Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common stock [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]	Capital in excess of stated value [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2010	$ 198,924	$ 9,482	$ (2,602)	$ (8,770)	$ 202,134	$ (1,320)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2010		31,607	8,675
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Non-cash share based compensation expense	2,553			2,553
Restricted shares issued	1,061		33	1,028
Restricted shares issued (in shares)			110
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and SSARs	0		6	(6)
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and SSARs (in shares)			23
Shares withheld for taxes upon exercise of stock options, SSARs or vesting of restricted shares	(238)		(12)	(226)
Shares withheld for taxes upon exercise of stock options, SSARs or vesting of restricted shares (in shares)			(42)
Net loss	(55,475)				(55,475)
Unrealized translation adjustment	565					565
Net actuarial gains and prior service cost on define pension plans, net of $467 in taxes	714					714
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2011	148,104	9,482	(2,575)	(5,421)	146,659	(41)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2011		(31,607)	(8,584)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Purchase of treasury shares	(13,173)		(481)	(12,692)
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares)			(1,600)
Non-cash share based compensation expense	2,368			2,368
Restricted shares issued	1,089		39	1,050
Restricted shares issued (in shares)			130
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and SSARs	210		179	31
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and SSARs (in shares)			595
Shares withheld for taxes upon exercise of stock options, SSARs or vesting of restricted shares	(1,449)		(81)	(1,368)
Shares withheld for taxes upon exercise of stock options, SSARs or vesting of restricted shares (in shares)			(272)
Net loss	(22,783)				(22,783)
Unrealized translation adjustment	76					76
Unrealized loss on securities	(4)					(4)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2012	114,438	9,482	(2,919)	(16,032)	123,876	31
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2012		(31,607)	(9,731)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Non-cash share based compensation expense	2,057			2,057
Restricted shares issued	0		61	(61)
Restricted shares issued (in shares)			203
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and SSARs	67		32	35
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and SSARs (in shares)			108
Shares withheld for taxes upon exercise of stock options, SSARs or vesting of restricted shares	(278)		(12)	(266)
Shares withheld for taxes upon exercise of stock options, SSARs or vesting of restricted shares (in shares)			(42)
Net loss	(1,298)				(1,298)
Unrealized translation adjustment	(1,126)					(1,126)
Unrealized loss on securities	(4)					(4)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 113,856	$ 9,482	$ (2,838)	$ (14,267)	$ 122,578	$ (1,099)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013		(31,607)	(9,462)