Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill
Goodwill	$ 730,360,000	$ 731,996,000
Omni Source - Metals Recycling/Ferrous Resources Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill	556,611,000	558,247,000
Goodwill decrease due to tax benefit related to the amortization of the component	1,600,000
The Techs - Steel Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill	142,783,000	142,783,000
Roanoke Bar Division - Steel Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill	29,041,000	29,041,000
New Millennium Building Systems - Fabrication Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill	$ 1,925,000	$ 1,925,000