Description of the Business

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Description of the Business [Abstract]

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

Argan, Inc. (“Argan”) conducts continuing operations through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Gemma Power Systems, LLC and affiliates (“GPS”), which provide the substantial portion of consolidated net revenues, and Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (“SMC”). Argan and these consolidated subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the “Company.” Through GPS, the Company provides a full range of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, maintenance and consulting services to the power generation and renewable energy markets for a wide range of customers including public utilities and independent power project owners. The Company determined that GPS is the primary beneficiary of two variable interest entities that were formed during the year ended January 31, 2012, for the purpose of developing a pair of gas-fired power plants. The combination of GPS and the variable interest entities represent our power industry services business segment. Through SMC, the services of the telecommunications infrastructure services segment include project management, construction, installation and maintenance provided to commercial, local government and federal government customers primarily in the mid-Atlantic region. Argan has presented the operations of Vitarich Laboratories, Inc. (“VLI”) as discontinued operations for the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2011 as discussed in Note 5 below.