Note 15 - Segment Reporting Information by Revenue (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Carbon Flat Products [Member]
Net sales
Sales	$ 765,400,000		$ 985,039,000
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	12,200,000		14,250,000
Operating income
Operating Income	(7,217,000)		6,306,000
Specialty Metal Flat Products [Member]
Net sales
Sales	192,516,000		206,692,000			[1]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	698,000		805,000			[1]
Operating income
Operating Income	(1,074,000)		6,109,000			[1]
Carbon Flat Products and Specialty Metals Flat Products [Member]
Net sales
Sales	957,916,000		1,191,731,000		$ 1,026,769,000	[1]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	12,898,000		15,055,000		16,883,000	[1]
Operating income
Operating Income	(8,291,000)		12,415,000		12,106,000	[1]
Tubular And Pipe Products [Member]
Net sales
Sales	217,627,000		244,539,000		236,562,000	[1]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	6,036,000		5,624,000		5,308,000	[1]
Operating income
Operating Income	12,583,000		10,185,000		14,981,000	[1]
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment (b)	(24,451,000)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	102,000		101,000		50,000	[1]
Operating income
Operating Income	(7,120,000)		(7,972,000)		(7,432,000)	[1]
Sales	1,175,543,000		1,436,270,000		1,263,331,000	[1]
Depreciation and Amortization	19,036,000		20,780,000		22,241,000	[1]
Operating Income	(27,779,000)	[2]	(9,208,000)	[3]	19,655,000	[1]
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment (b)	(24,951,000)	[4]	(23,836,000)	[4]	0
Other income (loss), net	(125,000)		(126,000)		(28,000)	[1]
Income (loss) before interest and income taxes	(27,904,000)		(9,334,000)		19,627,000	[1]
Interest and other expense on debt	5,690,000		6,780,000		6,703,000	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ (33,594,000)		$ (16,114,000)		$ 12,924,000	[1]

[1] Segment information for 2013 is not available for carbon flat products and specialty metals flat products due to system limitations.

[2] Operating income (loss) includes $3,347 of LIFO income related to the Company's tubular and pipe products segment as well as a $16,451 goodwill impairment charge and a $8,000 intangible asset impairment charge recorded in the second quarter related to the Company's tubular and pipe products segment and a $500 goodwill impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter related to the specialty metals flat products segment.

[3] Operating income (loss) includes $365 of LIFO expense and a $23,836 goodwill impairment charge related to the Company's tubular and pipe products segment recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

[4] $24,451 of the goodwill and intangible asset impairment in 2015 related to the tubular and pipe products segment, $500 related to the specialty metals flat products segment. The goodwill impairment in 2014 related to the tubular and pipe products segment.