Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 583,290	$ 597,263	$ 591,945
Cost of products sold	402,242	423,032	434,227
Gross profit	181,048	174,231	157,718
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Selling expenses	68,963	65,608	64,860
General and administrative expenses	55,754	52,271	46,677
Restructuring (gain) charges, net	0	0	(1,037)
Amortization of intangibles	1,981	1,981	2,074
Income from operations	54,350	54,371	45,144
Other Income & Expenses [Abstract]
Interest and debt expense	13,492	13,757	14,214
Investment (income) loss	(1,595)	(1,546)	(1,018)
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)	1,124	(45)	316
Other income, net	(1,393)	(417)	(1,179)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	42,722	42,622	32,811
Current income tax expense (benefit):
Income tax expense (benefit)	12,301	(35,674)	6,896
Income from continuing operations	30,421	78,296	25,915
Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax & Other [Abstract]
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	0	1,052
Net income	$ 30,421	$ 78,296	$ 26,967
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Basic [Abstract]
Average basic shares outstanding	19,655	19,425	19,272
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Diluted [Abstract]
Average diluted shares outstanding	19,950	19,687	19,512
Basic income per share:
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.55	$ 4.03	$ 1.35
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.05
Basic income per share	$ 1.55	$ 4.03	$ 1.40
Diluted income per share:
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.52	$ 3.98	$ 1.33
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.05
Diluted income per share	$ 1.52	$ 3.98	$ 1.38