Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, value	$ 150,000	$ 150,000
Treasury stock, value	(5,100,000)	(5,100,000)
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, value		120,000
Common Treasury Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Treasury stock, value	(12,900,000)	(12,900,000)
Cash and equivalents	105,577,000	52,456,000
Trade receivables - net	61,046,000	59,951,000
Inventories	47,922,000	42,924,000
Deferred income taxes net	4,454,000	4,348,000
Prepaid and other assets	4,672,000	8,050,000
Total current assets	223,671,000	167,729,000
Property, plant and equipment - net	61,932,000	60,182,000
Goodwill	13,145,000	13,145,000
Intangible assets	1,615,000	1,615,000
Other assets	5,135,000	5,079,000
Total assets	305,498,000	247,750,000
Accounts payable	49,391,000	44,896,000
Accrued liabilities	26,195,000	21,257,000
Income taxes payable	28,000	98,000
Total current liabilities	75,614,000	66,251,000
Long-term debt		10,000,000
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities – net	14,474,000	15,245,000
Other liabilities	9,258,000	8,472,000
Common stock	506,000	504,000
Additional paid-in capital	34,570,000	37,759,000
Retained earnings	190,733,000	129,773,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,807,000)	(2,524,000)
Total shareholders' equity	206,152,000	147,782,000
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 305,498,000	$ 247,750,000