Note 3 - Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

3.      SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s strategic business units are based on product lines and compromise three reportable segments: carbon fibers, technical fibers and corporate/other products. The carbon fibers segment manufactures commercial carbon fibers used as reinforcement material in composites and related products, including prepregs and equipment used to manufacture composite products. The technical fibers segment manufactures oxidized acrylic fibers and specialty carbon fibers used to manufacture aircraft brake pads and for heat/fire barrier applications. These two segments also facilitate development of product and process applications to increase the demand for carbon fibers and technical fibers. The carbon fibers and technical fibers segments’ production facilities are located geographically in the United States, Hungary and Mexico. The remaining business represented in the corporate/other products segment relates to water treatment and electrical services provided by the Hungarian operations and costs associated with the corporate headquarters. Management evaluates the performance of its segments on the basis of operating income (loss) contribution. The following tables present financial information on the Company’s segments as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, and for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):

	Three months ended December 31, 2013
	Carbon Fibers		Technical Fibers		Corporate/ Other			Total
Net sales	$	26,763	$	7,995	$	365		$	35,123
Cost of sales		23,555		5,949		338			29,842
Gross profit		3,208		2,046		27			5,281
Operating income (loss)		1,600		1,955		(3,960	)		(405	)
Depreciation		4,162		502		361			5,025
Capital expenditures		914		125		921			1,960

	Three months ended December 31, 2012
	Carbon Fibers		Technical Fibers		Corporate/ Other			Total
Net sales	$	28,715	$	6,590	$	572		$	35,877
Cost of sales		22,178		4,139		483			26,800
Gross profit		6,537		2,451		89			9,077
Operating income (loss)		4,571		2,346		(3,268	)		3,649
Depreciation		4,167		370		121			4,658
Capital expenditures		851		1,769		287			2,907

	Total Assets
	Carbon Fibers		Technical Fibers		Corporate/ Other		Total
December 31, 2013	$	252,579	$	45,597	$	57,875	$	356,051
September 30, 2013	$	288,544	$	44,946	$	19,375	$	352,865