Elah (ELLH) 10-Q 12 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	RELY
Entity Registrant Name	SIGNATURE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	38984
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,143,606

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$28.60	$62
Trade accounts receivable, net	170.7
Inventories	136.1
Deferred income taxes		5.1
Other current assets	9.6	1
Current assets of discontinued operations	0.1	18
Total current assets	345.1	86.1
Debt and equity offering costs		14.5
Property, plant and equipment, net	316.4	0.1
Intangible assets, net	21.6	0.1
Goodwill	102.3
Deferred income taxes	3
Other noncurrent assets	2.9	1.1
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations		20
TOTAL ASSETS	791.3	121.9
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	116.2
Accrued liabilities	37.7	6.2
Long-term debt due within one year	1.5
Other current liabilities	62.4	0.9
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0.3	8.1
Total current liabilities	218.1	15.2
Accrued pension benefits	44.5
Environmental liabilities	18.4
Long-term debt, net	323
Common stock warrant liability	4.9	5.6
Other noncurrent liabilities	11.4	0.3
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	5.3	15.2
TOTAL LIABILITIES	625.6	36.3
Stockholders’ equity:
Additional paid-in capital	534.6	482
Accumulated deficit	-389.8	-396.3
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0.3
Total stockholders’ equity — Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	145.1	85.7
Noncontrolling interest	0.8	-0.1
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	145.9	85.6
TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	791.3	121.9
Series B Preferred Stock
Current liabilities:
Redeemable preferred stock, Series B, $1,000 liquidation preference per share 100,000 and zero shares authorized 25,000 and zero shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	19.8
Series A preferred stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, Series A, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	66,500,000	66,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,300,606	17,099,882
Common stock, shares outstanding	27,300,606	17,099,882
Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share	$1,000	$1,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	0
Preferred stock, issued	25,000	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	25,000	0
Series A preferred stock
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	0	0
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$137.80	$0.10
Cost of sales	133
Gross profit	4.8	0.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7.4	2.6
Gains on derivative financial instruments	-0.2
Amortization of intangibles	0.1
Other operating expense, net	0.3
Operating loss	-2.8	-2.5
Nonoperating expense (income):
Interest expense	8.1
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability	-0.7	-0.8
Acquisition and financing-related costs and expenses	14.4
Other, net	0.3
Total nonoperating expense (income)	22.1	-0.8
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-24.9	-1.7
Income tax benefit	-7.4	-0.3
Loss from continuing operations	-17.5	-1.4
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	24.3	1.5
Net earnings	6.8	0.1
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.1
Net earnings attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	$6.70	$0.10
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	($0.82)	($0.10)
Discontinued operations	$1.12	$0.11
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$0.30	$0.01

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$6.80	$0.10
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
Current period currency translation adjustments	0.3
Comprehensive income	7.1	0.1
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.1
Comprehensive income attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	$7	$0.10

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$6.80	$0.10
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-24.3	-1.5
Depreciation and amortization	3.7	0.1
Deferred income tax benefit	-7.4
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability	-0.7	-0.8
Share-based compensation expense	0.3	0.5
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1.1
Amortization of the fair value adjustment of acquired inventory	3.7
Inventory impairment		0.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisition	41.8	-0.4
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations	-0.8	-2.1
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	24.2	-3.7
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business, net of cash	-491
Proceeds from sale of NABCO, net of $3.9 million held in escrow	74.1
Purchases of property and equipment	-2.6	-0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	-419.5	-0.1
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of NABCO outstanding debt	-14.3
Proceeds from Asset-Based Facility	57.1
Repayments on Asset-Based Facility	-24
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	290.1
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	1.1
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	51.2
Other	-0.1	-0.1
Net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations		0.6
Net cash provided by financing activities	361.1	0.5
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents	-0.1
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-34.3	-3.3
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	63	48
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	28.7	44.7
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period - continuing operations	28.6	44.5
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period - discontinued operations	$0.10	$0.20

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash held in escrow	$3.90

Business_and_Operations

Business and Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business and Operations	NOTE 1—BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
	Signature Group Holdings, Inc. (“Signature,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a holding company that owns all of the outstanding interests of its two primary operating companies, Real Alloy Intermediate Holding, LLC (“Real Alloy Parent”) and SGGH, LLC. Management expects to grow the Company through acquisitions, as well as through organic efforts within existing operations described below. Our current business strategy seeks to leverage our public company status, considerable federal and California net operating tax loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and the experience of our management and Board of Directors (the “Board”) to acquire operating businesses at prices and on terms that are aligned with our growth plans.
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company underwent a considerable transformation. On January 9, 2015, we completed the sale of North American Breaker Co., LLC (“NABCO”), previously the primary business within SGGH, LLC, to an investor group led by PNC Riverarch LLC. On February 27, 2015, we acquired the global recycling and specification alloys business (the “Real Alloy Business”) of Aleris Corporation (“Aleris”) (the “Real Alloy Acquisition”). A portion of the proceeds of the sale of NABCO were used to fund the Real Alloy Acquisition.
	The Real Alloy Business, operating under Real Alloy Parent through its wholly owned subsidiary Real Alloy Holding, Inc. (“Real Alloy”), is a global leader in third-party aluminum recycling, which includes the processing of scrap aluminum and by-products and the manufacturing of wrought, cast and specification or foundry alloys. Real Alloy offers a broad range of products and services to wrought alloy processors, automotive original equipment manufacturers, and foundries and casters. Industries served include automotive, consumer packaging, steel and durable goods, aerospace, and building and construction. Real Alloy processes scrap aluminum and by-products and delivers recycled metal in liquid or solid form according to customer specifications. Real Alloy’s facilities are capable of processing industrial (new) scrap, post-consumer (old/obsolete) scrap, and various aluminum by-products, giving it a great degree of flexibility in reclaiming high-quality recycled aluminum. Real Alloy currently operates twenty-four facilities strategically located throughout North America and Europe and, as of March 31, 2015, Real Alloy had approximately 1,700 employees.
	The closing of the Real Alloy Acquisition was the culmination of a series of equity and debt financing transactions that began in the fourth quarter of 2014 to raise the capital required to fund the Real Alloy Acquisition and pay transaction costs as summarized below (collectively, the “Financings”):
	·	In October 2014, Signature issued 0.3 million shares of common stock at $10.00 per share to accredited investors in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, providing gross proceeds of $3.0 million, which were used to fund a portion of the Real Alloy Acquisition;
	·	In December 2014, Signature issued approximately 4.4 million shares of common stock at $6.50 per share in an underwritten public offering providing gross proceeds of $28.5 million, which were used to fund a portion of the Real Alloy Acquisition;
	·	In January 2015, Real Alloy, as successor to SGH Escrow Corporation (“SGH Escrow”), issued $305.0 million in senior secured notes due January 15, 2019 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) at a price of 97.206% of the principal amount, providing gross proceeds of $296.5 million, which were used to fund a portion of the Real Alloy Acquisition;
	·	In February 2015, Signature issued approximately 9.8 million shares of common stock to existing stockholders in a stapled rights offering (the “Rights Offering”), providing gross proceeds of $55.0 million, of which $50.0 million was used to fund a portion of the Real Alloy Acquisition;
	·	In February 2015, the U.S., Canadian and German operating subsidiaries of Real Alloy entered into new credit facilities, including a $110.0 million asset-based lending facility (the “Asset-Based Facility”) secured by assets of certain of Real Alloy’s North American subsidiaries, and a €50.0 million factoring facility (the “Factoring Facility”) for the purchase of eligible accounts receivable of Real Alloy’s German operations. The initial draws on the Asset-Based Facility and Factoring Facility provided gross proceeds of $59.5 million and €25.0 million ($28.0 million), respectively, of which $73.5 million was used to fund a portion of the Real Alloy Acquisition and approximately $14.0 million was drawn for operating purposes; and
	·	In February 2015, Signature issued 25,000 shares, at a $1,000 liquidation preference per share, of a new series of non-participating preferred stock (the “Redeemable Preferred Stock”) to Aleris, as a portion of the purchase price for the Real Alloy Acquisition.
	Additionally, in April 2015, Signature issued 0.8 million shares of common stock to existing holders of warrants to purchase common stock as the final component of the Rights Offering launched in February 2015, which provided gross proceeds of $4.8 million.
	On April 21, 2015, our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “RELY” as part of the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
	As a result of the transformative nature of the acquisition, divestiture and financing activities described above, our operations in 2015 will be substantially different from that reported in the previous periods covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”).
	The assets and liabilities and results of operations of NABCO are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented as a result of the sale in the first quarter of 2015. Discontinued operations also includes certain assets and liabilities related to Signature’s former businesses, then known as Fremont General Corporation (“Fremont”) and its primary operating subsidiary, Fremont Investment & Loan (“FIL”). As of March 31, 2015, there are assets with nominal carrying values in discontinued operations and the remaining liabilities are being managed to limit costs and exposures.
	See Note 13—Segment Information for additional information about our operating segments.

Financial_Statement_Presentati

Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	NOTE 2—FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Signature, its wholly owned subsidiaries and its majority owned subsidiaries. The Company accounts for investments in companies over which it has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not hold a controlling interest, under the equity method of accounting, and records its proportionate share of income or losses in other income (expense) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015, as a result of the gain on sale associated with the NABCO Sale and only thirty-three days of operating performance of Real Alloy. These interim period unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015 (the “Annual Report”).
	Certain amounts in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation, including the classification of NABCO as a discontinued operation.
	The Company’s historically significant accounting policies are disclosed in the consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15 of the Annual Report, which, as a result of the Real Alloy Acquisition, now include the following new and modified significant accounting policies.
	Revenue recognition and shipping and handling costs
	Revenues are recognized when title transfers and risk of loss passes to the customer in accordance with the provisions of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB 104”) This typically occurs when the goods reach their destination.  For customer-owned toll material, revenue is recognized upon the performance of the tolling service for the customers.  For material that is consigned, revenue is not recognized until the product is used by the customer. Shipping and handling costs are included within cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations included elsewhere in this Report.
	Accounts receivable allowances and credit risk
	Credit is extended to our customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition; generally, collateral is not required. We maintain an allowance against our accounts receivable for the estimated probable losses on uncollectible accounts and sales returns and allowances. The allowance is based upon our historical loss experience, current economic conditions within the industries we serve as well as our determination of the specific risk related to certain customers. Accounts receivable are charged off against the reserve when, in management’s estimation, further collection efforts would not result in a reasonable likelihood of receipt, or, if later, as proscribed by statutory regulations.
	The Company has an agreement to sell certain of its accounts receivable in Europe. Sales of receivables are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing (“ASC 860”). Agreements which result in true sales of the transferred receivables, as defined in ASC 860, which occur when receivables are transferred to a purchaser of the receivables, without recourse to the Company, are excluded from amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets once paid by the transferee. Cash proceeds received from such sales are included in operating cash flows. The Company has no obligation to the purchaser of such receivables after sale.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined primarily on the average cost or specific identification method and includes material, labor and overhead related to the manufacturing process. The cost of inventories acquired in business combinations is recorded at fair value.
	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of asset impairments and depreciation. The cost of property, plant and equipment acquired in business combinations represents the fair value of the acquired assets at the time of acquisition.
	The fair value of asset retirement obligations is capitalized to the related long-lived asset at the time the obligation is incurred and is depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the related asset. Major renewals and improvements that extend an asset’s useful life are capitalized to property, plant and equipment. Major repair and maintenance projects are expensed over periods not exceeding twenty-four months, while normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is primarily computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, as follows:
		Estimated Useful Lives
	Building and improvements	5 - 33 years
	Production equipment and machinery	2 - 25 years
	Office furniture, equipment and other	3 - 10 years
	The construction costs of landfills used to store by-products of the recycling process are depreciated as space in the landfills is used based on the unit of production method. Additionally, used space in the landfill is determined periodically either by aerial photography or engineering estimates.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is tested for impairment as of October 1 of each year and may be tested more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that a potential impairment exists. We evaluate goodwill based upon our reporting units, which are defined as operating segments or, in certain situations, one level below the operating segment. Due to the proximity of the Real Alloy Acquisition to March 31, 2015, the allocation of goodwill to our reporting units has not yet been determined.
	The impairment test is a two-step process, which requires us to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculations. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of each reporting unit based on discounted cash flow models and guideline Company information, using revenue and profit forecasts, and comparing those estimated fair values with the carrying values, which include allocated goodwill. These projections include assumptions about prices, margins and other operating costs. Other key assumptions included in the fair value of our reporting units include estimated cash flow periods, terminal values based on our anticipated growth rate and the discount rate used, which is based on our current cost of capital, adjusted for the risks associated with our operations. If the determined fair value is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to the corresponding carrying value.
	Deferred financing costs
	The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and classified as a reduction of the associated debt and amortized over the terms of the related debt agreements as interest expense using the effective interest method.
	Derivatives and hedging
	Real Alloy is engaged in activities that expose it to various market risks, including changes in the prices of aluminum alloys, scrap aluminum, copper, zinc and natural gas, as well as changes in currency exchange rates. Certain of these financial exposures are managed as an integral part of its risk management program, which seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of the markets may have on operating results. Real Alloy may enter into forward contracts or swaps to manage the exposure to market risk. The fair value of these instruments is reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the impact of these instruments is reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Real Alloy does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
	The estimated fair values of derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities as of the balance sheet date. Fair values for metal and natural gas derivative instruments are determined based on the differences between contractual and forward rates of identical hedge positions as of the balance sheet date. In developing these fair values, Real Alloy includes an estimate of the risk associated with nonperformance by either its counterparty or itself.
	Real Alloy does not account for its derivative financial instruments as hedges. The changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments and the associated gains and losses realized upon settlement are recorded in gains on derivative financial instruments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. All realized gains and losses are included within net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Real Alloy is exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance by its derivative counterparties. The counterparties’ creditworthiness is monitored on an ongoing basis, and credit levels are reviewed to ensure appropriate concentrations of credit outstanding to any particular counterparty. Although nonperformance by counterparties is possible, we do not currently anticipate nonperformance by any of these parties.
	Currency translation
	Certain of Real Alloy’s international subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. Real Alloy translates substantially all of the amounts included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations from its international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at average monthly exchange rates, which management believes is representative of the actual exchange rates on the dates of the transactions. Additionally, Real Alloy maintains intercompany, long-term loans between its U.S. and foreign jurisdiction entities, which were established in the subsidiaries’ functional currency and due to their long-term nature, any currency related effects are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Adjustments resulting from the translation of the assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the balance sheet date exchange rates are reflected as a separate component of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. Currency translation adjustments accumulate in the Company’s stockholders’ equity until the disposition or liquidation of the international entities. Currency transactional gains and losses associated with receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included within other expense (income), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The translation of accounts receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies resulted in transactional losses of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Environmental and asset retirement obligations
	Environmental obligations that are not legal or contractual asset retirement obligations and that relate to existing conditions caused by past operations with no benefit to future operations are expensed, while expenditures that extend the life, increase the capacity or improve the safety of an asset, or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized in property, plant and equipment. Obligations are recorded when their occurrence is probable and the associated costs can be reasonably estimated. While accruals are based on management’s current best estimate of the future costs of remedial action, these liabilities can change substantially due to factors such as the nature and extent of contamination, changes in the required remedial actions and technological advancements. Existing environmental liabilities are not discounted to their present values, as the amount and timing of the expenditures are not fixed or reliably determinable.
	Asset retirement obligations represent obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Our asset retirement obligations relate primarily to the requirement to cap our three landfills, as well as costs related to the future removal of asbestos and costs to remove underground storage tanks. The costs associated with such legal obligations are accounted for under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 410, Asset Retirement Obligations (“ASC 410”), which requires the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred and capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. These fair values are based upon the present value of the future cash flows expected to be incurred to satisfy the obligation. Determining the fair value of asset retirement obligations requires judgment, including estimates of the credit adjusted interest rate and estimates of future cash flows. Estimates of future cash flows are obtained primarily from engineering consulting firms. The present value of the obligations is accreted over time while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.
	Pension benefits
	Pension benefit costs are accrued based on annual analyses performed by actuaries. These analyses are based on assumptions such as an assumed discount rate and an expected rate of return on plan assets. Both the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets require estimates and projections by management and can fluctuate from period to period. Real Alloy’s objective in selecting a discount rate is to select the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled. In making this estimate, projected cash flows are developed and matched with a yield curve based on an appropriate universe of high-quality corporate bonds. Assumptions for long-term rates of return on plan assets are based upon historical returns and future expectations for returns. See Note 3—Business Combinations for more information about the assumptions used to determine the pension benefit obligation as of the date of the Real Alloy Acquisition.
	Management believes these assumptions are appropriate; however, the actuarial assumptions used to determine pension benefits may differ from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants. Management does not believe differences in actual experience or reasonable changes in assumptions will materially affect its financial position or results of operations.
	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, “Interest —Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)” (“ASU 2015-03”), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We have adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-03 in the period ended March 31, 2015.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”), which was the result of a joint project by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The issuance of a comprehensive and converged standard on revenue recognition is expected to enable financial statement users to better understand and consistently analyze an entity’s revenue across industries, transactions and geographies. The standard will require additional disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the nature, amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of the revenue that is recognized. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, or January 1, 2018 if the one year deferral proposal by the FASB is adopted, and will require either retrospective application to each prior reporting period presented or retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact the application of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360)” (“ASU 2014-08”). This guidance amends the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations or that have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. This new accounting guidance became effective and was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2015.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	NOTE 3—BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	On February 27, 2015, Signature, through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Real Alloy, acquired 100% of the voting interests of the Real Alloy Business from Aleris, under a purchase agreement (the “Real Alloy Purchase Agreement”), for $525.0 million, subject to a working capital and cash true-up adjustments estimated to be approximately $35.9 million. Upon closing, the Redeemable Preferred Stock and $5.0 million of the cash portion of the purchase price were placed into escrow to satisfy the indemnification obligations of Aleris under the Real Alloy Purchase Agreement, in which Aleris has agreed to indemnify Real Alloy and its affiliates for claims and losses arising out of or related to, among others: (i) breaches of representations, warranties and covenants of Aleris and the Sellers; (ii) liability arising from retained business or the discontinued real property locations; (iii) certain litigation matters; (iv) certain transaction expenses; and (v) certain costs related to the closure or operation of certain facilities. Aleris’ aggregate indemnity obligations related to breaches of representations, warranties and covenants are generally capped at $67.0 million, except for certain fundamental representations, and representations related to taxes and Title IV of ERISA, which are subject to a cap of $525.0 million. In general, Aleris will not be required to pay any amounts in respect of its indemnification obligations until the aggregate amount of all losses exceeds a deductible of $3.0 million, in which case Aleris will be required to indemnify only for such losses in excess of the deductible. The deductible will not apply to losses to the extent such losses arise from or relate to certain fundamental representations, taxes or Title IV of ERISA. In addition, certain scheduled environmental matters are subject to a deductible of approximately $23.9 million.
	In addition, Real Alloy and Aleris have entered into a transition services agreement, under which Aleris will provide certain customary post-closing transition services, including information technology services, treasury services, accounts payable, cash management and payroll, credit/collection services, environmental services and human resource services, to Real Alloy, for periods ranging from three to twenty-four months following the acquisition date.
	We incurred acquisition and financing-related costs and expenses totaling approximately $14.4 million, which are classified as nonoperating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, with the purchase price allocated based on the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table presents a preliminary allocation of the purchase price. Due to the proximity of the Real Alloy Acquisition to the period covered by this report, the purchase price allocation remains preliminary as management continues to evaluate the assumptions and methodology used in the valuation of acquired inventories, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, accrued pension liabilities, environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations, and the resultant deferred income tax adjustments.
	(Dollars in millions)
	Consideration paid at closing (cash paid net of debt assumed)	$	501.2
	Redeemable Preferred Stock issued		19.6
	Working capital adjustment payable		31.2
	Estimated final cash true-up		4.7
	Total purchase consideration		556.7
	Purchase price allocation:
	Assets:
	Cash		10.2
	Trade accounts receivable		150.1
	Inventories		167.4
	Property, plant and equipment		325.7
	Deferred income taxes		5.9
	Other		4.1
	Identifiable intangible assets		21.6
	Total assets		685
	Liabilities:
	Trade payables		123.1
	Accrued liabilities		25
	Accrued pension liabilities		46
	Environmental liabilities		18
	Other		14.1
	Deferred income taxes		4.4
	Total liabilities		230.6
	Estimated fair value of net assets acquired		454.4
	Goodwill	$	102.3
	The estimated fair value of trade accounts receivable is based on the undiscounted receivables management expects to receive from the $150.1 million of total trade accounts receivable at the acquisition date. Due to the short-term nature of the receivables, the undiscounted receivables expected to be collected are estimated to approximate fair value.
	Inventories include the estimated fair value of finished goods, work in process, raw material and supplies. The estimated fair value of finished goods was based on analyses of future selling prices and the profit associated with the manufacturing effort. The estimated fair value of work in process considered costs to complete to finished goods and was based on analyses of future selling prices and the profit associated with the manufacturing effort. The estimated fair value of raw materials was based on replacement cost. The $167.4 million of estimated fair value of inventories includes $4.1 million in fair value adjustments, of which $3.7 million was recognized as a noncash charge in cost of sales during the thirty-three day period ended March 31, 2015.  This charge has been excluded from the Real Alloy’s Adjusted EBITDA for the thirty-three day period ended March 31, 2014 as reported in Note 13—Segment Information.
	Property, plant and equipment includes land, site improvements, buildings and building improvements, and machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures. The estimated fair value of property, plant and equipment was based on appraisals and replacement cost analyses. The fair value of property, plant and equipment acquired was estimated as follows:
	(Dollars in millions)			Estimated Fair Value
	Land			$	63.7
	Buildings				57
	Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures				193.2
	Construction work in progress				11.8
	Property, plant and equipment			$	325.7
	The fair value of trade payables and accrued liabilities was estimated to approximate carrying value due to the short-term nature of the liabilities.
	Accrued pension liabilities include defined benefit pension plans for the German employees. The plans are based on final pay and service, but some senior officers are entitled to receive enhanced pension benefits. Benefit payments are financed, in part, by contributions to a relief fund which establishes a life insurance contract to secure future pension payments. However, the plans are substantially under-funded under German law. The unfunded accrued pension costs are covered under a pension insurance association under German law if Real Alloy, or its subsidiaries, is unable to fulfill their obligations.
	The following assumptions were utilized to measure the accrued pension liabilities:
	Discount rate		1.7		%
	Salary increase		3		%
	Pension increase		1.8		%
	Turnover		2		%
	Environmental liabilities represent estimated reserves for environmental remediation costs, which have been recognized based on the guidance ASC 450, “Contingencies,” and ASC 410, “Environmental Obligations.” Real Alloy is subject to various environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and wastes and employee safety. Given the changing nature of environmental legal requirements, Real Alloy may be required to take environmental control measures at some of its facilities to meet future requirements.
	The estimated fair value of the Redeemable Preferred Stock was determined based on a discounted cash flow using estimates of market rates and redemption probabilities. For more information on the Redeemable Preferred Stock, refer to Note 12—Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements.
	Identifiable intangible assets include the estimated fair value of customer relationships and trade names. These intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 15 years. The valuation of the intangible assets acquired was based on management’s estimates, available information, and reasonable and supportable assumptions. The fair value of these assets was estimated using the income approach. An excess earnings approach was used to estimate the fair value of the customer relationships. Significant assumptions used include forecasted revenues, customer retention rates and profit margins, a discount rate of 13.5% based on our overall cost of equity, adjusted for perceived business risks related to these customer relationships, and an estimated economic life of 20 years.
	Deferred income taxes represent the differences between the book and tax bases of the assets acquired. As a result of an election under section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Tax Code”), the tax bases of U.S. assets acquired were adjusted to the acquisition date fair values. Deferred income taxes represent book and tax differences of non-U.S. assets acquired.
	Based on the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, goodwill of $102.3 million is attributable to Real Alloy’s strong management team and assembled workforce.  Due to the proximity of the Real Alloy Acquisition to March 31, 2015, the allocation of goodwill to our reporting units has not yet been determined.
	Other liabilities assumed include asset retirement obligations, which represent obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Assumed asset retirement obligations relate primarily to the requirement of capping three landfills, as well as costs related to the future removal of asbestos and costs to remove underground storage tanks. The estimated fair value is based upon the present value of the future cash flows expected to be incurred to satisfy the obligation using discount rates ranging from 6.7% to 13.2%. Determining the fair value of asset retirement obligations requires judgment, including estimates of the credit adjusted interest rate and estimates of future cash flows. The present value of the obligations is accreted over time.
	The operating results of Real Alloy are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. For the period from the acquisition date to March 31, 2015, Real Alloy’s total revenues and net loss were $137.8 million and $15.0 million, respectively. The following selected unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, give effect to this business combination as though the transaction occurred on January 1, 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2015				2014
	Total revenues:
	As reported	$	137.8			$	0.1
	Pro forma		374.6				378.5
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.:
	As reported	$	6.7			$	0.1
	Pro forma		10				(21.2	)

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	NOTE 4—INVENTORIES
	The following table presents the components of inventories as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,		December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015		2014
	Finished goods	$	37.4	$	—
	Work in process		7.2		—
	Raw materials		81.8		—
	Supplies		9.7		—
	Total inventories	$	136.1	$	—

Debt_Other_Financing_Arrangeme

Debt, Other Financing Arrangements and Redeemable Preferred Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt, Other Financing Arrangements and Redeemable Preferred Stock	NOTE 5—DEBT, OTHER FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
	The following table presents the Company’s debt as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Notes:
	Principal amount outstanding	$	305		$	—
	Unamortized original issue discount and issuance costs		(16.9	)		—
	Senior Secured Notes, net		288.1			—
	Asset-Based Facility:
	Principal amount outstanding		35.4			—
	Unamortized debt issuance costs		(3.0	)		—
	Asset-Based Facility, net		32.4			—
	Capital leases		4			—
	Current portion of long-term debt (capital leases)		(1.5	)		—
	Total long-term debt, net	$	323		$	—
	Long-term debt
	Senior Secured Notes
	On January 8, 2015, Real Alloy, as successor to SGH Escrow, completed a private placement of $305.0 million aggregate principal of 10% Senior Secured Notes to qualified institutional purchasers in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) at a price of 97.206% of the principal amount thereof. The Senior Secured Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of January 8, 2015 (the “Indenture”) between Real Alloy, as successor to SGH Escrow, Real Alloy Parent, and Wilmington Trust, National Association (“Wilmington”), as trustee and notes collateral trustee.
	Under the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2015, by and between each of Real Alloy, Real Alloy Parent and the other parties signatory thereto and Wilmington as notes collateral trustee, the Senior Secured Notes and related guarantees are secured by first priority security interests in the fixed assets of Real Alloy, Real Alloy Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) and by second priority security interests in certain other collateral of Real Alloy, Real Alloy Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
	The Indenture, among other things, limits Real Alloy and its restricted subsidiaries’ (as defined in the Indenture) ability to: incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with the Real Alloy’s affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. As of March 31, 2015, Real Alloy was in compliance with all such covenants.
	The Senior Secured Notes mature on January 15, 2019 and interest is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2015, through the date of maturity.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, interest expense associated with the Senior Secured Notes was $8.0 million, which is based on an issuance date of January 8, 2015, when interest began to accrue.
	Asset-Based Facility
	On February 27, 2015, a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Real Alloy and an affiliate of Real Alloy entered into the $110.0 million Asset-Based Facility.  The Asset-Based Facility is secured by a first priority lien on the borrowers and, to the extent no adverse tax impact would be incurred, Real Alloy’s foreign subsidiaries’ accounts receivable, inventory, instruments representing receivables, guarantees and other credit enhancements related to receivables, and bank accounts into which receivables are deposited, among other related assets. The Asset-Based Facility is also secured by a second priority lien on the assets that secure the Senior Secured Notes.  The borrowing base under the Asset-Based Facility is determined based on eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory. U.S. dollar denominated loans under the U.S. Sub-facility will bear interest, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) at 1, 2, 3 or 6-month interest periods at LIBOR, or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined below), in each case plus a margin based on the amount of the excess availability under the Asset-Based Facility. The “Base Rate” is equal to the greater of (a) the U.S. prime rate, (b) the U.S. Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points, and (c) the sum of LIBOR plus a margin based on the amount of the excess availability under the Asset-Based Facility. Canadian dollar denominated loans under the Canadian Sub-facility will bear interest, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) at 1, 2, 3 or 6-month interest periods at an average Canadian interbank rate, or (ii) floating at the greater of the Canadian prime rate or the average 30-day Canadian interbank rate plus 1.35%, in each case plus a margin based on the amount of the excess availability under the Asset-Based Facility. Events of default will trigger an increase of 2.0% in all interest rates. Interest is payable monthly in arrears, except for LIBOR loans and Canadian interbank rate loans, for which interest is payable at the end of each relevant interest period. On the initial funding date, the borrowers paid a 1.0% funding fee. For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, interest expense associated with the Asset-Based Facility was $0.1 million, and the average interest rate charged was 3.0% for U.S. dollar denominated loans and 2.3% for Canadian dollar denominated loans.  As of March 31, 2015, the borrowers were in compliance with all applicable covenants under the Asset-Based Facility.
	Capital Leases
	As part of the Real Alloy Acquisition, existing capital leases of the Real Alloy Business were assumed.  At March 31, 2015, $1.5 million of the $4.0 million in capital lease obligations is due within the next twelve months.
	Factoring Facility
	On February 27, 2015, an indirect wholly owned German subsidiary of Real Alloy, entered into the €50 million Factoring Facility, which provides for purchases of eligible receivables by a financial institution, which are subject to certain limitations and eligibility requirements to be determined in the reasonable discretion of such financial institution based on the relevant account debtor creditworthiness and reliability.  The arrangement is a true-sale, where receivables are sold on a nonrecourse basis in the event of payment default by the relevant customer.  Advances on eligible factored receivables are 90% of their face value.  The Factoring Facility has a termination date of January 15, 2019.  The interest rate applicable to the Factoring Facility is the three-month EURIBOR (daily rate) fixed on the last business day of a month for the following month, plus 1.65%. The interest rate was 1.7% as of March 31, 2015. Factoring and administrative fees also apply.  Including the initial amount of receivables factored upon entering into the factoring arrangement, the German subsidiary factored €95.6 million of receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and immaterial expenses were recognized during the period related to this arrangement.
	Redeemable Preferred Stock
	The Redeemable Preferred Stock was issued to Aleris on February 27, 2015 as a portion of the purchase price for the Real Alloy Acquisition.  The Redeemable Preferred Stock pays quarterly dividends at a rate of 7% for the first 18 months after the date of issuance, 8% for the next 12 months, and 9% thereafter. Dividends may be paid in kind for the first two years, and thereafter will be paid in cash. All accrued and accumulated dividends on the Redeemable Preferred Stock will be prior and in preference to any dividend on any of the Company’s common stock or other junior securities.
	The shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock are generally non-voting, however the consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock are required, among other requirements, (i) until the second anniversary of issuance, to (x) declare or pay cash dividends on the common stock; or (y) purchase, redeem or acquire shares of the common stock, other than, among others, certain shares of common stock issued to employees; (ii) so long as at least $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Redeemable Preferred Stock is outstanding, to make acquisitions valued at more than 5% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) to take actions that would adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Redeemable Preferred Stock; and (iv) to undertake certain merger activities unless the Redeemable Preferred Stock remains outstanding or is purchased at the liquidation preference.
	The Company may generally redeem the shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock at any time at the liquidation preference, and the holders may require the Company to redeem their shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock at the liquidation preference upon a change of control under the Senior Secured Notes (or any debt facility that replaces or redeems the Senior Secured Notes) to the extent that the change of control does not provide for such redemption at the liquidation preference. A holder of Redeemable Preferred Stock may require the Company to redeem all, but not less than all, of such holder’s Redeemable Preferred Stock sixty-six months after the issuance date. In addition, the Company may redeem shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock to the extent Aleris is required to indemnify the Company under the Real Alloy Purchase Agreement for the Real Alloy Acquisition. The Redeemable Preferred Stock held by Aleris and its subsidiaries has a liquidation preference of $25.1 million, as of March 31, 2015, and is not transferrable (other than to another subsidiary of Aleris) for 18 months following issuance (or such longer period in connection with any ongoing indemnity claims under the Real Alloy Purchase Agreement).
	The carrying value of Redeemable Preferred Stock is based on the estimated fair value of the instrument as of the issuance date, which is being accreted to the redemption value over the period preceding the holder’s right to mandatorily redeem the instrument, or sixty-six months, using the effective interest method.

Common_Stock_Warrant_Liability

Common Stock Warrant Liability	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Common Stock Warrant Liability	NOTE 6—COMMON STOCK WARRANT LIABILITY
	On June 11, 2010, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1.5 million shares of Signature’s common stock were issued (the “Warrants”). The aggregate purchase price for the Warrants was $0.3 million, due in equal installments as the Warrants vested, 20% upon issuance and, thereafter, 20% annually on the anniversary of the issuance date and, as of March 31, 2015, the Warrants are 100% vested. The Warrants expire in June 2020 and had an original exercise price of $10.30 per share. The Warrants were issued without registration in reliance on the exemption set forth in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
	The Warrants include customary terms that provide for certain adjustments of the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock to be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, pro rata distributions and certain other fundamental transactions. Additionally, the Warrants are subject to pricing protection provisions. During the term of the Warrants, the pricing protection provisions provide that certain issuances of new shares of common stock at prices below the current exercise price of the Warrants automatically reduce the exercise price of the Warrants to the lowest per share purchase price of common stock issued. In February 2015, the Company issued shares of common stock in the Rights Offering at $5.64 per share, thereby reducing the exercise price of the Warrants to $5.64 per share as of March 31, 2015.
	The Company utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the fair value of the common stock warrant liability as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. See Note 12—Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements for a discussion about the estimated fair values determined using the Monte Carlo simulation option pricing model.  A decrease in the common stock warrant liability results in other income, while an increase in the common stock warrant liability results in other expense. The following table presents changes in the fair value of the common stock warrant liability during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	5.6		$	9.3
	Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability		(0.7	)		(0.8	)
	Balance at end of period	$	4.9		$	8.5

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon

Stockholders Equity and Noncontrolling Interest	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders Equity and Noncontrolling Interest	NOTE 7—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
	The following table summarizes the activity within stockholders’ equity and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)	Equity Attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
	Balance at beginning of the period	$	85.7		$	(0.1	)	$	85.6
	Net earnings		6.7			0.1			6.8
	Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock		(0.2	)		—			(0.2	)
	Exercise of common stock options		1.1			—			1.1
	Issuance of common stock		51.2			—			51.2
	Share-based compensation expense		0.3			—			0.3
	Noncontrolling interest acquired in business combination		—			0.8			0.8
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income		0.3			—			0.3
	Balance at the end of the period	$	145.1		$	0.8		$	145.9
	The following table reflects changes in the number of outstanding shares of common stock:
					Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
	Balance at beginning of the period					17,099,882
	Restricted common stock awards granted					246,901
	Common stock options exercised					202,050
	Common stock issued					9,751,773
	Balance at end of the period					27,300,606

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	NOTE 8—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table summarizes the activity within accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)	Currency Translation
	Balance at beginning of period	$	—
	Current period currency translation adjustments		0.3
	Balance at end of period	$	0.3

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	NOTE 9—INCOME TAXES
	At the end of each reporting period, Signature makes an estimate of its annual effective income tax rate. The estimate used for the three months ended March 31, 2015 may change in subsequent periods. The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $7.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 differed from the federal statutory rate applied to earnings and losses before income taxes primarily as a result of the mix of earnings and losses and tax rates between tax jurisdictions and changes in valuation allowances.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had estimated federal and California NOLs of $933.6 million and $994.7 million, respectively. The federal NOLs have a 20-year life and begin to expire after the 2027 tax year, while the California NOLs have either a 10-year or 20-year life and begin to expire after the 2017 tax year. In order to preserve these tax attributes, restrictions are included in Signature’s Amended and Restated Bylaws on transfers of its common stock (the “Tax Benefit Preservation Provision”). Unless approved by the Board, any attempted transfer of Signature common stock is prohibited and void to the extent that, as a result of such transfer (or any series of transfers) (i) any person or group of persons own 4.9% of the then-outstanding shares of Signature common stock, whether directly or indirectly (a “4.9-percent holder”); or (ii) the ownership interests of any “five percent holder” (as defined in Section 1.382-2T(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Tax Code”)) shall be increased or decreased, unless such decrease is the result of a transfer to a public group through the facilities of a national exchange. Persons wishing to become a 4.9-percent holder (or existing five-percent holders wishing to increase or decrease their percentage ownership, unless the decrease relates to a transfer to a public group) must request a waiver of the restriction from Signature, and the Board may grant a waiver in its sole discretion.  The Tax Benefit Preservation Provision is meant to reduce the potential for a “change of control” event, which, if it were to occur, would have the effect of limiting the amount of the NOLs available in a particular year.
	Signature has valuation allowances recorded to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. The valuation allowances relate to the potential inability to realize our deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards in the United States and certain other foreign jurisdictions. Signature intends to maintain its valuation allowances until sufficient positive evidence exists to support their reversal.
	The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions, as well as foreign jurisdictions located in Canada, Mexico, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom. With few exceptions the 2010 through 2014 tax years remain open to examination.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 10—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	The following table presents the components of the net periodic benefit expense under the German defined benefit pension plans:
		Three
		Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015
	Service cost	$	0.1
	Interest cost		0.1
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	0.2

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	NOTE 11—EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. In connection with the Rights Offering to finance a portion of the purchase price for the Real Alloy Acquisition, Signature distributed subscription rights to all of its existing stockholders as of January 28, 2015, and the subscription rights price represented a discount to the market value of Signature’s common stock upon the closing of the Rights Offering on February 27, 2015. The discount in the Rights Offering represents an implied stock dividend, which requires retroactive adjustment of the weighted average shares outstanding reported in reporting periods prior to the completion of the Rights Offering. Adjustments to the weighted average shares outstanding in all reporting periods disclosed in this Report reflect an 8.3% increase from previously reported weighted average shares outstanding, based on the fair value per share immediately preceding the closing of the Rights Offering and the theoretical fair value immediately after the closing of the Rights Offering. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For the calculation of diluted earnings per share, the basic weighted average number of shares is increased by the dilutive effect of unvested restricted common stock awards, common stock options and the Warrants, determined using the treasury stock method. Our restricted common stock represents a participating security for purposes of calculating earnings per share; however, the effect of allocating earnings to these securities had an inconsequential effect on earnings per share in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Unvested restricted common stock, common stock options and the Warrants are anti-dilutive and excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if the assumed proceeds upon exercise or vesting are greater than the cost to reacquire the same number of shares at the average market price during the period. The dilutive impact of these securities could be included in future computations of diluted earnings per share if the Company reports net earnings from continuing operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the impact of all outstanding unvested restricted common stock, common stock options and the Warrants are excluded from diluted loss per share as their impact would be anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)	2015			2014
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(17.5	)	$	(1.4	)
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		24.3			1.5
	Net earnings		6.8			0.1
	Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest		0.1			—
	Net earnings attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.		6.7			0.1
	Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock		(0.2	)		—
	Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	6.5		$	0.1
	Basic and diluted:
	Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding		21,714,016			13,144,152
	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Continuing operations	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.10	)
	Discontinued operations		1.12			0.11
	Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	0.3		$	0.01
	The following table provides details on the average market price of Signature common stock and the incremental shares that would have been included in the diluted shares outstanding computation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, had they not been anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Average market price of Signature common stock	$	7.22		$	10.43
	Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents:
	Unvested restricted common stock		12,060			34,151
	Common stock options		176,517			476,267
	Warrants		328,061			515,135
	Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents		516,638			1,025,553

Derivative_and_Other_Financial

Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	NOTE 12—DERIVATIVE AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Derivatives
	Real Alloy uses forward contracts and options, as well as contractual price escalators, to reduce the risks associated with its metal, natural gas and certain currency exposures. For classification purposes, Real Alloy records the net fair value of each type of derivative position expected to settle in less than one year (by counterparty) as a net current asset or liability and each type of long-term position as a net long-term asset or liability. At March 31, 2015, no cash collateral was posted or held. The table below presents gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities, the amounts offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the net amounts of assets and liabilities presented therein. As of March 31, 2015, there were no amounts subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement that have not been offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
		Fair Value of Derivatives
		as of March 31, 2015
	(Dollars in millions)	Asset				Liability
	Metal	$	0.4			$	0.3
	The following table presents details of the fair value of Real Alloy’s derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2015, as recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
				March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location		2015
	Derivative assets - Metal	Other current assets		$	0.1
	Common stock warrant liability
	Common stock warrant liability is a derivative liability related to the anti-dilution and pricing protection provisions of the Warrants. The fair value of the common stock warrant liability is based on a Monte Carlo simulation that utilizes various assumptions, including estimated volatility of 52%, an expected term of 5.2 years at March 31, 2015 and 5.8 years at December 31, 2014, a 25% equity raise probability assumption and a 15% equity raise price discount assumption. Significant decreases in expected term or the equity raise probability and related assumptions would result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of the common stock warrant liability, while significant increases in expected term or the equity raise probability and related assumptions would result in an increase in the estimated fair value of the common stock warrant liability.
	Derivative contracts are recorded at fair value using quoted market prices and significant other observable inputs. Fair value is defined 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. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs); and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
	Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	Level 3—Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
	We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Where appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads, and credit considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence and unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth financial assets and liabilities and their level in the fair value hierarchy that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				Estimated Fair Value
	(Dollars in millions)	Fair Value Hierarchy		March 31,				December 31,
				2015				2014
	Derivative assets	Level 2		$	0.4			$	—
	Derivative liabilities	Level 2			0.3				—
	Net derivative assets			$	0.1			$	—
	Common stock warrant liability	Level 3		$	4.9			$	5.6
	The following table presents the reconciliation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
	(Dollars in millions)	Beginning				Income Realized in Earnings				Ending
		Balance								Balance
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Common stock warrant liability	$	5.6			$	0.7			$	4.9
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Common stock warrant liability	$	9.3			$	0.8			$	8.5
	Both realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments are included within gains on derivative financial instruments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents realized gains on derivative financial instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
				Three
				Months Ended
				March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)				2015
	Metal			$	0.1
	Metal hedging
	As metal is purchased to fill fixed-price customer sales orders, London Metal Exchange (“LME”) future swaps or forward contracts are sold.  As sales orders are priced, LME future or forward contracts are purchased. These derivatives generally settle within six months.  Real Alloy can also buy put option contracts for managing metal price exposures. Option contracts require the payment of a premium, which is recorded as a realized loss upon settlement or expiration of the option contract. Upon settlement of put option contracts, Real Alloy receives cash and recognizes a related gain if the LME closing price is less than the strike price of the put option. If the put option strike price is less than the LME closing price, no amount is paid and the option expires. As of March 31, 2015, Real Alloy had 24.1 thousand metric tons of metal buy and sell derivative contracts.
	Natural gas hedging
	To manage the price exposure for natural gas purchases, Real Ally may fix the future price of a portion of its natural gas requirements by entering into financial hedge agreements. Under these swap agreements, payments are made or received based on the differential between the monthly closing price on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) and the contractual hedge price. Natural gas cost can also be managed through the use of cost escalators included in some long-term supply contracts with customers, which limits exposure to natural gas price risk. As of March 31, 2015, Real Alloy had no British thermal unit swap contracts.
	Currency exchange hedging
	From time to time, Real Alloy may enter into currency forwards, futures, call options and similar derivative financial instruments to limit its exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. As of March 31, 2015, no currency derivative contracts were outstanding.
	Credit risk
	Real Alloy is exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the derivative financial instruments discussed above; however, management does not anticipate any nonperformance by the counterparties. The counterparties are evaluated for creditworthiness and risk assessment prior to initiating trading activities with the brokers and periodically throughout each year while actively trading.
	Other Financial Instruments
	The following tables present the carrying values and fair value estimates of other financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				31-Mar-15
	(Dollars in millions)	Fair Value Hierarchy		Carrying Amount				Estimated
								Fair Value
	ASSETS
	Continuing operations:
	Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1		$	28.6			$	28.6
	Restricted cash held in escrow (other current assets)	Level 1			3.9				3.9
	Loans receivable, net (other noncurrent assets)	Level 3			1.2				1.2
	Discontinued operations:
	Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1			0.1				0.1
	LIABILITIES
	Continuing operations:
	Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Notes	Level 1		$	288.1			$	310.7
	Asset-Based Facility	Level 3			32.4				35.4
	Redeemable preferred stock	Level 3			19.8				19.8
			31-Dec-14
(Dollars in millions)	Fair Value Hierarchy		Carrying Amount				Estimated
							Fair Value
ASSETS
Continuing operations:
Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1		$	62			$	62
Loans receivable, net (other noncurrent assets)	Level 3			1.2				1.2
Discontinued operations:
Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1			1				1
LIABILITIES
Discontinued operations:
Line of credit	Level 3		$	1			$	1
Long-term debt	Level 3			13.6				13.6
The Company used the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of each financial instrument as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash held in escrow
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash held in escrow are recorded at historical cost. The carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value as these instruments have short-term maturities and market interest rates.
Loans receivable, net
Loans receivable, net, consists of commercial real estate loans. The estimated fair value considers the collateral coverage of assets securing the loans and estimated credit losses, as well as variable interest rates, which approximate market interest rates.
Long-term debt – Senior Secured Notes
The estimated fair value of the Senior Secured Notes as of March 31, 2015 is based on observable market prices.
Long-term debt – Asset-Based Facility
The estimated fair value of the Asset-Based Facility as of March 31, 2015 is based on market characteristics, including interest rates and maturity dates generally consistent with market terms.
Redeemable Preferred Stock
The carrying value of Redeemable Preferred Stock is based on the estimated fair value of the instrument as of the issuance date, calculated using a discounted cash flow analysis and a 12.05% credit spread adjustment to a zero coupon yield curve, which is being accreted to redemption value over the period preceding the holder’s right to mandatorily redeem the instrument, or sixty-six months, using the effective interest method. An increase in the discount rate would result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of the redeemable preferred stock, while a decrease in the discount rate would result in an increase in the estimated fair value of the redeemable preferred stock.  There have been no significant changes in the fair value of the Redeemable Preferred Stock subsequent to issuance.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	NOTE 13—SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our chief operating decision-maker, our chief executive officer, manages the segments, evaluates financial results, and makes key operating decisions, and for which discrete financial information is available. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had two reportable operating segments: Real Alloy North America (“RANA”) and Real Alloy Europe (“RAEU”).
	Measurement of segment income or loss and segment assets
	The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2—Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies. Our measure of profitability for our operating segments is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and excludes certain items as shown below (“Adjusted EBITDA”). See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” contained in Part I, Item 2 of this Report for a further discussion of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.
	Reportable segment information
	The following tables show segment revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and a reconciliation from Adjusted EBITDA to loss from continuing operations before income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no reportable segments.
	(Dollars in millions, tons in thousands)				RANA		RAEU
	Buy/Sell metric tons invoiced					31.4		17.3
	Toll metric tons invoiced					42.1		21
	Total metric tons invoiced					73.5		38.3
	Revenues				$	86.4	$	51.4
	Cost of sales (excluding depreciation)					81.2		48.3
	Gross profit					5.2	3.1
	Cost of sales related to impact of recording inventory at fair value					2.7		1
	Gross profit adjusted to exclude impact of recording inventory at fair value					7.9	4.1
	Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation)					2.7		1.3
	Other operating (income) expense, net					0.1	0.1
	Other EBITDA Adjustments					0.1		0.3
	Adjusted EBITDA				$	5.2	$	2.7
	(Dollars in millions)	Three
		Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	7.9
	Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments		(0.1	)
	Depreciation and amortization		3.7
	Share-based compensation expense		0.3
	Impact of recording inventory at fair value through purchase accounting		3.7
	Selling, general and administrative expense of Corporate and Other		2.8
	Other operating expense, net		0.3
	Nonoperating expense (income):
	Interest expense		8.1
	Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability		(0.7	)
	Acquisition and financing-related costs and expenses		14.4
	Other, net		0.3
	Total nonoperating expense (income)		22.1
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(24.9	)
	The following tables present summarized balance sheet information for each of our reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)				RANA		RAEU
	Segment Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents				$	3.3	$	6.1
	Trade accounts receivable, net					95.7		74.9
	Inventories					88.6		47.5
	Other current assets					3.4		0.3
	Total current assets					191		128.8
	Property, plant and equipment, net					210.9		105.4
	Intangible assets, net					20.5		1
	Other noncurrent assets					0.7		1.1
	Total segment assets				$	423.1	$	236.3
	Segment Liabilities
	Current liabilities:
	Trade payables				$	63.8	$	50.8
	Accrued liabilities					22.2		11.1
	Long-term debt due within one year					0.2		1.3
	Other current liabilities					39.5		20.7
	Total current liabilities					125.7		83.9
	Accrued pension benefits					—		44.5
	Environmental liabilities					18.4		—
	Long-term debt, net					239.7		84.8
	Other noncurrent liabilities					8.6		3.1
	Total segment liabilities				$	392.4	$	216.3
	(Dollars in millions)
	Assets:
RANA	$	423.1
RAEU		236.3
Unallocated		131.9
Total consolidated assets	$	791.3
Liabilities:
RANA	$	392.4
RAEU		216.3
Unallocated		16.9
Total consolidated liabilities	$	625.6

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	NOTE 14—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	The following table presents the assets and liabilities, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, of the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations as of March 31, 2015:
		March 31,			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	0.1		$	1
	Trade accounts receivable, net		—			4.5
	Inventories		—			11.4
	Other current assets		—			1.1
	Total current assets of discontinued operations	$	0.1		$	18
	Noncurrent assets:
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	—		$	0.3
	Intangible assets, net		—			1.6
	Goodwill		—			17.8
	Other noncurrent assets		—			0.3
	Total noncurrent assets of discontinued operations	$	—		$	20
	Current liabilities:
	Trade payables	$	—		$	2.9
	Accrued liabilities		0.1			0.2
	Line of credit		—			1
	Long-term debt due within one year		—			3.9
	Other current liabilities		0.2			0.1
	Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	$	0.3		$	8.1
	Noncurrent liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	—		$	9.7
	Repurchase reserve		5.3			5.5
	Total noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	$	5.3		$	15.2
	On January 9, 2015, we sold all of our interests in NABCO (previously reported as the Industrial Supply segment) for $78.0 million, subject to a working capital adjustment, to an investor group led by PNC Riverarch LLC. As a result of the sale, the gain on sale of NABCO, along with the assets, liabilities and results of operations of NABCO are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	Repurchase reserve
	The Company maintains a repurchase reserve that represents estimated losses the Company may experience from repurchase claims, both known and unknown, based on claimed breaches of certain representations and warranties provided by FIL to counterparties that purchased residential real estate loans, predominantly from 2002 through 2007. Management estimates the likely range of the loan repurchase liability based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the timing of such claims relative to the loan origination date, the quality of the documentation supporting such claims, the number and involvement of cross-defendants, if any, related to such claims, and a time and expense estimate if a claim were to result in litigation. The estimate is based on currently available information and is subject to known and unknown uncertainties using multiple assumptions requiring significant judgment. Accordingly, actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. Total outstanding repurchase claims as of March 31, 2015, were $101.7 million. Of the outstanding repurchase claims, there has been no communication or other action from the claimants:
	—	for more than six years in the case of $65.8 million in claims, or 64.6% of total claims outstanding;
	—	for more than four years, but less than six years, in the case of $35.4 million in claims, or 34.8% of total claims outstanding; and
	—	for more than two years, but less than four years, in the case of $0.5 million in claims, or 0.6% of total claims outstanding.
	There were no repurchase claims received or settled during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or the year ended December 31, 2014. The repurchase reserve liability was $5.3 million and $5.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Recoveries of allowance for repurchase reserves were $0.3 million in each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The following table presents the operating results, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, for the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations as of March 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Revenues	$	0.7		$	8.2
	Cost of sales		0.4			5.3
	Gross profit		0.3			2.9
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		0.3			0.9
	Amortization of intangibles		—			0.3
	Other operating expense (income), net		0.4			1.2
	Operating income (loss)		(0.4	)		0.5
	Nonoperating expense (income):
	Interest expense		—			0.2
	Other, net		(40.1	)		(1.7	)
	Total nonoperating expense (income)		(40.1	)		(1.5	)
	Earnings from discontinued operations, before income taxes		39.7			2
	Income tax expense		15.4			0.5
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	24.3		$	1.5
	Other nonoperating income, net in 2015 includes a $38.9 million gain on the sale of NABCO.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	NOTE 15—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Environmental Proceedings
	Real Alloy’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and wastes, and employee health and safety. These laws can impose joint and several liabilities for releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances upon statutorily defined parties, including us, regardless of fault or the lawfulness of the original activity or disposal. Given the changing nature of environmental legal requirements, we may be required, from time to time, to take environmental control measures at some of our facilities to meet future requirements. Real Alloy is under regulatory consent orders or directives to perform environmental remediation by agencies in two states and one foreign country.
	Real Alloy’s reserves for environmental remediation liabilities totaled $21.8 million as of March 31, 2015. Of the total remediation liability, $3.3 million is classified in accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, with the remaining portion classified as environmental liabilities.
	In addition to environmental liabilities, Real Alloy has asset retirement obligations associated with legal requirements related primarily to the normal operation of its landfills and the retirement of the related assets. Real Alloy’s total asset retirement obligations were $7.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and are classified in other noncurrent liabilities. The amount represents the most probable costs of remedial actions.
	Legal Proceedings
	Signature, Real Alloy and SGGH, LLC have been named as a defendant in or as a party to a number of legal actions or proceedings that arose in the ordinary course of business. In some of these actions and proceedings, claims for monetary damages are asserted. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such legal actions and proceedings, management generally cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss related to each pending matter may be, if any.
	In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, management establishes an accrued liability for litigation when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The estimated loss is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment, a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimated loss may change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. Therefore, an estimate of loss represents what management believes to be an estimate of loss only for certain matters meeting these criteria. It does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure.
	Based on management’s current understanding of these pending legal actions and proceedings, it does not believe that judgments or settlements arising from pending or threatened legal matters, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in these matters, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, and the very large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.
	The legal proceedings summarized below include material matters that were resolved or concluded since December 31, 2014, as well as ongoing matters that may have an adverse effect on our business and future financial results.
	SGGH, LLC Matters
	Colburn Matter. On December 8, 2009, Gwyneth Colburn, the former Executive Vice President for Fremont’s Commercial Real Estate group, filed a complaint in the California Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles (the “California Superior Court”) against FIL and unnamed defendants for breach of contract related to a management continuity agreement (“MCA”) executed in August 2003, and extended in August 2007, and, separately, filed a proof of claim in the Fremont’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding (the “Bankruptcy Proceedings”). In the California Superior Court action, Ms. Colburn contends she is owed $3.2 million, while in the Bankruptcy Proceedings, Ms. Colburn filed a $2.6 million proof of claim.
	On August 9, 2011, the California Superior Court entered a judgment granting the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment and dismissing the complaint. On September 22, 2011, Ms. Colburn filed a Notice of Appeal from this dismissal. Appellate briefs from both parties have been filed.
	On March 14, 2014, the California Federal Bankruptcy Court orally announced its ruling, from a trial held in January 2014, to grant the Company’s motion to disallow Ms. Colburn’s claim. On March 26, 2014, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana Division (the “California Federal Bankruptcy Court”) entered a written order granting the Company’s motion to disallow Ms. Colburn’s claim.
	On April 7, 2014, Ms. Colburn filed a motion for reconsideration of the California Federal Bankruptcy Court’s March 26, 2014 order granting the Company’s motion to disallow Ms. Colburn’s claim. On June 23, 2014, the California Federal Bankruptcy Court issued an order denying Ms. Colburn’s motion for reconsideration. On June 30, 2014, Ms. Colburn filed a notice of appeal of the California Federal Bankruptcy Court’s order granting the Company’s motion to disallow Ms. Colburn’s claim and the denial of Ms. Colburn’s motion for reconsideration. On July 2, 2014, the notice of appeal was referred to the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the “U.S. District Court”). On March 20, 2015, the U.S. District Court affirmed the California Federal Bankruptcy Court’s order. Ms. Colburn has filed a notice of appeal of the U.S. District Court’s ruling.
	Walker Matter. On June 10, 2011, Kyle Walker, the former Chief Executive Officer and President of FIL, filed a complaint in the California Superior Court against the Company and unnamed defendants for breach of contract, certain California Labor Code violations and breach of fiduciary duty related to his MCA executed in August 2003, and extended in August 2006, and, separately, a proof of claim in the Bankruptcy Proceedings. In the California Superior Court action, Mr. Walker contends he is owed $4.6 million, while in the Bankruptcy Proceedings, Mr. Walker filed a $2.5 million proof of claim.
	On August 26, 2011, Mr. Walker dismissed his complaint, without prejudice, against the Company as successor in interest to Fremont, but not as a successor in interest to FIL. On September 19, 2012, the Company obtained the California Superior Court’s final ruling granting the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment and on October 26, 2012, the judgment was entered. On November 29, 2012, Mr. Walker moved for a new trial. On January 8, 2013, the California Superior Court granted Mr. Walker’s motion for a new trial. On February 5, 2013, the Company filed an appeal of the California Superior Court’s order granting Mr. Walker a new trial. The Court of Appeal subsequently reversed the ruling granting Mr. Walker’s motion for a new trial.  Mr. Walker filed a petition for rehearing before the Court of Appeal, which was denied.  Mr. Walker filed a petition for review before the California Supreme Court, which was denied on November 19, 2014.  On December 22, 2014, the California Superior Court entered its final order of summary judgment in favor of the Company.
	On March 14, 2014, the California Federal Bankruptcy Court orally announced its ruling, from a trial held in January 2014, to grant the Company’s motion to disallow Mr. Walker’s claim. On March 26, 2014, the California Federal Bankruptcy Court entered a written order granting the Company’s motion to disallow Mr. Walker’s claim. On April 7, 2014, Mr. Walker filed a motion for reconsideration of the California Federal Bankruptcy Court’s March 26, 2014 order granting the Company’s motion to disallow Mr. Walker’s claim. On June 23, 2014, the California Federal Bankruptcy Court issued an order denying Mr. Walker’s motion for reconsideration. On June 30, 2014, Mr. Walker filed a notice of appeal of the California Federal Bankruptcy Court’s order granting the Company’s motion to disallow Mr. Walker’s claim and the denial of Mr. Walker’s motion for reconsideration. On July 2, 2014, the notice of appeal was referred to the U.S. District Court. On March 20, 2015, the U.S. District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s order. Mr. Walker has filed a notice of appeal of the U.S. District Court’s ruling.
	RMBS Defense, Indemnity and Contribution Matters. In connection with residential mortgage-backed securities offerings (“RMBS Offerings”) involving loans originated by FIL, either or both FIL and its subsidiary entered into loan purchase agreements, underwriting agreements and indemnification and contribution agreements, which contained various representations and warranties relating to the loans. Investment banks involved in these RMBS Offerings have been sued in a number of actions concerning their activities related to subprime mortgages (“RMBS Actions”), where the Company or its former businesses is not a named defendant. The Company has received demands for defense, indemnity and contribution from defendants in various RMBS Actions. The Company has rejected each of these demands, as it is the Company’s position that the demanding parties are being sued for conduct not chargeable to the Company or its former businesses. There is no assurance that the Company or its former businesses will not be named as defendants in additional RMBS Actions or receive additional demands for defense, indemnity and contribution. It is the Company’s intention to vigorously defend any claims seeking defense, indemnity or contribution, but the Company cannot presently predict whether such claims will be pursued or what the outcome would be.
	Subpoenas for Information and Documents. In addition to the above-described RMBS Actions, the Company has received and responded to a number of subpoenas for information from federal authorities and other third parties in civil litigation matters in which the Company is not a defendant, but which concern home mortgage transactions involving the Company’s former businesses’ origination and sale of whole loans, and certain RMBS Offerings.
	Unpaid Claims. As of March 31, 2015, there remained two open claims filed with the California Federal Bankruptcy Court, comprised of the disputed Colburn and Walker claims totaling $5.1 million.
	Real Alloy Matters
	Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Fund. On July 11, 2014, certain subsidiaries of Aleris, including those sold to us in the acquisition of the Real Alloy Business, were named in a civil complaint by the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Fund (the “Pension Trust”) for withdrawal liability from a multi-employer pension plan in the amount of $4.2 million plus accrued interest. On November 4, 2014, the Pension Trust voluntarily dismissed the complaint with prejudice. Aleris has indemnified the Company against all claims involving the subsidiaries included in the Real Alloy Business.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	NOTE 16—SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On April 28, 2015, the Company completed its Rights Offering, which, with respect to holders of its Warrants, expired on April 28, 2015. The Company received subscriptions (including both basic and oversubscriptions) of 1,017,321 shares, which exceeded the maximum offering of 843,000 shares by 174,321 shares. The 843,000 shares of Signature common stock were issued at $5.64 per share, raising $4.8 million.

Financial_Statement_Presentati1

Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition and Shipping and Handling Costs	Revenue recognition and shipping and handling costs
	Revenues are recognized when title transfers and risk of loss passes to the customer in accordance with the provisions of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB 104”) This typically occurs when the goods reach their destination.  For customer-owned toll material, revenue is recognized upon the performance of the tolling service for the customers.  For material that is consigned, revenue is not recognized until the product is used by the customer. Shipping and handling costs are included within cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of operations included elsewhere in this Report.
Accounts Receivable Allowances and Credit Risk	Accounts receivable allowances and credit risk
	Credit is extended to our customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition; generally, collateral is not required. We maintain an allowance against our accounts receivable for the estimated probable losses on uncollectible accounts and sales returns and allowances. The allowance is based upon our historical loss experience, current economic conditions within the industries we serve as well as our determination of the specific risk related to certain customers. Accounts receivable are charged off against the reserve when, in management’s estimation, further collection efforts would not result in a reasonable likelihood of receipt, or, if later, as proscribed by statutory regulations.
	The Company has an agreement to sell certain of its accounts receivable in Europe. Sales of receivables are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing (“ASC 860”). Agreements which result in true sales of the transferred receivables, as defined in ASC 860, which occur when receivables are transferred to a purchaser of the receivables, without recourse to the Company, are excluded from amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets once paid by the transferee. Cash proceeds received from such sales are included in operating cash flows. The Company has no obligation to the purchaser of such receivables after sale.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined primarily on the average cost or specific identification method and includes material, labor and overhead related to the manufacturing process. The cost of inventories acquired in business combinations is recorded at fair value.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of asset impairments and depreciation. The cost of property, plant and equipment acquired in business combinations represents the fair value of the acquired assets at the time of acquisition.
	The fair value of asset retirement obligations is capitalized to the related long-lived asset at the time the obligation is incurred and is depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the related asset. Major renewals and improvements that extend an asset’s useful life are capitalized to property, plant and equipment. Major repair and maintenance projects are expensed over periods not exceeding twenty-four months, while normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is primarily computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, as follows:
		Estimated Useful Lives
	Building and improvements	5 - 33 years
	Production equipment and machinery	2 - 25 years
	Office furniture, equipment and other	3 - 10 years
	The construction costs of landfills used to store by-products of the recycling process are depreciated as space in the landfills is used based on the unit of production method. Additionally, used space in the landfill is determined periodically either by aerial photography or engineering estimates.
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Goodwill is tested for impairment as of October 1 of each year and may be tested more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that a potential impairment exists. We evaluate goodwill based upon our reporting units, which are defined as operating segments or, in certain situations, one level below the operating segment. Due to the proximity of the Real Alloy Acquisition to March 31, 2015, the allocation of goodwill to our reporting units has not yet been determined.
	The impairment test is a two-step process, which requires us to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculations. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of each reporting unit based on discounted cash flow models and guideline Company information, using revenue and profit forecasts, and comparing those estimated fair values with the carrying values, which include allocated goodwill. These projections include assumptions about prices, margins and other operating costs. Other key assumptions included in the fair value of our reporting units include estimated cash flow periods, terminal values based on our anticipated growth rate and the discount rate used, which is based on our current cost of capital, adjusted for the risks associated with our operations. If the determined fair value is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to the corresponding carrying value.
Deferred Financing Costs	Deferred financing costs
	The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and classified as a reduction of the associated debt and amortized over the terms of the related debt agreements as interest expense using the effective interest method.
Derivatives and Hedging	Derivatives and hedging
	Real Alloy is engaged in activities that expose it to various market risks, including changes in the prices of aluminum alloys, scrap aluminum, copper, zinc and natural gas, as well as changes in currency exchange rates. Certain of these financial exposures are managed as an integral part of its risk management program, which seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of the markets may have on operating results. Real Alloy may enter into forward contracts or swaps to manage the exposure to market risk. The fair value of these instruments is reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the impact of these instruments is reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Real Alloy does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
	The estimated fair values of derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities as of the balance sheet date. Fair values for metal and natural gas derivative instruments are determined based on the differences between contractual and forward rates of identical hedge positions as of the balance sheet date. In developing these fair values, Real Alloy includes an estimate of the risk associated with nonperformance by either its counterparty or itself.
	Real Alloy does not account for its derivative financial instruments as hedges. The changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments and the associated gains and losses realized upon settlement are recorded in gains on derivative financial instruments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. All realized gains and losses are included within net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Real Alloy is exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance by its derivative counterparties. The counterparties’ creditworthiness is monitored on an ongoing basis, and credit levels are reviewed to ensure appropriate concentrations of credit outstanding to any particular counterparty. Although nonperformance by counterparties is possible, we do not currently anticipate nonperformance by any of these parties.
Currency Translation	Currency translation
	Certain of Real Alloy’s international subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. Real Alloy translates substantially all of the amounts included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations from its international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars at average monthly exchange rates, which management believes is representative of the actual exchange rates on the dates of the transactions. Additionally, Real Alloy maintains intercompany, long-term loans between its U.S. and foreign jurisdiction entities, which were established in the subsidiaries’ functional currency and due to their long-term nature, any currency related effects are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Adjustments resulting from the translation of the assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the balance sheet date exchange rates are reflected as a separate component of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. Currency translation adjustments accumulate in the Company’s stockholders’ equity until the disposition or liquidation of the international entities. Currency transactional gains and losses associated with receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included within other expense (income), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The translation of accounts receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies resulted in transactional losses of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Environmental and Asset Retirement Obligations	Environmental and asset retirement obligations
	Environmental obligations that are not legal or contractual asset retirement obligations and that relate to existing conditions caused by past operations with no benefit to future operations are expensed, while expenditures that extend the life, increase the capacity or improve the safety of an asset, or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized in property, plant and equipment. Obligations are recorded when their occurrence is probable and the associated costs can be reasonably estimated. While accruals are based on management’s current best estimate of the future costs of remedial action, these liabilities can change substantially due to factors such as the nature and extent of contamination, changes in the required remedial actions and technological advancements. Existing environmental liabilities are not discounted to their present values, as the amount and timing of the expenditures are not fixed or reliably determinable.
	Asset retirement obligations represent obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Our asset retirement obligations relate primarily to the requirement to cap our three landfills, as well as costs related to the future removal of asbestos and costs to remove underground storage tanks. The costs associated with such legal obligations are accounted for under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 410, Asset Retirement Obligations (“ASC 410”), which requires the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred and capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. These fair values are based upon the present value of the future cash flows expected to be incurred to satisfy the obligation. Determining the fair value of asset retirement obligations requires judgment, including estimates of the credit adjusted interest rate and estimates of future cash flows. Estimates of future cash flows are obtained primarily from engineering consulting firms. The present value of the obligations is accreted over time while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.
Pension Benefits	Pension benefits
	Pension benefit costs are accrued based on annual analyses performed by actuaries. These analyses are based on assumptions such as an assumed discount rate and an expected rate of return on plan assets. Both the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets require estimates and projections by management and can fluctuate from period to period. Real Alloy’s objective in selecting a discount rate is to select the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled. In making this estimate, projected cash flows are developed and matched with a yield curve based on an appropriate universe of high-quality corporate bonds. Assumptions for long-term rates of return on plan assets are based upon historical returns and future expectations for returns. See Note 3—Business Combinations for more information about the assumptions used to determine the pension benefit obligation as of the date of the Real Alloy Acquisition.
	Management believes these assumptions are appropriate; however, the actuarial assumptions used to determine pension benefits may differ from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants. Management does not believe differences in actual experience or reasonable changes in assumptions will materially affect its financial position or results of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, “Interest —Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)” (“ASU 2015-03”), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We have adopted the guidance in ASU 2015-03 in the period ended March 31, 2015.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”), which was the result of a joint project by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The issuance of a comprehensive and converged standard on revenue recognition is expected to enable financial statement users to better understand and consistently analyze an entity’s revenue across industries, transactions and geographies. The standard will require additional disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the nature, amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of the revenue that is recognized. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, or January 1, 2018 if the one year deferral proposal by the FASB is adopted, and will require either retrospective application to each prior reporting period presented or retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact the application of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360)” (“ASU 2014-08”). This guidance amends the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations or that have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. This new accounting guidance became effective and was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2015.

Financial_Statement_Presentati2

Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Lives of Related Assets	Depreciation is primarily computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, as follows:
		Estimated Useful Lives
	Building and improvements	5 - 33 years
	Production equipment and machinery	2 - 25 years
	Office furniture, equipment and other	3 - 10 years

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, with the purchase price allocated based on the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table presents a preliminary allocation of the purchase price. Due to the proximity of the Real Alloy Acquisition to the period covered by this report, the purchase price allocation remains preliminary as management continues to evaluate the assumptions and methodology used in the valuation of acquired inventories, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, accrued pension liabilities, environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations, and the resultant deferred income tax adjustments.
	(Dollars in millions)
	Consideration paid at closing (cash paid net of debt assumed)	$	501.2
	Redeemable Preferred Stock issued		19.6
	Working capital adjustment payable		31.2
	Estimated final cash true-up		4.7
	Total purchase consideration		556.7
	Purchase price allocation:
	Assets:
	Cash		10.2
	Trade accounts receivable		150.1
	Inventories		167.4
	Property, plant and equipment		325.7
	Deferred income taxes		5.9
	Other		4.1
	Identifiable intangible assets		21.6
	Total assets		685
	Liabilities:
	Trade payables		123.1
	Accrued liabilities		25
	Accrued pension liabilities		46
	Environmental liabilities		18
	Other		14.1
	Deferred income taxes		4.4
	Total liabilities		230.6
	Estimated fair value of net assets acquired		454.4
	Goodwill	$	102.3
Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Property Plant and Equipment	The fair value of property, plant and equipment acquired was estimated as follows:
	(Dollars in millions)			Estimated Fair Value
	Land			$	63.7
	Buildings				57
	Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures				193.2
	Construction work in progress				11.8
	Property, plant and equipment			$	325.7
Summary of Assumptions Used to Measure Accrued Pension Liabilities	The following assumptions were utilized to measure the accrued pension liabilities:
	Discount rate		1.7		%
	Salary increase		3		%
	Pension increase		1.8		%
	Turnover		2		%
Summary of Selected Unaudited Pro forma Results of Operations	The following selected unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, give effect to this business combination as though the transaction occurred on January 1, 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2015				2014
	Total revenues:
	As reported	$	137.8			$	0.1
	Pro forma		374.6				378.5
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.:
	As reported	$	6.7			$	0.1
	Pro forma		10				(21.2	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	The following table presents the components of inventories as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,		December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015		2014
	Finished goods	$	37.4	$	—
	Work in process		7.2		—
	Raw materials		81.8		—
	Supplies		9.7		—
	Total inventories	$	136.1	$	—

Debt_Other_Financing_Arrangeme1

Debt, Other Financing Arrangements and Redeemable Preferred Stock (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Redeemable Preferred Stock	The following table presents the Company’s debt as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Notes:
	Principal amount outstanding	$	305		$	—
	Unamortized original issue discount and issuance costs		(16.9	)		—
	Senior Secured Notes, net		288.1			—
	Asset-Based Facility:
	Principal amount outstanding		35.4			—
	Unamortized debt issuance costs		(3.0	)		—
	Asset-Based Facility, net		32.4			—
	Capital leases		4			—
	Current portion of long-term debt (capital leases)		(1.5	)		—
	Total long-term debt, net	$	323		$	—

Common_Stock_Warrant_Liability1

Common Stock Warrant Liability (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Fair Value of Common Stock Warrant Liability	The Company utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the fair value of the common stock warrant liability as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. See Note 12—Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements for a discussion about the estimated fair values determined using the Monte Carlo simulation option pricing model.  A decrease in the common stock warrant liability results in other income, while an increase in the common stock warrant liability results in other expense. The following table presents changes in the fair value of the common stock warrant liability during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	5.6		$	9.3
	Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability		(0.7	)		(0.8	)
	Balance at end of period	$	4.9		$	8.5

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon1

Stockholders Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Summary of Activity within Stockholders Equity and Noncontrolling Interest	The following table summarizes the activity within stockholders’ equity and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)	Equity Attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
	Balance at beginning of the period	$	85.7		$	(0.1	)	$	85.6
	Net earnings		6.7			0.1			6.8
	Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock		(0.2	)		—			(0.2	)
	Exercise of common stock options		1.1			—			1.1
	Issuance of common stock		51.2			—			51.2
	Share-based compensation expense		0.3			—			0.3
	Noncontrolling interest acquired in business combination		—			0.8			0.8
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income		0.3			—			0.3
	Balance at the end of the period	$	145.1		$	0.8		$	145.9
Changes in the Number of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock	The following table reflects changes in the number of outstanding shares of common stock:
					Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
	Balance at beginning of the period					17,099,882
	Restricted common stock awards granted					246,901
	Common stock options exercised					202,050
	Common stock issued					9,751,773
	Balance at end of the period					27,300,606

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following table summarizes the activity within accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)	Currency Translation
	Balance at beginning of period	$	—
	Current period currency translation adjustments		0.3
	Balance at end of period	$	0.3

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Components of Net Period Benefit Expense	The following table presents the components of the net periodic benefit expense under the German defined benefit pension plans:
		Three
		Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015
	Service cost	$	0.1
	Interest cost		0.1
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	0.2

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)	2015			2014
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(17.5	)	$	(1.4	)
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		24.3			1.5
	Net earnings		6.8			0.1
	Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest		0.1			—
	Net earnings attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.		6.7			0.1
	Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock		(0.2	)		—
	Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	6.5		$	0.1
	Basic and diluted:
	Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding		21,714,016			13,144,152
	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Continuing operations	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.10	)
	Discontinued operations		1.12			0.11
	Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	0.3		$	0.01
Average Market Price of Common Stock and the Incremental Shares that were Dilutive or Potentially Dilutive
	The following table provides details on the average market price of Signature common stock and the incremental shares that would have been included in the diluted shares outstanding computation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, had they not been anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Average market price of Signature common stock	$	7.22		$	10.43
	Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents:
	Unvested restricted common stock		12,060			34,151
	Common stock options		176,517			476,267
	Warrants		328,061			515,135
	Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents		516,638			1,025,553

Derivative_and_Other_Financial1

Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Assets Liabilities, Net offset in Balance Sheet	The table below presents gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities, the amounts offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the net amounts of assets and liabilities presented therein. As of March 31, 2015, there were no amounts subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement that have not been offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
		Fair Value of Derivatives
		as of March 31, 2015
	(Dollars in millions)	Asset				Liability
	Metal	$	0.4			$	0.3
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments	The following table presents details of the fair value of Real Alloy’s derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2015, as recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
				March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	Balance Sheet Location		2015
	Derivative assets - Metal	Other current assets		$	0.1
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Based on Fair Value Hierarchy	The following tables set forth financial assets and liabilities and their level in the fair value hierarchy that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				Estimated Fair Value
	(Dollars in millions)	Fair Value Hierarchy		March 31,				December 31,
				2015				2014
	Derivative assets	Level 2		$	0.4			$	—
	Derivative liabilities	Level 2			0.3				—
	Net derivative assets			$	0.1			$	—
	Common stock warrant liability	Level 3		$	4.9			$	5.6
Reconciliation for Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level Three)	The following table presents the reconciliation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
	(Dollars in millions)	Beginning				Income Realized in Earnings				Ending
		Balance								Balance
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Common stock warrant liability	$	5.6			$	0.7			$	4.9
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Common stock warrant liability	$	9.3			$	0.8			$	8.5
Schedule of Realized Gains on Derivative Financial Instruments	The following table presents realized gains on derivative financial instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
				Three
				Months Ended
				March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)				2015
	Metal			$	0.1
Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The following tables present the carrying values and fair value estimates of other financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				31-Mar-15
	(Dollars in millions)	Fair Value Hierarchy		Carrying Amount				Estimated
								Fair Value
	ASSETS
	Continuing operations:
	Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1		$	28.6			$	28.6
	Restricted cash held in escrow (other current assets)	Level 1			3.9				3.9
	Loans receivable, net (other noncurrent assets)	Level 3			1.2				1.2
	Discontinued operations:
	Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1			0.1				0.1
	LIABILITIES
	Continuing operations:
	Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Notes	Level 1		$	288.1			$	310.7
	Asset-Based Facility	Level 3			32.4				35.4
	Redeemable preferred stock	Level 3			19.8				19.8
				31-Dec-14
	(Dollars in millions)	Fair Value Hierarchy		Carrying Amount				Estimated
								Fair Value
	ASSETS
	Continuing operations:
	Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1		$	62			$	62
	Loans receivable, net (other noncurrent assets)	Level 3			1.2				1.2
	Discontinued operations:
	Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1			1				1
	LIABILITIES
	Discontinued operations:
	Line of credit	Level 3		$	1			$	1
	Long-term debt	Level 3			13.6				13.6

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations	The following tables show segment revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and a reconciliation from Adjusted EBITDA to loss from continuing operations before income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no reportable segments.
	(Dollars in millions, tons in thousands)				RANA		RAEU
	Buy/Sell metric tons invoiced					31.4		17.3
	Toll metric tons invoiced					42.1		21
	Total metric tons invoiced					73.5		38.3
	Revenues				$	86.4	$	51.4
	Cost of sales (excluding depreciation)					81.2		48.3
	Gross profit					5.2	3.1
	Cost of sales related to impact of recording inventory at fair value					2.7		1
	Gross profit adjusted to exclude impact of recording inventory at fair value					7.9	4.1
	Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation)					2.7		1.3
	Other operating (income) expense, net					0.1	0.1
	Other EBITDA Adjustments					0.1		0.3
	Adjusted EBITDA				$	5.2	$	2.7
	(Dollars in millions)	Three
		Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	7.9
	Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments		(0.1	)
	Depreciation and amortization		3.7
	Share-based compensation expense		0.3
	Impact of recording inventory at fair value through purchase accounting		3.7
	Selling, general and administrative expense of Corporate and Other		2.8
	Other operating expense, net		0.3
	Nonoperating expense (income):
	Interest expense		8.1
	Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability		(0.7	)
	Acquisition and financing-related costs and expenses		14.4
	Other, net		0.3
	Total nonoperating expense (income)		22.1
	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(24.9	)
Summarized Balance Sheet Information of Reportable Segments	The following tables present summarized balance sheet information for each of our reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015:
	(Dollars in millions)				RANA		RAEU
	Segment Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents				$	3.3	$	6.1
	Trade accounts receivable, net					95.7		74.9
	Inventories					88.6		47.5
	Other current assets					3.4		0.3
	Total current assets					191		128.8
	Property, plant and equipment, net					210.9		105.4
	Intangible assets, net					20.5		1
	Other noncurrent assets					0.7		1.1
	Total segment assets				$	423.1	$	236.3
	Segment Liabilities
	Current liabilities:
	Trade payables				$	63.8	$	50.8
	Accrued liabilities					22.2		11.1
	Long-term debt due within one year					0.2		1.3
	Other current liabilities					39.5		20.7
	Total current liabilities					125.7		83.9
	Accrued pension benefits					—		44.5
	Environmental liabilities					18.4		—
	Long-term debt, net					239.7		84.8
	Other noncurrent liabilities					8.6		3.1
	Total segment liabilities				$	392.4	$	216.3
	(Dollars in millions)
	Assets:
	RANA	$	423.1
	RAEU		236.3
	Unallocated		131.9
	Total consolidated assets	$	791.3
	Liabilities:
	RANA	$	392.4
	RAEU		216.3
	Unallocated		16.9
	Total consolidated liabilities	$	625.6

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities and Statements of Operations of Discontinued Operation	The following table presents the assets and liabilities, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, of the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations as of March 31, 2015:
		March 31,			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	0.1		$	1
	Trade accounts receivable, net		—			4.5
	Inventories		—			11.4
	Other current assets		—			1.1
	Total current assets of discontinued operations	$	0.1		$	18
	Noncurrent assets:
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	—		$	0.3
	Intangible assets, net		—			1.6
	Goodwill		—			17.8
	Other noncurrent assets		—			0.3
	Total noncurrent assets of discontinued operations	$	—		$	20
	Current liabilities:
	Trade payables	$	—		$	2.9
	Accrued liabilities		0.1			0.2
	Line of credit		—			1
	Long-term debt due within one year		—			3.9
	Other current liabilities		0.2			0.1
	Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	$	0.3		$	8.1
	Noncurrent liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	—		$	9.7
	Repurchase reserve		5.3			5.5
	Total noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	$	5.3		$	15.2
	The following table presents the operating results, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, for the components of the Company designated as discontinued operations as of March 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2015			2014
	Revenues	$	0.7		$	8.2
	Cost of sales		0.4			5.3
	Gross profit		0.3			2.9
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		0.3			0.9
	Amortization of intangibles		—			0.3
	Other operating expense (income), net		0.4			1.2
	Operating income (loss)		(0.4	)		0.5
	Nonoperating expense (income):
	Interest expense		—			0.2
	Other, net		(40.1	)		(1.7	)
	Total nonoperating expense (income)		(40.1	)		(1.5	)
	Earnings from discontinued operations, before income taxes		39.7			2
	Income tax expense		15.4			0.5
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	24.3		$	1.5

Business_and_Operations_Additi

Business and Operations - Additional Information (Detail)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Apr. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Apr. 30, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Jan. 08, 2015

Jan. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent Event

Rights Offering

Rights Offering

Real Alloy Acquisition

Real Alloy Acquisition

Real Alloy Acquisition

Senior Secured Notes

Senior Secured Notes

Senior Secured Notes

Asset Based Facility

Factoring Facility

Factoring Facility

October Private Placement

Equity Offering

Facility

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent Event

USD ($)

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Rights Offering

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Employee

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Organization And Business Activities [Line Items]

Facilities

24

Employees

1,700

Number of shares issued

9,800,000

800,000

25,000

300,000

4,400,000

Sale of stock, price per share

$10

$6.50

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

$51,200,000

$4,800,000

$3,000,000

$28,500,000

Senior secured notes principal amount

305,000,000

Debt instrument discount percentage

97.21%

97.21%

Proceeds from issuance of debt

296,500,000

Debt, due date

31-Jan-19

15-Jan-19

Proceeds from Rights Offering

55,000,000

4,800,000

Proceeds from issuance of common stock used to fund acquisition

50,000,000

Initial Draw Amount

59,500,000

28,000,000

25,000,000

Maximum financing amount of factoring facility

110,000,000

50,000,000

Initial draw amount used to fund acquisition

73,500,000

Initial draw amount used to operating purposes

$14,000,000

Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share

$1,000

Financial_Statement_Presentati3

Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful lives of the Assets (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Building and improvements | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Building and improvements | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	33 years
Production equipment and machinery | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Production equipment and machinery | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	25 years
Office furniture, equipment and other | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Office furniture, equipment and other | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years

Financial_Statement_Presentati4

Financial Statement Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Currency translation gain (losses)	($0.10)

Business_combinations_Addition

Business combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 27, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash held in escrow		$3.90	$3.90
Business Combination, Acquisition and Financing Related Costs			14.4
Fair value of trade accounts receivable	150.1
Inventory impairment				0.4
Estimated economic life			20 years
Goodwill		102.3	102.3
Revenues			137.8	0.1
Net loss			6.7	0.1
Real Alloy
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		102.3	102.3
Real Alloy Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired	100.00%
Total purchase consideration	525
Working capital and cash true-up adjustments	35.9
Cash held in escrow	5
Business Combination, Acquisition and Financing Related Costs			14.4
Inventories	167.4
Fair value adjustment to inventory		3.7
Inventory impairment		4.1
Weighted average useful life			15 years
Fair value assumptions, discount rate			13.50%
Goodwill	102.3
Revenues		137.8	137.8	0.1
Net loss		15	6.7	0.1
Real Alloy Acquisition | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indemnity obligations	67
Losses exceeds deductible	3
Fair value assumptions, discount rate			6.70%
Real Alloy Acquisition | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indemnity obligations	525
Losses exceeds deductible	$23.90
Fair value assumptions, discount rate			13.20%

Business_combinations_Schedule

Business combinations - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 27, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Liabilities:
Goodwill		$102.30
Real Alloy Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration paid at closing (cash paid net of debt assumed)	501.2
Working capital adjustment payable	31.2
Estimated final cash true-up	4.7
Total purchase consideration	556.7
Assets:
Cash	10.2
Trade accounts receivable	150.1
Inventories	167.4
Property, plant and equipment	325.7
Deferred income taxes	5.9
Other	4.1
Identifiable intangible assets	21.6
Total assets	685
Liabilities:
Trade payables	123.1
Accrued liabilities	25
Accrued pension liabilities	46
Environmental liabilities	18
Other	14.1
Deferred income taxes	4.4
Total liabilities	230.6
Estimated fair value of net assets acquired	454.4
Goodwill	102.3
Real Alloy Acquisition | Redeemable Preferred Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Redeemable Preferred Stock issued	$19.60

Business_combinations_Summary_

Business combinations - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Property Plant and Equipment (Detail) (Real Alloy Acquisition, USD $)	Feb. 27, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$325.70
Land
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	63.7
Building
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	57
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	193.2
Construction work in Progress
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$11.80

Business_combinations_Summary_1

Business combinations - Summary of Assumptions Used to Measure Accrued Pension Liabilities (Detail)	Feb. 27, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Discount rate	1.70%
Salary increase	3.00%
Pension increase	1.80%
Turnover	2.00%

Business_combinations_Summary_2

Business combinations - Summary of Selected Unaudited Pro forma Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Total revenues:
Total revenues, As reported		$137.80	$0.10
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc., As reported		6.7	0.1
Real Alloy Acquisition
Total revenues:
Total revenues, As reported	137.8	137.8	0.1
Total revenues, Pro forma		374.6	378.5
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc., As reported	15	6.7	0.1
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc., Pro forma		$10	($21.20)

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$37.40
Work in process	7.2
Raw materials	81.8
Supplies	9.7
Total inventories	$136.10

Schedule_of_Debt_Detail

Schedule of Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 08, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases	$4
Current portion of long-term debt (capital leases)	1.5
Total long-term debt, net	323
Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount outstanding	305	305
Unamortized original issue discount and issuance costs	-16.9
Senior Secured Notes, net	288.1
Asset Based Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount outstanding	35.4
Unamortized debt issuance costs	-3
Asset-Based Facility, net	$32.40

Debt_Other_Financing_Arrangeme2

Debt, Other Financing Arrangements and Redeemable Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)

Mar. 31, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Jan. 08, 2015

Jan. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Feb. 27, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Senior Secured Notes

Senior Secured Notes

Senior Secured Notes

Asset Based Facility

Asset Based Facility

Asset Based Facility

Asset Based Facility

Asset Based Facility

Asset Based Facility

Factoring Facility

Factoring Facility

USD ($)

USD ($)

First 18 Months

Next 12 Months

Thereafter

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

US Sub-facility

Canada Sub-facility

Canada Sub-facility

Canada Sub-facility

G E Capital

G E Capital

Prime Rate

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Principal amount outstanding

$305

$305

$35.40

Debt instrument discount percentage

97.21%

97.21%

Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage

10.00%

Debt, interest expense

8

0.1

Debt, due date

31-Jan-19

15-Jan-19

Line of Credit Facility, interest rate description

U.S. dollar denominated loans under the U.S. Sub-facility will bear interest, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) at 1, 2, 3 or 6-month interest periods at LIBOR, or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined below), in each case plus a margin based on the amount of the excess availability under the Asset-Based Facility. The “Base Rate” is equal to the greater of (a) the U.S. prime rate, (b) the U.S. Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points, and (c) the sum of LIBOR plus a margin based on the amount of the excess availability under the Asset-Based Facility

Canadian dollar denominated loans under the Canadian Sub-facility will bear interest, at the borrowers’ option, either (i) at 1, 2, 3 or 6-month interest periods at an average Canadian interbank rate, or (ii) floating at the greater of the Canadian prime rate or the average 30-day Canadian interbank rate plus 1.35%, in each case plus a margin based on the amount of the excess availability under the Asset-Based Facility.

Credit Facility default percentage

200.00%

Funding fees

100.00%

100.00%

Credit facility amount

110

50

Average interest rate

3.00%

2.30%

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

1.35%

1.65%

Capital leases due within next twelve months

1.5

Capital leases

4

Percentage of advances on face value factored receivable

90.00%

Line of credit facility, expiration date

15-Jan-19

Factoring facility initial interest rate

1.70%

Amount of receivables factored

95.6

Redeemable preferred stock dividends rate

7.00%

8.00%

9.00%

Preferred stock, dividend payment terms

Dividends may be paid in kind for the first two years, and thereafter will be paid in cash.

Minimum aggregate principal amount of redeemable preferred stock outstanding for voting

10

Minimum percentage of consolidated assets for valued acquisitions of company and subsidiaries

5.00%

Liquidation preference value

$25.10

Preferred stock redemption period

66 months

Common_Stock_Warrant_Liability2

Common Stock Warrant Liability - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2010	Mar. 31, 2015
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase common stock	1,500,000
Aggregate purchase price of common stock warrant	$0.30
Warrant vested upon issuance		20.00%
Common stock warrants vesting percentage on each anniversary date		20.00%
Common stock warrants percentage vested		100.00%
Exercise price of warrants	$10.30	$5.64
Common stock warrants expiration date		2020-06
NABCO
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Price per share of common stock issued		$5.64

Changes_in_Fair_Value_of_Commo

Changes in Fair Value of Common Stock Warrant Liability (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Warrants And Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
Common stock warrant liability, beginning balance	$5.60	$9.30
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability	-0.7	-0.8
Common stock warrant liability, ending balance	$4.90	$8.50

Summary_of_Activity_within_Sto

Summary of Activity within Stockholders Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of the period	$85.60
Net earnings	6.8	0.1
Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock	-0.2
Exercise of common stock options	1.1
Issuance of common stock	51.2
Share-based compensation expense	0.3	0.5
Noncontrolling interest acquired in business combination	0.8
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income	0.3
Balance at the end of the period	145.9
Equity Attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of the period	85.7
Net earnings	6.7
Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock	-0.2
Exercise of common stock options	1.1
Issuance of common stock	51.2
Share-based compensation expense	0.3
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income	0.3
Balance at the end of the period	145.1
Noncontrolling Interest
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of the period	-0.1
Net earnings	0.1
Noncontrolling interest acquired in business combination	0.8
Balance at the end of the period	$0.80

Changes_in_Number_of_Outstandi

Changes in Number of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of the period	17,099,882
Restricted common stock awards granted	246,901
Common stock options exercised	202,050
Common stock issued	9,751,773
Balance at end of the period	27,300,606

Schedule_of_Accumulated_Other_

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Current period currency translation adjustments	$0.30
Balance at end of period	$0.30

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$7.40	$0.30
Percentage of common stock ownership under transfer restriction			4.90%
Federal
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards			933.6
Net operating loss expiration period			20 years
Net operating loss carry forwards expiration year			2027
California
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards			$994.70
Net operating loss carry forwards expiration year			2017
Minimum | California
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss expiration period			10 years
Maximum | California
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss expiration period			20 years

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Compone

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Period Benefit Expense (Details) (German Defined Benefit Pension Plan, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
German Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$0.10
Interest cost	0.1
Net periodic benefit expense	$0.20

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Additi

Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Percentage of weighted average shares outstanding	8.30%

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss from continuing operations	($17.50)	($1.40)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	24.3	1.5
Net earnings	6.8	0.1
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.1
Net earnings attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	6.7	0.1
Dividends and accretion on Redeemable Preferred Stock	-0.2
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$6.50	$0.10
Basic and diluted:
Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding	21,714,016	13,144,152
Earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	($0.82)	($0.10)
Discontinued operations	$1.12	$0.11
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$0.30	$0.01

Average_Market_Price_of_Common

Average Market Price of Common Stock and the Incremental Shares that were Dilutive or Potentially Dilutive (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Average market price of Signature common stock	$7.22	$10.43
Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents:
Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents	516,638	1,025,553
Unvested Restricted Common Stock
Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents:
Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents	12,060	34,151
Common Stock Options
Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents:
Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents	176,517	476,267
Warrants
Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents:
Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents	328,061	515,135

Derivative_and_Other_Financial2

Derivative and Other Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral posted or held	0
Amount subject to enforceable master netting arrangement not offset	0
Redeemable Preferred Stock
Derivative [Line Items]
Preferred stock redemption period	66 months
Credit spread adjustment percentage	12.05%
Metal
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative contracts	24,100
Natural Gas | Swap Contract One
Derivative [Line Items]
Swap contracts	0
Common Stock Warrant Liability
Derivative [Line Items]
Valuation technique	Monte Carlo Simulation
Volatility	52.00%
Expected term	5 years 2 months 12 days	5 years 9 months 18 days
Equity raise probability	25.00%
Equity raise price discount assumption	15.00%

Gross_Amounts_of_Recognized_As

Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (Metal, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Metal
Fair Value of Derivatives, Asset
Fair Value of Derivatives Asset, Gross	$0.40
Fair Value of Derivatives, Liability
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability, Gross	$0.30

Fair_Value_of_Derivative_Finan

Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) (Other Current Assets, Metal, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Assets | Metal
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets	$0.10

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Based on Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (Fair Value, Recurring, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Net derivative assets	$0.10
Level 2
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0.4
Derivative liabilities	0.3
Level 3
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Common stock warrant liability, estimated fair value	$4.90	$5.60

Reconciliation_for_Assets_and_

Reconciliation for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level Three) (Detail) (Common Stock Warrant Liability, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Stock Warrant Liability
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$5.60	$9.30
Income Realized in Earnings	0.7	0.8
Ending Balance	$4.90	$8.50

Schedule_of_Realized_Gains_on_

Schedule of Realized Gains on Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Realized gains on derivative financial instruments	$0.20
Metal
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Realized gains on derivative financial instruments	$0.10

Carrying_Value_and_Estimated_F

Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$28.60	$62	$44.50
LIABILITIES
Long-term debt:	323
Liabilities, estimated fair value
Long-term debt:	323
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Assets, estimated fair value
Cash and cash equivalents, estimated fair value	28.6	62
Senior Secured Notes
LIABILITIES
Senior Secured Notes, net	288.1
Senior Secured Notes | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Liabilities, estimated fair value
Senior Secured Notes, net	310.7
Asset Based Facility
LIABILITIES
Asset-Based Facility, net	32.4
Asset Based Facility | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities, estimated fair value
Asset-Based Facility, Estimated Fair value	35.4
Other Current Assets
ASSETS
Restricted cash held in escrow (other current assets)	3.9
Other Current Assets | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Assets, estimated fair value
Restricted cash held in escrow (other current assets), estimated fair value	3.9
Other Noncurrent Assets
ASSETS
Loans receivable, net, carrying amount	1.2	1.2
Other Noncurrent Assets | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets, estimated fair value
Loans receivable, net, estimated fair value	1.2	1.2
Discontinued Operations
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0.1	1
LIABILITIES
Long-term debt:		9.7
Lines of credit, carrying amount		1
Long-term debt, carrying amount		13.6
Liabilities, estimated fair value
Long-term debt:		9.7
Discontinued Operations | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Assets, estimated fair value
Cash and cash equivalents, estimated fair value	0.1	1
Discontinued Operations | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities, estimated fair value
Lines of credit, estimated fair value		1
Long-term debt, estimated fair value		13.6
Redeemable Preferred Stock
LIABILITIES
Redeemable preferred stock, Series B, $1,000 liquidation preference per share 100,000 and zero shares authorized 25,000 and zero shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	19.8
Redeemable Preferred Stock | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities, estimated fair value
Redeemable preferred stock, estimated fair value	$19.80

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Segment	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Operating Segments	2
Number of Reportable Segments		0

Operating_Results_of_Segments_

Operating Results of Segments and Reconciliation to Earnings (Loss) Before Income taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$137.80	$0.10
Gross profit	4.8	0.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7.4	2.6
Other operating expense, net	0.3
Adjusted EBITDA	7.9
Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments	-0.1
Depreciation and amortization	3.7
Share-based compensation expense	0.3	0.5
Impact of recording inventory at fair value through purchase accounting	3.7
Nonoperating expense (income):
Interest expense	8.1
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability	-0.7	-0.8
Acquisition and financing-related costs and expenses	14.4
Other, net	0.3
Total nonoperating expense (income)	22.1	-0.8
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-24.9
RANA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Buy/Sell metric tons invoiced	31,400
Toll metric tons invoiced	42,100
Total metric tons invoiced	73,500
Revenues	86.4
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation)	81.2
Gross profit	5.2
Cost of sales related to impact of recording inventory at fair value	2.7
Gross profit adjusted to exclude impact of recording inventory at fair value	7.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2.7
Other operating expense, net	0.1
Other EBITDA Adjustments	0.1
Adjusted EBITDA	5.2
RAEU
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Buy/Sell metric tons invoiced	17,300
Toll metric tons invoiced	21,000
Total metric tons invoiced	38,300
Revenues	51.4
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation)	48.3
Gross profit	3.1
Cost of sales related to impact of recording inventory at fair value	1
Gross profit adjusted to exclude impact of recording inventory at fair value	4.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1.3
Other operating expense, net	0.1
Other EBITDA Adjustments	0.3
Adjusted EBITDA	2.7
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$2.80

Summarized_Balance_Sheet_Infor

Summarized Balance Sheet Information of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$28.60	$62	$44.50
Trade accounts receivable, net	170.7
Inventories	136.1
Other current assets	9.6	1
Total current assets	345.1	86.1
Property, plant and equipment, net	316.4	0.1
Intangible assets, net	21.6	0.1
Other noncurrent assets	2.9	1.1
TOTAL ASSETS	791.3	121.9
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	116.2
Accrued liabilities	37.7	6.2
Long-term debt due within one year	1.5
Other current liabilities	62.4	0.9
Total current liabilities	218.1	15.2
Accrued pension benefits	44.5
Environmental liabilities	18.4
Long-term debt, net	323
Other noncurrent liabilities	11.4	0.3
TOTAL LIABILITIES	625.6	36.3
RANA
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	3.3
Trade accounts receivable, net	95.7
Inventories	88.6
Other current assets	3.4
Total current assets	191
Property, plant and equipment, net	210.9
Intangible assets, net	20.5
Other noncurrent assets	0.7
TOTAL ASSETS	423.1
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	63.8
Accrued liabilities	22.2
Long-term debt due within one year	0.2
Other current liabilities	39.5
Total current liabilities	125.7
Environmental liabilities	18.4
Long-term debt, net	239.7
Other noncurrent liabilities	8.6
TOTAL LIABILITIES	392.4
RAEU
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	6.1
Trade accounts receivable, net	74.9
Inventories	47.5
Other current assets	0.3
Total current assets	128.8
Property, plant and equipment, net	105.4
Intangible assets, net	1
Other noncurrent assets	1.1
TOTAL ASSETS	236.3
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	50.8
Accrued liabilities	11.1
Long-term debt due within one year	1.3
Other current liabilities	20.7
Total current liabilities	83.9
Accrued pension benefits	44.5
Long-term debt, net	84.8
Other noncurrent liabilities	3.1
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$216.30

Summarized_Balance_Sheet_Infor1

Summarized Balance Sheet Information of Reportable Segments and Consolidated (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Total assets	$791.30	$121.90
LIABILITIES
Total liabilities	625.6	36.3
RANA
ASSETS
Total assets	423.1
LIABILITIES
Total liabilities	392.4
RAEU
ASSETS
Total assets	236.3
LIABILITIES
Total liabilities	216.3
Unallocated
ASSETS
Total assets	131.9
LIABILITIES
Total liabilities	$16.90

Assets_and_Liabilities_of_Disc

Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$0.10		$0.20
Trade accounts receivable, net	170.7
Other current assets	9.6	1
Total current assets of discontinued operations	0.1	18
Noncurrent assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	316.4	0.1
Goodwill	102.3
Other noncurrent assets	2.9	1.1
Total noncurrent assets of discontinued operations		20
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	116.2
Accrued liabilities	37.7	6.2
Long-term debt due within one year	1.5
Other current liabilities	62.4	0.9
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	0.3	8.1
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt:	323
Total noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	5.3	15.2
Discontinued Operations
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0.1	1
Trade accounts receivable, net		4.5
Inventories		11.4
Other current assets		1.1
Total current assets of discontinued operations	0.1	18
Noncurrent assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net		0.3
Intangible assets, net		1.6
Goodwill		17.8
Other noncurrent assets		0.3
Total noncurrent assets of discontinued operations		20
Current liabilities:
Trade payables		2.9
Accrued liabilities	0.1	0.2
Lines of credit, carrying amount		1
Long-term debt due within one year		3.9
Other current liabilities	0.2	0.1
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations	0.3	8.1
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt:		9.7
Repurchase reserve	5.3	5.5
Total noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	$5.30	$15.20

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 09, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gross proceeds from sale of wholly owned subsidiary	$78,000,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding		101,700,000
Outstanding Claims For More Than Six Years
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding		65,800,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding, Percentage		64.60%
Outstanding Claims For More Than Four Years But Less Than Six Years
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding		35,400,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding, Percentage		34.80%
Outstanding Claims For More Than Two Years But Less Than Four Years
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding		500,000
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Claims Outstanding, Percentage		0.60%
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Repurchase claims received or settled		0		0
Repurchase reserve		5,300,000		5,500,000
Recoveries of provisions for repurchases		300,000	300,000
Gain on the sale business		$38,900,000

Statements_of_Operations_of_Di

Statements of Operations of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Other operating expense, net	$0.30
Nonoperating expense (income):
Total nonoperating expense (income)	-22.1	0.8
Income tax benefit	-7.4	-0.3
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	24.3	1.5
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0.7	8.2
Cost of sales	0.4	5.3
Gross profit	0.3	2.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.3	0.9
Amortization of intangibles		0.3
Other operating expense, net	0.4	1.2
Operating income (loss)	-0.4	0.5
Nonoperating expense (income):
Interest expense		0.2
Other, net	-40.1	-1.7
Total nonoperating expense (income)	-40.1	-1.5
Earnings from discontinued operations, before income taxes	39.7	2
Income tax benefit	15.4	0.5
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$24.30	$1.50

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Jul. 11, 2014	Dec. 08, 2009	Jun. 30, 2011
	LegalMatter
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Reserves for environmental remediation liabilities	$21.80
Asset retirement obligations	7.5
Multiemployer plans, withdrawal obligation		4.2
Colburn Matter
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Plaintiff superior court claim			3.2
Total amount claimed by plaintiff			2.6
Walker Matter
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Plaintiff superior court claim				4.6
Total amount claimed by plaintiff				2.5
Breach Of Employment Contracts
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Bankruptcy claims filed in court	5.1
Number of bankruptcy claims filed	2
Environmental Remediation
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities of environmental remediation reserves	$3.30

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015	Jun. 11, 2010
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Warrant issued to purchase common stock			1,500,000
Exercise price of warrants	$5.64		$10.30
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	$51.20
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, shares subscriptions received		1,017,321
Common stock, shares subscriptions received, basic		843,000
Common stock, shares subscriptions received, over subscriptions		174,321
Warrant issued to purchase common stock		843,000
Exercise price of warrants		$5.64
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		$4.80