Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales and operating income by segment [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 211,318	$ 268,783	$ 403,778	$ 538,301
Operating income (loss)	5,700	9,592	(289)	16,828
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes	(3,898)	498	(18,436)	(854)
Inter-segment sales	6,187	8,874	8,635	17,730
Reconciliation of assets by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	689,844		689,844		677,816
Wheels [Member]
Net sales and operating income by segment [Abstract]
Net sales	99,468	112,881	192,630	229,825
Operating income (loss)	11,751	16,106	17,494	34,548
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes	12,513	18,157	19,868	37,359
Reconciliation of assets by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	477,797		477,797		486,118
Gunite [Member]
Net sales and operating income by segment [Abstract]
Net sales	51,207	67,280	90,603	135,843
Operating income (loss)	3,323	(1,875)	1,546	(4,043)
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes	(3,701)	(6,967)	(11,840)	(13,505)
Reconciliation of assets by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	67,254		67,254		54,707
Brillion Iron Works [Member]
Net sales and operating income by segment [Abstract]
Net sales	29,266	49,326	59,695	93,136
Operating income (loss)	1,855	7,598	2,430	10,771
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes	2,113	6,642	2,730	8,622
Reconciliation of assets by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	54,643		54,643		51,435
Imperial Group [Member]
Net sales and operating income by segment [Abstract]
Net sales	31,377	39,296	60,850	79,497
Operating income (loss)	(284)	(302)	(1,501)	(821)
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes	6	(377)	(1,059)	(991)
Reconciliation of assets by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	49,863		49,863		49,189
Corporate / Other [Member]
Net sales and operating income by segment [Abstract]
Operating income (loss)	(10,945)	(11,935)	(20,258)	(23,627)
Income (loss) Before Income Taxes	(14,829)	(16,957)	(28,135)	(32,339)
Reconciliation of assets by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 40,287		$ 40,287		$ 36,367