Industry Segments - Schedule of reporting information by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 151,205	$ 156,348
Operating Income	1,129	6,716
Interest expense, net	(2,019)	(2,702)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(890)	4,014
Identifiable Assets	429,607		$ 428,791
Operating Segments | Material Handling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	109,024	112,280
Operating Income	7,441	13,407
Identifiable Assets	333,721		335,506
Operating Segments | Distribution
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	42,221	44,105
Operating Income	2,536	3,491
Identifiable Assets	61,953		58,772
Inter-company sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(40)	(37)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	(8,848)	$ (10,182)
Identifiable Assets	$ 33,933		$ 34,513