SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Inventories
Raw materials	$ 16,079	$ 15,526
Work-in-process	12,133	10,511
Finished goods	19,155	15,947
Supplies	953	1,234
Total inventory	48,320	43,218
Currency swap agreement | Market exchange rate dropped below 1.25 prior to settlement
Foreign Operations and Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Exchange rate (in dollars per euro)		1.425
Threshold market exchange rate prior to settlement, below which stated exchange rate is used regardless of settlement date market rate (in dollars per euro)		1.25
Currency swap agreement | DYNAenergetics
Foreign Operations and Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Notional amount of derivative				2,500	2,700
Exchange rate (in dollars per euro)					1.269
Gain on derivative not designated as hedging for accounting purposes recorded in statement of operations	$ 0	$ 87	$ 118
Currency swap agreement | DYNAenergetics | Maximum
Foreign Operations and Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Market exchange rate at the time of settlement (in dollars per euro)	1.425
Currency swap agreement | DYNAenergetics | Maximum | Market exchange rate under 1.25
Foreign Operations and Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Exchange rate (in dollars per euro)		1.425
Market exchange rate at the time of settlement (in dollars per euro)		1.25
Currency swap agreement | DYNAenergetics | Minimum
Foreign Operations and Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Market exchange rate at the time of settlement (in dollars per euro)	1.25
Currency swap agreement | DYNAenergetics | Minimum | Market exchange rate above 1.425
Foreign Operations and Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Exchange rate (in dollars per euro)		1.425
Market exchange rate at the time of settlement (in dollars per euro)		1.425