Sales to Major Customers (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Boeing
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	$ 125,598		$ 112,071	[1]	$ 107,466	[1]
Raytheon Company
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	53,639		50,567	[1]	48,198	[1]
Spirit Aerosystems
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	40,409		28,590	[1]	26,141	[1]
Owens Illinois
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	33,669	[2]	22,796	[1],[2]
U S Government
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	30,719		19,261	[1]	16,875	[1]
Schlumberger Ltd
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Sales	$ 30,375	[3]	$ 20,974	[1],[3]

[1] Net sales to United Technologies in 2012 did not meet our reporting threshold but were $29.8 million and $30.7 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

[2] Net sales to Owens-Illinois began in 2011 due to the LaBarge Acquisition.

[3] Net sales to Schlumberger began in 2011 due to the LaBarge Acquisition.