COVID-19 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has yet to be realized as of the date of this report. There is substantial uncertainty as to the overall effect the pandemic will have on the results of the Company for the rest of 2020 and beyond. Various events related to COVID-19 have resulted in lost revenue to our Company, limitations on our ability to source high demand products, limitations on our sales force to perform certain functions due to state or federal stay-at-home orders, slow-down of customer demand for our products and limitations of some customers to pay us on a timely basis. On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company has elected to defer the employer side social security payments in accordance with the CARES Act. The Company is currently evaluating how these provisions in the CARES Act will impact its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In the first quarter of 2020, the government of the state of Illinois defined essential businesses, allowing Lawson to operate during the pandemic. A change in this status could result in the temporary closure of our business. Additionally the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a temporary closure of any or all of our distribution facilities or the Bolt branch locations, which would negatively impact our operations. Other disruptions to our supply chain such as reduced capacity or temporary shutdowns of freight carriers could also negatively impact Company performance. The pandemic is negatively impacting sales and operations currently and may negatively impact future financial results, liquidity and overall performance of the Company. Additionally, it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the financial statements may be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of these conditions, including delay in payment of receivables, impairment losses related to goodwill and other long-lived assets, and inability to utilize deferred tax assets. The Lawson MRO business model relies upon customer interaction as well as a consistent schedule of onsite visits by our sales reps to customer locations. The Bolt business model relies on foot traffic in its branch locations. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as social distancing guidelines and government mandated shelter in place orders, have negatively impacted our business. The Company has taken several steps to mitigate the potential negative impacts of COVID-19. Lawson sales representatives continue to reach out to all customers with a portion via phone, fax and internet-based communications. Bolt branches remain open and are offering curbside pickup for customer orders to maintain social distancing. Our sales team and finance team continue to monitor our customers' liquidity and receivables balances, as well as monitor customers who have reduced hours of operation or have shut down temporarily. Management continues to be in contact with current suppliers and is reaching out to additional suppliers to ensure that orders for inventory are fulfilled in a timely manner. The Company continues to monitor its balance sheet and liquidity position and is taking actions to protect cash flows from operations. At March 31, 2020, the Company had $4.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and an additional $87.5 million of borrowing capacity under its committed credit facility and a similar amount available as of the date of this report. During April 2020, the Company has taken numerous actions, including, but not limited to furloughing approximately 100 employees, reducing salaries, canceling travel and award trips, consolidating its Suwanee distribution center operations into the McCook facility, and eliminating non-critical capital expenditures. The Company is closely monitoring the operating environment and will take all necessary actions to ensure safety for our employees, customers and suppliers while continuing to meet its working capital needs and remain in compliance with its debt covenants.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has yet to be realized as of the date of this report. There is substantial uncertainty as to the overall effect the pandemic will have on the results of the Company for the rest of 2020 and beyond. Various events related to COVID-19 have resulted in lost revenue to our Company, limitations on our ability to source high demand products, limitations on our sales force to perform certain functions due to state or federal stay-at-home orders, slow-down of customer demand for our products and limitations of some customers to pay us on a timely basis.

On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company has elected to defer the employer side social security payments in accordance with the CARES Act. The Company is currently evaluating how these provisions in the CARES Act will impact its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In the first quarter of 2020, the government of the state of Illinois defined essential businesses, allowing Lawson to operate during the pandemic. A change in this status could result in the temporary closure of our business. Additionally the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a temporary closure of any or all of our distribution facilities or the Bolt branch locations, which would negatively impact our operations. Other disruptions to our supply chain such as reduced capacity or temporary shutdowns of freight carriers could also negatively impact Company performance. The pandemic is negatively impacting sales and operations currently and may negatively impact future financial results, liquidity and overall performance of the Company. Additionally, it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the financial statements may be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of these conditions, including delay in payment of receivables, impairment losses related to goodwill and other long-lived assets, and inability to utilize deferred tax assets.

The Lawson MRO business model relies upon customer interaction as well as a consistent schedule of onsite visits by our sales reps to customer locations. The Bolt business model relies on foot traffic in its branch locations. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as social distancing guidelines and government mandated shelter in place orders, have negatively impacted our business.

The Company has taken several steps to mitigate the potential negative impacts of COVID-19. Lawson sales representatives continue to reach out to all customers with a portion via phone, fax and internet-based communications. Bolt branches remain open and are offering curbside pickup for customer orders to maintain social distancing. Our sales team and finance team continue to monitor our customers' liquidity and receivables balances, as well as monitor customers who have reduced hours of operation or have shut down temporarily. Management continues to be in contact with current suppliers and is reaching out to additional suppliers to ensure that orders for inventory are fulfilled in a timely manner.

The Company continues to monitor its balance sheet and liquidity position and is taking actions to protect cash flows from operations. At March 31, 2020, the Company had $4.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and an additional $87.5 million of borrowing capacity under its committed credit facility and a similar amount available as of the date of this report. During April 2020, the Company has taken numerous actions, including, but not limited to furloughing approximately 100 employees, reducing salaries, canceling travel and award trips, consolidating its Suwanee distribution center operations into the McCook facility, and eliminating non-critical capital expenditures.

The Company is closely monitoring the operating environment and will take all necessary actions to ensure safety for our employees, customers and suppliers while continuing to meet its working capital needs and remain in compliance with its debt covenants.