GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Assets associated with Bridgeport acquisition	Mar. 31, 2013 Assets associated with Bridgeport acquisition	Mar. 31, 2013 Assets associated with Usach acquisition	Dec. 31, 2012 Assets associated with Usach acquisition	Mar. 31, 2013 Land rights	Dec. 31, 2012 Land rights	Mar. 31, 2013 Patents	Dec. 31, 2012 Patents	Mar. 31, 2013 Technical know-how, customer list, and other	Dec. 31, 2012 Technical know-how, customer list, and other
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Gross carrying value	$ 32,274,000		$ 32,274,000
Accumulated impairment losses	(23,777,000)		(23,777,000)
Total	8,497,000		8,497,000
Amortizable intangible assets
Gross amortizable intangible assets	18,085,000		18,182,000					2,793,000	2,784,000	3,008,000	3,006,000	12,284,000	12,392,000
Accumulated amortization	(7,008,000)		(6,793,000)					(130,000)	(116,000)	(2,829,000)	(2,807,000)	(4,049,000)	(3,870,000)
Amortizable intangible assets, net	11,077,000		11,389,000
Intangible asset not subject to amortization	10,208,000		10,435,000	7,595,000	7,368,000	2,840,000	2,840,000
Intangible assets other than goodwill, net	21,285,000		21,824,000
Decrease in balance of intangible asset not subject to amortization due to the impact of foreign currency exchange				200,000
Amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets	$ 300,000	$ 200,000