Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 42,069	$ 122	$ 287,048		$ (246,471)	$ 1,370
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		12,152,000
Options exercised and restricted shares granted	33		33
Options exercised and restricted shares granted, shares		34,000
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (8,579)			$ (8,579)
Purchase of treasury stock, shares				(1,411,000)
Restricted shares granted, shares	23,562
Share based compensation expense	$ 607		607
Share based compensation expense, shares		0		0
Dividends on preferred stock	(28)		(28)
Translation adjustment	(1,433)					(1,433)
Net income (loss)	4,656				4,656
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	37,325	$ 122	287,660	$ (8,579)	(241,815)	(63)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		12,186,000		(1,411,000)
Options exercised and restricted shares granted	$ 60		82	$ (22)
Options exercised and restricted shares granted, shares		29,000		(2,000)
Restricted shares granted, shares	13,106
Share based compensation expense	$ 1,750		1,750
Dividends on preferred stock	(28)		(28)
Translation adjustment	(1,099)					(1,099)
Net income (loss)	(1,496)				(1,496)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 36,512	$ 122	289,464	$ (8,601)	(243,311)	(1,162)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		12,215,000		(1,413,000)
Restricted shares granted		$ 1	(1)
Restricted shares granted, shares	42,203	42,000
Share based compensation expense	$ 1,201		1,201
Dividends on preferred stock	(28)		(28)
Translation adjustment	(3,866)					(3,866)
Net income (loss)	5,951				5,951
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 39,770	$ 123	$ 290,636	$ (8,601)	$ (237,360)	$ (5,028)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		12,257,000		(1,413,000)