Note 4 - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) - Goodwill Reconciliation (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	$ 249,888,000
Additions to goodwill through acquisitions(1)	22,100,000	[1]
Foreign currency translation	1,700,000
Goodwill at end of period(2)	273,661,000	[2]
Energy and Mining [Member]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	77,400,000
Additions to goodwill through acquisitions(1)	100,000	[1]
Foreign currency translation	600,000
Goodwill at end of period(2)	78,100,000	[2]
North American Sewer and Water Rehabilitation [Member]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	101,800,000
Foreign currency translation	100,000
Goodwill at end of period(2)	101,900,000	[2]
European Sewer and Water Rehabilitation [Member]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	21,800,000
Foreign currency translation	500,000
Goodwill at end of period(2)	22,300,000	[2]
Asia-Pacific Sewer and Water Rehabilitation [Member]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	5,700,000
Foreign currency translation	100,000
Goodwill at end of period(2)	5,800,000	[2]
Commercial and Structural [Member]
Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	43,200,000
Additions to goodwill through acquisitions(1)	22,000,000	[1]
Foreign currency translation	400,000
Goodwill at end of period(2)	$ 65,600,000	[2]

[1] During 2012, the Company initially recorded goodwill of $1.7 million and $19.3 million related to the acquisitions of Fyfe LA and Fyfe Asia, respectively. Additionally, the Company recorded decreases of $1.5 million and $0.2 million in goodwill related to the 2011 acquisitions of Hockway and Fyfe NA, respectively, and increases of $1.6 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million in goodwill related to the CRTS, Fyfe LA and Fyfe Asia acquisitions, respectively.

[2] The Company does not have any accumulated impairment charges.