Note 17 - Segment Information (Detail) - Segment Reporting Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 30, 2011
Net Sales													$ 1,383,701		$ 1,261,872	$ 805,043
Depreciation and Amortization													20,860		16,046	13,303
Operating Income	(8,182)	[1]	4,624	[1]	9,744	[1]	12,263	[1]	3,941	9,315	13,899	17,313	18,449	[1]	44,468	6,102
Asset impairment charge of joint venture real estate													36		953
Other (income) and expense, net													(83)		77
Income before financing costs and income taxes													18,496		43,438	6,102
Interest and other expense on debt													8,357		5,953	2,305
Income before income taxes													10,139		37,485	3,797
Capital Expenditures													23,373		39,487	17,846
Goodwill	40,787								47,254				40,787		47,254	7,083	47,254
Assets	705,994								707,499				705,994		707,499	429,438
Flat Products [Member]
Net Sales													1,138,063		1,143,708	805,043
Depreciation and Amortization													16,065		13,800	13,303
Operating Income													452		37,262	6,102
Capital Expenditures													17,004		38,849	17,846
Goodwill	500								7,083				500		7,083	7,083	7,083
Assets	480,487								494,179				480,487		494,179	429,438
Tubular and Pipe Products [Member]
Net Sales													245,638		118,164
Depreciation and Amortization													4,795		2,246
Operating Income													17,997		7,206
Capital Expenditures													6,369		638
Goodwill	40,287								40,171				40,287		40,171
Assets	$ 225,507								$ 213,320				$ 225,507		$ 213,320

[1] Operating income includes $6,583 of goodwill impairment charges related to the Company's flat products Southern region in the 4th quarter of 2012.