Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 Fyfe LA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Fyfe Asia [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Hockway [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Fyfe NA [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 16,756	$ 19,087
Loss from discontinued operations	5,898	447
	22,654	19,534
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,169	19,486
Gain on sale of fixed assets	(793)	(33)
Equity-based compensation expense	3,973	4,010
Deferred income taxes	(2,836)	454
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(2,212)	(2,387)
Gain on sale of interests in German joint venture	(11,771)
Loss on foreign currency transactions	1,571	269
Other	1,926	807
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Restricted cash	(16)	(269)
Return on equity of affiliated companies	2,269	3,401
Receivables net, retainage and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	(2,263)	12,082
Inventories	(6,135)	(5,010)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,407)	1,848
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(4,357)	(7,913)
Other operating	148	(227)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	16,920	46,052
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations	(8,859)	953
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,061	47,005
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(13,121)	(21,308)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	1,637	2,849
Patent expenditures	(359)	(346)
Sale of interests in German joint venture	18,300
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired			(3,048)	(39,415)	1,048	(532)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations	6,457	(60,752)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations	774	(564)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	7,231	(61,316)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon stock option exercises, including tax effects	901	618
Repurchase of common stock	(15,822)	(6,264)
Investments from noncontrolling interests		4,939
Payment of earnout related to acquistion of CRTS, Inc.	(2,112)
Proceeds on notes payable	1,409	2,850
Principal payments on notes payable		(713)
Proceeds from line of credit		26,000
Proceeds from long-term debt		976
Principal payments on long-term debt	(12,500)	(12,500)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(28,124)	15,906
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,612)	(999)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period	(15,444)	596
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	133,676	106,129
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 118,232	$ 106,725