Consolidated Statement of Income Statement (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 1,394,860	$ 1,272,910	$ 1,083,960
Cost of sales	(1,041,460)	(929,150)	(766,260)
Gross profit	353,400	343,760	317,700
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(244,640)	(216,170)	(186,520)
Net gain (loss) on dispositions of property and equipment	11,770	280	140
Operating profit	120,530	127,870	131,320
Other expense, net:
Interest expense	(18,330)	(35,800)	(44,480)
Debt extinguishment costs	(2,460)	(46,810)	(3,970)
Other expense, net	(1,980)	(3,000)	(3,130)
Other expense, net	(22,770)	(85,610)	(51,580)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	97,760	42,260	79,740
Income tax expense	(18,390)	(5,970)	(28,930)
Income from continuing operations	79,370	36,290	50,810
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	700	0	9,550
Net income	80,070	36,290	60,360
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	4,520	2,410	0
Net income attributable to TriMas Corporation	$ 75,550	$ 33,880	$ 60,360
Basic earnings per share attributable to TriMas Corporation:
Continuing operations	$ 1.83	$ 0.90	$ 1.48
Discontinued operations	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.28
Net income per share	$ 1.85	$ 0.90	$ 1.76
Weighted average common shares—basic	40,926,257	37,520,935	34,246,289
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TriMas Corporation:
Continuing operations	$ 1.81	$ 0.89	$ 1.46
Discontinued operations	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.27
Net income per share	$ 1.83	$ 0.89	$ 1.73
Weighted average common shares—diluted	41,395,706	37,949,021	34,779,693