Myers Industries (MYE) 10-Q 30 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MYERS INDUSTRIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000069488	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	31,511,839

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net sales	$162,109	$141,442	$465,378	$440,009
Cost of sales	122,148	98,924	340,814	310,398
Gross profit	39,961	42,518	124,564	129,611
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42,639	30,253	107,073	94,613
Operating income (loss)	-2,678	12,265	17,491	34,998
Interest expense, net	2,637	1,113	5,888	3,309
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-5,315	11,152	11,603	31,689
Income tax expense (benefit)	-1,697	4,293	4,131	11,629
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-3,618	6,859	7,472	20,060
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	875	-371	-3,786	2,623
Net income (loss)	($2,743)	$6,488	$3,686	$22,683
Income (loss) per common share from continuing operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.20	$0.23	$0.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.20	$0.23	$0.59
Income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.02	($0.01)	($0.12)	$0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.02	($0.01)	($0.12)	$0.08
Net income per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.09)	$0.19	$0.11	$0.68
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.09)	$0.19	$0.11	$0.67
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0.09	$0.39	$0.27

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income (loss)	($2,743)	$6,488	$3,686	$22,683
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-9,638	255	-6,780	-5,590
Pension liability	0	0	0	-75
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-9,638	255	-6,780	-5,665
Comprehensive income (loss)	($12,381)	$6,743	($3,094)	$17,018

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash	$8,358	$6,539
Accounts receivable-less allowances of $1,019 and $1,314, respectively	99,460	74,932
Inventories	'	'
Finished and in-process products	53,441	34,337
Raw materials and supplies	28,208	18,786
Inventory net	81,649	53,123
Prepaid expenses	8,477	5,492
Income Taxes Receivable, Current	4,035	0
Deferred income taxes	2,228	2,064
Assets held for sale	140,815	92,760
Total Current Assets	345,022	234,910
Other Assets	'	'
Goodwill	70,203	51,075
Patents and other intangible assets, net	75,846	14,255
Assets held for sale	0	67,808
Other	4,300	2,959
Total other non current assets	150,349	136,097
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost	'	'
Land	2,957	3,082
Buildings and leasehold improvements	45,021	48,159
Machinery and equipment	346,959	294,537
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost	394,937	345,778
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization	-260,363	-247,328
Property, plant and equipment, net	134,574	98,450
Total Assets	629,945	469,457
Current Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	66,298	68,897
Accrued expenses	'	'
Employee compensation	19,387	17,413
Income taxes	0	5,519
Taxes, other than income taxes	2,686	2,173
Accrued interest	1,940	103
Liabilities of Assets Held-for-sale	34,989	40,044
Other	18,944	16,434
Total Current Liabilities	144,244	150,583
Long-term debt, net	276,867	44,347
Liabilities of Assets Held-for-sale, Noncurrent	0	7,825
Other liabilities	13,893	14,687
Deferred income taxes	18,939	16,508
Shareholders’ Equity	'	'
Serial Preferred Shares (authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding)	0	0
Common Shares, without par value (authorized 60,000,000 shares; outstanding 31,539,664 and 33,572,778; after deducting treasury shares of 6,227,473 and 4,203,179, respectively)	19,085	20,313
Additional paid-in capital	223,788	266,276
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-4,353	2,427
Retained deficit	-62,518	-53,509
Total Shareholders' Equity	176,002	235,507
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$629,945	$469,457

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Allowances for accounts receivable	$1,019	$1,314
Shareholders’ Equity	'	'
Preferred Shares, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred Shares, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred Shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common Shares, shares authorized (in shares)	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common Shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	31,539,664	33,572,778
Common shares, treasury (in shares)	6,227,473	4,203,179

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Deficit
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$235,507	$20,313	$266,276	$2,427	($53,509)
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	3,686	'	'	'	3,686
Net sales under option plans	'	119	2,305	'	'
Dividend reinvestment plan	'	3	97	'	'
Restricted stock vested	'	76	-76	'	'
Restricted stock and stock option grants, net	'	9	2,259	'	'
Tax benefit from options	'	'	681	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	'	-6,780	'
Purchases for treasury-net	'	-1,410	-46,896	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other	'	6	194	'	'
Shares withheld for employee taxes on equity awards	'	-31	-1,052	'	'
Dividends declared - $.39 per share	'	'	'	'	-12,695
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$176,002	$19,085	$223,788	($4,353)	($62,518)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0.09	$0.39	$0.27

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$3,686	$22,683
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-3,786	2,623
Income from continuing operations	7,472	20,060
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	'
Depreciation	17,749	15,310
Amortization	4,275	2,355
Non-cash stock compensation	2,413	2,142
Amortization of deferred financing costs	560	396
Deferred income taxes	3,073	2,348
Other long-term liabilities	1,422	1,757
(Gain) loss from asset dispositions	-229	615
Tax benefit from options	-681	-167
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	200	202
Payments on performance based compensation	-1,293	-1,719
Cash flows provided by (used for) working capital, net of effect of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-5,584	-7,605
Inventories	-15,446	-5,175
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-8,933	-1,820
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-7,828	602
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities-continuing operations	-2,830	29,301
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities-discontinued operations	-14,054	17,542
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities	-16,884	46,843
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities-continuing operations	'	'
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities-discontinued operations	-10,860	-13,464
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	-157,811	-600
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	548	0
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	0	-68
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-168,123	-14,132
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	12,876	-5,607
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	-155,247	-19,739
Other	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	89,000	0
Net borrowing on credit facility	143,390	-15,007
Cash dividends paid	-11,602	-6,046
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,524	5,765
Repayment of long-term debt	681	167
Repurchase of common stock	-48,306	-5,271
Shares withheld for employee taxes on equity awards	-1,083	-684
Deferred financing costs	-543	0
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities - continuing operations	174,061	-21,076
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	-2,317
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	174,061	-23,393
Foreign Exchange Rate Effect on Cash	-111	-655
Net increase in cash	1,819	3,056
Cash at January 1	6,539	3,948
Cash at September 30	8,358	7,004
Interest	3,910	2,629
Income taxes	$10,910	$9,776

Statement_of_Accounting_Polici

Statement of Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Statement of Accounting Policy	'
	Statement of Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Myers Industries, Inc. and all wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), and have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2014, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will occur for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	Segment Realignment and Discontinued Operations
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company realigned its reportable segments as a result of organizational changes to better align its resources to support its ongoing business strategy. The realignment is consistent with the manner in which our Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates performance and makes resource allocation decisions. Historical segment information has been adjusted to reflect the effect of this change. Our segment information is more fully described in Note 15. Historical information also reflects discontinued operations presentation for businesses disposed of or meeting the held for sale criteria as described in Note 3. Reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles to conform to current year’s reporting presentation.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This guidance states that the disposal of a component of an entity is to be reported in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The pronouncement also requires additional disclosures regarding individually significant disposals of components that do not meet the criteria to be recognized as a discontinued operation as well as additional and expanded disclosures. The guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 and is to be applied prospectively. While early adoption is permitted, the Company plans to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and related disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and related disclosures.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The new standard provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. Under ASU 2014-15, management will be required to perform interim and annual assessments of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.
	Translation of Foreign Currencies
	All asset and liability accounts of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period and income statement items are translated monthly at an average currency exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders' equity.
	Fair Value Measurement
	The Company follows guidance included in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"), for its financial assets and liabilities, as required. The guidance established a common definition for fair value to be applied to U.S. GAAP requiring the use of fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, and expanded disclosure requirements about such fair value measurements. The guidance did not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applied to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Under ASC 820, the hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value is divided into three levels:
	Level 1:	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2:	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data or which reflect the entity’s own assumptions.
	The fair value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are considered to have a fair value which approximates carrying value due to the nature and relative short maturity of these assets and liabilities.
	The fair value of debt under the Company’s Loan Agreement approximates carrying value due to the floating rates and relative short maturity (less than 90 days) of the revolving borrowings under this agreement. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate senior unsecured notes was estimated using market observable inputs for the Company’s comparable peers with public debt, including quoted prices in active markets and interest rate measurements which are considered level 2 inputs. At September 30, 2014, the fair value of the Company's $100.0 million fixed rate senior unsecured notes was estimated at $103.8 million. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's $11.0 million fixed rate senior unsecured notes was estimated at $10.8 million.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenues from the sale of products, net of actual and estimated returns, at the point of passage of title and risk of loss, which is generally at time of shipment, and collectability of the fixed or determinable sales price is reasonably assured.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The balances in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Foreign Currency			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	12,784		$	(2,141	)	$	10,643
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(851		)	—			(851		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(75		)	(75		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	(851		)	(75		)	(926		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	11,933			(2,216		)	9,717
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(4,994		)	—			(4,994		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	6,939			(2,216		)	4,723
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	255			—			255
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	7,194		$	(2,216	)	$	4,978
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	3,493		$	(1,066	)	$	2,427
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	54			—			54
	Balance at March 31, 2014	3,547			(1,066		)	2,481
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,804			—			2,804
	Balance at June 30, 2014	6,351			(1,066		)	5,285
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(9,638		)	—			(9,638		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(3,287	)	$	(1,066	)	$	(4,353	)
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value. The Company maintains operating cash and reserves for replacement balances in financial institutions which, from time to time, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of these institutions and believes that the risk of loss is minimal.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisition
	On July 2, 2014, CA Acquisition Inc., now known as Scepter Canada Inc., and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Myers Industries, Inc., completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Scepter Corporation and certain real property of SHI Properties Inc., both located in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Contemporaneously with the asset acquisition, Crown US Acquisition Company, now known as Scepter US Holding Company, and another wholly-owned subsidiary of Myers Industries, Inc., completed the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Eco One Leasing, LLC and Scepter Manufacturing, LLC, both located in Miami, Oklahoma. Eco One Leasing, LLC was subsequently merged into Scepter Manufacturing, LLC. The total purchase price for these acquisitions (collectively, “Scepter”) was approximately $157.8 million in cash, which includes an estimated working capital adjustment of $0.8 million subject to further adjustment based on the final working capital and other specified items. The acquisition of Scepter was funded from net proceeds from additional borrowings of approximately $135.3 million under the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and cash on hand of $22.5 million.
	The acquisition of Scepter strengthens and expands the Company's position as an industry leading producer of portable marine fuel containers, portable fuel and water containers and accessories, ammunition containers, storage totes and environmental bins for the marine, military, consumer and industrial markets. The acquisition of Scepter is consistent with the Company's business strategy and the products fit well with the Company's overall portfolio. The operating results of Scepter have been included within our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) and within the Company's Material Handling Segment since the date of acquisition. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 include net sales of $21.6 million and an operating loss of $5.2 million related to Scepter. Included in Scepter's operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were approximately $3.0 million in transactional costs and $2.3 million of inventory purchase accounting fair value adjustments charged to cost of sales as the inventory was sold. Total transactional costs incurred relating to the Scepter acquisition were approximately $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and are included in general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited).
	The Company accounted for the acquisition of Scepter using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires among other things, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. As of September 30, 2014, the entire purchase price allocation is preliminary. The Company has received a preliminary third-party valuation of certain tangible and intangible assets of Scepter and, therefore, the values attributed to those acquired assets in the condensed consolidated financial statements are subject to adjustment. As the Company finalizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, additional adjustments will be recorded during the measurement period.
	Scepters assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value as of the date of acquisition using primarily level 3 fair value inputs. The purchase consideration, related preliminary estimated allocations, and resulting excess over fair value of net assets acquired are as follows:
	Assets acquired:
	Current assets	$	34,572
	Property, plant and equipment	44,613
	Intangible assets	66,500
	Assets acquired	$	145,685
	Liabilities assumed:
	Current liabilities	$	8,877
	Total liabilities assumed	8,877
	Goodwill	21,003
	Total consideration	$	157,811
	Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The Company expects that approximately $21.0 million of goodwill recognized for the acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes.
	Identifiable intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of Scepter are as follows:
				Estimated
		Fair Value		Useful Life		Valuation Method
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Trademarks and trade names	$	8,900			Relief from royalty
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Technology	22,300		10 years		Relief from royalty
	Customer relationships	35,300		6 years		Multi-period excess earnings
		57,600
	Total	$	66,500
	The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of the consolidated results of operations for the Company as if the acquisition of Scepter had occurred on January 1, 2013.
		For the Three Months Ended					For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013			30-Sep-14		30-Sep-13
	Net sales	$	162,109	$	165,642		$	516,774	$	515,605
	Income from continuing operations	$	357	$	7,688		$	14,717	$	19,679
	Income per share from continuing operations:
	Basic	$	0.01	$	0.23		$	0.45	$	0.59
	Diluted	$	0.01	$	0.22		$	0.45	$	0.58
	The unaudited pro forma consolidated results are based on the Company’s historical financial statements and those of Scepter and do not necessarily indicate the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition actually been completed at the beginning of the applicable period presented. The pro forma financial information assumes that the companies were combined as of January 1, 2013. The pro forma results reflect the business combination accounting effects from the acquisition including amortization charges from the acquired intangible assets, inventory purchase accounting adjustments charged to cost of sales as the inventory is sold and increased interest expense associated with debt incurred to fund the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma consolidated results do not give effect to the synergies of the acquisition and are not indicative of the results of operations in future periods.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	On June 20, 2014, the Company completed the sale of the assets and associated liabilities of its wholly-owned subsidiaries WEK Industries, Inc. and Whiteridge Plastics LLC (collectively “WEK”) for approximately $19.9 million, which includes a working capital adjustment of approximately $0.4 million based on the estimated level of working capital as of the closing date of the sale. Of the total proceeds from the sale of WEK, approximately $1.0 million are held in escrow to be received in December 2015. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of WEK of approximately $2.4 million, net of tax of $1.3 million. WEK is a premier blow molder of custom engineered plastic components for the heavy truck, recreational vehicle, marine, appliance and consumer products industries. WEK was previously reported as part of our former Engineered Products Segment.
	In addition, during the second quarter of 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the commencement of the sale process to divest its Lawn and Garden Segment to allow it to focus resources on its core growth platforms. The Lawn and Garden Segment serves the North American horticulture market with plastic products such as seedling trays, nursery products, hanging baskets, custom print containers as well as decorative resin planters. The business is available for sale in its present condition and it is anticipated that a sale will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015.
	Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)
	The Lawn and Garden Segment meets the held-for sale criteria under the requirements of ASC 360. The Company performed a fair value assessment in accordance with ASC 820 for its financial assets and liabilities included in discontinued operations. The Company’s assessment focused on whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Lawn and Garden Segment at September 30, 2014 was less than its carrying value. The Company used a combination of valuation techniques primarily using discounted cash flows to determine the fair value of its Lawn and Garden Segment and market based multiples as supporting evidence. The variables and assumptions used, all of which are level 3 fair value inputs, included the projections of future revenues and expenses, working capital, terminal values, discount rates and long term growth rates. The market multiples observed in sale transactions were determined separately based on the weighted average cost of capital determined for the Company’s Lawn and Garden Segment. In addition, we made certain judgments about the selection of comparable companies used in determining market multiples in valuing our Lawn and Garden Segment, as well as certain assumptions to allocate shared assets and liabilities to calculate values for that business. The underlying assumptions used were based on historical actual experience and future expectations that are consistent with those used in the Company’s strategic plan. The Company compared the fair value of the Lawn and Garden Segment to its respective carrying value, including related goodwill. Our estimate of the fair value of the Lawn and Garden Segment could change over time based on a variety of factors, including actual operating performance of the underlying businesses or the impact of future events on the cost of capital and the related discount rates used. Since the estimated fair value less cost to sell for the Lawn and Garden Segment exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2014, no adjustments were made to its carrying value.
	The Company has classified and accounted for the assets and liabilities of the Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK, for periods prior to the sale, as held for sale in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) and their operating results, net of tax, as discontinued operations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for all periods presented.
	Summarized selected financial information for the Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, are presented in the following table.
			Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
			September 30,								September 30,
			2014				2013				2014*				2013
	Net sales		$	44,957			$	53,478			$	149,634			$	173,916
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes		$	758			$	(188	)		$	(9,908	)		$	3,430
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(117		)		183				(3,694		)		807
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		875				(371		)		(6,214		)		2,623
	Net gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax of $1.3 million		—				—				2,428				—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	875			$	(371	)		$	(3,786	)		$	2,623
	* Includes WEK operating results through June 20, 2014.
	Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)
	The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are stated separately as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) and are comprised of the following items:
			September 30,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	Assets
	Accounts receivable-net		$	26,256			$	37,527
	Inventories		56,809				53,401
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,417				1,832
	Income taxes refundable		1,889				—
	Goodwill		9,220				9,567
	Patents and other intangible assets, net		6,262				6,860
	Property, plant and equipment, net		38,219				51,028
	Other		743				353
	Total Assets Held for Sale		$	140,815			$	160,568
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable		$	22,658			$	29,366
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities		12,331				18,503
	Total Liabilities Held for Sale		$	34,989			$	47,869
	The Lawn and Garden Segment restructuring plan, announced in July 2013, detailed the closure of two manufacturing plants: one in Brantford, Ontario and the second in Waco, Texas. The restructuring actions include closure, relocation and employee related costs. Through September 30, 2014, the Lawn and Garden Segment has incurred approximately $14 million of charges under its restructuring plan. Restructuring actions under the plan have been completed.
	Restructuring charges related to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following table:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Severance and personnel	$	428			$	50			$	1,596			$	310
	Other exit costs	187				943				3,461				1,822
	Total	$	615			$	993			$	5,057			$	2,132

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Approximately forty percent of the Company’s inventories use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of determining cost. All other inventories are valued at the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method of determining cost. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these are subject to many factors beyond management’s control, estimated interim results, which were immaterial, are subject to change in the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation and therefore, no adjustment was recorded as of September 30, 2014.

Account_Receivable_Factoring

Account Receivable Factoring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Account Receivable Factoring	'
	Accounts Receivable Factoring
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Plasticos Novel Do Nordeste S.A. and Plasticos Novel Do Parana S.A. (collectively, "Novel") entered into a factoring agreement to sell, without recourse, certain of their Brazilian real -based trade accounts receivables to an unrelated third party financial institution as part of its working capital management. The sale of these receivables accelerated the collection of the Company's cash and reduced credit exposure. Under the terms of the factoring agreement, the Company retains no rights or interest, has no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and does not service the receivables after the sale. As such, the factoring of trade receivables under this agreement is accounted for as a sale. The Company accounts for its trade accounts receivable factoring program as required under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing. During the quarter, $8.1 million of trade accounts receivables had been sold under the terms of the factoring agreement for cash proceeds of $7.9 million. The receivables sold pursuant to the factoring agreement have been
	Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)
	recorded as a reduction of trade accounts receivable and as cash provided by operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company pays an administrative fee based on the dollar value of receivables sold. Administrative fees related to this program for the period ended September 30, 2014 were $0.2 million and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited).

Other_Accrued_Expenses

Other Accrued Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Other Accrued Expenses	'
	Other Accrued Expenses
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Deposits and amounts due to customers	$	5,295	$	7,664
	Dividends payable	4,268		3,174
	Accrued legal and professional fees	500		289
	Other accrued expenses	8,881		5,307
		$	18,944	$	16,434

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The Company is required to test for impairment on at least an annual basis. In addition, the Company tests for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount. Such events may include, but are not limited to, significant changes in economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on the Company's customer base or its businesses, or a material negative change in its relationships with significant customers. The Company conducts its annual impairment assessment as of October 1. Refer to Note 3 regarding assessment of fair value of our Lawn and Garden Segment as of September 30, 2014.
	The carrying amount of goodwill at January 1, 2014 reflects our new reportable segments, more fully described in Note 15. The change in goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was as follows:
	Segment	Balance at January 1, 2014				Acquisitions				Foreign				Balance at September 30, 2014
										Currency
										Translation
	Material Handling	$	50,570			$	21,003			$	(1,875	)		$	69,698
	Distribution	505				—				—				505
		$	51,075			$	21,003			$	(1,875	)		$	70,203
	Intangible assets other than goodwill primarily consist of trade names, customer relationships, patents, and technology assets established in connection with acquisitions. These intangible assets, other than certain trade names, are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company has indefinite lived trade names which had a carrying value of $11.4 million and $2.5 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets with finite lives is $6.6 million for 2014, $10.6 million in 2015; $10.5 million in 2016; $9.5 million in 2017, $9.0 million in 2018 and $8.6 million in 2019.
	Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)
	Intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
				30-Sep-14												31-Dec-13
		Weighted Average Useful Life (years)		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated			Net
								Amortization										Amortization
	Trade Names	5.6		$	11,640			$	(102	)		$	11,538			$	2,789	$	(78	)	$	2,711
	Customer Relationships	5.4		42,290				(6,479		)		35,811				7,968		(4,515		)	3,453
	Technology	9.3		27,746				(1,885		)		25,861				5,502		(918		)	4,584
	Patents	2.4		10,900				(8,266		)		2,634				10,900		(7,448		)	3,452
	Non-Compete	1.4		150				(148		)		2				150		(95		)	55
				$	92,726			$	(16,880	)		$	75,846			$	27,309	$	(13,054	)	$	14,255

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share

Net Income Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
	Net income (loss) per common share, as shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited), is determined on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period as follows:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Month Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic	31,641,680	33,670,639	32,510,415	33,574,801
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	—	538,170	488,967	416,220
	Weighted average common shares outstanding diluted	31,641,680	34,208,809	32,999,382	33,991,021
	Options to purchase 198,500 shares of common stock that were outstanding for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of common shares. There were 435,559 dilutive common shares excluded from the computation of loss per common share for three months ended September 30, 2014 due to the Company's net loss for the period. Options to purchase 123,900 shares of common stock that were outstanding for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of common shares.

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring	'
	Restructuring
	The charges related to various restructuring programs implemented by the Company are included in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses and cost of sales depending on the type of cost incurred. The restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following tables.
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014										2013
	Segment	Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative			Total				Cost of sales		Selling, general and administrative		Total
	Distribution	$	—		$	4		$	4			$	—	$	25	$	25
	Material Handling	112			230			342				—		—		—
	Total	$	112		$	234		$	346			$	—	$	25	$	25
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014										2013
	Segment	Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative			Total				Cost of sales		Selling, general and administrative		Total
	Distribution	$	—		$	764		$	764			$	—	$	117	$	117
	Material Handling	189			260			449				177		48		225
	Corporate	—			—			—				—		17		17
	Total	$	189		$	1,024		$	1,213			$	177	$	182	$	359
	The accrued liability balance for severance and other exit costs associated with restructuring are presented in the following table.
		Severance and Personnel				Other Exit Costs				Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	318			$	—			$	318
	Provision	284				75				359
	Less: Payments	(602		)		(75		)		(677		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	—			$	—			$	—
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	—			$	—			$	—
	Provision	1,139				74				1,213
	Less: Payments	(1,139		)		(74		)		(1,213		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	—			$	—			$	—
	In January 2014, the Distribution Segment announced the closing of its Canadian branches which operated under the name Myers Tire Supply International. The restructuring actions included closure, lease cancellation and employee related costs. The aggregate restructuring charges related to this plan through September 30, 2014 were approximately $0.8 million. Restructuring actions under the plan have been completed.

Stock_Compensation

Stock Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Compensation	'
	Stock Compensation
	The Company’s 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”) authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to issue up to 3,000,000 shares of various types of stock based awards including stock options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights to key employees and directors. In general, options granted and outstanding vest over a three year period and expire ten years from the date of grant.
	Stock compensation expense reduced income from continuing operations before taxes approximately $0.8 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Stock compensation expense reduced income from continuing operations before taxes approximately $2.4 million and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These expenses are included in SG&A expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited). Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share based compensation arrangements at September 30, 2014 was approximately $4.8 million which will be recognized over the next three years, as such compensation is earned.
	On March 7, 2014, stock options for 209,500 shares were granted with a three year vesting period. The fair value of options granted is estimated using a binomial lattice option pricing model based on assumptions set forth in the following table. The Company uses historical data to estimate employee exercise and departure behavior. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and through the expected term. The dividend yield rate is based on the Company’s historical dividend yield. The expected volatility is derived from historical volatility of the Company’s shares and those of similar companies measured against the market as a whole.
	Model
	Risk free interest rate	2.8		%
	Expected dividend yield	2.5		%
	Expected life of award (years)	7
	Expected volatility	50		%
	Fair value per option share	$	7.05
	The following table provides a summary of stock option activity for the period ended September 30, 2014:
		Shares			Average		Weighted
					Exercise		Average
					Price		Life
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,574,572			$	12.14
	Options granted	209,500			20.93
	Options exercised	(196,541	)		12.27
	Canceled or forfeited	(35,752	)		15.48
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	1,551,779			$	13.23	5.90 years
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	1,105,242			$	11.62	4.76 years
	The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The total intrinsic value of all stock options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of all stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $1.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
	On March 7, 2014, 104,100 Restricted Stock Unit ("RSU") Awards were granted with a three year vesting period. The RSUs had a grant date fair value of $20.93 per share, which was the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant.
	The following table provides a summary of combined RSU and restricted stock activity for the period ended September 30, 2014:
		Awards			Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014	275,525
	Granted	104,100			$	20.93
	Released	(123,829	)		11.75
	Canceled or forfeited	(19,600	)		17.34
	Unvested at September 30, 2014	236,196			$	16.78
	Restricted stock units are rights to receive shares of common stock, subject to forfeiture and other restrictions, which vest over a three year period. Restricted shares are considered to be non-vested shares under the accounting guidance for share-based payment and are not reflected as issued and outstanding shares until the restrictions lapse. At that time, the shares are released to the grantee and the Company records the issuance of the shares. Restricted stock awards are valued based on the market price of the underlying shares on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. At September 30, 2014, restricted stock awards had vesting periods up through March 2017.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits and a party to various other legal proceedings, in the ordinary course of business, some of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance.
	New Idria Mercury Mine
	Effective October 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) added the New Idria Mercury Mine site located near Hollister, California to the Superfund National Priorities List because of alleged contaminants discharged to California waterways. The New Idria Quicksilver Mining Company, founded in 1936, and later renamed the New Idria Mining & Chemical Company ("NIMCC") owned and/or operated the New Idria Mine through 1976. In 1981 NIMCC was merged into Buckhorn Metal Products Inc. which was subsequently acquired by Myers Industries in 1987. The EPA contends that past mining operations have resulted in mercury contamination and acid mine drainage at the mine site, in the San Carlos Creek, Silver Creek and a portion of Panoche Creek and that other downstream locations may also be impacted.
	As of the date of this disclosure, no formal claim or allegation relating to the New Idria Mine Site against the Company or its subsidiary Buckhorn Inc. ("Buckhorn") has been received. However, since Buckhorn may be a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) at the New Idria Mercury Mine, the Company recognized an expense of $1.9 million, on an undiscounted basis, in 2011 related to performing a remedial investigation and feasibility study to determine the extent of remediation and the screening of alternatives. Payments of approximately $0.7 million have been incurred and charged against the reserve classified in Other Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2014. As investigation and remediation proceed, it is likely that adjustments to the reserved expense will be necessary to reflect new information. Estimates of the Company’s liability are based on current facts, laws, regulations and technology. Estimates of the Company’s environmental liabilities are further subject to uncertainties regarding the nature and extent of site contamination, the range of remediation alternatives available, evolving remediation standards, imprecise engineering evaluation and cost estimates, the extent of corrective actions that may be required, the number and financial condition of other PRPs as well as the extent of their responsibility for the remediation, and the availability of insurance coverage for these expenses. At this time, further remediation cost estimates are not known and have not been prepared.
	In November 2011 the EPA completed an interim removal project at the New Idria Mercury Mine site. It is expected this removal action will be part of the final remediation strategy for the site. According to informal reports, EPA’s interim removal project costs were approximately $0.5 million. It is possible that at some future date the EPA will seek recovery of the costs of this work and other past costs from PRPs.
	California Regional Water Quality Control Board
	A number of parties, including the Company and its subsidiary, Buckhorn, were identified in a planning document adopted in October 2008 by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (“RWQCB”). The planning document relates to the presence of mercury, including amounts contained in mining wastes, in and around the Guadalupe River Watershed (“Watershed”) region in Santa Clara County, California and specifically to the development of a "total maximum daily load" for mercury deposits into the Watershed. Buckhorn has previously been alleged to be a successor in interest to NIMCC, which owned property and performed mining operations in a portion of the Watershed area. The Company has not been contacted by the RWQCB or by other parties who have been involved in Watershed clean-up efforts that have been initiated as a result of the adoption of this planning document. Although assertion of a claim by the RWQCB or another party involved in this clean up effort is reasonably possible, it is not possible at this time to estimate the amount of any obligation the Company may incur for these cleanup efforts within the Watershed region, or whether such cost would be material to the Company’s financial statements.
	When management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can reasonably be estimated, we record the amount of the estimated loss, or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range, and no point within the range is more probable of occurrence than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters will be assessed and the estimates will be revised, if necessary.
	Based on current available information, management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or overall trends in our results of operations. However, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the financial position and results of operations of the period in which the ruling occurs, or in future periods.
	Other
	Buckhorn and Schoeller Arca Systems, Inc. (“SAS”) were plaintiffs in a patent infringement lawsuit against Orbis Corp. and Orbis Material Handling, Inc. (“Orbis”) for alleged breach by Orbis of an exclusive patent license agreement from SAS to Buckhorn.  SAS is an affiliate of Schoeller Arca Systems Services B.V. (“SASS B.V.”), a Dutch company.  SAS manufactures and sells plastic returnable packaging systems for material handling.  In the course of the litigation, it was discovered that SAS had given a patent license agreement to a predecessor of Orbis that pre-dated the one that SAS sold to Buckhorn.  As a result, judgment was entered in favor of Orbis, and the court awarded attorney fees and costs to Orbis in the amount of $3.1 million, plus interest and costs.  In May 2014, Orbis made demand to SAS that SAS pay the judgment in full, and subsequently in July 2014, Orbis made the same demand to Buckhorn.  Although the range of exposure is $0 - $3.1 million, plus interest, Buckhorn’s responsibility as a co-judgment debtor is not specified.  Buckhorn believes it is not responsible for any of the legal fee award because it is not a party to the Orbis license and will continue to aggressively pursue any and all legal actions both with respect to appealing the award requesting SAS be named solely responsible for payment of the judgment, as well as pursuing SAS and SASS B.V. for fraudulently selling an exclusive patent license they could not sell.   In August 2014, SASS B.V. informed Buckhorn that SAS may not have the financial ability to pay the judgment and provided financial statements to Buckhorn indicating SAS is in financial distress and while SASS B.V is financially stable, the award is against SAS, not SASS B.V.  Given the uncertainty of SAS’s financial ability to meet the obligation and the judgment is joint and several, Myers has recorded an expense in the quarter for the entire amount of the unpaid judgment, despite the belief we will ultimately be successful in the appeal and suing SAS and SASS B.V. The matter is presently under appeal and Buckhorn is also suing SAS and SASS B.V.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure	'
	Long-Term Debt and Loan Agreement
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Loan Agreement	$	177,590	$	34,200
	4.67% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	40,000		—
	5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024	11,000		11,000
	5.30% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024	29,000		—
	5.45% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	20,000		—
		277,590		45,200
	Less unamortized deferred financing fees	723		853
		$	276,867	$	44,347
	On May 30, 2014, the Company entered into a First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the "Loan Amendment"). The Loan Amendment increased the senior revolving credit facility from $200 million to $300 million through December 2018 and provides for an additional subsidiary of the Company as a borrower and another subsidiary of the Company as a guarantor of the credit facility. On July 2, 2014, the Company borrowed approximately $135.3 million under the Loan Agreement to fund the acquisition of Scepter as described in Note 2.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $117.8 million available, reduced for letters of credit issued, under the Loan Agreement. The Company also had $4.6 million of letters of credit issued related to insurance and other financing contracts in the ordinary course of business at September 30, 2014.
	Long-term debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 includes $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of unamortized deferred financing costs, which are accounted for as debt valuation accounts.
	On October 22, 2013, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement for the private placement of Senior Unsecured Notes totaling $100.0 million with a group of investors. The four series of notes are payable semiannually. Proceeds of $11.0 million under the note purchase agreement were received in December 2013, and the remaining proceeds of $89.0 million were received in January 2014.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	Retirement Plans
	The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have pension and profit sharing plans covering substantially all of their employees. The Company’s frozen defined benefit pension plan ("The Pension Agreement between Akro-Mils and United Steelworkers of America Local No. 1761-02") provides benefits primarily based upon a fixed amount for each year of service as of the date the plan was frozen.
	Net periodic pension cost are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	70		$	64		$	210		$	194
	Expected return on assets	(93		)	(84		)	(278		)	(250		)
	Amortization of actuarial net loss	11			28			34			84
	Net periodic pension (benefit) cost	$	(12	)	$	8		$	(34	)	$	28
	Company contributions	$	84		$	81		$	237		$	284
	The Company anticipates contributions totaling $0.3 million to its pension plan for the full year of 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefit that would reduce the Company's effective tax rates at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, was $0.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Accrued interest expense included within accrued income taxes in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) was less than $0.1 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The September 30, 2014 balance of unrecognized tax benefits includes approximately $0.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits for which it is reasonably possible that they will be recognized within the next twelve months.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal examination by tax authorities for tax years before 2011. The Company is subject to state and local examinations for tax years of 2010 through 2013. In addition, the Company is subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations for tax years of 2010 through 2013.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company realigned its reportable segments as a result of organizational changes to better support its ongoing business strategy. The realignment is consistent with the manner in which our Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates performance and makes resource allocation decisions. Using the criteria of ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the Company currently manages its business under two operating segments: Material Handling and Distribution. Certain business units that formerly reported in the Engineered Products Segment are now part of the Material Handling and Distribution Segments. Historical segment information has been adjusted to reflect the effect of these changes. Each of these operating segments is also a reportable segment under the ASC 280 criteria.
	None of the reportable segments include operating segments that have been aggregated. Some of these segments contain individual business components that have been aggregated on the basis of common management, customers, products, production processes and other economic characteristics. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers at cost plus a specified mark-up.
	Income before income taxes for each business segment is based on net sales less cost of products sold, and the related selling, administrative and general expenses. In computing business segment operating income, general corporate overhead expenses and interest expenses are not included.
	Material Handling
	The Material Handling Segment includes a broad selection of plastic reusable containers, pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, storage and organization products and rotationally-molded plastic tanks for water, fuel and waste handling. This segment conducts its primary operations in the United States, but also operates in Brazil and Canada. Markets served encompass various niches of industrial manufacturing, food processing, retail/wholesale products distribution, agriculture, automotive, recreational vehicles, marine vehicles, healthcare, appliance, bakery, electronics, textiles, consumer, and others. Products are sold both directly to end-users and through distributors.
	Distribution
	The Distribution Segment is engaged in the distribution of equipment, tools, and supplies used for tire servicing and automotive undervehicle repair and the manufacture of tire repair and retreading products. The product line includes categories such as tire valves and accessories, tire changing and balancing equipment, lifts and alignment equipment, service equipment and tools, and tire repair/retread supplies. The Distribution Segment operates domestically through sales offices, and four regional distribution centers in the United States and in foreign countries through export sales. In addition, the Distribution Segment operates directly in certain foreign markets, principally Central America, through foreign branch operations. Markets served include retail and truck tire dealers, commercial auto and truck fleets, auto dealers, general service and repair centers, tire retreaders, and government agencies.
	Discontinued Operations
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the commencement of the sale process to divest its Lawn and Garden Segment. As a result, the Company has classified and accounted for its assets and liabilities as held for sale and its operating results, net of tax, as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	In addition, on June 20, 2014 the Company completed the sale of the assets and associated liabilities of WEK. As a result, the Company has classified and accounted for its assets and liabilities as held for sale and its operating results, net of tax, as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the date of sale. WEK was previously reported as part of our former Engineered Products Segment.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	Net Sales	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Material Handling	$	112,277		$	89,855		$	322,000		$	284,987
	Distribution	49,908			51,667			143,580			155,284
	Inter-company Sales	(76		)	(80		)	(202		)	(262		)
		$	162,109		$	141,442		$	465,378		$	440,009
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Material Handling	$	(426	)	$	12,085		$	23,879		$	36,925
	Distribution	4,133			6,287			12,716			17,617
	Corporate	(6,385		)	(6,107		)	(19,104		)	(19,544		)
	Interest expense - net	(2,637		)	(1,113		)	(5,888		)	(3,309		)
		$	(5,315	)	$	11,152		$	11,603		$	31,689
		September 30,			December 31,
	Identifiable Assets	2014			2013
	Material Handling	$	408,060		$	240,897
	Distribution	70,176			63,340
	Corporate	10,894			4,652
	Discontinued operations	140,815			160,568
		$	629,945		$	469,457

Statement_of_Accounting_Polici1

Statement of Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Myers Industries, Inc. and all wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), and have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2014, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will occur for the year ending December 31, 2014.
Translation of Foreign Currencies	'
	Translation of Foreign Currencies
	All asset and liability accounts of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period and income statement items are translated monthly at an average currency exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders' equity.
Fair Value Measurement	'
	Fair Value Measurement
	The Company follows guidance included in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"), for its financial assets and liabilities, as required. The guidance established a common definition for fair value to be applied to U.S. GAAP requiring the use of fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, and expanded disclosure requirements about such fair value measurements. The guidance did not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applied to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Under ASC 820, the hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value is divided into three levels:
	Level 1:	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2:	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data or which reflect the entity’s own assumptions.
	The fair value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are considered to have a fair value which approximates carrying value due to the nature and relative short maturity of these assets and liabilities.
	The fair value of debt under the Company’s Loan Agreement approximates carrying value due to the floating rates and relative short maturity (less than 90 days) of the revolving borrowings under this agreement. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate senior unsecured notes was estimated using market observable inputs for the Company’s comparable peers with public debt, including quoted prices in active markets and interest rate measurements which are considered level 2 inputs. At September 30, 2014, the fair value of the Company's $100.0 million fixed rate senior unsecured notes was estimated at $103.8 million. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's $11.0 million fixed rate senior unsecured notes was estimated at $10.8 million.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenues from the sale of products, net of actual and estimated returns, at the point of passage of title and risk of loss, which is generally at time of shipment, and collectability of the fixed or determinable sales price is reasonably assured.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value. The Company maintains operating cash and reserves for replacement balances in financial institutions which, from time to time, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of these institutions and believes that the risk of loss is minimal.

Statement_of_Accounting_Polici2

Statement of Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
The balances in the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The balances in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Foreign Currency			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	12,784		$	(2,141	)	$	10,643
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(851		)	—			(851		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(75		)	(75		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	(851		)	(75		)	(926		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	11,933			(2,216		)	9,717
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(4,994		)	—			(4,994		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	6,939			(2,216		)	4,723
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	255			—			255
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	7,194		$	(2,216	)	$	4,978
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	3,493		$	(1,066	)	$	2,427
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	54			—			54
	Balance at March 31, 2014	3,547			(1,066		)	2,481
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,804			—			2,804
	Balance at June 30, 2014	6,351			(1,066		)	5,285
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(9,638		)	—			(9,638		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(3,287	)	$	(1,066	)	$	(4,353	)

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The purchase consideration, related preliminary estimated allocations, and resulting excess over fair value of net assets acquired are as follows:
	Assets acquired:
	Current assets	$	34,572
	Property, plant and equipment	44,613
	Intangible assets	66,500
	Assets acquired	$	145,685
	Liabilities assumed:
	Current liabilities	$	8,877
	Total liabilities assumed	8,877
	Goodwill	21,003
	Total consideration	$	157,811
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	'
	Identifiable intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of Scepter are as follows:
				Estimated
		Fair Value		Useful Life		Valuation Method
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
	Trademarks and trade names	$	8,900			Relief from royalty
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Technology	22,300		10 years		Relief from royalty
	Customer relationships	35,300		6 years		Multi-period excess earnings
		57,600
	Total	$	66,500
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of the consolidated results of operations for the Company as if the acquisition of Scepter had occurred on January 1, 2013.
		For the Three Months Ended					For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013			30-Sep-14		30-Sep-13
	Net sales	$	162,109	$	165,642		$	516,774	$	515,605
	Income from continuing operations	$	357	$	7,688		$	14,717	$	19,679
	Income per share from continuing operations:
	Basic	$	0.01	$	0.23		$	0.45	$	0.59
	Diluted	$	0.01	$	0.22		$	0.45	$	0.58

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	The restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following tables.
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014										2013
	Segment	Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative			Total				Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative		Total
	Distribution	$	—		$	4		$	4			$	—		$	25	$	25
	Material Handling	112			230			342				—			—		—
	Total	$	112		$	234		$	346			$	—		$	25	$	25
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014										2013
	Segment	Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative			Total				Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative		Total
	Distribution	$	—		$	764		$	764			$	—		$	117	$	117
	Material Handling	189			260			449				177			48		225
	Corporate	—			—			—				—			17		17
	Total	$	189		$	1,024		$	1,213			$	177		$	182	$	359
Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	Summarized selected financial information for the Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, are presented in the following table.
			Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
			September 30,								September 30,
			2014				2013				2014*				2013
	Net sales		$	44,957			$	53,478			$	149,634			$	173,916
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes		$	758			$	(188	)		$	(9,908	)		$	3,430
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(117		)		183				(3,694		)		807
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		875				(371		)		(6,214		)		2,623
	Net gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax of $1.3 million		—				—				2,428				—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	875			$	(371	)		$	(3,786	)		$	2,623
	* Includes WEK operating results through June 20, 2014.
	Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)
	The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are stated separately as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) and are comprised of the following items:
			September 30,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	Assets
	Accounts receivable-net		$	26,256			$	37,527
	Inventories		56,809				53,401
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,417				1,832
	Income taxes refundable		1,889				—
	Goodwill		9,220				9,567
	Patents and other intangible assets, net		6,262				6,860
	Property, plant and equipment, net		38,219				51,028
	Other		743				353
	Total Assets Held for Sale		$	140,815			$	160,568
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable		$	22,658			$	29,366
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities		12,331				18,503
	Total Liabilities Held for Sale		$	34,989			$	47,869
Lawn and Garden	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	Restructuring charges related to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following table:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Severance and personnel	$	428			$	50			$	1,596			$	310
	Other exit costs	187				943				3,461				1,822
	Total	$	615			$	993			$	5,057			$	2,132

Other_Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Other Accrued Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts Other Accrued Expenses	'
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Deposits and amounts due to customers	$	5,295	$	7,664
	Dividends payable	4,268		3,174
	Accrued legal and professional fees	500		289
	Other accrued expenses	8,881		5,307
		$	18,944	$	16,434

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
The change in goodwill	'
	The change in goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was as follows:
	Segment	Balance at January 1, 2014				Acquisitions				Foreign				Balance at September 30, 2014
										Currency
										Translation
	Material Handling	$	50,570			$	21,003			$	(1,875	)		$	69,698
	Distribution	505				—				—				505
		$	51,075			$	21,003			$	(1,875	)		$	70,203
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
				30-Sep-14												31-Dec-13
		Weighted Average Useful Life (years)		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated			Net
								Amortization										Amortization
	Trade Names	5.6		$	11,640			$	(102	)		$	11,538			$	2,789	$	(78	)	$	2,711
	Customer Relationships	5.4		42,290				(6,479		)		35,811				7,968		(4,515		)	3,453
	Technology	9.3		27,746				(1,885		)		25,861				5,502		(918		)	4,584
	Patents	2.4		10,900				(8,266		)		2,634				10,900		(7,448		)	3,452
	Non-Compete	1.4		150				(148		)		2				150		(95		)	55
				$	92,726			$	(16,880	)		$	75,846			$	27,309	$	(13,054	)	$	14,255

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period	'
	Net income (loss) per common share, as shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited), is determined on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period as follows:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Month Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic	31,641,680	33,670,639	32,510,415	33,574,801
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	—	538,170	488,967	416,220
	Weighted average common shares outstanding diluted	31,641,680	34,208,809	32,999,382	33,991,021

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	The restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following tables.
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014										2013
	Segment	Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative			Total				Cost of sales		Selling, general and administrative		Total
	Distribution	$	—		$	4		$	4			$	—	$	25	$	25
	Material Handling	112			230			342				—		—		—
	Total	$	112		$	234		$	346			$	—	$	25	$	25
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014										2013
	Segment	Cost of sales			Selling, general and administrative			Total				Cost of sales		Selling, general and administrative		Total
	Distribution	$	—		$	764		$	764			$	—	$	117	$	117
	Material Handling	189			260			449				177		48		225
	Corporate	—			—			—				—		17		17
	Total	$	189		$	1,024		$	1,213			$	177	$	182	$	359
Restructuring Reserve	'
	The accrued liability balance for severance and other exit costs associated with restructuring are presented in the following table.
		Severance and Personnel				Other Exit Costs				Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	318			$	—			$	318
	Provision	284				75				359
	Less: Payments	(602		)		(75		)		(677		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	—			$	—			$	—
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	—			$	—			$	—
	Provision	1,139				74				1,213
	Less: Payments	(1,139		)		(74		)		(1,213		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	—			$	—			$	—

Stock_Compensation_Tables

Stock Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of stock options granted assumptions used	'
	The expected volatility is derived from historical volatility of the Company’s shares and those of similar companies measured against the market as a whole.
	Model
	Risk free interest rate	2.8		%
	Expected dividend yield	2.5		%
	Expected life of award (years)	7
	Expected volatility	50		%
	Fair value per option share	$	7.05
Summary of stock option activity for the period	'
	The following table provides a summary of stock option activity for the period ended September 30, 2014:
		Shares			Average		Weighted
					Exercise		Average
					Price		Life
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,574,572			$	12.14
	Options granted	209,500			20.93
	Options exercised	(196,541	)		12.27
	Canceled or forfeited	(35,752	)		15.48
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	1,551,779			$	13.23	5.90 years
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	1,105,242			$	11.62	4.76 years
Summary of restricted stock activity for the period	'
	The following table provides a summary of combined RSU and restricted stock activity for the period ended September 30, 2014:
		Awards			Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014	275,525
	Granted	104,100			$	20.93
	Released	(123,829	)		11.75
	Canceled or forfeited	(19,600	)		17.34
	Unvested at September 30, 2014	236,196			$	16.78

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Loan Agreement	$	177,590	$	34,200
	4.67% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	40,000		—
	5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024	11,000		11,000
	5.30% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024	29,000		—
	5.45% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	20,000		—
		277,590		45,200
	Less unamortized deferred financing fees	723		853
		$	276,867	$	44,347

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net periodic pension cost	'
	Net periodic pension cost are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	70		$	64		$	210		$	194
	Expected return on assets	(93		)	(84		)	(278		)	(250		)
	Amortization of actuarial net loss	11			28			34			84
	Net periodic pension (benefit) cost	$	(12	)	$	8		$	(34	)	$	28
	Company contributions	$	84		$	81		$	237		$	284

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Sales by Segment	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	Net Sales	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Material Handling	$	112,277		$	89,855		$	322,000		$	284,987
	Distribution	49,908			51,667			143,580			155,284
	Inter-company Sales	(76		)	(80		)	(202		)	(262		)
		$	162,109		$	141,442		$	465,378		$	440,009
Schedule of Income Before Income Taxes by Segment	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Material Handling	$	(426	)	$	12,085		$	23,879		$	36,925
	Distribution	4,133			6,287			12,716			17,617
	Corporate	(6,385		)	(6,107		)	(19,104		)	(19,544		)
	Interest expense - net	(2,637		)	(1,113		)	(5,888		)	(3,309		)
		$	(5,315	)	$	11,152		$	11,603		$	31,689
Schedule of Indefinable Assets by Segment	'
		September 30,			December 31,
	Identifiable Assets	2014			2013
	Material Handling	$	408,060		$	240,897
	Distribution	70,176			63,340
	Corporate	10,894			4,652
	Discontinued operations	140,815			160,568
		$	629,945		$	469,457

Statement_of_Accounting_Polici3

Statement of Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure

Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure

Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure

Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current Fiscal Year End Date

'

'

'--12-31

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$11,000,000

$103,800,000

$10,800,000

Accumlated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning balance

'

'

2,427,000

'

6,351,000

3,547,000

3,493,000

6,939,000

11,933,000

12,784,000

-1,066,000

-1,066,000

-1,066,000

-2,216,000

-2,216,000

-2,141,000

5,285,000

2,481,000

2,427,000

4,723,000

9,717,000

10,643,000

'

'

'

'

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

'

'

'

'

-9,638,000

2,804,000

54,000

255,000

-4,994,000

-851,000

0

0

0

0

0

0

-9,638,000

2,804,000

54,000

255,000

-4,994,000

-851,000

'

'

'

'

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

-75,000

'

'

'

'

'

-75,000

'

'

'

'

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

-9,638,000

255,000

-6,780,000

-5,665,000

'

'

'

'

'

-851,000

'

'

'

'

'

-75,000

'

'

'

'

'

-926,000

'

'

'

'

Ending balance

($4,353,000)

'

($4,353,000)

'

($3,287,000)

$6,351,000

$3,547,000

$7,194,000

$6,939,000

$11,933,000

($1,066,000)

($1,066,000)

($1,066,000)

($2,216,000)

($2,216,000)

($2,216,000)

($4,353,000)

$5,285,000

$2,481,000

$4,978,000

$4,723,000

$9,717,000

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	Scepter acquisition	Scepter acquisition	General and Administrative Expense	Subsidiaries [Member]
			Transactional Costs
			Scepter acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Purchase price	$157.80	'	'	'
Working capital adjustment	0.8	'	'	'
Company borrowed under loan agreement to fund Scepter acquisition	135.3	'	'	'
Payments to acquire Sceptor	22.5	'	'	'
Net sales	'	21.6	'	'
Operating loss	'	5.2	'	'
Transaction costs	'	'	3.6	3
Adjustment to inventory fair accounting adjustment	'	'	'	$2.30

Acquisitions_Recognized_Identi

Acquisitions (Recognized Identified Asset Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 02, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Scepter acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	$34,572
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	44,613
Intangible assets	'	'	66,500
Assets acquired	'	'	145,685
Current liabilities	'	'	8,877
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	8,877
Goodwill	70,203	51,075	21,003
Total consideration	'	'	$157,811

Acquisitions_Intangibles_Acqui

Acquisitions (Intangibles Acquired) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2014
Scepter acquisition	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets acquired, subject to amortization	57,600
Intangibles acquired	66,500
Trademarks and trade names | Scepter acquisition	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets acquired not subject to amortization	8,900
Technology	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life	'10 years
Technology | Scepter acquisition	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets acquired, subject to amortization	22,300
Customer relationships	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life	'6 years
Customer relationships | Scepter acquisition	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets acquired, subject to amortization	35,300

Acquisitions_Proforma_Informat

Acquisitions (Proforma Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$162,109	$165,642	$516,774	$515,605
Income from continuing operations	$357	$7,688	$14,717	$19,679
Income per share from continuing operations, basic	$0.01	$0.23	$0.45	$0.59
Income per share from continuing operations, diluted	$0.01	$0.22	$0.45	$0.58

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 20, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
					WEK	WEK	Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK	Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK	Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK	Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK	Lawn and Garden Segment and WEK
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	'	'	'	'	$19,949,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustment to working capital	'	'	'	'	400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Held in Escrow	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Discontinued Operation, Tax (Expense) Benefit from Provision for (Gain) Loss on Disposal	'	'	'	'	'	1,307,000	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,957,000	53,478,000	149,634,000	173,916,000	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	758,000	-188,000	-9,908,000	3,430,000	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	-117,000	183,000	-3,694,000	807,000	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	875,000	-371,000	-6,214,000	2,623,000	'
Net gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax of $1.3 million	'	'	'	'	'	2,428,000	0	0	2,428,000	0	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	875,000	-371,000	-3,786,000	2,623,000	'	'	875,000	-371,000	-3,786,000	2,623,000	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable-net	'	'	'	'	'	'	26,256,000	'	26,256,000	'	37,527,000
Inventories	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,809,000	'	56,809,000	'	53,401,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,417,000	'	1,417,000	'	1,832,000
Income Taxes Receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,889,000	'	1,889,000	'	0
Goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,220,000	'	9,220,000	'	9,567,000
Patents and other intangible assets, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,262,000	'	6,262,000	'	6,860,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	38,219,000	'	38,219,000	'	51,028,000
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	743,000	'	743,000	'	353,000
Total Assets Held for Sale	'	'	'	'	'	'	140,815,000	'	140,815,000	'	160,568,000
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,658,000	'	22,658,000	'	29,366,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,331,000	'	12,331,000	'	18,503,000
Total Liabilities Held for Sale	'	'	'	'	'	'	$34,989,000	'	$34,989,000	'	$47,869,000

Discontinued_Operations_Restru

Discontinued Operations (Restructuring) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

15 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

facility

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Severance & Personnel

Severance & Personnel

Severance & Personnel

Severance & Personnel

Other Exit Costs

Other Exit Costs

Other Exit Costs

Other Exit Costs

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Lawn and Garden

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Manufacturing Plants

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Charges

$346

$25

$1,213

$359

'

$615

$993

$5,057

$2,132

$14,000

$428

$50

$1,596

$310

$187

$943

$3,461

$1,822

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	40.00%

Account_Receivable_Factoring_D

Account Receivable Factoring (Details) (Trade Accounts Receivable [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Accounts receivable sold during the quarter	$8.10
Proceeds from sale of account receivables	7.9
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'
Administrative fees	$0.20

Other_Accrued_Expenses_Details

Other Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Deposits and amounts due to customers	$5,295	$7,664
Dividends payable	4,268	3,174
Accrued legal and professional fees	500	289
Other accrued expenses	8,881	5,307
Other accrued expenses, Total	$18,944	$16,434

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	$51,075
Acquisitions	21,003
Foreign Currency Translation	-1,875
Balance at September 30, 2014	70,203
Material Handling	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	50,570
Acquisitions	21,003
Foreign Currency Translation	-1,875
Balance at September 30, 2014	69,698
Distribution	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	505
Acquisitions	0
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Balance at September 30, 2014	$505

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Intangibles) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
FY 2014	$6,600,000	'
FY 2015	10,600,000	'
FY 2016	10,500,000	'
FY 2017	9,500,000	'
FY 2018	9,000,000	'
FY 2019	8,600,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Gross	92,726,000	27,309,000
Accumulated Amortization	-16,880,000	-13,054,000
Net	75,846,000	14,255,000
Trade Names	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets	11,400,000	2,500,000
Trade Names	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'5 years 7 months 6 days	'
Gross	11,640,000	2,789,000
Accumulated Amortization	-102,000	-78,000
Net	11,538,000	2,711,000
Customer Relationships	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'5 years 4 months 24 days	'
Gross	42,290,000	7,968,000
Accumulated Amortization	-6,479,000	-4,515,000
Net	35,811,000	3,453,000
Technology	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'9 years 3 months 18 days	'
Gross	27,746,000	5,502,000
Accumulated Amortization	-1,885,000	-918,000
Net	25,861,000	4,584,000
Patents	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'
Gross	10,900,000	10,900,000
Accumulated Amortization	-8,266,000	-7,448,000
Net	2,634,000	3,452,000
Non-Compete	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'
Gross	150,000	150,000
Accumulated Amortization	-148,000	-95,000
Net	$2,000	$55,000

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_De

Net Income Per Common Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	31,641,680	33,670,639	32,510,415	33,574,801
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock (in shares)	0	538,170	488,967	416,220
Weighted average common shares outstanding diluted (in shares)	31,641,680	34,208,809	32,999,382	33,991,021

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha1

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
		Stock Option	Stock Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options to purchase common stock outstanding (in shares)	435,559	198,500	123,900

Restructuring_Restructuring_Ch

Restructuring Restructuring Charges by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	$346	$25	$1,213	$359
Material Handling	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	342	0	449	225
Distribution	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	4	25	764	117
Corporate	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	'	17
Cost of Sales	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	112	0	189	177
Cost of Sales | Material Handling	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	112	0	189	177
Cost of Sales | Distribution	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	0	0	0	0
Cost of Sales | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	234	25	1,024	182
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Material Handling	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	230	0	260	48
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Distribution	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	4	25	764	117
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	'	$17

Restructuring_Reserve_Details

Restructuring Reserve (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Year to date restructuring charge	$346	$25	$1,213	$359
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	'	'	0	318
Provision	'	'	1,213	359
Less: Payments	'	'	-1,213	-677
Balance, ending	0	0	0	0
Severance & Personnel	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	'	'	0	318
Provision	'	'	1,139	284
Less: Payments	'	'	-1,139	-602
Balance, ending	0	0	0	0
Other Exit Costs	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning	'	'	0	0
Provision	'	'	74	75
Less: Payments	'	'	-74	-75
Balance, ending	0	0	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Year to date restructuring charge	234	25	1,024	182
Cost of Sales	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Year to date restructuring charge	112	0	189	177
Distribution	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Year to date restructuring charge	4	25	764	117
Distribution | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Year to date restructuring charge	4	25	764	117
Distribution | Cost of Sales	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Year to date restructuring charge	$0	$0	$0	$0

Stock_Compensation_Details

Stock Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$0.80	'	$2.40	$2.10
Options Granted (in shares)	'	'	209,500	'
The total intrinsic value of all stock options exercised	0.2	1.2	1.6	2.6
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award Expiration	'	'	'10 years	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share based compensation arrangements	$4.80	'	$4.80	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	104,100	'	104,100	'
Granted, Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$20.93	'	$20.93	'
2008 Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares authorized for grant under plan (in shares)	3,000,000	'	3,000,000	'
Minimum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Vesting period, in years	'	'	'3 years	'

Stock_Compensation_Fair_Value_

Stock Compensation Fair Value of stock options granted assumptions used (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Risk free interest rate	2.80%
Expected dividend yield	2.50%
Expected life of award (in years)	'7 years
Expected volatility	50.00%
Fair value per option share (in dollars per share)	$7.05

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_

Stock Compensation Summary of stock option activity for the period (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,574,572
Options Granted (in shares)	209,500
Options Exercised, Shares (in shares)	-196,541
Cancelled or Forfeited (in shares)	-35,752
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 (in shares)	1,551,779
Exercisable at March 31, 2014 (in shares)	1,105,242
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2014 Average Price (in dollars per share)	$12.14
Options granted, average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$20.93
Options exercised, average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$12.27
Cancelled or forfeited, average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$15.48
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 Average Price (in dollars per share)	$13.23
Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$11.62
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 Weighted Average Life	'5 years 10 months 25 days
Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Life	'4 years 9 months 5 days

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_1

Stock Compensation Summary of restricted stock activity (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'
Unvested at January 1, 2013 (in shares)	'	275,525
Granted (in shares)	104,100	104,100
Released (in shares)	'	-123,829
Cancelled or forfeited (in shares)	'	-19,600
Unvested at March 31, 2013 (in shares)	236,196	236,196
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'	'
Granted, Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$20.93	$20.93
Released, Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'	$11.75
Cancelled or Forfeited, Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'	$17.34
Unvested shares at March 31, 2013, Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$16.78	$16.78

Contingencies_Contingencies_De

Contingencies Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Patent Infringement Against Orbis Corp	General and Administrative Expense	Other Liabilities
			Environmental Issue	Environmental Issue
			Pending Litigation	Pending Litigation
			New Idria Mercury Mine	New Idria Mercury Mine
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expense related to remedial investigation and feasibility study	'	'	$1.90	'
Payments charged against the reserve	'	'	'	0.7
Estimate of EPA's interim removal project costs	0.5	'	'	'
Contingency accrual	'	$3.10	'	'

Debt_Schedule_of_LongTerm_Debt

Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$277,590	$45,200
Long-term Debt, net of deferred financing costs	276,867	44,347
Loan Agreement	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	177,590	34,200
Less unamortized deferred financing fees	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Less unamortized deferred financing fees	723	853
Four Point Six Seven Percent Senior Unsecured Notes Due Twenty Twenty One [Member] | Less unamortized deferred financing fees	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	40,000	0
Interest rate	4.67%	'
Five Point Two Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes Due Twenty Twenty Four [Member] | Less unamortized deferred financing fees	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	11,000	11,000
Interest rate	5.25%	'
Five Point Three Zero Percent Senior Unsecured Notes Due Twenty Twenty Four [Member] | Less unamortized deferred financing fees	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	29,000	0
Interest rate	5.30%	'
Five Point Four Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes Due Twenty Twenty Six [Member] | Less unamortized deferred financing fees	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$20,000	$0
Interest rate	5.45%	'

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 22, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

30-May-14

29-May-14

Jul. 02, 2014

Senior Unsecured Note

Loan Agreement

Loan Agreement

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Less unamortized deferred financing fees

Loan Agreement

Loan Agreement

Scepter acquisition

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity on line of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

$200,000,000

'

Company borrowed under loan agreement to fund Scepter acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

135,300,000

Remaining amount available under the line of credit

'

'

'

'

117,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit

4,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount on debt instruments

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

277,590,000

'

45,200,000

'

177,590,000

34,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt issuance expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

853,000

723,000

'

'

'

Proceeds from long-term debt

$89,000,000

$0

'

'

'

'

$89,000,000

$11,000,000

'

'

'

'

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest cost	$70,000	$64,000	$210,000	$194,000
Expected return on assets	-93,000	-84,000	-278,000	-250,000
Amortization of actuarial net loss	11,000	28,000	34,000	84,000
Net periodic pension (benefit) cost	-12,000	8,000	-34,000	28,000
Company contributions	84,000	81,000	237,000	284,000
Anticipated company contributions	'	'	$300,000	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	$0.70	$1.20
Accrued income taxes	0.1	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$0.60	'

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information Schedule of Net Sales by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	$162,109	$141,442	$465,378	$440,009
Material Handling	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	112,277	89,855	322,000	284,987
Distribution	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	49,908	51,667	143,580	155,284
Intra-segment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	($76)	($80)	($202)	($262)

Segment_Information_Schedule_o1

Segment Information Schedule of Income Before Income Taxes by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	($2,678)	$12,265	$17,491	$34,998
Interest Expense	-2,637	-1,113	-5,888	-3,309
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-5,315	11,152	11,603	31,689
Material Handling	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	-426	12,085	23,879	36,925
Distribution	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	4,133	6,287	12,716	17,617
Corporate	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	($6,385)	($6,107)	($19,104)	($19,544)

Segment_Information_Identifiab

Segment Information (Identifiable Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$629,945	$469,457
Material Handling	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	408,060	240,897
Distribution	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	70,176	63,340
Corporate	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	10,894	4,652
Discontinued operations	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$140,815	$160,568