Debt 5 year repayment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total due next fiscal year					$ 5,419
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter						0
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations						138
Total debt						42,022	37,418
Repayments of Debt	328	1,706	1,715	2,302	2,729
Capital Lease Obligations						2,584	1,831
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months						607
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years without interest						593
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years						616
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years						630
Repayments of First Mortgage Bond	3,598	408	389	370	357
Foreign line of credit						2,529	1,526
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months						1,726
Repayments of Lines of Credit	0	0	0	0
Loans Payable						10,608	4,797
Mortgage notes						12,312	11,012
Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	4,064	16,733	2,720	3,265
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five						9,821
UNITED STATES
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line						13,989	18,252
Repayments of Lines of Credit	0		0	0	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five						0
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five						7,190
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five						803
Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five						$ 1,828