Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Number of Reportable Segments	2
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable (in Dollars)	$ 2,781	$ 2,883
Provision for Doubtful Accounts (in Dollars)	322	1,125	3,031
LIFO Inventory Amount (in Dollars)	$ 46,711
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	16.10%
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	five years
Engineered Products [Member]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net, Percentage	1.30%	1.00%
Steel Requirements [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	39.00%	49.00%	37.00%
Largest Customer [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	4.00%	4.00%	5.00%
Three Largest US Automobile Manufacturers [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	8.40%	9.90%	12.30%
Other Steel Service Centers [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	7.60%	9.00%	10.70%
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	two years
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	30 years
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	31.00%	32.00%	34.00%