Consolidated Statement of Income Statement (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 1,272,910	$ 1,083,960	$ 902,460
Cost of sales	(929,150)	(766,260)	(631,410)
Gross profit	343,760	317,700	271,050
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(216,170)	(186,520)	(160,190)
Net gain (loss) on dispositions of property and equipment	280	140	(1,520)
Operating profit	127,870	131,320	109,340
Other expense, net:
Interest expense	(35,800)	(44,480)	(51,830)
Debt extinguishment costs	(46,810)	(3,970)	0
Other expense, net	(3,000)	(3,130)	(1,080)
Other expense, net	(85,610)	(51,580)	(52,910)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	42,260	79,740	56,430
Income tax expense	(5,970)	(28,930)	(17,500)
Income from continuing operations	36,290	50,810	38,930
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	9,550	6,340
Net income	36,290	60,360	45,270
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,410	0	0
Net income attributable to TriMas Corporation	$ 33,880	$ 60,360	$ 45,270
Basic earnings per share attributable to TriMas Corporation:
Continuing operations	$ 0.90	$ 1.48	$ 1.15
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.28	$ 0.19
Net income per share	$ 0.90	$ 1.76	$ 1.34
Weighted average common shares—basic	37,520,935	34,246,289	33,761,430
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TriMas Corporation:
Continuing operations	$ 0.89	$ 1.46	$ 1.13
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.27	$ 0.18
Net income per share	$ 0.89	$ 1.73	$ 1.31
Weighted average common shares—diluted	37,949,021	34,779,693	34,435,245