to change in the future based upon then current market conditions.
	The Letter of Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company and certain of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries on an unsecured basis pursuant to a Guaranty entered into and made on June 13, 2011.
	The Letter of Credit Facility is unsecured and the Letter of Credit Facility Agreement contains customary covenants applicable to certain of the Company's subsidiaries. The Letter of Credit Facility Agreement also includes customary events of default and amounts due thereunder may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.
	Detroit Investment Fund
	The Company assumed an unsecured debt instrument of $1 million owed to the Detroit Investment Fund, L.P. upon the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of W Industries, Inc. in April 2011. The debt instrument required monthly principal and interest payments at an annual interest rate of 8.5%. During the second quarter of 2013, the remaining balance on the debt instrument was repaid in full. As of September 30, 2013, no balance remained outstanding.
	Debt Issue Costs
	The Company incurred interest expense related to the amortization of debt issue costs of $0.9 million and $6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company incurred interest expense related to the amortization of debt issue costs of $0.4 million and $1.4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
	Foreign Subsidiary Indebtedness
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had foreign subsidiary indebtedness of $88 million, which consisted primarily of borrowings in Europe of $31.9 million, receivables factoring in Europe of $21.8 million, borrowings in Brazil of $19 million, and borrowings in China of $15.3 million.
	The change in foreign subsidiary indebtedness from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 is explained by the following (in thousands):
		Europe		Brazil		China
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	43,422	$	30,426	$	16,380
	Maturities of indebtedness		-5,072		-19,439		-7,516
	New / renewed indebtedness		6,763		10,373		7,516
	Change in borrowings on credit facilities		7,488		-		-1,377
	Foreign exchange impact		1,089		-2,315		298
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	53,690	$	19,045	$	15,301
	Generally, borrowings of foreign subsidiaries are made under credit agreements with commercial lenders and are used to fund working capital and other operating requirements.
	Europe
	As of September 30, 2013, the secured lines of credit balance available to the Company was $39.3 million (€29.1 million), of which $31.9 million (€23.6 million) was outstanding. The facilities bear an interest rate based on the EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.9% to 4.0% and have maturity dates ranging from October 2013 to April 2015. The effective annual interest rate as of September 30, 2013 was 4.11% per annum. The facilities are secured by certain accounts receivable related to customer funded tooling, mortgages over the land, certain buildings, and other assets and are subject to negotiated prepayments upon the receipt of funds from completed customer projects.
	As of September 30, 2013, the receivables factoring facilities balance available to the Company was $22.9 million (€16.9 million), of which $21.8 million (€16.1 million) was drawn. The facilities are uncommitted, demand facilities which are subject to termination at the discretion of the banks and bear interest rates based on the average three month EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.15% to 3.75%. The effective annual interest rates as of September 30, 2013 ranged from 2.37% to 3.97%, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.18% per annum. Any receivables factoring under these facilities is with recourse and is secured by the accounts receivable factored. The receivables factoring transactions are recorded in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations.
	Brazil
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary had borrowings of $19 million (R$42.2 million) which have annual interest rates ranging from 3.00% to 13.41% and maturity dates ranging from October 2013 to July 2022. As of September 30, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on the borrowings in Brazil was 10.52% per annum. The loans are provided through bilateral agreements with three local banks and are secured by certain fixed and current assets. Periodic interest and principal payments are required.
	China
As of September 30, 2013, the fixed rate secured lines of credit balance available to the Company was $9.6 million (Rmb 58.7 million), of which the entire amount was outstanding. The credit lines have maturity dates ranging from October 2013 to December 2017 and bear interest rates ranging from 5.99% to 7.68%. As of September 30, 2013, the variable rate secured line of credit balance available to the Company was $5.7 million (Rmb 35 million), of which the entire amount was outstanding. The credit line matures in June 2015. The fixed rate and variable rate secured lines of credit facilities are secured by machinery, equipment, and land rights.
During the third quarter of 2013, the Company renewed $1.6 million (Rmb 10 million) of maturing unsecured indebtedness for an additional year and obtained an additional fixed rate secured line of credit of $3.3 million (Rmb 20 million), of which the entire amount was outstanding. The credit line has a maturity date of March 2014 and bears an interest rate of 5.99%.
The effective annual interest rate for all the credit lines in China as of September 30, 2013 was 7.08%.
Covenants
As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants that govern its credit agreements.
Capital Leases
The Company had capital lease obligations of $11.4 million and $12.5 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s capital lease obligations are scheduled to expire in March 2018.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9. Income Taxes
	The Company recognized total income tax expense of $1.4 million and $8.5 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The nine month income tax expense includes a $2.8 million provision for withholding taxes on current year and potential future dividends from Chinese joint ventures, $1.9 million of which was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The income tax expense also includes a $2.3 million tax benefit for the favorable conclusion of two tax audits for tax years 2006-2009 in the International segment which were resolved during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized income tax expense of $3.1 million and $17.7 million, respectively. The income tax expense in the third quarter of 2012 included a tax benefit of $1.1 million for the favorable conclusion of a tax audit in the International segment. The income tax expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 included a non-cash charge of $6.5 million, which was recorded in the second quarter, for the recording of a valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets in Brazil. In accordance with FASB ASC No. 740, Income Taxes, the Company continually monitors its ability to realize  its deferred tax assets on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. FASB ASC No. 740 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using “more likely than not” criteria. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified, such as cumulative losses in recent years.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10. Retirement Plans
	The Company sponsors various pension and other postretirement benefit plans for its employees.
	The Tower International Consolidated Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”) provides benefits for certain current and former U.S. employees. Benefits under the Pension Plan are based on years of service and compensation, among other factors. Effective October 1, 2006, the Pension Plan was frozen and ceased accruing any additional benefits. Contributions made by the Company are intended to fund benefits that accrued through October 1, 2006.
	The Company sponsors various qualified defined contribution retirement plans. Each plan serves a defined group of employees and has varying levels of Company contributions. The Company’s contributions to certain plans may be required by the terms of the Company’s collective bargaining agreements.
	The following tables provide the components of net periodic pension benefit cost and other post-retirement benefit cost (in thousands):
			Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
			Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Service cost		$	14	$	11	$	-	$	-
	Interest cost			2,553		2,909		135		164
	Expected return on plan assets (a)			-3,098		-2,804		-		-
	Net periodic benefit cost / (income)		$	-531	$	116	$	135	$	164
			Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
			Nine Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Service cost		$	42	$	29	$	-	$	-
	Interest cost			7,659		8,731		405		492
	Expected return on plan assets (a)			-9,294		-8,438		-		-
	Net periodic benefit cost / (income)		$	-1,593	$	322	$	405	$	492
		(a)	Expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.4% for 2013 and was 7.4% for 2012
	The Company expects its minimum pension funding requirements to be $15 million during 2013. The Company made contributions of $5.4 million and $11.8 million, respectively, to the Pension Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Additionally, the Company contributed $1.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, to its defined contribution retirement plans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon

Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests
	The table below provides a reconciliation of the carrying amount of total stockholders’ equity, including stockholders’ equity attributable to Tower International, Inc. (“Tower”) and the noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013						2012
		Tower		NCI		Total		Tower		NCI		Total
	Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	$	63,247	$	77,627	$	140,874	$	40,003	$	57,457	$	97,460
	Net income / (loss)		-39,245		2,647		-36,598		4,309		4,627		8,936
	Other comprehensive income / (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		3,899		1,229		5,128		-3,564		120		-3,444
	Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge, net		108		-		108		21		-		21
	Total comprehensive income / (loss)		-35,238		3,876		-31,362		766		4,747		5,513
	Vesting of RSUs		3		-		3		-		-		-
	Treasury stock		-297		-		-297		-3,167		-		-3,167
	Share based compensation expense		3,660		-		3,660		8,485		-		8,485
	Proceeds received from stock options exercised		2,067		-		2,067		-		-		-
	Formation of Chinese joint ventures		-		-		-		-		12,097		12,097
	De-consolidation of Chinese joint venture		-		-11,913		-11,913		-		-		-
	Noncontrolling interest dividends		-		-6,748		-6,748		-		-		-
	Stockholders' equity, ending balance	$	33,442	$	62,842	$	96,284	$	46,087	$	74,301	$	120,388
	The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):
		As of		As of		Other Comprehensive
		September 30,		December 31,		Income Attributable to
		2013		2012		Tower
	Foreign currency translation	$	21,813	$	17,914	$	3,899
	Defined benefit plans, net		-30,350		-30,350		-
	Unrealized gain / (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedge, net		60		-48		108
	Accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	$	-8,477	$	-12,484	$	4,007
	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains		Defined		Foreign		Total
		/ (Losses) on		Benefit Plan,		Currency
		Qualifying Cash		Net		Translation
		Flow Hedge				Adjustments
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	140	$	-30,350	$	10,058	$	-20,152
	Other comprehensive income / (loss) before reclassifications		-80		-		11,755		11,675
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		-		-		-		-
	Net current-period other comprehensive income / (loss)		-80		-		11,755		11,675
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	60	$	-30,350	$	21,813	$	-8,477
	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains		Defined		Foreign		Total
		/ (Losses) on		Benefit Plan,		Currency
		Qualifying Cash		Net		Translation
		Flow Hedge				Adjustments
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	-48	$	-30,350	$	17,914	$	-12,484
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		47		-		3,899		3,946
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		61		-		-		61
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		108		-		3,899		4,007
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	60	$	-30,350	$	21,813	$	-8,477

Earnings_per_Share_EPS

Earnings per Share ("EPS")	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Note 12. Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
	Basic earnings / (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.
	The share count for diluted earnings / (loss) per share is computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the effects of dilutive common stock equivalents (“CSEs”) outstanding during the period.  CSEs, which are securities that may entitle the holder to obtain common stock, include outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.  When the average price of the common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of a stock option, the options are considered potentially dilutive CSEs.  When there is a loss from continuing operations, potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
	The Company included the effects of all dilutive shares for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The Company excluded 1.5 million of potentially anti-dilutive shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company excluded 1.7 million and 1 million of potentially anti-dilutive shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	A summary of information used to compute basic and diluted net income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc. is shown below (amounts in thousands – except share and per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Income / (loss) from continuing operations	$	4,216	$	549	$	-36,598	$	9,514
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		-		-2,931		-		-578
	Net income / (loss)		4,216		-2,382		-36,598		8,936
	Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		898		1,593		2,647		4,627
	Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.	$	3,318	$	-3,975	$	-39,245	$	4,309
	Basic income / (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.16	$	-0.05	$	-1.93	$	0.24
	Discontinued operations		-		-0.15		-		-0.03
	Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.		0.16		-0.2		-1.93		0.21
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		20,449,920		20,246,797		20,358,641		20,098,355
	Diluted income / (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.16	$	-0.05	$	-1.93	$	0.24
	Discontinued operations		-		-0.15		-		-0.03
	Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.		0.16		-0.2		-1.93		0.21
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		21,106,471		20,246,797		20,358,641		20,533,788

ShareBased_and_LongTerm_Compen

Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	Note 13. Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation
	2010 Equity Incentive Plan
	The Company adopted an equity incentive plan in connection with the IPO that allows for the grants of stock options, restricted stock awards, other equity-based awards, and certain cash-based awards to be made pursuant to the plan. The eligibility requirements and terms governing the allocation of any common stock, and the receipt of other consideration under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, are determined by the Board of Directors and/or its Compensation Committee. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued or delivered may not exceed, in the aggregate, 4.6 million shares. Cash settled awards do not count against the maximum aggregate number.
	The primary objectives of the Company’s compensation programs are to (i) attract, motivate, and retain the best executive officers with the skills necessary to successfully manage the business and (ii) align the interests of the executive officers with stockholders by rewarding them for strong Company performance.
	Share-Based Compensation
	At September 30, 2013, 1,160,273 shares were available for future grants of options and other types of awards under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. Forfeited shares may be re-issued under the plan, up to the maximum amount to be issued as defined by the plan.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s award activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Options				Restricted Stock Units
	Outstanding at:	Shares		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
				Average				Average Grant
				Exercise Price				Date Fair Value
	31-Dec-12		973,745	$	12.3		682,415	$	11
	Granted		-		-		120,873		13
	Options exercised or RSUs vested		-174,054		12.41		-69,858		13.68
	Forfeited		-52,617		12.13		-13,526		13.15
	30-Sep-13		747,074	$	12.29		719,904	$	11.04
	Stock options — The exercise price of each stock option equals the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded based on the fair value at the grant date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods. The Company’s stock options generally vest over three years, with a maximum term of ten years.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized an expense of $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, relating to the options. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized an expense of $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, relating to the options. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has $2 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these stock options that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the next 16 months on a weighted average basis.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has an aggregate of 747,074 stock options that have been granted, but have not yet been exercised. As of September 30, 2013, the remaining average contractual life for the options is approximately eight years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 174,054 stock options were exercised and 52,617 stock options were forfeited.
	Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) — The grant date fair value of each RSU equals the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded based on the fair value at the grant date, less an estimated forfeiture amount, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized an expense of $0.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively, relating to all of the RSUs granted thus far, excluding the RSUs granted in connection with the Company’s IPO. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized an expense of $0.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, relating to these RSUs. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has $4.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these RSUs that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the next 20 months on a weighted average basis. The Company’s RSUs generally vest over a three year period.
	The Company did not recognize an expense during the three months ended September 30, 2012 relating to the RSUs granted in connection with the Company’s IPO; however, the Company recorded an expense of $5.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company did not recognize any expense related to these RSUs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 because all compensation expense associated with these RSUs had been recorded as of April 30, 2012. The Company did not recognize any tax benefit related to this compensation expense.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has an aggregate of 719,904 RSUs that have been granted, but have not yet vested. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, 13,526 RSUs were forfeited.
	On March 1, 2012, one third of the RSUs granted on March 3, 2011 vested, resulting in the issuance of 31,878 shares at a fair value of $0.4 million. After offsets for withholding taxes, a total of 25,384 shares of common stock were issued in connection with this vesting.  This total is net of shares repurchased to provide payment for certain executives’ minimum statutory withholding tax. The Company paid $0.1 million to acquire 6,494 vested shares to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes.
	On April 20, 2012, the second half of the RSUs granted at the time of the Company's IPO vested, resulting in the issuance of 814,035 shares at a fair value of $9.1 million. After offsets for withholding taxes, a total of 537,970 shares of common stock were issued in connection with this vesting.  This total is net of shares repurchased to provide payment for the employee’s minimum statutory withholding tax. The Company paid $3.1 million to acquire 276,065 vested shares to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes.
	On March 1, 2013,  one third of the RSUs granted on March 3, 2011 vested, resulting in the issuance of 26,837 shares at a fair value of $0.3 million. After offsets for withholding taxes, a total of 17,934 shares of common stock were issued in connection with this vesting.  This total is net of shares repurchased to provide payment for certain executives’ minimum statutory withholding tax. The Company paid $0.1 million to acquire 8,903 vested shares to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes.
	On March 6, 2013, one third of the RSUs granted on March 6, 2012 vested resulting in the issuance of 40,305 shares at a fair value of $0.5 million. After offsets for withholding taxes, a total of 27,164 shares of common stock were issued in connection with this vesting.  This total is net of shares repurchased to provide payment for certain executives’ minimum statutory withholding tax. The Company paid $0.2 million to acquire 13,141 vested shares to cover the minimum statutory withholding taxes.
	Long-Term Compensation
	Performance Award Agreements
	On March 5, 2013, the Company granted certain awards pursuant to Performance Award Agreements to approximately 80 executives under the provisions of the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. The purpose of the awards is to provide the executives an incentive to participate in the long-term success and growth of the Company. The Performance Award Agreements provide for cash-based awards that vest upon payment and will be paid after December 31, 2015, if certain performance conditions are met. These awards are also subject to payment upon a change in control or termination of employment, if certain criteria are met. One half of the awards will be based on the Company's Adjusted EPS Growth Rate, which is defined as the Company’s cumulative Adjusted EPS for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015 (the "Performance Period"), stated in terms of a percentage growth rate. The Company's earnings per share will be adjusted to exclude the effect of extraordinary, unusual, and/or nonrecurring items and then will be divided by the number of fiscal years in the specified period, stated in terms of a percentage growth rate.  The remaining half of the awards will be based on the Company's percentile ranking of total shareholder return, compared to a peer group of companies ("TSR Percentile"), for the Performance Period. The awards represent unfunded, unsecured obligations of the Company. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded an expense of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, related to these awards. At September 30, 2013, the Company had a liability of $0.7 million related to these awards. This liability is presented as other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Supplemental Value Creation Program
	The Supplemental Value Creation Program was created in 2010 and provided a $7.5 million cash bonus to approximately 70 executives, subject to vesting requirements of nine and 18 months, upon the retirement of the Company’s first lien term loan in full. The Company began recording a liability related to this program in August 2010 when the first lien term loan was retired. The Company did not record an expense related to this program during the three months ended September 30, 2012; however, the Company recorded an expense of $0.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company paid $3.1 million upon the 18 month vesting of this program during the first quarter of 2012. There was no remaining liability as of September 30, 2012.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 14. Segment Information
	The Company defines its operating segments as components of its business where separate financial information is available. The Company’s operating segments are routinely evaluated by management. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer.
	The Company produces engineered structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving the global automotive industry. The Company’s operations have similar economic characteristics and share fundamental characteristics, including the nature of the products, production processes, customers, and distribution channels. The Company’s products include body structures stampings, chassis structures (including frames), and complex welded assemblies for small and large cars, crossovers, pickups, and SUVs. The Company is comprised of four operating segments: Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. These operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments. The International segment consists of Europe and Asia while the Americas segment consists of North and South America.
	The Company measures segment operating performance based on Adjusted EBITDA. The Company uses segment Adjusted EBITDA as the basis for the CODM to evaluate the performance of each of the Company’s reportable segments.
	The following is a summary of selected data for each of the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):
		International		Americas		Total
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues	$	219,250	$	275,947	$	495,197
	Adjusted EBITDA		12,795		35,617		48,412
	Capital Expenditures		8,604		9,232		17,836
	Total assets	$	759,483	$	479,635	$	1,239,118
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	209,848	$	282,279	$	492,127
	Adjusted EBITDA		17,590		27,088		44,678
	Capital Expenditures		14,991		6,779		21,770
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues	$	706,253	$	878,962	$	1,585,215
	Adjusted EBITDA		56,791		105,902		162,693
	Capital Expenditures		18,560		33,534		52,094
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	710,017	$	866,753	$	1,576,770
	Adjusted EBITDA		63,275		90,109		153,384
	Capital Expenditures		42,308		31,049		73,357
	Inter-segment sales are not significant for any period presented. Capital expenditures do not equal cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, as presented in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as capital expenditures above include amounts paid and accrued during the periods presented.
	The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	48,412	$	44,678	$	162,693	$	153,384
	Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net		-1,575		-3,186		-18,906		-7,953
	Depreciation and amortization		-22,296		-23,498		-70,933		-68,213
	Acquisition costs and other		-335		-87		-904		-273
	Long-term compensation expense		-1,742		-1,139		-4,888		-9,300
	Interest expense, net		-9,127		-13,172		-43,477		-40,418
	Other expense		-7,490		-		-48,418		-
	Closure of Tower Defense & Aerospace		-		-		-2,835		-
	Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture	$	5,847	$	3,596	$	-27,668	$	27,227

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	FASB ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements, clarifies the definition of fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants, at the measurement date (an exit price). The exit price is based on the amount that the holder of the asset or liability would receive, or need to pay, in an actual transaction, or in a hypothetical transaction if an actual transaction does not exist, at the measurement date. In some circumstances, the entry and exit price may be the same; however, they are conceptually different
	Fair value is generally determined based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses valuation techniques that place greater reliance on observable inputs and less reliance on unobservable inputs. In measuring fair value, the Company may make adjustments for risks and uncertainties if a market participant would include such an adjustment in its pricing.
	FASB ASC No. 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data, referred to as observable inputs, and the Company’s assumptions, referred to as unobservable inputs. Determining where an asset or liability falls within that hierarchy depends on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole. An adjustment to the pricing method used within either Level 1 or Level 2 inputs could generate a fair value measurement that effectively falls in a lower level in the hierarchy. The hierarchy consists of three broad levels as follows:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
	Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs developed using internal estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that market participants would use.
	At September 30, 2013, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt was $520 million and $522.6 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt was $484.5 million and $529.1 million, respectively. The majority of the Company’s debt at September 30, 2013 is comprised of the Term Loan Credit Facility and has the ability to be traded between financial institutions. Accordingly, this debt has been classified as Level 2. The fair value was determined based on the quoted values. The majority of the Company’s debt at December 31, 2012 was traded in the market and was classified as a Level 2 measurement based on the pricing methodology and the limited trading of the securities. The fair value was determined based on the quoted market values. The remainder of the Company’s debt, primarily consisting of foreign subsidiaries’ debt, is asset-backed and is classified as Level 3. As this debt carries variable rates and minimal credit risk, the book value approximates the fair value for this debt.
	The Company has foreign exchange hedges that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The fair value of the hedges was immaterial for all periods presented. These derivative financial instruments are recorded in accrued liabilities and are all classified as Level 2 measurements determined using significant other observable inputs. The Company engages in foreign exchange hedges to limit exposure on foreign currency related to certain intercompany payments. These foreign exchange hedges have an immaterial impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented.
	The following table provides each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Quoted prices in	Significant other	Significant
		active	observable	unobservable
		markets for identical	inputs	inputs
		assets
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3		Total gains /
						(losses)
	Long-lived assets held for sale	Not applicable	Not applicable	$	2.9	$	-2.2
	In accordance with FASB ASC No. 360, Property, Plant, & Equipment, long-lived assets held for sale with a carrying amount of $5.1 million were written down to their fair value of $2.9 million, resulting in a loss of $2.2 million, which was included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Fair value of the assets was determined using a third party appraisal based on current market conditions.
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accruals approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Joint_Ventures_and_Equity_in_E

Joint Ventures and Equity in Earnings of Joint Venture	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 16. Joint Ventures and Equity in Earnings of Joint Venture
	Ningbo Joint Venture
	In February 2012, a foreign subsidiary of the Company reached an agreement with Ningbo Beilun Ditong Auto Parts Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Ditong Automotive Products Co., Ltd.) and Zhejiang Jirun Automobile Co. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Geely Automobile Co., Ltd.) to form a joint venture (“Ningbo”) located in Ningbo, China. At inception, the joint venture partners contributed a facility and associated land rights located in Ningbo, China in exchange for 64% ownership, which resulted in a $12.1 million noncontrolling interest for the Company.
	During the second quarter of 2013, the Company reached an agreement with the parties to the Ningbo joint venture, whereby the Company agreed to acquire an additional 6% equity interest in Ningbo for $0.8 million. In addition, certain other agreements were modified, which resulted in the Company no longer having the ability to exert control over the operating and financial affairs of Ningbo. Accordingly, the financial results of Ningbo are no longer consolidated within the Company's financial statements; rather, the Company's proportionate share of the earnings of the joint venture have been presented net of tax as equity in earnings of joint venture in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, in connection with the de-consolidation, the Company recognized a gain of $1.5 million in accordance with FASB ASC No. 810,  Consolidation, which is recorded in cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company also incurred direct costs of $0.4 million in relation to the revised agreements, which have been recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses.
	Xiangtan Joint Venture
	In July 2011, a foreign subsidiary of the Company reached an agreement with Xiangtan Ditong Automotive Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. (“DIT”) to form a joint venture, in which the Company exercises control, which was approved by the Chinese government in September 2011. At inception, the joint venture partner contributed its facility located in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China in exchange for 50% ownership, which resulted in a $5.9 million noncontrolling interest for the Company. As part of the original transaction, the Company contributed additional capital to the joint venture in March 2012, resulting in an accumulated ownership of 51%. The joint venture is included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements because the Company exercises control.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies
	Environmental Matters
	The Company owns properties which have been affected by environmental releases. The Company is actively involved in investigation and/or remediation at several of these locations. Total costs and liabilities associated with environmental contamination could be substantial and may have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The established liability for environmental matters is based upon management’s best estimates of expected investigation/ remediation costs related to environmental contamination. It is possible that actual costs associated with these matters will exceed the environmental reserves established by the Company. Inherent uncertainties exist in the estimates, primarily due to unknown environmental conditions, changing governmental regulations, and legal standards regarding liability and evolving technologies for handling site remediation and restoration. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had accrued $2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, for environmental matters.
	Contingent Matters
	The Company will establish reserves for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These types of matters may involve additional claims that, if granted, could require the Company to pay penalties or make other expenditures in amounts that will not be estimable at the time of discovery of the matter. In these cases, a liability will be recorded at the low end of the range if no amount within the range is a better estimate in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, Accounting for Contingencies.
	Litigation
	The Company is subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to its business, including potential lawsuits with customers or suppliers. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not probable or estimable. After discussions with counsel litigating these matters, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of such matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Raw materials	$	37,835	$	32,781
	Work in process		19,886		22,735
	Finished goods		23,961		25,820
	Total	$	81,682	$	81,336

Discontinued_Operations_and_As1

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following table discloses selected financial information of the discontinued operation in the International segment (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2012		September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	71,722	$	248,499
	Loss before provision for income taxes	$	-3,738	$	-721
	Benefit from income taxes		-807		-143
	Loss from discontinued operation, net of tax	$	-2,931	$	-578

Tooling_Tables

Tooling (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Preproduction Costs Related to Long-term Supply Arrangements [Abstract]
Schedule of Capitalized Tooling Costs [Table Text Block]	The components of capitalized tooling costs are as follows (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Customer-owned tooling, net	$	41,611	$	33,308
	Company-owned tooling		3,316		967
	Total tooling, net	$	44,927	$	34,275

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is set forth below by reportable segment and on a consolidated basis (in thousands):
		International			Americas			Consolidated
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	61,826		$	2,967		$	64,793
	Currency translation adjustment		1,551			-226			1,325
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	63,377		$	2,741		$	66,118
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The following table presents information about the intangible assets of the Company at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
				As of September 30, 2013						As of December 31, 2012
		Weighted		Gross			Accumulated			Gross		Accumulated
		Average		Carrying			Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
		Life		Amount						Amount
	Amortized intangible:
	Europe	7 years		$	16,016		$	14,369		$	15,978	$	12,759
	Brazil	7 years			5,471			4,916			5,532		4,392
	Total			$	21,487		$	19,285		$	21,510	$	17,151

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair1

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring Charges and Asset Impairments [Table Text Block]	Net restructuring and asset impairment charges for each of the Company’s reportable segments include the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	International	$	393	$	-	$	1,608	$	1,753
	Americas		1,182		3,186		17,298		6,200
	Consolidated	$	1,575	$	3,186	$	18,906	$	7,953
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth the Company’s net restructuring and asset impairment charges by type for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Employee termination costs	$	602	$	639	$	1,646	$	2,497
	Other exit costs		973		2,547		6,254		5,456
	Asset impairment		-		-		11,006		-
	Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net	$	1,575	$	3,186	$	18,906	$	7,953
Schedule of Restructuring Liability by Segment [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity in the restructuring reserve by segment, reflected in accrued liabilities, for the above-mentioned actions through September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		International		Americas		Consolidated
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	897	$	1,634	$	2,531
	Payments		-921		-1,333		-2,254
	Increase		570		1,076		1,646
	Adjustment		-		-20		-20
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	546	$	1,357	$	1,903

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Term Loan Credit Facility (net of discount of $1,969 and $0)	$	416,981	$	-
	Senior Secured Notes (net of discount of $0 and $7,152)		-		354,840
	Revolving Credit Facility		15,000		39,000
	Detroit Investment Fund indebtedness		-		476
	Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness		88,036		90,228
	Total debt		520,018		484,544
	Less: Current maturities		-68,228		-72,954
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	451,790	$	411,590
Schedule of Foreign Subsidiary Indebtedness [Table Text Block]	The change in foreign subsidiary indebtedness from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 is explained by the following (in thousands):
		Europe		Brazil		China
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	43,422	$	30,426	$	16,380
	Maturities of indebtedness		-5,072		-19,439		-7,516
	New / renewed indebtedness		6,763		10,373		7,516
	Change in borrowings on credit facilities		7,488		-		-1,377
	Foreign exchange impact		1,089		-2,315		298
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	53,690	$	19,045	$	15,301

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block]	The following tables provide the components of net periodic pension benefit cost and other post-retirement benefit cost (in thousands):
			Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
			Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Service cost		$	14	$	11	$	-	$	-
	Interest cost			2,553		2,909		135		164
	Expected return on plan assets (a)			-3,098		-2,804		-		-
	Net periodic benefit cost / (income)		$	-531	$	116	$	135	$	164
			Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
			Nine Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Service cost		$	42	$	29	$	-	$	-
	Interest cost			7,659		8,731		405		492
	Expected return on plan assets (a)			-9,294		-8,438		-		-
	Net periodic benefit cost / (income)		$	-1,593	$	322	$	405	$	492
		(a)	Expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.4% for 2013 and was 7.4% for 2012

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon1

Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	The table below provides a reconciliation of the carrying amount of total stockholders’ equity, including stockholders’ equity attributable to Tower International, Inc. (“Tower”) and the noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013						2012
		Tower		NCI		Total		Tower		NCI		Total
	Stockholders' equity, beginning balance	$	63,247	$	77,627	$	140,874	$	40,003	$	57,457	$	97,460
	Net income / (loss)		-39,245		2,647		-36,598		4,309		4,627		8,936
	Other comprehensive income / (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		3,899		1,229		5,128		-3,564		120		-3,444
	Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge, net		108		-		108		21		-		21
	Total comprehensive income / (loss)		-35,238		3,876		-31,362		766		4,747		5,513
	Vesting of RSUs		3		-		3		-		-		-
	Treasury stock		-297		-		-297		-3,167		-		-3,167
	Share based compensation expense		3,660		-		3,660		8,485		-		8,485
	Proceeds received from stock options exercised		2,067		-		2,067		-		-		-
	Formation of Chinese joint ventures		-		-		-		-		12,097		12,097
	De-consolidation of Chinese joint venture		-		-11,913		-11,913		-		-		-
	Noncontrolling interest dividends		-		-6,748		-6,748		-		-		-
	Stockholders' equity, ending balance	$	33,442	$	62,842	$	96,284	$	46,087	$	74,301	$	120,388
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):
		As of		As of		Other Comprehensive
		September 30,		December 31,		Income Attributable to
		2013		2012		Tower
	Foreign currency translation	$	21,813	$	17,914	$	3,899
	Defined benefit plans, net		-30,350		-30,350		-
	Unrealized gain / (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedge, net		60		-48		108
	Accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	$	-8,477	$	-12,484	$	4,007
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains		Defined		Foreign		Total
		/ (Losses) on		Benefit Plan,		Currency
		Qualifying Cash		Net		Translation
		Flow Hedge				Adjustments
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	140	$	-30,350	$	10,058	$	-20,152
	Other comprehensive income / (loss) before reclassifications		-80		-		11,755		11,675
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		-		-		-		-
	Net current-period other comprehensive income / (loss)		-80		-		11,755		11,675
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	60	$	-30,350	$	21,813	$	-8,477
	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gains		Defined		Foreign		Total
		/ (Losses) on		Benefit Plan,		Currency
		Qualifying Cash		Net		Translation
		Flow Hedge				Adjustments
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	-48	$	-30,350	$	17,914	$	-12,484
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		47		-		3,899		3,946
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		61		-		-		61
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		108		-		3,899		4,007
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	60	$	-30,350	$	21,813	$	-8,477

Earnings_per_Share_EPS_Tables

Earnings per Share ("EPS") (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	A summary of information used to compute basic and diluted net income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc. is shown below (amounts in thousands – except share and per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Income / (loss) from continuing operations	$	4,216	$	549	$	-36,598	$	9,514
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		-		-2,931		-		-578
	Net income / (loss)		4,216		-2,382		-36,598		8,936
	Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		898		1,593		2,647		4,627
	Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.	$	3,318	$	-3,975	$	-39,245	$	4,309
	Basic income / (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.16	$	-0.05	$	-1.93	$	0.24
	Discontinued operations		-		-0.15		-		-0.03
	Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.		0.16		-0.2		-1.93		0.21
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		20,449,920		20,246,797		20,358,641		20,098,355
	Diluted income / (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.16	$	-0.05	$	-1.93	$	0.24
	Discontinued operations		-		-0.15		-		-0.03
	Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.		0.16		-0.2		-1.93		0.21
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		21,106,471		20,246,797		20,358,641		20,533,788

ShareBased_and_LongTerm_Compen1

Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Company’s award activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Options				Restricted Stock Units
	Outstanding at:	Shares		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
				Average				Average Grant
				Exercise Price				Date Fair Value
	31-Dec-12		973,745	$	12.3		682,415	$	11
	Granted		-		-		120,873		13
	Options exercised or RSUs vested		-174,054		12.41		-69,858		13.68
	Forfeited		-52,617		12.13		-13,526		13.15
	30-Sep-13		747,074	$	12.29		719,904	$	11.04

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of selected data for each of the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):
		International		Americas		Total
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues	$	219,250	$	275,947	$	495,197
	Adjusted EBITDA		12,795		35,617		48,412
	Capital Expenditures		8,604		9,232		17,836
	Total assets	$	759,483	$	479,635	$	1,239,118
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	209,848	$	282,279	$	492,127
	Adjusted EBITDA		17,590		27,088		44,678
	Capital Expenditures		14,991		6,779		21,770
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues	$	706,253	$	878,962	$	1,585,215
	Adjusted EBITDA		56,791		105,902		162,693
	Capital Expenditures		18,560		33,534		52,094
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	710,017	$	866,753	$	1,576,770
	Adjusted EBITDA		63,275		90,109		153,384
	Capital Expenditures		42,308		31,049		73,357
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) Before Income Taxes [Table Text Block]	The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	48,412	$	44,678	$	162,693	$	153,384
	Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net		-1,575		-3,186		-18,906		-7,953
	Depreciation and amortization		-22,296		-23,498		-70,933		-68,213
	Acquisition costs and other		-335		-87		-904		-273
	Long-term compensation expense		-1,742		-1,139		-4,888		-9,300
	Interest expense, net		-9,127		-13,172		-43,477		-40,418
	Other expense		-7,490		-		-48,418		-
	Closure of Tower Defense & Aerospace		-		-		-2,835		-
	Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture	$	5,847	$	3,596	$	-27,668	$	27,227

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	The following table provides each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Quoted prices in	Significant other	Significant
		active	observable	unobservable
		markets for identical	inputs	inputs
		assets
		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3		Total gains /
						(losses)
	Long-lived assets held for sale	Not applicable	Not applicable	$	2.9	$	-2.2

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Raw materials	$37,835	$32,781
Work in process	19,886	22,735
Finished goods	23,961	25,820
Total	$81,682	$81,336

Discontinued_Operations_and_As2

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues		$71,722		$248,499
Loss before provision for income taxes		-3,738		-721
Benefit from income taxes		-807		-143
Loss from discontinued operation, net of tax	$0	($2,931)	$0	($578)

Discontinued_Operations_and_As3

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	KRW	USD ($)	SJ Holdings, Inc [Member]	SJ Holdings, Inc [Member]	SJ Holdings, Inc [Member]	Bergisch Gladbach [Member]	Romulus [Member]
				Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]	Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]	Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]	Germany Facility [Member]	Michigan Facility [Member]
						USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Purchase Price of Outstanding Capital	$47,000,000	50,000,000,000
Percentage of Purchase Price Received				40.00%	50.00%	10.00%
Date of Purchase Price				31-Jan-13	28-Dec-12	Dec-13
Receivable from sale of interest in subsidiary	4,700,000
Proceeds from sale of interest in subsidiary						18,600,000
Transaction Costs Paid						2,900,000
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	$12,040,000		$0				$2,500,000	$400,000

Tooling_Details

Tooling (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Customer-owned tooling, net	$41,611	$33,308
Company-owned tooling	3,316	967
Total tooling, net	$44,927	$34,275

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$64,793
Currency translation adjustment	1,325
Balance at September 30, 2013	66,118
Americas [Member]
Balance at December 31, 2012	2,967
Currency translation adjustment	-226
Balance at September 30, 2013	2,741
International [Member]
Balance at December 31, 2012	61,826
Currency translation adjustment	1,551
Balance at September 30, 2013	$63,377

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amortized intangible:
Gross Carrying Amount	$21,487	$21,510
Accumulated Amortization	19,285	17,151
Europe [Member]
Amortized intangible:
Weighted Average Life	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	16,016	15,978
Accumulated Amortization	14,369	12,759
Brazil [Member]
Amortized intangible:
Weighted Average Life	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	5,471	5,532
Accumulated Amortization	$4,916	$4,392

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	$2,700,000		$2,700,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	1,600,000		1,600,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$646,000	$1,120,000	$2,134,000	$3,439,000

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair2

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring charges and asset impairments	$1,575	$3,186	$18,906	$7,953
International [Member]
Restructuring charges and asset impairments	393	0	1,608	1,753
Americas [Member]
Restructuring charges and asset impairments	$1,182	$3,186	$17,298	$6,200

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair3

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee termination costs	$602	$639	$1,646	$2,497
Other exit costs	973	2,547	6,254	5,456
Asset impairment	0	0	11,006	0
Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net	$1,575	$3,186	$18,906	$7,953

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair4

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Beginning balance	$2,531
Payments	-2,254
Increase	1,646
Adjustment	-20
Ending balance	1,903
International [Member]
Beginning balance	897
Payments	-921
Increase	570
Adjustment	0
Ending balance	546
Americas [Member]
Beginning balance	1,634
Payments	-1,333
Increase	1,076
Adjustment	-20
Ending balance	$1,357

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair5

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
						Tower Defense & Aerospace, LLC [Member]	Tower Defense & Aerospace, LLC [Member]	International [Member]	International [Member]	International [Member]	International [Member]	International [Member]	Americas [Member]	Americas [Member]	Americas [Member]	Americas [Member]	Americas [Member]
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment			$12,040	$0			$9,100
Restructuring Reserve	1,903		1,903		2,531			546		546		897	1,357		1,357		1,634
Payments for Restructuring			2,254							921					1,333
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	0	0	11,006	0		8,200
Restructuring Charges	1,575	3,186	18,906	7,953		11,500		393	0	1,608	1,753		1,182	3,186	17,298	6,200
Other Restructuring Costs	973	2,547	6,254	5,456		2,800
Severance Costs	$602	$639	$1,646	$2,497		$500

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt	$520,018	$484,544
Less: Current maturities	-68,228	-72,954
Long-term debt, net of current portion	451,790	411,590
Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Debt	416,981	0
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt	0	354,840
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt	15,000	39,000
Detroit Investment Fund indebtedness [Member]
Debt	0	476
Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness [Member]
Debt	$88,036	$90,228

Debt_Details_1

Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Europe Subsidiary [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$43,422
Maturities of indebtedness	-5,072
New / renewed indebtedness	6,763
Change in borrowings on credit facilities	7,488
Foreign exchange impact	1,089
Balance as of September 30, 2013	53,690
Brazil Subsidiary [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012	30,426
Maturities of indebtedness	-19,439
New / renewed indebtedness	10,373
Change in borrowings on credit facilities	0
Foreign exchange impact	-2,315
Balance as of September 30, 2013	19,045
China Subsidiary [Member]
Balance as of December 31, 2012	16,380
Maturities of indebtedness	-7,516
New / renewed indebtedness	7,516
Change in borrowings on credit facilities	-1,377
Foreign exchange impact	298
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$15,301

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

24-May-13

Aug. 26, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 13, 2011

Aug. 24, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 26, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Aug. 24, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 13, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 20, 2013

Jun. 13, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Term Loan Credit Agreement [Member]

Term Loan Credit Agreement [Member]

Tender Offer [Member]

Tender Offer [Member]

Tender Offer [Member]

Tender Offer [Member]

Term Loan Credit Agreement Reprice Rate [Member]

Term Loan Credit Agreement Reprice Rate [Member]

Brazil Subsidiary [Member]

Brazil Subsidiary [Member]

Europe [Member]

Europe [Member]

Europe [Member]

China Subsidiary [Member]

China Subsidiary [Member]

China Subsidiary [Member]

China Subsidiary [Member]

China Subsidiary [Member]

Other Foreign Subsidiary [Member]

Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement [Member]

Amended ABL [Member]

Detroit Investment Fund [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Factoring Finance [Member]

Factoring Finance [Member]

Factoring Finance [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Notes [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

Unsecured Indebtedness [Member]

Unsecured Indebtedness [Member]

Unsecured Indebtedness [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Europe [Member]

Europe [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Capital Lease Obligations, Current

$1,200,000

$1,200,000

$1,700,000

Debt Instrument, Initial Term Loan

420,000,000

Debt Instrument, Aggregate Principal Amount

43,000,000

100,000,000

276,000,000

276,000,000

362,000,000

Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate

10.63%

4.75%

5.99%

5.99%

5.99%

Senior Notes

43,000,000

430,000,000

430,000,000

276,000,000

276,000,000

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

12,800,000

2,000,000

Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)

800,000

800,000

5,200,000

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

1-Sep-17

23-Apr-20

30-Jun-15

30-Jun-15

31-Mar-14

13-Jun-14

Redemption of Notes Price, Percentage of Principal, Two

105.00%

105.00%

Redemption of Notes Price, Percentage of Principal, Six

10.63%

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

21,800,000

21,800,000

16,100,000

150,000,000

50,000,000

148,600,000

38,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

39,300,000

29,100,000

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description

The facilities bear an interest rate based on the EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.9% to 4.0% and have maturity dates ranging from October 2013 to April 2015.

the applicable margins were 1% per annum and 2% per annum for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively, resulting in a weighted average interest rate of 2.19% per annum.

Line of Credit Facility, Alternate Base Rate Interest, Description

Advances under the Amended ABL Revolver bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus a base rate margin or LIBOR plus a Eurodollar margin. The applicable margins are determined by the average availability under the Amended ABL Revolver over the preceding three consecutive full calendar months and as of the date of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility Agreement were 1.00% per annum and 2.00% per annum for base rate and LIBOR based borrowings, respectively.

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

417,000,000

31,900,000

23,600,000

9,600,000

58,700,000

11,500,000

8,400,000

Business Acquisition, Debt Acquired

1,000,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End

8.50%

8.50%

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current

45,200,000

45,200,000

Line of Credit Facility, Future Increase in Borrowing Limit

44,500,000

44,500,000

Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date

19-Jun-18

Line of Credit Facility, Before Amended Borrowing Capacity

22,500,000

Line of Credit Facility, Amended Borrowing Capacity

8,500,000

Interest Expenses, Related to Amortization of Debt Issue Cost

900,000

400,000

6,000,000

1,400,000

Long-term Debt

520,018,000

520,018,000

484,544,000

19,000,000

42,200,000

31,900,000

15,300,000

88,000,000

21,800,000

22,900,000

16,900,000

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

10.52%

Interest Rate on Borrowings Range, Minimum

3.00%

Interest Rate on Borrowings Range, Maximum

13.41%

Borrowings, Maturity Dates Range, Minimum

Oct-13

Borrowings, Maturity Dates Range, Maximum

Jul-22

Line of Credit Facility, New Borrowings

1,000,000

5,700,000

35,000,000

3,300,000

20,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Outstanding

15,000,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate

11.25%

4.11%

4.11%

7.08%

7.08%

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Rate Range, Minimum

5.99%

5.99%

2.37%

2.37%

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Rate Range, Maximum

7.68%

7.68%

3.97%

3.97%

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

3.18%

3.18%

Capital Lease Obligations, Maximum, Maturity Date

Mar-18

Capital Lease Obligations

11,400,000

11,400,000

12,500,000

Debt Instrument, Covenant Description

(i) $100 million and (ii) such other amount so long as Term Loan Holdcos pro forma Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) does not exceed 2.00:1.00. The maturity date for the initial term loan disbursed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement was April 23, 2020.

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms

Term Loan Credit Agreement bore interest at (i) an alternate base rate (“the Alternate Base Rate”) (which is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2% and the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for a one month interest period plus 1%) plus a margin of 3.50% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.25%) plus a margin of 4.50%.

The Term Loan Credit Facility will bear interest at (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 2.75% or (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (calculated by multiplying the applicable LIBOR rate by a statutory reserve rate, with a floor of 1.00%) plus a margin of 3.75%.

rates based on the average three month EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.15% to 3.75%.

rates based on the average three month EURIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.15% to 3.75%.

Debt Instrument, Aggregate Purchase Price

113.58%

Debt Instrument, Premium Paid

2,200,000

2,200,000

37,500,000

37,500,000

Other Expenses

700,000

Debt Issuance Cost

500,000

500,000

3,100,000

Payments of Debt Issuance Costs

1,700,000

Amortization of Financing Costs

300,000

Breakage Fee

600,000

Charges Related to Premium Paid and Re-pricing Expenses

4,500,000

New or Renewed Indebtedness

$10,373,000

$6,763,000

$7,516,000

$1,600,000

10,000,000

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2006
					Chinese Joint Ventures [Member]	International Segment [Member]	International Segment [Member]	International Segment [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$1,423,000	$3,047,000	$8,557,000	$17,713,000		$1,100,000	$2,300,000	$2,300,000
Provision for Income Tax			2,800,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount				6,500,000
Potential Future Dividends					$1,900,000

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Service cost	$14		$11		$42		$29
Interest cost	2,553		2,909		7,659		8,731
Expected return on plan assets	-3,098	[1]	-2,804	[1]	-9,294	[1]	-8,438	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost / (income)	-531		116		-1,593		322
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Service cost	0		0		0		0
Interest cost	135		164		405		492
Expected return on plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost / (income)	$135		$164		$405		$492
[1]	Expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.4% for 2013 and was 7.4% for 2012

Retirement_Plans_Details_Textu

Retirement Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Minimum Pension Funding			$15
Pension Contributions	5.4		11.8
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$1.20		$3.50
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	7.40%	7.40%	7.40%	7.40%

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon2

Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			$140,874	$97,460
Net income / (loss)	4,216	-2,382	-36,598	8,936
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,483	5,426	5,128	-3,444
Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge, net	-80	10	108	21
Total comprehensive income / (loss)	16,619	3,054	-31,362	5,513
Vesting of RSUs			3	0
Treasury stock			-297	-3,167
Share based compensation expense			3,660	8,485
Proceeds received from stock options exercised			2,067	0
Formation of Chinese joint ventures			0	12,097
De-consolidation of Chinese joint venture			-11,913	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends			-6,748	0
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	96,284	120,388	96,284	120,388
Tower International [Member]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			63,247	40,003
Net income / (loss)			-39,245	4,309
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments			3,899	-3,564
Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge, net			108	21
Total comprehensive income / (loss)			-35,238	766
Vesting of RSUs			3	0
Treasury stock			-297	-3,167
Share based compensation expense			3,660	8,485
Proceeds received from stock options exercised			2,067	0
Formation of Chinese joint ventures			0	0
De-consolidation of Chinese joint venture			0	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends			0	0
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	33,442	46,087	33,442	46,087
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			77,627	57,457
Net income / (loss)			2,647	4,627
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments			1,229	120
Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedge, net			0	0
Total comprehensive income / (loss)			3,876	4,747
Vesting of RSUs			0	0
Treasury stock			0	0
Share based compensation expense			0	0
Proceeds received from stock options exercised			0	0
Formation of Chinese joint ventures			0	12,097
De-consolidation of Chinese joint venture			-11,913	0
Noncontrolling interest dividends			-6,748	0
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	$62,842	$74,301	$62,842	$74,301

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon3

Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interests (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign currency translation	$21,813	$21,813	$10,058	$17,914
Defined benefit plans, net	-30,350	-30,350	-30,350	-30,350
Unrealized gain / (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedge, net	60	60	140	-48
Accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	-8,477	-8,477	-20,152	-12,484
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss), Foreign currency translation		3,899
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss), Defined benefit plans, net		0
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss), Unrealized gain / (loss) on qualifying cash flow hedge, net		108
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Tower	$11,675	$4,007

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon4

Stockholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interests (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Qualifying Cash Flow Hedge, Beginning Balance	$140	($48)
Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Qualifying Cash Flow Hedge, Other comprehensive income / (loss) before reclassifications	-80	47
Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Qualifying Cash Flow Hedge, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	0	61
Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Qualifying Cash Flow Hedge, Net current-period other comprehensive income / (loss)	-80	108
Unrealized Gains / (Losses) on Qualifying Cash Flow Hedge, Ending balance	60	60
Defined Benefit Plan, Net, Beginning Balance	-30,350	-30,350
Defined Benefit Plan, Net, Other comprehensive income / (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net, Net current-period other comprehensive income / (loss)	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net, Ending balance	-30,350	-30,350
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning Balance	10,058	17,914
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Other comprehensive income / (loss) before reclassifications	11,755	3,899
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	0	0
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Net current-period other comprehensive income / (loss)	11,755	3,899
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending balance	21,813	21,813
Beginning Balance	-20,152	-12,484
Other comprehensive income / (loss) before reclassifications	11,675	3,946
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss)	0	61
Net current-period other comprehensive income / (loss)	11,675	4,007
Ending balance	($8,477)	($8,477)

Earnings_per_Share_EPS_Details

Earnings per Share ("EPS") (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income / (loss) from continuing operations	$4,216	$549	($36,598)	$9,514
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-2,931	0	-578
Net income / (loss)	4,216	-2,382	-36,598	8,936
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	898	1,593	2,647	4,627
Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.	$3,318	($3,975)	($39,245)	$4,309
Basic income / (loss) per share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.05)	($1.93)	$0.24
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.15)	$0	($0.03)
Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.	$0.16	($0.20)	($1.93)	$0.21
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	20,449,920	20,246,797	20,358,641	20,098,355
Diluted income / (loss) per share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.05)	($1.93)	$0.24
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.15)	$0	($0.03)
Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$0.16	($0.20)	($1.93)	$0.21
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	21,106,471	20,246,797	20,358,641	20,533,788

Earnings_per_Share_EPS_Details1

Earnings per Share ("EPS") (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1.7	1.5	1

ShareBased_and_LongTerm_Compen2

Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Options, Outstanding, Beginning (in shares)	973,745
Options, Granted (in shares)	0
Options, Options exercised or RSUs vested (in shares)	-174,054
Options, Forfeited (in shares)	-52,617
Options, Outstanding, Ending (in shares)	747,074
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning (in dollars per share)	$12.30
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted (in dollars per share)	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options exercised or RSUs vested (in dollars per share)	$12.41
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$12.13
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending (in dollars per share)	$12.29
Restricted Stock Units, Outstanding, Beginning (in shares)	682,415
Restricted Stock Units, Granted (in shares)	120,873
Restricted Stock Units, Options exercised or RSUs vested (in shares)	-69,858
Restricted Stock Units, Forfeited (in shares)	-13,526
Restricted Stock Units, Outstanding, Ending (in shares)	719,904
Restricted Stock Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding, Beginning (in dollars per share)	$11
Restricted Stock Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share)	$13
Restricted Stock Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Options exercised or RSUs vested (in dollars per share)	$13.68
Restricted Stock Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$13.15
Restricted Stock Units, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding, Ending (in dollars per share)	$11.04

ShareBased_and_LongTerm_Compen3

Share-Based and Long-Term Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 06, 2013	Mar. 01, 2013	Apr. 20, 2012	Mar. 01, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
						Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Equity Incentive Plan 2010 [Member]	Performance Award Agreements [Member]	Performance Award Agreements [Member]	Supplemental Value Creation Program [Member]	Supplemental Value Creation Program [Member]	IPO [Member]
																			Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant (in shares)														1,160,273
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)	4,600,000		4,600,000
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$0.40	$0.50	$1.40	$1.20											$0.30	$0.70		$0.70
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	2		2							4.1		4.1
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			16 months									20 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number (in shares)	747,074		747,074		973,745
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)			8 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period (in shares)			174,054
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period			52,617
Restricted Stock or Unit Expense										0.8	0.6	2.2	1.9						5.5
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	719,904		719,904		682,415
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Forfeited In Period			13,526
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Options, Future Grants						one third of the RSUs granted on March 6, 2012 vested	one third of the RSUs granted on March 3, 2011 vested	the second half of the RSUs granted at the time of the Company's IPO vested	one third of the RSUs granted on March 3, 2011 vested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period			69,858			40,305	26,837	814,035	31,878
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value						0.5	0.3	9.1	0.4
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Net of Offsets for Withholding Taxes (in shares)						27,164	17,934	537,970	25,384
Payments to Acquire Vested Shares						0.2	0.1	3.1	0.1
Vested Shares Acquired to Cover Minimum Withholding Taxes One (in shares)						13,141	8,903	276,065	6,494
Payments to Employees																		7.5
Awards Granted to Executives Under Performance Award Agreement																approximately 80 executives		approximately 70 executives
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share-based Liabilities Paid															$0.70	$0.70	$3.10
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights																	nine and 18 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period																		18 months

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues	$495,197	$492,127	$1,585,215	$1,576,770
Adjusted EBITDA	48,412	44,678	162,693	153,384
Capital Expenditures	17,836	21,770	52,094	73,357
Total assets	1,239,118		1,239,118		1,238,122
International [Member]
Revenues	219,250	209,848	706,253	710,017
Adjusted EBITDA	12,795	17,590	56,791	63,275
Capital Expenditures	8,604	14,991	18,560	42,308
Total assets	759,483		759,483
Americas [Member]
Revenues	275,947	282,279	878,962	866,753
Adjusted EBITDA	35,617	27,088	105,902	90,109
Capital Expenditures	9,232	6,779	33,534	31,049
Total assets	$479,635		$479,635

Segment_Information_Details_1

Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Adjusted EBITDA	$48,412	$44,678	$162,693	$153,384
Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net	-1,575	-3,186	-18,906	-7,953
Depreciation and amortization	-22,296	-23,498	-70,933	-68,213
Acquisition costs and other	-335	-87	-904	-273
Long-term compensation expense	-1,742	-1,139	-4,888	-9,300
Interest expense, net	-9,127	-13,172	-43,477	-40,418
Other expense	-7,490	0	-48,418	0
Closure of Tower Defense & Aerospace	0	0	-2,835	0
Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in loss of joint venture	$5,847	$3,596	($27,668)	$27,227

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale, Total gains / (losses)	($2.20)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	$2.90

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term Debt	$520,018,000	$484,544,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	522,600,000	529,100,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	2,200,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived	5,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	$2,900,000

Joint_Ventures_and_Equity_in_E1

Joint Ventures and Equity in Earnings of Joint Venture (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Feb. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Xiangtan [Member]	Xiangtan [Member]	Ningbo [Member]	Ningbo [Member]	Ningbo [Member]
	Xiangtan Joint Venture [Member]	Xiangtan Joint Venture [Member]	Ningbo Joint Venture [Member]	Ningbo Joint Venture [Member]	Ningbo Joint Venture [Member]
Ownership Percentage of Subsidiary	51.00%	50.00%	64.00%
Noncontrolling Interest in Joint Ventures		$5.90	$12.10
Additional Ownership Percentage in Subsidiary				6.00%
Equity Method Investment Agreed Contribution Amount				0.8
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount					1.5
Equity Method Investment Direct Cost					$0.40

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Environmental Exit Costs, Costs Accrued to Date	$2.30	$2.30