Exide Technologies (XIDEQ) 10-Q 6 Feb 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 28, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES
Entity Central Index Key	813781
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-28
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		77,998,699

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$692,568		$759,666		$1,999,128		$2,139,710
Cost of sales	603,214		649,642		1,744,731		1,856,913
Gross profit	89,354		110,024		254,397		282,797
Selling and administrative expenses	85,523		94,668		269,074		275,532
Restructuring and impairments, net	278	[1]	3,329	[1]	17,910	[1]	14,653	[1]
Operating income (loss)	3,553		12,027		-32,587		-7,388
Other (income) expense, net	11,992		-3,648		28,704		-5,990
Interest expense, net	33,443		31,810		104,550		83,694
Loss before reorganization items, net	-41,882		-16,135		-165,841		-85,092
Reorganization items, net	18,391		16,998		55,765		75,943
Loss before income taxes	-60,273		-33,133		-221,606		-161,035
Income tax provision	3,007		1,344		9,377		4,628
Net loss	-63,280		-34,477		-230,983		-165,663
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	245		215		-15		336
Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	($63,525)		($34,692)		($230,968)		($165,999)
Loss per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.81)		($0.44)		($2.95)		($2.13)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.81)		($0.44)		($2.95)		($2.13)
Weighted average shares
Basic (in shares)	78,246		78,265		78,243		78,033
Diluted (in shares)	78,246		78,265		78,243		78,033
[1]	See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	($63,280)	($34,477)	($230,983)	($165,663)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-22,343	5,422	-59,382	24,977
Change in defined benefit liabilities, net	1,216	80	3,188	-338
Total comprehensive loss	-84,407	-28,975	-287,177	-141,024
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-239	-215	17	-336
Comprehensive loss attributable to Exide Technologies	($84,646)	($29,190)	($287,160)	($141,360)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$54,979	$103,711
Accounts receivable, net	454,871	495,447
Inventories	488,895	483,218
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	43,044	47,874
Deferred income taxes	14,741	16,339
Total current assets	1,056,530	1,146,589
Property, plant and equipment, net	544,378	576,412
Other assets:
Goodwill and intangibles, net	126,217	142,381
Deferred income taxes	86,587	116,736
Other noncurrent assets	106,847	50,670
Total other assets	319,651	309,787
Total assets	1,920,559	2,032,788
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	2,690	4,058
Current maturities of long-term debt	484,465	288,386
Accounts payable	249,218	268,828
Accrued expenses	261,132	263,904
Deferred income taxes	3,130	4,435
Total current liabilities	1,000,635	829,611
Long-term debt	13,750	15,533
Noncurrent retirement obligations	141,207	166,692
Deferred income taxes	13,862	25,332
Other noncurrent liabilities	58,370	64,493
Liabilities not subject to compromise	1,227,824	1,101,661
Liabilities subject to compromise	998,317	950,643
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 78,000 and 79,078 shares issued and outstanding	780	791
Additional paid-in capital	1,140,602	1,139,850
Accumulated deficit	-1,388,092	-1,157,124
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-67,641	-11,449
Total stockholders’ deficit attributable to Exide Technologies	-314,351	-27,932
Noncontrolling interests	8,769	8,416
Total stockholders’ deficit	-305,582	-19,516
Total liabilities and Debtors' equity	$1,920,559	$2,032,788

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	78,000,000	79,078,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	78,000,000	79,078,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss	($230,983)		($165,663)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	58,785		60,129
Loss (gain) on asset sales / impairments, net	13,491		-4,693
Non-cash reorganization items	0		12,301
Deferred income taxes	5,841		-2,213
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,101		1,018
Non-cash stock compensation	753		2,566
Amortization of deferred financing costs	24,509		18,074
Currency remeasurement (gain) loss	28,821	[1]	-4,843	[1]
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	-11,249		-5,544
Inventories	-43,740		-19,294
Other current assets	-6,999		-22,704
Payables	17,516		-111,070
Accrued expenses	69,921		52,694
Other noncurrent liabilities	-11,059		157
Other, net	-68,329		-10,408
Net cash used in operating activities	-150,621		-199,493
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	-76,936		-51,378
Insurance proceeds	0		3,461
Proceeds from asset sales	7,624		4,191
Net cash used in investing activities	-69,312		-43,726
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Decrease in short-term borrowings	-3,074		-14,996
Increase in other debt	196,240		270,009
Financing fees and other	16,057		29,221
Net cash provided by financing activities	177,109		225,792
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-5,908		1,474
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-48,732		-15,953
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	103,711		104,289
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	54,979
Cash paid during the period:
Interest	31,006		19,188
Income taxes (net of refunds)	$5,929		$8,490
[1]	The currency remeasurement (gain) loss related primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in euros.

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Reorganizations [Abstract]
PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE	PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE
	Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Exide Technologies (referred to together with its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise, as "Exide" or the "Company") and all of its majority-owned subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, references to "fiscal year" refer to the period ended March 31 of that year (e.g. "fiscal 2015" refers to the period beginning April 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2015).
	On June 10, 2013 (“Petition Date”), Exide Technologies ("Debtor") filed a voluntary petition for relief (“Chapter 11 Case”) under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (“Bankruptcy Code” or “Chapter 11”), in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (“Bankruptcy Court”) under the caption In re Exide Technologies, case number 13-11482. The Company's subsidiaries, foreign and domestic, have been excluded from the Chapter 11 Case, continue to operate their businesses without supervision from the Bankruptcy Court, and are not subject to the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code.
	The Company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 as it offered the most efficient alternative to restructure the Company's balance sheet and access new working capital while continuing to operate in the ordinary course. Factors leading to the reorganization included the Company's significant debt burden, the adverse impact of economic conditions on the Company's markets, particularly the U.S. and European markets, ongoing competitive pressures, loss of key customers over several years, the unplanned production shut down of one of the Company's facilities, and higher commodity costs including lead and purchased spent batteries. These factors contributed to higher costs and lower revenues and have resulted in significant operating losses and material adverse reductions in cash flows, severely affecting the Company's financial condition and its ability to make debt payments coming due. Downgrades of the Company's credit rating and loss of credit insurance used by certain suppliers adversely affected supplier trade credit terms, further impacting the Company's liquidity.
	Exide is currently operating as a Debtor-in-Possession ("DIP") under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. In general, as a DIP, Exide is authorized to continue to operate as an ongoing business, but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Bankruptcy Code enables the Company to continue to operate its business without interruption and the Bankruptcy Court has granted a number of first day motions allowing Exide to pay pre-petition obligations to, among other parties, (i) employees, (ii) taxing authorities, (iii) insurance providers, (iv) independent contractors, (v) foreign vendors, and (vi) certain vendors deemed critical to the Company's operations.
	While operating as a DIP under Chapter 11, the Debtor may sell, otherwise dispose of, or liquidate assets, or settle liabilities, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court or otherwise as permitted in the ordinary course of business, in amounts other than those reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Moreover, a plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Exide received Bankruptcy Court approval for, among other things, access to a DIP financing facility ("DIP Credit Facility") on the terms set forth in the Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement (as amended, ("DIP Credit Agreement"), the ability to pay pre-petition and post-petition employee wages, salaries and benefits, and to honor customer warranty, sales returns and rebate obligations. Subsequent to the Petition Date, the Company received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition obligations generally designed to stabilize the Company's operations including employee obligations, taxes, and from limited available funds, pre-petition claims of certain critical vendors, certain customer programs, limited foreign supplier obligations, adequate protection payments, and certain other pre-petition claims. Additionally, the Company has been paying and intends to continue to pay undisputed post-petition obligations in the ordinary course of business.
	The DIP Credit Facility is used to supplement cash flows from operations during the reorganization process including the payment of post-petition ordinary course trade and other payables, the payment of certain permitted pre-petition claims, working capital needs, letter of credit requirements, and other general corporate purposes. The DIP Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants. Failure to maintain compliance with these covenants would result in an event of default which would restrict the availability of funds necessary to maintain the Company's operations and assist in funding the Company's reorganization plans.
	The Chapter 11 petition triggered defaults on substantially all debt obligations of the Company and, as a result, the Company's senior secured notes and convertible notes have been accelerated and are due and payable. However, under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the commencement of a Chapter 11 Case automatically stays most creditor actions, including the actions of the holders of the Company's senior secured notes and convertible notes, against the Company's estate. Absent an order of the Bankruptcy Court, substantially all pre-petition liabilities are subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization approved by the Bankruptcy Court. There can be no assurance that a plan will be proposed by the Company or confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court or that any such plan will be successfully implemented.
	On November 4, 2014, the Company entered into a plan support agreement (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the "PSA") with certain members (the "Consenting Unofficial Committee of Senior Secured Noteholders' Members" or "Consenting UNC Members") of the UNC, pursuant to which the Consenting UNC Members have agreed to support the terms of a plan of reorganization ("POR Term Sheet"), pursuant to which the Company would emerge from Chapter 11. The PSA and POR Term Sheet contemplate a dual-track plan and sale process, which affirmatively requires the Company to run a sale process concurrently with the plan process. The PSA requires Consenting UNC Members, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, to vote in favor of and affirmatively support a plan of reorganization on the terms set forth in the POR Term Sheet in their capacity as both senior secured noteholders and term loan lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement.
	On November 17, 2014, the Company filed its proposed plan of reorganization as amended prior to the hearing on the disclosure statement (the "POR") and a disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy Court. The POR and disclosure statement were consistent with the terms of the PSA and related POR Term Sheet. On December 17, 2014, the Company filed a motion to approve the disclosure statement and solicitation procedures for voting on the POR.
	On January 7, 2015, the parties executed a backstop commitment agreement (the “Backstop Commitment Agreement”). The POR also includes a rights offering of second lien convertible notes to certain holders of senior secured notes (together with oversubscription rights) of $175.0 million which is backstopped by Consenting UNC Members for $160.0 million pursuant to the Backstop Commitment Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution of the Backstop Commitment Agreement, the Company and certain of the Consenting UNC Members entered into an amendment of the PSA to reflect the commitments of the Backstop Commitment Agreement. Concurrently, the Company filed motions seeking approval of both the PSA and the Backstop Commitment Agreement, as well as for procedures to conduct the rights offering in accordance with the POR and the Backstop Commitment Agreement.
	On January 28, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement (the “GUC Trust Settlement Agreement”) with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Creditors’ Committee”) and certain members of the UNC that, among other things, provided for the transfer of certain assets to a trust for the benefit of the Company’s general unsecured creditors upon the effective date of the POR and that resolved certain other disputes among the parties. In addition, the Creditors’ Committee and its members agreed to support and vote to accept the POR. Concurrently, the Company filed a motion seeking Bankruptcy Court approval of the GUC Trust Settlement Agreement.
	On February 4, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders approving the disclosure statement, solicitation procedures, the GUC Trust Settlement Agreement, the PSA, the Backstop Commitment Agreement, and the rights offering procedures. The Bankruptcy Court has scheduled a hearing to consider confirmation of the POR for March 27, 2015. The transactions contemplated by the POR, the GUC Trust Settlement Agreement, the PSA and the Backstop Commitment Agreement represent a heavily-negotiated business deal through which the Company has secured from a majority of the holders of the Company’s senior secured notes and the Creditors' Committee and members thereof (i) support regarding a plan of reorganization and (ii) a commitment to invest in the new business post-emergence from Chapter 11.
	No assurance can be given as to the value, if any, that may be distributable to holders of the Company's various pre-petition liabilities and other securities. The Company expects that the ultimate value of any distribution to holders of its securities will be determined in connection with a plan of reorganization. At this time it is not possible to predict the ultimate effect of the Chapter 11 reorganization on our business, various creditors and security holders, or when it may be possible to emerge from Chapter 11. The Company’s common stock has been delisted from trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) and the POR, if approved by the Bankruptcy Court, would result in the cancellation of the Company’s outstanding equity. Accordingly, the Company urges that caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of these securities or other Company claims. Further, it is also expected that the Company's senior secured notes and convertible notes will suffer substantial impairment.
	The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes continuity of operations and realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is predicated upon, among other things, the confirmation of a reorganization plan, compliance with the provisions of the DIP Credit Agreement, the ability of the Company to generate cash flows from operations, and where necessary, obtaining financing sources sufficient to satisfy future obligations. As a result of the Chapter 11 filing, and consideration of various strategic alternatives, including possible assets sales, the Company expects that any reorganization plan will likely result in material changes to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Given this uncertainty there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
	The Consolidated Financial Statements do not include adjustments, if any, to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
	Reorganization Costs:
	Reorganization items included in the Consolidated Financial Statements included costs directly related to the Chapter 11 proceedings, as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)				(In thousands)
	Professional fees	$	18,391	$	16,998	$	55,765	$	60,243
	Write off debt financing costs/other	—		—		—		12,301
	Other direct costs	—		—		—		3,399
	Total	$	18,391	$	16,998	$	55,765	$	75,943
	Liabilities Subject To Compromise:
	The amounts of the various liabilities that are subject to compromise are set forth below. These amounts represent the Company's estimate of known or potential pre-petition claims to be resolved in connection with the Chapter 11 proceedings. Such claims remain subject to future adjustments which may result from: (i) negotiations; (ii) actions of the Bankruptcy Court; (iii) disputed claims; (iv) rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases; (v) the determination as to the value of any collateral securing claims; (vi) proofs of claim; or (vii) other events. Such future adjustments will likely be material. Liabilities subject to compromise included the following:
		31-Dec-14		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Debt	$	817,968	$	788,376
	Accrued interest	27,532		10,515
	Accounts payable	75,714		72,275
	Retirement obligations	52,861		52,864
	Restructuring reserve	5,594		7,274
	Other accrued liabilities	18,648		19,339
	Total	$	998,317	$	950,643
	Basis of Presentation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the disclosures normally required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or those disclosures normally made in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, the reader of this Form 10-Q should refer to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 for further information.
	The financial information has been prepared in accordance with the Company’s customary accounting practices. In the Company’s opinion the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, comprehensive loss, financial position, and cash flows for the periods presented. This includes accounting and disclosures related to any subsequent events occurring from the balance sheet date through the date the Consolidated Financial Statements were issued.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This update represents a new comprehensive revenue recognition model to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The guidance will be applied with a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company will adopt this standard in the first quarter ending June 30, 2017. The Company will evaluate the impact, but does not expect the standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Debtors_Financial_Statements

Debtor's Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	DEBTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	The financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of the Debtor only, including certain amounts and activities between Debtor and non-Debtor subsidiaries of the Company, which were eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Debtor's Statements of Operations
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	253,290		$	266,612		$	764,612		$	850,442
	Cost of sales	228,790			230,420			691,378			748,340
	Gross profit	24,500			36,192			73,234			102,102
	Selling and administrative expenses	38,248			38,005			117,474			116,711
	Restructuring and impairments, net	681			(1,239		)	14,591			8,692
	Operating loss	(14,429		)	(574		)	(58,831		)	(23,301		)
	Other (income) expense, net	9,545			(3,671		)	27,394			(32,359		)
	Loss (gain) in net earnings of subsidiaries	(7,292		)	(6,224		)	(1,804		)	27,186
	Interest expense, net	28,698			27,200			91,678			71,375
	Loss before reorganization items, net	(45,380		)	(17,879		)	(176,099		)	(89,503		)
	Reorganization items, net	18,145			16,783			54,869			74,248
	Loss before income taxes	(63,525		)	(34,662		)	(230,968		)	(163,751		)
	Income tax provision	—			30			—			2,248
	Net loss attributable to Debtor	$	(63,525	)	$	(34,692	)	$	(230,968	)	$	(165,999	)
	Debtor's Balance Sheet
		December 31, 2014			March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,333		$	17,349
	Accounts receivable, net	98,120			133,384
	Non-Debtor receivables	47,637			40,550
	Inventories	201,588			196,129
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,558			37,594
	Total current assets	379,236			425,006
	Property, plant and equipment, net	231,003			228,297
	Other assets:
	Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries	350,962			400,048
	Non-Debtor loans	239,247			240,505
	Other noncurrent assets	135,607			84,734
	Total other assets	725,816			725,287
	Total assets	$	1,336,055		$	1,378,590
	LIABILITIES AND DEBTOR'S DEFICIT
	Current liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	483,783		$	284,625
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	113,070			110,812
	Total current liabilities	596,853			395,437
	Other noncurrent liabilities	55,236			60,442
	Liabilities not subject to compromise	652,089			455,879
	Liabilities subject to compromise	998,317			950,643
	DEBTOR'S DEFICIT
	Total Debtor's deficit	(314,351		)	(27,932		)
	Total liabilities and Debtor's deficit	$	1,336,055		$	1,378,590
	Debtor's Statements of Cash Flows
		Nine Months Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(164,857	)	$	(259,895	)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
	Capital expenditures	(28,287		)	(21,808		)
	Proceeds from asset sales	27			111
	Net cash used in investing activities	(28,260		)	(21,697		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
	Increase in other debt	196,173			295,653
	Financing fees and other	(16,072		)	(29,221		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities	180,101			266,432
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(13,016		)	(15,160		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,349			26,419
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	4,333		$	11,259

Stockholders_Deficit

Stockholders' Deficit	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT	STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	The stockholders’ deficit accounts for both the Company and noncontrolling interests consisted of the following:
		Common			Additional			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling			Total Stockholders’ Deficit
		Stock			Paid-in									Interests
					Capital
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014	$	791		$	1,139,850		$	(1,157,124	)	$	(11,449	)	$	8,416		$	(19,516	)
	Net loss	—			—			(230,968		)	—			(15		)	(230,983		)
	Defined benefit plans, net of tax of $349	—			—			—			3,188						3,188
	Translation adjustment	—			—			—			(59,380		)	(2		)	(59,382		)
	Common stock issuance/other	(11		)	(1		)	—			—			370			358
	Stock compensation	—			753			—			—						753
	As of December 31, 2014	$	780		$	1,140,602		$	(1,388,092	)	$	(67,641	)	$	8,769		$	(305,582	)
	The accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of the following:
		Defined Benefit Plans (a)			Cumulative Translation Adjustment			Total
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014	$	(71,417	)	$	59,968		$	(11,449	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,037			(59,380		)	(58,343		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,151			—			2,151
	Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)	3,188			(59,380		)	(56,192		)
	As of December 31, 2014	$	(68,229	)	$	588		$	(67,641	)
	(a) See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES, NET	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES, NET
	Goodwill and intangibles, net consisted of the following:
		Goodwill		Trademarks		Trademarks			Customer			Technology			Total
		(not subject to		and		and			Relationships
		amortization)		Tradenames		Tradenames
				(not subject to		(subject to amortization)
				amortization)
		(In thousands)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Gross amount	$	876	$	56,488	$	12,849		$	99,399		$	23,908		$	193,520
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(10,770		)	(43,915		)	(12,618		)	(67,303		)
	Total	$	876	$	56,488	$	2,079		$	55,484		$	11,290		$	126,217
	As of March 31, 2014
	Gross amount	$	916	$	61,532	$	13,996		$	107,993		$	26,030		$	210,467
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(10,961		)	(44,349		)	(12,776		)	(68,086		)
	Total	$	916	$	61,532	$	3,035		$	63,644		$	13,254		$	142,381
	Amortization of intangible assets for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $5.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Excluding the impact of any future acquisitions, if any, the Company anticipates annual amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five years to be approximately $6.4 million. Intangible assets have been recorded at the legal entity level and are subject to foreign currency fluctuation.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	INVENTORIES
	Inventories, valued using the first in, first out method, consisted of the following:
		31-Dec-14		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	97,824	$	94,694
	Work-in-process	116,524		115,731
	Finished goods	274,547		272,793
	Total	$	488,895	$	483,218

Other_Noncurrent_Assets

Other Noncurrent Assets	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS	OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
	Other noncurrent assets consisted of the following:
		31-Dec-14		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Deposits (a)	$	68,306	$	4,040
	Deferred financing costs	6,336		14,773
	Investment in affiliates	671		549
	Capitalized software, net	2,791		3,864
	Retirement plans	18,637		14,941
	Other	10,106		12,503
	Total	$	106,847	$	50,670
	(a) Deposits principally represent amounts held by beneficiaries as cash collateral for the Company’s contingent obligations with respect to certain environmental matters, workers' compensation insurance, and operating lease commitments.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT
	At December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, short-term borrowings of $2.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively, consisted of borrowings under various operating lines of credit and working capital facilities maintained by certain of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. Certain of these borrowings are collateralized by receivables, inventories, and/or property. These borrowing facilities are typically for one-year renewable terms and generally bear interest at current local market rates. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 8.2% as of December 31, 2014 compared to 7.1% as of March 31, 2014, respectively.
	Total long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31, 2014			March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	DIP Credit Facility	$	484,435		$	284,625
	Other loans including capital lease obligations	13,780			19,294
		498,215			303,919
	Current maturities	(484,465		)	(288,386		)
	Total long-term debt	$	13,750		$	15,533
	Total debt, including short-term borrowings, at December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 was $500.9 million and $308.0 million, respectively.
	In connection with the Chapter 11 Case, the Company has entered into a DIP Credit Facility on the terms set forth in the DIP Credit Agreement, as amended. The DIP Credit Agreement, as amended, provides for senior secured, superpriority DIP financing facilities in an aggregate amount of up to $535.0 million, consisting of a $200.0 million senior secured asset based revolving credit facility ("ABL revolving credit facility"), subject to a borrowing base, and a $335.0 million "last out" term loan facility. The DIP Credit Agreement also provides a $25.0 million swingline facility sub-limit. The two separate tranches in the $200.0 million ABL revolving credit facility provides: (i) a $98.0 million facility under which only advances denominated in U.S. dollars can be drawn; and (ii) a $102.0 million facility under which advances denominated in U.S. dollars or euros can be drawn.
	On July 24, 2013, the DIP Credit Agreement was amended to permit an increase in the quarterly maximum capital expenditure limits of $25.0 million by $2.5 million should the preceding quarter’s EBITDA exceed 110.0% of the DIP budget, with the rolling four quarter maximum capital expenditures increased to $90.0 million for the four quarters ending after March 31, 2014.
	On October 9, 2013, a second amendment provided additional flexibility to the Company with regard to certain non-core asset transactions and further clarified certain terms of the DIP Credit Agreement. The second amendment revised the definition of "Permitted Liens" to permit contractual encumbrances in connection with certain permitted dispositions under the DIP Credit Agreement. The second amendment further changed the definition of cumulative total adjusted operating cash flows to exclude the effect of Frisco Escrow Account receipts from cumulative total adjusted operating cash flows.
	On May 28, 2014, the Company entered into the third amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which, among other things, extended to June 30, 2014 the milestone for the Company to file a plan of reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court. The third amendment increased the quarterly and rolling four quarter capital expenditure limits from $25.0 million and $90.0 million to $36.0 million and $120.0 million, respectively. The third amendment also excluded from the definition of "Capital Expenditure" expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets funded through the receipt of insurance proceeds or other compensation awards paid on account of a casualty loss. Finally, the third amendment increased the European factoring basket to 100.0 million euros from 75.0 million euros and expanded the subsidiaries whose receivables can be factored to include subsidiaries domiciled in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
	On June 27, 2014, the Company entered into the fourth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which extended to July 31, 2014 the deadline for filing a plan of reorganization and eliminated the milestone related to soliciting acceptance of the plan of reorganization. The fourth amendment also increased to $85.0 million from $75.0 million the letters of credit sublimit.
	On June 27, 2014, the Company entered into the fifth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which, among other things, extended to August 15, 2014 the date by which the Company was required to deliver annual audited financial statements and the related Compliance Certificate for the fiscal year of the Company ended March 31, 2014.
	On July 22, 2014, the Company entered into the sixth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which, among other things, eliminated restrictions on capital expenditures; modified the definition of EBITDA and adjusted the minimum EBITDA covenant to include the period October through November 2014 and address lower anticipated earnings through the end of calendar 2014; and permitted additional term loan financing in an aggregate amount not to exceed $65.0 million (“Upsizing Amendment”), subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. All of the lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement approved an extension to the DIP maturity date to December 31, 2014 pursuant to the sixth amendment; however, certain of the conditions to an extension pursuant to the sixth amendment were not satisfied.
	On July 25, 2014, the Company entered into the seventh amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which eliminated the milestone related to filing a plan of reorganization.
	On July 28, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Upsizing Amendment. Certain members of the UNC provided additional term loan financing with net cash proceeds of $60.0 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions including approval by the Bankruptcy Court.
	On October 9, 2014, the Company entered into the eighth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement (the "Maturity Extension Amendment") which, among other things, modified the DIP Credit Agreement as follows:
	• Extended the maturity date from October 14, 2014 to March 31, 2015;
	• Established certain milestones relating to the Company’s restructuring efforts and modified the requirements for an acceptable reorganization plan;
	• Eliminated reinvestment rights with respect to dispositions triggering mandatory prepayments;
	• Modified certain limitations relating to expense reimbursement;
	• Modified the financial covenant relating to minimum liquidity of the loan parties, added financial covenants relating to minimum liquidity of the Company and maximum capital expenditures and eliminated the financial covenant relating to minimum twelve-month trailing EBITDA;
	• Modified the definitions of Permitted Dispositions and Permitted Indebtedness and limited the availability of certain baskets under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness to amounts outstanding as of October 9, 2014;
	• Modified certain agent and lender voting and consent thresholds;
	•	Reduced to $200.0 million from $225.0 million the commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement’s ABL revolving credit facility; and
	•	Conditioned future borrowings under the ABL revolving credit facility on unrestricted cash not exceeding $50.0 million.
	Pursuant to the Maturity Extension Amendment, the Company and the lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement approved certain additional fees and an increase to the applicable margin under the ABL revolving credit facility: (a) revolving loans shall bear interest at a rate of (i) with respect to amounts outstanding on or prior to December 31, 2014 (retroactive to October 9, 2014), LIBOR plus 4.0% per annum and (ii) thereafter, LIBOR plus 4.5% per annum, (b) the fees payable for unused revolving commitments shall be increased to (i) with respect to such fees payable on or prior to December 31, 2014 (retroactive to October 9, 2014), 1.0% per annum and (ii) thereafter, 1.5% per annum, (c) a one-time duration fee of 0.5% of the aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding and revolving commitments available as of December 30, 2014 shall be payable to lenders on such date and (d) a monthly facility fee of 0.1% of the aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding shall be payable to term loan lenders. The term loan continues to bear interest at a rate of 9.0% per annum.
	On October 31, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Maturity Extension Amendment.
	On November 4, 2014, the Company entered into the ninth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which eliminated entry of an order terminating the Company’s exclusive period to file a plan of reorganization as an event of default under the DIP Credit Agreement.
	On January 14, 2015, the Company entered into the tenth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which extended the milestones for the (i) approval of the Company’s disclosure statement from January 15, 2015 until February 9, 2015 and (ii) confirmation of the Company's plan of reorganization from March 10, 2015 until March 25, 2015.
	The maturity date of the loans made under the DIP Credit Agreement is the earliest to occur of: (i) March 31, 2015; (ii) the effective date of a plan of reorganization; or (iii) the acceleration of such loans. The obligations of the Borrowers under the DIP Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by certain material foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the U.S. Borrower unconditionally guarantees the obligations of the Foreign Borrower. Subject to certain exceptions, the obligations of the Borrowers and the guarantors under the DIP Credit Agreement and the other loan documents are secured by first priority liens on specified assets of the Borrowers and the foreign guarantors and 100.0% pledge of equity interests of certain of the Borrowers’ direct and indirect subsidiaries. The DIP Credit Agreement requires the Borrowers to comply with financial covenants as defined by the agreement relating to minimum liquidity, cumulative total adjusted operating cash flows and maximum capital expenditures.
	Events of default under the DIP Credit Agreement include, among other things, failure to pay any principal, interest or other amounts due under the applicable credit agreement, breach of specific covenants, and a change of control of the Company. Upon an event of default, the requisite lenders may declare the outstanding obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable and exercise other rights and remedies provided for thereunder.

Interest_Expense_Net

Interest Expense, Net	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Expense [Abstract]
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET	INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
	Interest income of $0.1 million and $0.3 million was included in interest expense, net for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Other_Income_Expense_Net

Other (Income) Expense, Net	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other (Income) Expense, Net [Abstract]
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET
	Other (income) expense, net consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Currency remeasurement (gain) loss (a)	$	11,994		$	(3,509	)	$	28,821		$	(4,843	)
	Other	(2		)	(139		)	(117		)	(1,147		)
	Total	$	11,992		$	(3,648	)	$	28,704		$	(5,990	)
	(a) The currency remeasurement (gain) loss related primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in euros.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
	The following tables set forth the plans’ expenses recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
		Pension Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	482		$	568		$	1,530		$	1,681
	Interest cost	6,971			7,173			21,372			21,344
	Expected return on plan assets	(7,680		)	(7,603		)	(23,343		)	(22,663		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	15			16			48			48
	Actuarial loss	714			782			2,211			2,342
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	502		$	936		$	1,818		$	2,752
		Other Post-Retirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	187		$	189		$	579		$	572
	Interest cost	204			245			624			740
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	(123		)	(122		)	(369		)	(367		)
	Actuarial loss	87			169			261			508
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	355		$	481		$	1,095		$	1,453
	The estimated fiscal 2015 pension plan and other post-retirement plan contributions are $17.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The Company funded $14.0 million during nine months ended December 31, 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Private Party Lawsuits and other Legal Proceedings
	In 2003, the Company served notices in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to reject certain executory contracts with EnerSys, which the Company contended were executory, including a 1991 Trademark and Trade Name License Agreement (“Trademark License”), pursuant to which the Company had licensed to EnerSys use of the “Exide” trademark on certain industrial battery products in the United States and 80 foreign countries. EnerSys objected to the rejection of certain of those contracts, including the Trademark License. In 2006, the Bankruptcy Court granted the Company's request to reject certain of the contracts, including the Trademark License. EnerSys appealed those rulings. On June 1, 2010, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the Bankruptcy Court ruling, and remanded to the lower courts, holding that certain of the contracts, including the Trademark License, were not executory contracts and, therefore, were not subject to rejection. On August 27, 2010, acting on the Third Circuit's mandate, the Bankruptcy Court vacated its prior orders and denied the Company's motion to reject the contracts on the grounds that the agreements are not executory. On September 20, 2010, the Company filed a complaint in the Bankruptcy Court seeking a declaratory judgment that EnerSys did not have enforceable rights under the Trademark License under Bankruptcy Code provisions which the Company believed are relevant to non-executory contracts. EnerSys filed a motion to dismiss that complaint, which the Bankruptcy Court granted on January 8, 2013.
	On June 7, 2013, EnerSys Delaware Inc., formerly known as EnerSys, Inc. filed suit against the Company in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware seeking an accounting and restitution for alleged benefits received by the Company and alleged losses incurred by EnerSys allegedly as the result of the granting by the Bankruptcy Court in 2006 of an Order which allowed the Company to reject the Trademark License and use the licensed "Exide" trademark for Industrial battery products and the Bankruptcy Court's subsequent August 2010 Order vacating the 2006 Order and denying the Company's request to reject the Trademark License. On June 10, 2013, the Company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware, and the suit filed by EnerSys Delaware Inc. was automatically stayed pursuant to Section 362(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code.
	On April 15, 2013, David M. Loritz filed a purported class action lawsuit against the Company, James R. Bolch, Phillip A. Damaska, R. Paul Hirt, Jr., and Michael Ostermann alleging violations of certain federal securities laws. On May 3, 2013, Trevor Knopf filed a nearly identical complaint against the same named defendants in the same court. These cases were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California purportedly on behalf of purchasers of the Company's stock between February 9, 2012 and April 3, 2013. On June 4, 2013, James Cassella and Sandra Weitsman filed a substantially similar action in the same court, purportedly on behalf of those who purchased the Company's stock between June 1, 2011 and April 24, 2013, against the Company, Messrs. Bolch, Damaska, Hirt, and Louis E. Martinez. On July 9, 2013, Judge Stephen V. Wilson consolidated these cases under the Loritz v. Exide Technologies, Inc. caption, lead docket number 2:13-02607-SVW-E, and appointed Sandra Weitsman and James Cassella Lead Plaintiffs of the putative class of former Exide stockholders. Judge Wilson ordered Lead Plaintiffs to file their consolidated amended complaint on or before August 23, 2013. On July 17, 2013, Lead Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against the Company, without prejudice, to re-file at a future date. Lead Plaintiffs have indicated that they intend to pursue their claims against the individual defendants during the pendency of Exide's bankruptcy and may seek to reinstate their claims against the Company when it emerges from bankruptcy.
	On September 6, 2013, pursuant to an order extending the previous deadline, Lead Plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Complaint, naming as defendants Messrs. James R. Bolch, Phillip A. Damaska, R. Paul Hirt, Jr., Louis E. Martinez, John P. Reilly, Herbert F. Aspbury, Michael R. D’Appolonia, David S. Ferguson, John O’Higgins, and Dominic J. Pilleggi.  Lead Plaintiffs did not name Mr. Ostermann as a defendant in the Consolidated Amended Complaint. In the Consolidated Amended Complaint Lead Plaintiffs purport to state claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period June 1, 2011 and May 24, 2013. In addition, Lead Plaintiffs purport to state claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s senior secured notes during the period August 8, 2011 through May 24, 2013. Lead Plaintiffs allege that certain public statements made by the Company and its officers during these periods were materially false and misleading. The Consolidated Amended Complaint does not specify an amount of damages sought. Defendants deny all allegations against them and intend to vigorously pursue their defense. Defendants moved to dismiss all claims against them and, on December 19, 2013, Judge Wilson granted defendants' motion to dismiss in its entirety, without prejudice. Judge Wilson gave Lead Plaintiffs leave to file their Consolidated Second Amended Complaint on or before January 30, 2014. On January 30, 2014, Lead Plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Second Amended Complaint, which is nearly identical in every material respect to the Consolidated Amended Complaint. The Consolidated Second Amended Complaint does not specify an amount of damages sought.   On February 13, 2014, Defendants filed their Motion to Dismiss the Consolidated Second Amended Complaint.   On August 11, 2014, Judge Wilson entered an order dismissing Plaintiffs’ Section 15 claim against R. Paul Hirt, Jr., former Executive Vice President and President of Exide Americas, but denying the remainder of Defendants’ motion to dismiss.  Discovery in this litigation will now proceed and it is expected to continue through 2015.  A trial date of January 19, 2016 has been set in this matter. Defendants deny all allegations against them and intend to vigorously pursue their defense.
	The Company's Netherlands subsidiary, Exide Technologies B.V. (“BV”), received notice from the Dutch competition authorities that it was the subject of an investigation of a local trade association’s members in the traction/Motive Power batteries segment. On July 9 and July 16, 2013, the authorities conducted an on-site inspection and requested additional information and documentation, which the Company has provided. In December 2013, the Company submitted to the Dutch Competition Authority ("ACM") a leniency application for immunity or reduction of fines that might be imposed as a result of the investigation. The Company was recently notified by the ACM of a provisional grant of leniency in respect of certain conduct and that the Company did not receive provisional leniency for certain other conduct. As required under the ACM's leniency program, the Company continues to cooperate with the Dutch authority. The ACM has not issued a statement of charges to the Company or its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the precise scope and time period at issue, as well as the final outcome of the Netherlands investigation, remains uncertain.
	In connection with BV’s cooperation with the above-described investigation, the Company discovered activities also in different segments of its Industrial Energy division in Austria, Belgium and Germany that appeared to have occurred in prior years that did not conform to the Company’s internal policies. Upon discovery of these facts, the Company commenced an internal investigation led by independent outside counsel. While a majority of the activities had ceased prior to the initiation of the internal investigation the Company promptly stopped any remaining ongoing conduct. The Company brought the matter to the attention of the appropriate competition authorities, and, in all affected jurisdictions, the Company has been cooperating with them in further information gathering. As a result of this action, the Company has been granted conditional immunity by regulators in Austria, Germany and Belgium. Additionally, the authority in Austria has decided that the actions would likely have fallen outside any applicable statute of limitations period and the authority has advised that it does not intend to pursue an investigation at this stage. The grants of immunity in Belgium and Germany, which are conditioned on factors that include the Company’s continued cooperation with authorities, should eliminate any governmental fines and penalties that could result if the reported conduct is found to violate applicable law in such jurisdictions. Should immunity be revoked, these investigations could result in significant penalties.
	Further, even with the grants of conditional immunity in Austria, Germany, and Belgium, the Company might be subject to disputes with private parties concerning alleged damages that are claimed to be a result of the Company’s prior conduct. While the Company believes it would have defenses to any adverse allegations in private actions and would intend to vigorously defend itself in any such actions, litigation of this type is inherently uncertain, costly, and complex, and the Company cannot be certain that it would prevail. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the outcome of the Netherlands investigation or any private party disputes would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations of the Company, despite the fact the Company has been granted conditional immunity in Austria, Germany, and Belgium, and continues to cooperate with the applicable regulatory authorities.
	On August 8, 2014, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the Department of Justice in the Central District of California in connection with a criminal investigation involving its Vernon, California recycling facility.  The subpoena requests the production of documents relating to materials transportation and air emissions.  The Company was informed that it and certain unidentified individuals are targets of the investigation.  The Company is cooperating with the investigation.  The Company cannot estimate the amount or range of loss, if any, in this matter, as such analysis would depend on facts and law that are not yet fully developed or resolved. The Company is currently in the process of collecting and producing documents in response to the grand jury subpoena.
	Between December 22-24, 2014, six lawsuits were filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Central Division by or on behalf of more than 400 plaintiffs against current and former Exide officers and employees, including James Bolch, Phillip Damaska, Paul Hirt and Does 1-100 by multiple law firms seeking general, special, punitive and other damages for alleged personal injury, property damage, wrongful death and other claims related to alleged exposure to certain contaminants emitted or released from the Vernon recycling center. The Company is not a named defendant in any of the suits. Five of the six complaints contain virtually identical allegations including claims of negligence, negligence per se, private /public permanent/continuing nuisance causing special injury, private and public trespass, violation of California’s unfair trade practices act, misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment, and absolute liability for ultra-hazardous activity. One lawsuit also includes claims for alleged wrongful death, survival actions, and loss of consortium.
	Environmental Matters
	As a result of its multinational manufacturing, distribution and, recycling operations, the Company is subject to numerous federal, state, and local environmental, occupational health, and safety laws and regulations, as well as similar laws and regulations in other countries in which the Company operates (collectively, “EH&S laws”).
	The Company is exposed to liabilities under such EH&S laws arising from its past handling, release, storage, and disposal of materials now designated as hazardous substances and hazardous wastes. The Company previously has received notification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), equivalent state and local agencies or others alleging or indicating that the Company is or may be responsible for performing and/or investigating environmental remediation, or seeking the repayment of the costs spent by governmental entities or others performing investigations and/or remediation at certain U.S. sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or similar state laws.
	The Company monitors and responds to inquiries from the EPA, equivalent state and local agencies and others at approximately 50 federally defined Superfund or state equivalent sites. While the ultimate outcome of the environmental matters described in this paragraph is uncertain due to several factors, including the number of other parties that may also be responsible, the scope of investigation performed at such sites and the remediation alternatives pursued by such federal and equivalent state and local agencies, the Company presently believes any liability for these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
	The Company is also involved in the assessment and remediation of various other properties, including certain currently and formerly owned or operating facilities. Such assessment and remedial work is being conducted pursuant to applicable EH&S laws with varying degrees of involvement by appropriate regulatory authorities. In addition, certain environmental matters concerning the Company are pending in various courts or with certain environmental regulatory agencies with respect to these currently or formerly owned or operating locations. In particular, the Company’s Vernon, California recycling facility is currently unable to comply with certain recently enacted regulations, and may not resume operations until the installation of certain equipment is completed currently expected in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 should the Company decide to proceed. Additionally, newly enacted legislation in California requires regulatory authorities to make a final determination on the Company's application for a permanent hazardous waste permit by December 31, 2015. The Company is uncertain whether it would be able to obtain such permit. The Company is currently working with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control ("DTSC") to resolve various outstanding issues in order to complete its permit applications after which the DTSC will proceed to a final permit decision in 2015.
	On November 6, 2014, the Company agreed to a comprehensive Stipulation and Order resolving certain disputes with the DTSC relating to the Company’s Vernon, California recycling facility. The Stipulation and Order was approved by the bankruptcy court on November 20, 2014 and went effective November 21, 2014. The Stipulation and Order provides for, among other things, the following:
	The Company has committed approximately $38.7 million to cover any closure-related activities in the event that the Vernon facility were to be closed, approximately $11.1 million of which is covered by an existing financial guarantee bond, which shall be maintained or renewed. On October 31, 2014, the Company paid $0.5 million into a closure trust fund. On November 21, 2014, the Company paid approximately $2.3 million into the closure trust fund. The Company has agreed to pay the remaining approximately $24.8 million into the closure trust fund in installments over ten years with approximately $2.8 million to be paid on each of (a) the effective date of the Company’s plan of reorganization and (b) November 1, 2015. Starting in 2016 through 2024, the Company has agreed to pay approximately $2.1 million per year until the trust is fully funded.
	The Company will also remediate soil at certain homes identified by DTSC as potentially impacted by the Company, paying up to $9.0 million over the next five years for off-site residential soil corrective action pursuant to a schedule set forth in the Stipulation and Order; and the DTSC will agree to limit off-site residential soil corrective action to that amount for five years. Pursuant to the terms of the Stipulation and Order, after the agreement went into effect, the Company created a separate trust fund to satisfy residential off-site corrective action liability. On November 21, 2014, the Company paid $3.0 million into the residential corrective action liability trust fund.
	The Company will continue to clean the exterior industrial areas directly surrounding the Vernon facility and prepare a study assessing other potential industrial corrective measures, if any, to be implemented five years after the agreement’s effective date. The Company will also prepare an on-site corrective measures study anticipated to be completed sometime in late calendar 2016. Following DTSC approval, the Company will finance the corrective action remedies by establishing a trust fund to be funded by annual payments made over ten years or sooner as to elements of the corrective action remedy that are to be completed on a shorter time frame.
	On or about November 23, 2014, three days after the Vernon Stipulation and Order became effective, the Company paid to the DTSC approximately $1.3 million (the “Settlement Payment”) to resolve various alleged violations and to pay past oversight costs; the Company also agreed to take specific corrective actions to address the alleged violations. The Settlement Payment and agreement to take specific corrective actions was made without admitting liability. The DTSC will have allowed general unsecured claims in the bankruptcy case in the amounts of approximately $0.1 million and approximately $0.6 million for the DTSC prepetition oversight costs and California Environmental Quality Act compliance costs, as well as pre-petition penalties, respectively.
	Upon the Company's payment of the above Settlement Payment, DTSC released the Company, its predecessors, successors, assigns, and affiliated subsidiaries and all of their officers, directors, agents, employees, consultants, insurers, and representatives from any and all monetary claims, fines, penalties, or other monetary liabilities solely for the settled matters as described in the Stipulation and Order.
	Pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court, as part of the Vernon Stipulation and Order, the DTSC was allowed general unsecured claims in the bankruptcy case in the amounts of approximately $0.1 million and approximately $0.6 million for the DTSC prepetition oversight costs and California Environmental Quality Act compliance costs, as well as prepetition penalties, respectively.
	On January 30, 2015, the DTSC issued an order requiring the Company to further investigate possible contaminants located on or below the feed room floor at the Vernon, California facility and to provide further information for its plan to repair the feed room floor. Resolving issues related to the feed room floor may further delay resumptions of operations at the facility.
	DTSC expressly has not committed to granting the Company its final hazardous waste permit, and the permitting process will continue under applicable law as discussed above. Further, the DTSC has stated that it will consider all past conduct when cosidering the Company's permit application for a final hazardous waste permit. Thus, the ultimate outcome is uncertain, and the Company’s failure to timely resume operations at the Vernon, California plant or obtain a permanent hazardous waste permit would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
	On April 12, 2013, the Company was served with a notification of violation and 60 day intent to sue regarding the Company's Vernon, California facility from the California Communities Against Toxics ("CCAT"). CCAT alleges the Company violated the warning requirement of the State of California's Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, regarding alleged community exposure to the chemical, 1,3-butadiene. Following the Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CCAT submitted a Proof of Claim in the Bankruptcy Court. The matter remains pending in the Bankruptcy Court.
	On May 28, 2013, the Company was served with a Notice of Intent to Sue by CCAT pursuant to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act's ("RCRA") citizens suit provision at 42 USC Section 6972, alleging that the Company has created an imminent and substantial endangerment to health and the environment in and around the Company's Vernon, California facility. Following the Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CCAT submitted a Proof of Claim in the Bankruptcy Court. The matter remains pending in the Bankruptcy Court.
	On March 26, 2014, the Company was served with a Proposition 65 notification of violation and 60 day intent to sue regarding the Vernon, California facility from Shefa LMV LLC ("Shefa"). Shefa alleges that the Company failed to warn the community regarding chemical exposures, and further alleges that the Company has released chemicals into a source of drinking water. The Company believes Shefa's claim to be without merit. The Company is unaware whether Shefa will file a lawsuit based on the Proposition 65 notice, but if so, the Company intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit and pursue all available remedies.
	On April 25, 2013, Zach Hernandez filed a purported class action lawsuit in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles against the Company and Does 1-100 seeking damages and medical monitoring for an alleged class consisting of all Los Angeles County residents who allegedly have sustained physical or neurological injury or toxic exposure allegedly as the result of the release of allegedly hazardous waste or chemicals from the Company's facility located in Vernon, California. On June 10, 2013, the Company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware, and the case is stayed.
	On October 18, 2013, the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District ("SCAQMD") filed a petition seeking the suspension of operations at the Vernon, California facility for alleged violation of an SCAQMD rule and related furnace control equipment permit conditions until compliance is achieved. The Company contested the SCAQMD's petition. A hearing on the SCAQMD’s petition commenced on December 14, 2013 and continued into calendar 2014.
	On April 11, 2014, as a result of the Vernon, California facility allegedly exceeding the SCAQMD ambient air standard for lead, the SCAQMD filed a second petition seeking an order that the Company “cease and desist” from violating air quality standards, or in the alternative, to comply with other such conditions and increments of progress which the SCAQMD Hearing Board deems appropriate.
	On January 10, 2014, the SCAQMD adopted an amended rule that contained new emissions and equipment requirements with varying compliance dates, including an April 10, 2014 deadline that would require the Company to operate the furnaces at the Vernon, California facility under continuous "negative pressure" ("Rule 1420.1"). In response, the Company initiated two separate related proceedings on February 7, 2014: (i) a Petition for Variance before the SCAQMD Hearing Board, requesting a delay of the negative pressure requirement until December 31, 2014, and (ii) a Writ of Mandamus in Superior Court of Los Angeles County, seeking to invalidate the negative pressure requirement of Rule 1420.1. Additionally, on February 21, 2014, the Company filed a request for a preliminary injunction that would temporarily suspend the April 10, 2014 deadline until such time as the Superior Court could conduct a trial on the Writ of Mandamus.
	On April 7, 2014, the Los Angeles County Superior Court denied the Company's preliminary injunction. Additionally, on April 8, 2014, the SCAQMD Hearing Board denied the Company's variance request. As a result of these two decisions, the Company suspended operations at the Vernon, California facility until such time as the Company can design, engineer, permit, install, and test new equipment needed to achieve the new standard under Rule 1420.1.
	On July 10, 2014 (with a minor modification on January 13, 2015) the SCAQMD Hearing Board approved a resolution of the Company's pending administrative matters with the SCAQMD through the issuance of two Orders for Abatement ("Stipulated OAs"). The Stipulated OAs require the Company: (i) to refrain from resuming operations of the Vernon, California facility furnaces until it installs certain air quality control improvements required to comply with the newly adopted Rule 1420.1 standards in accordance with SCAQMD issued permits and applicable SCAQMD rules; and (ii) to install those improvements in accordance with an SCAQMD approved dust mitigation plan. Concurrently, in a settlement agreement with SCAQMD, the Company agreed to dismiss its Writ of Mandamus legal action. The Company currently estimates the full operation of the furnaces under continuous negative pressure will not occur until after installation of the aforesaid equipment currently expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 should the Company decide to proceed.
	On January 16, 2014, the Company and unnamed individuals (“DOE Defendants”), were named as defendants in a civil lawsuit brought by the SCAQMD in the case captioned as People of the State of California, ex rel South Coast Air Quality Management District, a Public Entity v. Exide Technologies, Inc., and DOE Defendants 1 through 50. The SCAQMD subsequently amended its complaint. The SCAQMD alleges that the Company and the DOE Defendants failed to comply with several of the SCAQMD's rules related to operation of equipment or lead and arsenic emissions at the Company's Vernon, California lead recycling facility. The SCAQMD is seeking penalties in an amount not less than $40.0 million but filed a motion to amend its complaint to seek penalties in an amount up to $60.0 million. That motion remains pending. The Company denies the allegations in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself against such allegations. The matter is in discovery and presently scheduled for trial on September 15, 2015.
	On May 22, 2014, the EPA served a Finding and Notice of Violation (“Federal NOV”) on the Company, alleging that the Company violated air quality standards for lead at various times in 2013 and 2014; the alleged violations are duplicative of those cited by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in its penalty action. EPA seeks civil penalties for these alleged violations. An initial conference seeking resolution of the matter was convened with the EPA on June 30, 2014 and discussions are anticipated at some point in the future regarding a resolution to the notice. EPA has also sought information from the Company under the Federal Clean Air Act and the Company has responded to all such EPA requests for information.
	On September 24, 2013, the Company received a Notice of Enforcement issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) for alleged violations related to the compliance of its site in its Frisco, Texas, a former recycling facility, with Industrial Solid Waste and Municipal Hazardous waste requirements. The Company reasonably believes the proceeding may result in monetary sanctions to be paid to TCEQ in excess of $0.1 million.
	In September 2013 and April 2014, the Company received Notices of Violations/Findings of Violation issued by the EPA for alleged violations of air quality requirements related to its Muncie, Indiana recycling facility. The Company reasonably believes the proceeding may result in monetary sanctions to be paid to the EPA in excess of $0.1 million.
	In March 2014, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion creating a County Toxic Threat Strike Team (the “Strike Team”) comprised of various Los Angeles County agencies. Among other things, the Strike Team was granted the authority to identify recommended actions to achieve closure of the Company’s Vernon, California recycling facility while the Company’s final RCRA permit was pending. The Strike Team prepared reports but took no formal action to close the facility. In November 2014, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to authorize the County Counsel’s office to file a complaint against the Company, pending the resolution of a discussion between the Company and the County Counsel. Both the outcome of this discussion and the nature of the potential complaint are unknown.
	In January 2015, the Los Angeles County District Attorney sent the Company a preliminary letter regarding potential legal actions. The Company is preparing to engage in a meeting with the County District Attorney to discuss the subject of the letter but the outcome of that discussion is unknown at this time.
	The Company has established liabilities for on-site and off-site environmental remediation costs where such costs are probable and reasonably estimable and believes that such liabilities are adequate. As of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, the amount of such liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets was approximately $22.8 million and $25.5 million, respectively. Because environmental liabilities are not accrued until a liability is determined to be probable and reasonably estimable, not all potential future environmental liabilities have been included in the Company’s environmental liabilities. Therefore, changes in estimates or future findings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
	The sites that currently have the largest environmental reserves include the following:
	Tampa, Florida
	The Tampa site is a former secondary lead recycling plant, lead oxide production facility, and sheet lead-rolling mill that operated from 1943 to 1989. Under a RCRA Part B Closure Permit and a Consent Decree with the State of Florida, the Company is required to investigate and remediate certain historic environmental impacts to the site. Cost estimates for remediation (closure and post-closure) are expected to range from $10.0 million to $14.0 million depending on final State of Florida requirements. The remediation activities are expected to occur over the course of several years.
	Columbus, Georgia
	The Columbus site is a former secondary lead recycling plant that was taken out of service in 1999, but remains part of a larger facility that includes an operating lead-acid battery manufacturing facility. Groundwater remediation activities began in 1988. Costs for supplemental investigations, remediation and site closure are currently estimated at $6.0 million to $8.5 million.
	Guarantees
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with a face value of $0.8 million and surety bonds with a face value of $47.8 million. The majority of the letters of credit and surety bonds have been issued as collateral or financial assurance with respect to certain liabilities that the Company has recorded, including but not limited to environmental remediation obligations and self-insured workers’ compensation reserves. Failure of the Company to satisfy its obligations with respect to the primary obligations secured by the letters of credit or surety bonds could entitle the beneficiary of the related letter of credit or surety bond to demand payments pursuant to such instruments. The letters of credit generally have terms up to one year subject to the terms of the DIP Credit Facility.
	Certain of the Company’s European and Asia Pacific subsidiaries have bank guarantees outstanding as collateral or financial assurance in connection with environmental obligations, income tax claims and customer contract requirements. At December 31, 2014, bank guarantees with an aggregate face value of $9.8 million were outstanding.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 are (5.0)% and (4.2)%, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended December 31, 2013 effective tax rates of (4.1)% and (2.9)%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 included the recognition of taxes on income and losses in almost all of the Company's jurisdictions with the exception of the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom, on which full valuation allowances are recorded.
	Valuation allowances have been recognized in the U.S. and certain foreign tax jurisdictions to reduce the deferred tax assets for loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences for which it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with those assets will not be realized. In other jurisdictions (primarily France and Germany), the Company's net deferred tax assets include loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences which management believes are realizable through future taxable income. Each quarter, the Company reviews the need to report the future realization of tax benefits of deductible temporary differences or loss carryforwards on its Consolidated Financial Statements. All available evidence is considered to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established against these future tax benefits or previously established valuation allowances should be released. This review is performed on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. As global market conditions and the Company's financial results in certain jurisdictions change, the continued release and establishment of related valuation allowances may occur.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended before March 31, 2011.
	With respect to state and local jurisdictions and countries outside of the United States, with certain exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax audits for years ended before March 31, 2007. The Company is currently undergoing tax audits which are in various steps in certain jurisdictions. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company currently believes that adequate amounts of tax, interest and penalties have been provided for any adjustments that could result from these years.
	The Company's unrecognized tax benefits decreased from $36.1 million to $33.2 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to release of reserves upon the conclusion of the FY07 audit. The amount, if recognized, that would affect the Company's effective tax rate at December 31, 2014 is $28.6 million.
	The Company classifies interest and penalties on uncertain tax benefits as income tax expense. At both December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, before any tax benefits, the Company had $1.0 million of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.
	During the next twelve months, the Company does not expect the resolution of any tax audits which could potentially reduce unrecognized tax benefits by a material amount. However, expiration of the statute of limitations for a tax year in which the Company has recorded an uncertain tax benefit will occur in the next twelve months. The removal of this uncertain tax benefit would affect the Company's forecasted annual effective tax rate by $0.1 million.

Restructuring_and_Impairments_

Restructuring and Impairments, Net	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENTS, NET	RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENTS, NET
	The Company continued to implement operational changes to streamline and rationalize its structure in an effort to simplify the organization and eliminate redundant and/or unnecessary costs. As part of these restructuring programs, the nature of the positions eliminated range from plant employees and clerical workers to operational, sales management, and divisional leadership.
	During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $4.4 million, representing $2.2 million severance and $2.2 million closure costs. These restructuring charges primarily represent consolidation efforts in the Company’s workforce of approximately 42 positions. The impairments relate to closed facilities and other asset write offs of $13.5 million.
	The following summarizes restructuring reserve activity and loss on asset sales/impairments, net:
		Severance			Closure Costs			Total			Loss on Asset Sales / Impairments, net		Total
		Costs						Restructuring					Restructuring /
													Impairments, net
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014	$	7,921		$	6,714		$	14,635
	Expenses	2,208			2,211			4,419			$	13,491	$	17,910
	Payments and currency translation	(8,246		)	(2,378		)	(10,624		)
	Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise	(241		)	(5,353		)	(5,594		)
	As of December 31, 2014	$	1,642		$	1,194		$	2,836
	Remaining expenditures principally represent (i) severance and related benefits payable per employee agreements and/or regulatory requirements, (ii) lease commitments for certain closed facilities, branches and offices, as well as leases for excess and permanently idle equipment payable in accordance with contractual terms, and (iii) certain other closure costs including dismantlement and costs associated with removal obligations incurred in connection with the exit of facilities.
	Restructuring and impairments, net by operating segment:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Transportation Americas	$	635		$	(1,306	)	$	14,497		$	7,973
	Transportation Europe & ROW	60			3,160			230			877
	Industrial Energy Americas	256			77			364			233
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	(673		)	1,258			2,814			4,917
	Unallocated corporate	—			140			5			653
	Total	$	278		$	3,329		$	17,910		$	14,653

Loss_Per_Share

Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
LOSS PER SHARE	LOSS PER SHARE
	The Company computes basic loss per share by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
	Potentially dilutive shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock and stock unit awards (using the treasury stock method) as well as the assumed conversion of the convertible debt, if dilutive (using the if-converted method).
	Due to a net loss for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 certain potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation because their effect would be antidilutive. Potentially dilutive shares consisted of the following:
		December 31, 2014	December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)	3,198	3,697
	Employee stock options	1,003	1,649
	Restricted stock awards (non-vested)	162	469
	Total	4,363	5,815

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company used available market information and appropriate methodologies believed to be appropriate to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. Certain of these financial instruments are with major financial institutions and expose the Company to market and credit risks and may at times be concentrated with certain counterparties or groups of counterparties. The creditworthiness of counterparties is continually reviewed and full performance is currently anticipated.
	The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, DIP Credit Facility, and short-term borrowings all have carrying amounts that are a reasonable estimate of their fair values. The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations and other financial instruments are as follows:
		31-Dec-14							31-Mar-14
		Carrying Value				Estimated Fair			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair
						Value						Value
		(In thousands)							(In thousands)
	Asset (liability):
	Senior secured notes (a)	$	(766,058	)		$	(38,305	)	$	(734,474	)	$	(560,955	)
	Convertible senior subordinated notes (a)	(51,900		)		(519		)	(51,900		)	(12,988		)
	Commodity swap / forward (b)	(1,293		)		(1,293		)	(1,709		)	(1,709		)
	(a) Classified as liabilities subject to compromise
	(b) These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:
		•	Level 1	–	Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
		•	Level 2	–	Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that were observable either directly or indirectly; and
		•	Level 3	–	Inputs from valuation techniques in which one or more key value drivers were not observable, and must be based on the reporting entity's own assumptions.
	The following table represents the Company's financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and the basis for that measurement:
		Total				Quoted Price in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value				Active Markets			Other			Unobservable
		Measurement				for			Observable			Inputs
						Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
						(Level 1)			(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Liability:
	Commodity swap / forward	$	(1,293	)		$	—		$	(1,293	)	$	—
	As of March 31, 2014
	Liability:
	Commodity swap / forward	(1,709		)		—			(1,709		)	—
	The Company uses a market approach to determine the fair values of all of its derivative instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements. The fair value of each financial instrument was determined based upon observable forward prices for the related underlying financial index or commodity price, and each has been classified as Level 2 based on the nature of the underlying markets in which those derivatives are traded.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company reports its results in four business segments: Transportation Americas; Transportation Europe and Rest of World (“ROW”); Industrial Energy Americas; and Industrial Energy Europe and ROW. The Company is a global producer and recycler of lead-acid batteries. The Company’s four business segments provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for transportation and industrial applications.
	Transportation markets include original equipment and aftermarket batteries for cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, agricultural and construction vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, marine, and other applications. Industrial markets include batteries for Motive Power and Network Power applications. Motive Power batteries are used in the materials handling industry for electric forklift trucks, and in other industries, including floor cleaning machinery, powered wheelchairs, railroad locomotives, mining, and the electric road vehicles market. Network Power batteries are used for backup power for use with telecommunications systems, computer installations, hospitals, air traffic control, security systems, utility, railway, and military applications.
	The Company’s reportable segments are determined based upon the nature of the markets served and the geographic regions in which they operate. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker monitors and manages the financial performance of these four business groups. Costs of certain corporate costs are not allocated or charged to the business groups.
	Selected financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments were as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Net sales
	Transportation Americas	$	179,066		$	189,515		$	497,722		$	564,959
	Transportation Europe & ROW	243,255			283,663			657,707			689,832
	Industrial Energy Americas	71,526			75,375			256,495			281,734
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	198,721			211,113			587,204			603,185
		$	692,568		$	759,666		$	1,999,128		$	2,139,710
	Operating income (loss)
	Transportation Americas	$	(10,242	)	$	(280	)	$	(39,521	)	$	(21,344	)
	Transportation Europe & ROW	10,296			15,986			16,751			15,957
	Industrial Energy Americas	4,159			4,785			14,921			22,486
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	7,337			4,880			16,495			15,130
	Unallocated corporate expenses	(7,719		)	(10,015		)	(23,323		)	(24,964		)
		3,831			15,356			(14,677		)	7,265
	Restructuring and impairments, net (a)	278			3,329			17,910			14,653
		$	3,553		$	12,027		$	(32,587	)	$	(7,388	)
	Depreciation and Amortization
	Transportation Americas	$	6,305		$	6,186		$	17,670		$	19,346
	Transportation Europe & ROW	5,441			5,466			17,084			15,667
	Industrial Energy Americas	2,726			2,869			7,955			8,732
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	3,870			4,574			12,422			13,104
	Unallocated corporate expenses	980			1,107			3,654			3,280
		$	19,322		$	20,202		$	58,785		$	60,129
	Capital expenditures
	Transportation Americas	$	5,519		$	5,422		$	19,126		$	18,406
	Transportation Europe & ROW	12,675			5,079			32,360			21,075
	Industrial Energy Americas	5,529			585			9,233			1,977
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	5,991			2,809			12,243			6,406
	Unallocated corporate expenses	1,254			1,219			3,974			3,514
		$	30,968		$	15,114		$	76,936		$	51,378
	(a) See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Robert M. Caruso, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Edgar W. Mosley, Jr., the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer, are employed by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC ("Alvarez & Marsal" or "A&M") as Managing Director and Senior Director, respectively. A&M has been retained by the Company in connection with its Chapter 11 restructuring. Mr. Caruso, who has been associated with A&M since 2006, remains a Managing Director while serving as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mosley has been with A&M since 2008, and remains a Senior Director of A&M while serving as the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer. In addition, Mr. Caruso holds a minority equity interest in A&M's parent company which indirectly entitles him to a share of A&M's profits.
	Pursuant to an Agreement dated June 9, 2013, as amended by a Letter Agreement dated July 25, 2013 between the Company and A&M ("Services Agreement"), the Company retained A&M in connection with its Chapter 11 restructuring. Under the Services Agreement, the Company is charged monthly fees for the services of Messrs. Caruso and Mosley and hourly fees for the services of other temporary personnel of A&M and its affiliates who are providing services to the Company (in an officer capacity or otherwise) and such temporary personnel (including Messrs. Caruso and Mosley) are compensated by A&M independently pursuant to their arrangements with A&M. The Services Agreement also provides for payment of a one-time success fee to A&M as a result of our emergence from Chapter 11. The amount of the success fee could be up to $1.8 million, at the discretion of the Board of Directors and subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Fees and expenses the Company incurred under the Services Agreement amounted to $4.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to $6.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and $15.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 compared to $18.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company understands from Messrs. Caruso and Mosley that they do not and will not, as applicable, directly receive a portion of the fees paid by the Company to A&M in respect of their monthly fees, the overall fee, the success fee, or any other fees relating to any other aspect of the Company's engagement of A&M. However, Messrs. Caruso and Mosley may be entitled to discretionary bonuses at the end of each A&M fiscal year which may, similar to other professional services firms, take into account revenues and expenses related to matters on which they have worked or managed. A&M has disclosed that the ultimate amount of Messrs. Caruso's and Mosley's compensation, which has not yet been determined, will depend on a number of factors related to, among other things, their performance as employees, their contribution to the revenue generating activities (including but not limited to the engagement for the Company), and A&M's overall financial results.

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o1

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Reorganization Items, Consolidated Financial Statements	Reorganization items included in the Consolidated Financial Statements included costs directly related to the Chapter 11 proceedings, as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14		31-Dec-13		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)				(In thousands)
	Professional fees	$	18,391	$	16,998	$	55,765	$	60,243
	Write off debt financing costs/other	—		—		—		12,301
	Other direct costs	—		—		—		3,399
	Total	$	18,391	$	16,998	$	55,765	$	75,943
Liabilities Subject to Comprise	Liabilities subject to compromise included the following:
		31-Dec-14		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Debt	$	817,968	$	788,376
	Accrued interest	27,532		10,515
	Accounts payable	75,714		72,275
	Retirement obligations	52,861		52,864
	Restructuring reserve	5,594		7,274
	Other accrued liabilities	18,648		19,339
	Total	$	998,317	$	950,643

Debtors_Financial_Statements_T

Debtor's Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Income Statement	Debtor's Statements of Operations
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	253,290		$	266,612		$	764,612		$	850,442
	Cost of sales	228,790			230,420			691,378			748,340
	Gross profit	24,500			36,192			73,234			102,102
	Selling and administrative expenses	38,248			38,005			117,474			116,711
	Restructuring and impairments, net	681			(1,239		)	14,591			8,692
	Operating loss	(14,429		)	(574		)	(58,831		)	(23,301		)
	Other (income) expense, net	9,545			(3,671		)	27,394			(32,359		)
	Loss (gain) in net earnings of subsidiaries	(7,292		)	(6,224		)	(1,804		)	27,186
	Interest expense, net	28,698			27,200			91,678			71,375
	Loss before reorganization items, net	(45,380		)	(17,879		)	(176,099		)	(89,503		)
	Reorganization items, net	18,145			16,783			54,869			74,248
	Loss before income taxes	(63,525		)	(34,662		)	(230,968		)	(163,751		)
	Income tax provision	—			30			—			2,248
	Net loss attributable to Debtor	$	(63,525	)	$	(34,692	)	$	(230,968	)	$	(165,999	)
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet	Debtor's Balance Sheet
		December 31, 2014			March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,333		$	17,349
	Accounts receivable, net	98,120			133,384
	Non-Debtor receivables	47,637			40,550
	Inventories	201,588			196,129
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,558			37,594
	Total current assets	379,236			425,006
	Property, plant and equipment, net	231,003			228,297
	Other assets:
	Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries	350,962			400,048
	Non-Debtor loans	239,247			240,505
	Other noncurrent assets	135,607			84,734
	Total other assets	725,816			725,287
	Total assets	$	1,336,055		$	1,378,590
	LIABILITIES AND DEBTOR'S DEFICIT
	Current liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	483,783		$	284,625
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	113,070			110,812
	Total current liabilities	596,853			395,437
	Other noncurrent liabilities	55,236			60,442
	Liabilities not subject to compromise	652,089			455,879
	Liabilities subject to compromise	998,317			950,643
	DEBTOR'S DEFICIT
	Total Debtor's deficit	(314,351		)	(27,932		)
	Total liabilities and Debtor's deficit	$	1,336,055		$	1,378,590
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement	Debtor's Statements of Cash Flows
		Nine Months Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(164,857	)	$	(259,895	)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
	Capital expenditures	(28,287		)	(21,808		)
	Proceeds from asset sales	27			111
	Net cash used in investing activities	(28,260		)	(21,697		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
	Increase in other debt	196,173			295,653
	Financing fees and other	(16,072		)	(29,221		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities	180,101			266,432
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(13,016		)	(15,160		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,349			26,419
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	4,333		$	11,259

Stockholders_Deficit_Tables

Stockholders' Deficit (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Stockholder's equity	The stockholders’ deficit accounts for both the Company and noncontrolling interests consisted of the following:
		Common			Additional			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling			Total Stockholders’ Deficit
		Stock			Paid-in									Interests
					Capital
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014	$	791		$	1,139,850		$	(1,157,124	)	$	(11,449	)	$	8,416		$	(19,516	)
	Net loss	—			—			(230,968		)	—			(15		)	(230,983		)
	Defined benefit plans, net of tax of $349	—			—			—			3,188						3,188
	Translation adjustment	—			—			—			(59,380		)	(2		)	(59,382		)
	Common stock issuance/other	(11		)	(1		)	—			—			370			358
	Stock compensation	—			753			—			—						753
	As of December 31, 2014	$	780		$	1,140,602		$	(1,388,092	)	$	(67,641	)	$	8,769		$	(305,582	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of the following:
		Defined Benefit Plans (a)			Cumulative Translation Adjustment			Total
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014	$	(71,417	)	$	59,968		$	(11,449	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,037			(59,380		)	(58,343		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,151			—			2,151
	Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)	3,188			(59,380		)	(56,192		)
	As of December 31, 2014	$	(68,229	)	$	588		$	(67,641	)
	(a) See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net_T

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	Goodwill and intangibles, net consisted of the following:
		Goodwill		Trademarks		Trademarks			Customer			Technology			Total
		(not subject to		and		and			Relationships
		amortization)		Tradenames		Tradenames
				(not subject to		(subject to amortization)
				amortization)
		(In thousands)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Gross amount	$	876	$	56,488	$	12,849		$	99,399		$	23,908		$	193,520
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(10,770		)	(43,915		)	(12,618		)	(67,303		)
	Total	$	876	$	56,488	$	2,079		$	55,484		$	11,290		$	126,217
	As of March 31, 2014
	Gross amount	$	916	$	61,532	$	13,996		$	107,993		$	26,030		$	210,467
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(10,961		)	(44,349		)	(12,776		)	(68,086		)
	Total	$	916	$	61,532	$	3,035		$	63,644		$	13,254		$	142,381

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventories, valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method	Inventories, valued using the first in, first out method, consisted of the following:
		31-Dec-14		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	97,824	$	94,694
	Work-in-process	116,524		115,731
	Finished goods	274,547		272,793
	Total	$	488,895	$	483,218

Other_Noncurrent_Assets_Tables

Other Noncurrent Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other noncurrent assets	Other noncurrent assets consisted of the following:
		31-Dec-14		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Deposits (a)	$	68,306	$	4,040
	Deferred financing costs	6,336		14,773
	Investment in affiliates	671		549
	Capitalized software, net	2,791		3,864
	Retirement plans	18,637		14,941
	Other	10,106		12,503
	Total	$	106,847	$	50,670
	(a) Deposits principally represent amounts held by beneficiaries as cash collateral for the Company’s contingent obligations with respect to certain environmental matters, workers' compensation insurance, and operating lease commitments.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Total long-term debt	Total long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31, 2014			March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	DIP Credit Facility	$	484,435		$	284,625
	Other loans including capital lease obligations	13,780			19,294
		498,215			303,919
	Current maturities	(484,465		)	(288,386		)
	Total long-term debt	$	13,750		$	15,533

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Table

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other (Income) Expense, Net [Abstract]
Components of other (income) expense, net	Other (income) expense, net consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Currency remeasurement (gain) loss (a)	$	11,994		$	(3,509	)	$	28,821		$	(4,843	)
	Other	(2		)	(139		)	(117		)	(1,147		)
	Total	$	11,992		$	(3,648	)	$	28,704		$	(5,990	)
	(a) The currency remeasurement (gain) loss related primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in euros.

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of the Company's net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs	The following tables set forth the plans’ expenses recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
		Pension Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	482		$	568		$	1,530		$	1,681
	Interest cost	6,971			7,173			21,372			21,344
	Expected return on plan assets	(7,680		)	(7,603		)	(23,343		)	(22,663		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	15			16			48			48
	Actuarial loss	714			782			2,211			2,342
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	502		$	936		$	1,818		$	2,752
		Other Post-Retirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	187		$	189		$	579		$	572
	Interest cost	204			245			624			740
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	(123		)	(122		)	(369		)	(367		)
	Actuarial loss	87			169			261			508
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	355		$	481		$	1,095		$	1,453

Restructuring_and_Impairments_1

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity	The following summarizes restructuring reserve activity and loss on asset sales/impairments, net:
		Severance			Closure Costs			Total			Loss on Asset Sales / Impairments, net		Total
		Costs						Restructuring					Restructuring /
													Impairments, net
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014	$	7,921		$	6,714		$	14,635
	Expenses	2,208			2,211			4,419			$	13,491	$	17,910
	Payments and currency translation	(8,246		)	(2,378		)	(10,624		)
	Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise	(241		)	(5,353		)	(5,594		)
	As of December 31, 2014	$	1,642		$	1,194		$	2,836
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment	Restructuring and impairments, net by operating segment:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Transportation Americas	$	635		$	(1,306	)	$	14,497		$	7,973
	Transportation Europe & ROW	60			3,160			230			877
	Industrial Energy Americas	256			77			364			233
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	(673		)	1,258			2,814			4,917
	Unallocated corporate	—			140			5			653
	Total	$	278		$	3,329		$	17,910		$	14,653

Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Loss Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share calculation	Potentially dilutive shares consisted of the following:
		December 31, 2014	December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)	3,198	3,697
	Employee stock options	1,003	1,649
	Restricted stock awards (non-vested)	162	469
	Total	4,363	5,815

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's long-term obligations and other financial instruments	The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations and other financial instruments are as follows:
		31-Dec-14						31-Mar-14
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair
					Value						Value
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Asset (liability):
	Senior secured notes (a)	$	(766,058	)	$	(38,305	)	$	(734,474	)	$	(560,955	)
	Convertible senior subordinated notes (a)	(51,900		)	(519		)	(51,900		)	(12,988		)
	Commodity swap / forward (b)	(1,293		)	(1,293		)	(1,709		)	(1,709		)
	(a) Classified as liabilities subject to compromise
	(b) These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:
Financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following table represents the Company's financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and the basis for that measurement:
		Total			Quoted Price in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable
		Measurement			for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Liability:
	Commodity swap / forward	$	(1,293	)	$	—		$	(1,293	)	$	—
	As of March 31, 2014
	Liability:
	Commodity swap / forward	(1,709		)	—			(1,709		)	—

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments	Selected financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments were as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Net sales
	Transportation Americas	$	179,066		$	189,515		$	497,722		$	564,959
	Transportation Europe & ROW	243,255			283,663			657,707			689,832
	Industrial Energy Americas	71,526			75,375			256,495			281,734
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	198,721			211,113			587,204			603,185
		$	692,568		$	759,666		$	1,999,128		$	2,139,710
	Operating income (loss)
	Transportation Americas	$	(10,242	)	$	(280	)	$	(39,521	)	$	(21,344	)
	Transportation Europe & ROW	10,296			15,986			16,751			15,957
	Industrial Energy Americas	4,159			4,785			14,921			22,486
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	7,337			4,880			16,495			15,130
	Unallocated corporate expenses	(7,719		)	(10,015		)	(23,323		)	(24,964		)
		3,831			15,356			(14,677		)	7,265
	Restructuring and impairments, net (a)	278			3,329			17,910			14,653
		$	3,553		$	12,027		$	(32,587	)	$	(7,388	)
	Depreciation and Amortization
	Transportation Americas	$	6,305		$	6,186		$	17,670		$	19,346
	Transportation Europe & ROW	5,441			5,466			17,084			15,667
	Industrial Energy Americas	2,726			2,869			7,955			8,732
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	3,870			4,574			12,422			13,104
	Unallocated corporate expenses	980			1,107			3,654			3,280
		$	19,322		$	20,202		$	58,785		$	60,129
	Capital expenditures
	Transportation Americas	$	5,519		$	5,422		$	19,126		$	18,406
	Transportation Europe & ROW	12,675			5,079			32,360			21,075
	Industrial Energy Americas	5,529			585			9,233			1,977
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	5,991			2,809			12,243			6,406
	Unallocated corporate expenses	1,254			1,219			3,974			3,514
		$	30,968		$	15,114		$	76,936		$	51,378
	(a) See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o2

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Details Textual) (Details) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	Jan. 07, 2015
Subsequent Event
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Convertible notes	$175,000,000
Backstopped amount	$160,000,000

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o3

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Reorganization Items) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Professional fees	$18,391	$16,998	$55,765	$60,243
Write off debt financing costs/other	0	0	0	12,301
Other direct costs	0	0	0	3,399
Total	$18,391	$16,998	$55,765	$75,943

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o4

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Liabilities Subject to Compromise) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Debt	$817,968	$788,376
Accrued interest	27,532	10,515
Accounts payable	75,714	72,275
Retirement obligations	52,861	52,864
Restructuring reserve	5,594	7,274
Other accrued liabilities	18,648	19,339
Total	$998,317	$950,643

Debtors_Financial_Statements_S

Debtor's Financial Statements (Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$692,568		$759,666		$1,999,128		$2,139,710
Cost of sales	603,214		649,642		1,744,731		1,856,913
Gross profit	89,354		110,024		254,397		282,797
Selling and administrative expenses	85,523		94,668		269,074		275,532
Restructuring and impairments, net	278	[1]	3,329	[1]	17,910	[1]	14,653	[1]
Operating income (loss)	3,553		12,027		-32,587		-7,388
Other (income) expense, net	11,992		-3,648		28,704		-5,990
Interest expense, net	33,443		31,810		104,550		83,694
Loss before reorganization items, net	-41,882		-16,135		-165,841		-85,092
Reorganization items, net	18,391		16,998		55,765		75,943
Loss before income taxes	-60,273		-33,133		-221,606		-161,035
Income tax provision	3,007		1,344		9,377		4,628
Net loss	-63,280		-34,477		-230,983		-165,663
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	253,290		266,612		764,612		850,442
Cost of sales	228,790		230,420		691,378		748,340
Gross profit	24,500		36,192		73,234		102,102
Selling and administrative expenses	38,248		38,005		117,474		116,711
Restructuring and impairments, net	681		-1,239		14,591		8,692
Operating income (loss)	-14,429		-574		-58,831		-23,301
Other (income) expense, net	9,545		-3,671		27,394		-32,359
Loss (gain) in net earnings of subsidiaries	-7,292		-6,224		-1,804		27,186
Interest expense, net	28,698		27,200		91,678		71,375
Loss before reorganization items, net	-45,380		-17,879		-176,099		-89,503
Reorganization items, net	18,145		16,783		54,869		74,248
Loss before income taxes	-63,525		-34,662		-230,968		-163,751
Income tax provision	0		30		0		2,248
Net loss	($63,525)		($34,692)		($230,968)		($165,999)
[1]	See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Debtors_Financial_Statements_B

Debtor's Financial Statements (Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$54,979	$103,711	$104,289	$88,336
Accounts receivable, net	454,871	495,447
Inventories	488,895	483,218
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	43,044	47,874
Total current assets	1,056,530	1,146,589
Property, plant and equipment, net	544,378	576,412
Other noncurrent assets	106,847	50,670
Total assets	1,920,559	2,032,788
Current maturities of long-term debt	484,465	288,386
Total current liabilities	1,000,635	829,611
Other noncurrent liabilities	58,370	64,493
Liabilities not subject to compromise	1,227,824	1,101,661
Liabilities subject to compromise	998,317	950,643
Total Debtor's deficit	-305,582	-19,516
Total liabilities and Debtors' equity	1,920,559	2,032,788
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	4,333	17,349	26,419		11,259
Accounts receivable, net	98,120	133,384
Non-Debtor receivables	47,637	40,550
Inventories	201,588	196,129
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,558	37,594
Total current assets	379,236	425,006
Property, plant and equipment, net	231,003	228,297
Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries	350,962	400,048
Non-Debtor loans	239,247	240,505
Other noncurrent assets	135,607	84,734
Total other assets	725,816	725,287
Total assets	1,336,055	1,378,590
Current maturities of long-term debt	483,783	284,625
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	113,070	110,812
Total current liabilities	596,853	395,437
Other noncurrent liabilities	55,236	60,442
Liabilities not subject to compromise	652,089	455,879
Liabilities subject to compromise	998,317	950,643
Total Debtor's deficit	-314,351	-27,932
Total liabilities and Debtors' equity	$1,336,055	$1,378,590

Debtors_Financial_Statements_C

Debtor's Financial Statements (Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	($150,621)	($199,493)
Capital expenditures	-76,936	-51,378
Proceeds from asset sales	7,624	4,191
Net cash used in investing activities	-69,312	-43,726
Increase in other debt	196,240	270,009
Financing fees and other	-16,057	-29,221
Net cash provided by financing activities	177,109	225,792
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-48,732	-15,953
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	103,711	104,289
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	54,979
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	-164,857	-259,895
Capital expenditures	-28,287	-21,808
Proceeds from asset sales	27	111
Net cash used in investing activities	-28,260	-21,697
Increase in other debt	196,173	295,653
Financing fees and other	-16,072	-29,221
Net cash provided by financing activities	180,101	266,432
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-13,016	-15,160
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,349	26,419
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$4,333	$11,259

Stockholders_Deficit_Details

Stockholders' Deficit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of Stockholder's equity
Beginning Balance			($19,516)
Net loss	-63,280	-34,477	-230,983	-165,663
Defined benefit plans, net of tax of $349	1,216	80	3,188	-338
Translation adjustment	-22,343	5,422	-59,382	24,977
Common stock issuance/other			358
Stock compensation			753
Ending Balance	-305,582		-305,582
Defined benefit plans, tax			349
Common Stock
Components of Stockholder's equity
Beginning Balance			791
Common stock issuance/other			-11
Ending Balance	780		780
Additional Paid-in Capital
Components of Stockholder's equity
Beginning Balance			1,139,850
Common stock issuance/other			-1
Stock compensation			753
Ending Balance	1,140,602		1,140,602
Accumulated Deficit
Components of Stockholder's equity
Beginning Balance			-1,157,124
Net loss			-230,968
Ending Balance	-1,388,092		-1,388,092
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Components of Stockholder's equity
Beginning Balance			-11,449
Defined benefit plans, net of tax of $349			3,188
Translation adjustment			-59,380
Ending Balance	-67,641		-67,641
Noncontrolling Interests
Components of Stockholder's equity
Beginning Balance			8,416
Net loss			-15
Defined benefit plans, net of tax of $349
Translation adjustment			-2
Common stock issuance/other			370
Stock compensation
Ending Balance	$8,769		$8,769

Stockholders_Deficit_AOCI_Deta

Stockholders' Deficit (AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	($11,449)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-58,343
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,151
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)	-56,192
Ending Balance	-67,641
Defined Benefit Plans
Accumulated Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	-71,417	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,037	[1]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,151	[1]
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)	3,188	[1]
Ending Balance	-68,229	[1]
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	59,968
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-59,380
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)	-59,380
Ending Balance	$588
[1]	See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net_D

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets
Gross amount, Total	$193,520	$210,467
Accumulated amortization, Total	-67,303	-68,086
Intangibles, Net	6,400
Goodwill and intangible assets, Net Total	126,217	142,381
Trademarks and Tradenames (subject to amortization)
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets
Intangibles, Gross amount	12,849	13,996
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	-10,770	-10,961
Intangibles, Net	2,079	3,035
Customer Relationships
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets
Intangibles, Gross amount	99,399	107,993
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	-43,915	-44,349
Intangibles, Net	55,484	63,644
Technology
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets
Intangibles, Gross amount	23,908	26,030
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	-12,618	-12,776
Intangibles, Net	11,290	13,254
Goodwill (not subject to amortization)
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill, Gross amount	876	916
Goodwill, Net	876	916
Trademarks and Tradenames (not subject to amortization)
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets
Intangibles, Gross amount	56,488	61,532
Intangibles, Net	$56,488	$61,532

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net_D1

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	$5	$5.10
Anticipated amortization of intangible assets	$6.40

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of Inventories, valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method
Raw materials	$97,824	$94,694
Work-in-process	116,524	115,731
Finished goods	274,547	272,793
Total	$488,895	$483,218

Other_Noncurrent_Assets_Detail

Other Noncurrent Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other noncurrent assets
Deposits	$68,306	[1]	$4,040	[1]
Deferred financing costs	6,336		14,773
Investment in affiliates	671		549
Capitalized software, net	2,791		3,864
Retirement plans	18,637		14,941
Other	10,106		12,503
Total	$106,847		$50,670
[1]	Deposits principally represent amounts held by beneficiaries as cash collateral for the Company’s contingent obligations with respect to certain environmental matters, workers' compensation insurance, and operating lease commitments.

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total long-term debt
DIP Credit Facility	$484,435	$284,625
Other loans including capital lease obligations	13,780	19,294
Total debt	498,215	303,919
Current maturities	-484,465	-288,386
Total long-term debt	$13,750	$15,533

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

28-May-14

Jul. 24, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Oct. 09, 2014

Jul. 12, 2013

Oct. 09, 2014

Jul. 12, 2013

Jul. 12, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

28-May-14

28-May-14

Jul. 24, 2013

Jul. 24, 2013

Jul. 12, 2013

28-May-14

Jun. 27, 2014

Jul. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility, Denominated in US Dollars

Revolving Credit Facility, Denominated in US Dollars and Euros

Unused Revolving Credit Facility

Term Loan

Term Loan

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Letter of Credit

Letter of Credit

Commitment Letter

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Unrestricted Cash

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility

Unused Revolving Credit Facility

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Short-term borrowings

$2,690,000

$2,690,000

$4,058,000

Renewable period of borrowing facilities

1 year

Interest rate description on borrowings

interest at current local market rates

Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings

8.20%

8.20%

7.10%

Total debt

500,900,000

500,900,000

308,000,000

DIP, amount arranged

90,000,000

535,000,000

535,000,000

200,000,000

200,000,000

225,000,000

50,000,000

98,000,000

102,000,000

335,000,000

100,000,000

25,000,000

75,000,000

25,000,000

85,000,000

60,000,000

DIP, increases to amount arranged

$120,000,000

$2,500,000

$90,000,000

$65,000,000

$36,000,000

$75,000,000

DIP, EBITDA exceeding the DIP budget

110.00%

DIP amount arranged, basis spread

4.00%

4.50%

DIP financing, Fee on Unused Borrowings

1.00%

1.50%

One-time duration fee

0.50%

Debtor-in-Possession Financing, Monthly Facility Fee Percentage

0.08%

DIP amount arranged, stated percentage

9.00%

Percentage pledge of equity interests

100.00%

Interest_Expense_Net_Details

Interest Expense, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest Expense [Abstract]
Interest income included in interest expense, net	$0.10	$0.30	$0.30	$0.70

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Detai

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Components of other expense, net
Currency remeasurement (gain) loss	$11,994	[1]	($3,509)	[1]	$28,821	[1]	($4,843)	[1]
Other	-2		-139		-117		-1,147
Total	$11,992		($3,648)		$28,704		($5,990)
[1]	The currency remeasurement (gain) loss related primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in euros.

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Benefits
Components of the Company's net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs
Service cost	$482	$568	$1,530	$1,681
Interest cost	6,971	7,173	21,372	21,344
Expected return on plan assets	-7,680	-7,603	-23,343	-22,663
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	15	16	48	48
Actuarial loss	714	782	2,211	2,342
Net periodic benefit cost	502	936	1,818	2,752
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Components of the Company's net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs
Service cost	187	189	579	572
Interest cost	204	245	624	740
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	-123	-122	-369	-367
Actuarial loss	87	169	261	508
Net periodic benefit cost	$355	$481	$1,095	$1,453

Employee_Benefits_Details_Text

Employee Benefits (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Aggregate payments	$14
Pension Benefits
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Estimated fiscal 2015 other post-retirement contributions	17.3
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Estimated fiscal 2015 other post-retirement contributions	$1.70

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended					60 Months Ended	108 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 24, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 21, 2014	Nov. 09, 2014	Nov. 06, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Nov. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2014
	plaintiff	site
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs	400
Number of federally defined Superfund sites		50
Intended to disclose environmental remediation cost liability		$22.80								$25.50
Expected cost for remediation, Minimum to Tampa, Florida		10
Expected cost for remediation, Maximum to Tampa, Florida		14
Costs for supplemental investigations, remediation and site closure, Minimum to Columbus, Georgia		6
Costs for supplemental investigations, remediation and site closure, Maximum to Columbus, Georgia		8.5
Outstanding letters of credit, face value		0.8
Surety bonds, face value		47.8
Bank guarantees outstanding		9.8
Damage from Hazard
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits filed	6
Damage from Hazard | SCAQMD | Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value		40
Damage from Hazard | SCAQMD | Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value		60
Damage from Hazard | TCEQ
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value		0.1
Damage from Hazard | EPA
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value		0.1
Negligence, negligence per se, private /public permanent/continuing nuisance causing special injury, private and public trespass, violation of California’s unfair trade practices act, misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment, and absolute liability for ultra-hazardous activity
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits filed	5
Wrongful Death, Survival Actions, and Loss of Consortium
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits filed	1
Hazardous Waste, Possible Closure of Recycling Facility, Vernon California | Pending Litigation | DTSC
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount committed					38.7
Amount Offset by Bond					11.1
Amount paid			3			0.5
Total installments					24.8
Period of repayment						10 years
Site Contingency, Maximum Period of Annual Payments to Corrective Actions Remediation Trust Fund						10 years
Site Contingency, Settlement Payment Due Within Three Days of Stipulation and Order Becoming Effective				1.3
Site Contingency, First Installment Payment Amount			2.3
Site Contingency, Implementation Period for Potential Industrial Corrective Measures						5 years
Hazardous Waste, Possible Closure of Recycling Facility, Vernon California | Pending Litigation | Bankruptcy Case - DTSC Prepetition Oversight Costs
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Bankruptcy claims					0.1
Hazardous Waste, Possible Closure of Recycling Facility, Vernon California | Pending Litigation | Bankruptcy Case - California Environmental Quality Act Compliance Costs
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Bankruptcy claims					0.6
Scenario, Forecast | Hazardous Waste, Possible Closure of Recycling Facility, Vernon California | Pending Litigation | DTSC
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount paid							2.8
Annual payment									2.1
Maximum amount to be paid								$9
Site Contingency, Period of Remediation Actions								5 years

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	-5.00%	-4.10%	-4.20%	-2.90%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$33.20		$33.20		$36.10
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	28.6		28.6
Income tax penalties and interest accrued	1		1		1
Removal of uncertain tax benefit would affect forecasted annual effective tax	$0.10		$0.10

Restructuring_and_Impairments_2

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
		Position
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$4,419
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated		42
Gain on Asset Sales / Impairments, net	13,491
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	2,208
Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$2,211

Restructuring_and_Impairments_3

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance					$14,635
Expenses					4,419
Payments and currency translation					-10,624
Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise					-5,594
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	2,836				2,836
Gain on Asset Sales / Impairments, net					13,491
Total Restructuring / Impairments, net	278	[1]	3,329	[1]	17,910	[1]	14,653	[1]
Severance Costs
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance					7,921
Expenses					2,208
Payments and currency translation					-8,246
Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise					-241
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,642				1,642
Closure Costs
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance					6,714
Expenses					2,211
Payments and currency translation					-2,378
Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise					-5,353
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$1,194				$1,194
[1]	See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Restructuring_and_Impairments_4

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment
Total Restructuring/Impairments, net	$278	[1]	$3,329	[1]	$17,910	[1]	$14,653	[1]
Transportation Americas
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment
Total Restructuring/Impairments, net	635		-1,306		14,497		7,973
Transportation Europe & ROW
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment
Total Restructuring/Impairments, net	60		3,160		230		877
Industrial Energy Americas
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment
Total Restructuring/Impairments, net	256		77		364		233
Industrial Energy Europe & ROW
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment
Total Restructuring/Impairments, net	-673		1,258		2,814		4,917
Unallocated corporate
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment
Total Restructuring/Impairments, net	$0		$140		$5		$653
[1]	See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loss_Per_Share_Details

Loss Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total	4,363	5,815
Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total	3,198	3,697
Employee stock options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total	1,003	1,649
Restricted stock awards (non-vested)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total	162	469

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value | Commodity swap / forward
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	($1,293)	[1]	($1,709)	[1]
Carrying Value | Senior Secured Notes
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt	-766,058	[2]	-734,474	[2]
Carrying Value | Convertible senior subordinated notes
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt	-51,900	[2]	-51,900	[2]
Estimated Fair Value | Commodity swap / forward
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	-1,293	[1]	-1,709	[1]
Estimated Fair Value | Senior Secured Notes
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt	-38,305	[2]	-560,955	[2]
Estimated Fair Value | Convertible senior subordinated notes
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Debt	($519)	[2]	($12,988)	[2]
[1]	These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:
[2]	Classified as liabilities subject to compromise

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (Commodity swap / forward, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Recurring | Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	$0		$0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	-1,293		-1,709
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	0		0
Total Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	-1,293	[1]	-1,709	[1]
Total Fair Value Measurement | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	($1,293)		($1,709)
[1]	These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
					Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments					4
Net sales
Net sales	$692,568		$759,666		$1,999,128		$2,139,710
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	3,831		15,356		-14,677		7,265
Restructuring and impairments, net	278	[1]	3,329	[1]	17,910	[1]	14,653	[1]
Total operating income (loss)	3,553		12,027		-32,587		-7,388
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization	19,322		20,202		58,785		60,129
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	30,968		15,114		76,936		51,378
Transportation Americas
Net sales
Net sales	179,066		189,515		497,722		564,959
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	-10,242		-280		-39,521		-21,344
Restructuring and impairments, net	635		-1,306		14,497		7,973
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization	6,305		6,186		17,670		19,346
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	5,519		5,422		19,126		18,406
Transportation Europe & ROW
Net sales
Net sales	243,255		283,663		657,707		689,832
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	10,296		15,986		16,751		15,957
Restructuring and impairments, net	60		3,160		230		877
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization	5,441		5,466		17,084		15,667
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	12,675		5,079		32,360		21,075
Industrial Energy Americas
Net sales
Net sales	71,526		75,375		256,495		281,734
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	4,159		4,785		14,921		22,486
Restructuring and impairments, net	256		77		364		233
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization	2,726		2,869		7,955		8,732
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	5,529		585		9,233		1,977
Industrial Energy Europe & ROW
Net sales
Net sales	198,721		211,113		587,204		603,185
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	7,337		4,880		16,495		15,130
Restructuring and impairments, net	-673		1,258		2,814		4,917
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization	3,870		4,574		12,422		13,104
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	5,991		2,809		12,243		6,406
Unallocated corporate expenses
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	-7,719		-10,015		-23,323		-24,964
Restructuring and impairments, net	0		140		5		653
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization	980		1,107		3,654		3,280
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures	$1,254		$1,219		$3,974		$3,514
[1]	See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Services Agreement, Management, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Services Agreement | Management
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Maximum success fee			$1.80
Expenses from transactions with related party	$4.50	$6.50	$15.80	$18.10