Significant accounting policies Investment in joint venture (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

Investment in joint venture [Abstract]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

Investment in joint venture. In October 2009, the Company invested $5.9 million, which consisted of $2.0 million for a 49% interest and $3.9 million for a note receivable, in a Canadian joint venture with The Bayou Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation. The joint venture completed an acquisition of Garneau, Inc.'s pipe coating and insulation facility and associated assets located in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, which provides the Company the opportunity to participate in the growing oil sands market. In February 2012, the Company loaned $1.0 million to its Canadian joint venture to be used for capital expenditures.

The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. The financial results are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

	2014	2013
Share of income from joint venture	$1,960	$528

The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data:

	2014	2013
Current assets	$13,820	$13,034
Noncurrent assets	14,023	17,093
Current liabilities	4,499	2,921
Noncurrent liabilities	9,013	14,837
Equity	14,331	12,369
Revenue	40,397	29,110
Gross profit	8,451	4,748
Income from continuing operations	6,397	2,619
Net income	4,000	1,078