Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 30,211	$ 12,014	$ (9,424)
Depreciation and amortization	11,234	12,062	13,584
Deferred income taxes	10,476	6,553	977
Defined benefit pension expense (credit)	(24,388)	(4,654)	5,887
OPEB credit	(5,799)	(5,258)	(4,748)
OPEB payments	(1,139)	(1,303)	(1,347)
Bad debt expense	196	78	2,935
Impairment of inventory		303	2,821
Other, net	306	(233)	384
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(12,407)	(5,575)	(17,516)
Inventories	(17,966)	(10,051)	42,012
Accounts payable	7,640	1,117	(2,199)
Accrued environmental costs	(332)	7	(4,395)
Other accrued liabilities	6,834	3,546	(10,440)
Income taxes payable to Contran	3,769
Income taxes payable to tax authorities	2,742	2,177	(5,322)
Other, net	(1,114)	1,152	114
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,263	11,935	13,323
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(16,479)	(14,937)	(9,000)
Restricted investments, net	2	(1)	2,028
Other, net	73	110	81
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,404)	(14,828)	(6,891)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Revolving credit facility, net	5,890	15,194	9,282
Principal payments on other notes payable and long-term debt	(4)	(11,927)	(15,584)
Deferred financing costs paid	(12)	(374)	(130)
Transactions with stockholders	267
Net cash provided by(used in) financing activities	6,141	2,893	(6,432)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Net change from operations, investing and financing activities
Balance at beginning of year
Balance at end of year
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	1,088	1,631	1,462
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	$ 4,411	$ (85)	$ 1,106