CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Sales	$ 807,005	$ 656,202	$ 583,226
Cost of sales	575,169	467,807	431,812
Gross profit	231,836	188,395	151,414
Selling, general and administrative expense	176,351	151,304	147,795
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	0	0	52,951
Operating income (loss)	55,485	37,091	(49,332)
Other income	28	249	95
Interest expense	(3,518)	(5,208)	(5,245)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	51,995	32,132	(54,482)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	20,558	12,751	(12,070)
Net income (loss)	31,437	19,381	(42,412)
Preferred stock dividend	(90)	(90)	(90)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	31,347	19,291	(42,502)
Net income (loss)	31,437	19,381	(42,412)
Gain from interest rate swap, net of income taxes	0	26	695
Gain on long-term investment, net of income taxes	64	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 31,501	$ 19,407	$ (41,717)
Per share and share amounts
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.19	$ 1.40	$ (3.24)
Common shares outstanding (in shares)	14,301	13,821	13,117
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.08	$ 1.32	$ (3.24)
Common and common equivalent shares (in shares)	15,141	14,821	13,117