Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly‑owned subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

For all periods and amounts presented, reclassifications have been made for discontinued operations. In the fourth quarter of 2011, operations of the Thermal Management Solutions operating segment ended and the segment qualified as a discontinued operation at that time. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2012, the operations of the non-woven composite materials operating segment (aggregated in the Other reportable segment) ended and the segment qualified as a discontinued operations. See “Note 17 - Discontinued Operations” for further discussion.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Equivalents

Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Marketable Securities

We determine the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate such designation as of each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity when we have the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Marketable equity securities and debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with interest on such securities included in “Interest income” on our consolidated statements of income (loss). If the market values of individual securities are determined to be “other than temporarily” impaired, the carrying amount of such investments are written down to market value through “Net realized gain (loss)” in our consolidated statements of income (loss). Except for amounts recorded related to the auction rate securities, we have not recorded any such write down in 2012, 2011 or 2010, respectively. See “Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements” for further discussion on the auction rate securities.

Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

We account for our investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, all of which are 50% owned, using the equity method of accounting.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency

All balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated or remeasured at exchange rates in effect at each year end, and income statement items are translated at the average exchange rates for the year. Resulting translation adjustments for those entities that operate under the local currency are made directly to a separate component of shareholders' equity, while remeasurement adjustments for those entities that operate under the parent's functional currency are made to the income statement as a component of “Other income, net”. Currency transaction adjustments are reported as income or expense in the consolidated income statement as a component of "Other income, net". Such adjustments resulted in a loss of $0.8 million in 2012, a gain of $0.6 million in 2011, and a gain of $1.3 million in 2010.

Premiums Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Estimation Methodology, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectability of the related receivables, including the length of time receivables are past due, customer credit ratings, financial stability of customers, specific one-time events and past customer history. In addition, in circumstances where we are made aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The majority of accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the criteria previously mentioned. The remainder of the reserve is based on management's estimates and takes into consideration historical trends, market conditions and the composition of our customer base.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Certain inventories, amounting to $17.1 million and $14.9 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are valued by the last‑in, first‑out (LIFO) method. These inventories accounted for 27% of total gross inventory in 2012 and 23% of total gross inventory in 2011. The cost of the remaining portion of the inventories was determined principally on the basis of actual first-in, first-out (FIFO) costs.

If the inventories valued using the LIFO method had been valued at FIFO costs, their value would have increased by approximately $6.5 million and $5.9 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

Inventories consist of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Raw materials	$	29,064	$	30,513
Work-in-process	13,154		14,664
Finished goods	30,960		32,758
Total Inventory	$	73,178	$	77,935

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. For financial reporting purposes, provisions for depreciation are calculated on a straight‑line basis over the following estimated useful lives of the underlying assets:

	Years
Buildings and improvements	10-15
Machinery and equipment	5-15
Office equipment	3-10

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are classified into three categories: (1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization; (2) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization; and (3) goodwill. We review goodwill, which has an indefinite life, and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually and/or if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may have been impaired. We review intangible assets with definite lives for impairment whenever conditions exist that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, such as economic downturn in a market or a change in the assessment of future operations.

Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment by comparing the net book value of a reporting unit to its estimated fair value. Fair values are typically established using a discounted cash flow methodology. The determination of discounted cash flows is based on the reporting unit's strategic plans and long-term operating forecasts. The revenue growth rates included in the plans are management's best estimates based on current and forecasted market conditions, and the profit margin assumptions are projected by each segment based on the current cost structure and anticipated changes in that structure.

Purchased or acquired patents, covenants-not-to-compete, customer relationships and licensed technology are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives.

Environmental Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Environmental and Product Liabilities

We accrue for our environmental investigation, remediation, operating and maintenance costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. For environmental matters, the most likely cost to be incurred is accrued based on an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to each individual site, including existing technology, current laws and regulations and prior remediation experience. For sites with multiple potential responsible parties (PRPs), we consider our likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation costs and the ability of the other parties to fulfill their obligations in establishing a provision for those costs. When no amount within a range of estimates is more likely to occur than another, we accrue to the low end of the range. When future liabilities are determined to be reimbursable by insurance coverage, an accrual is recorded for the potential liability and a receivable is recorded for the estimated insurance reimbursement amount. We are exposed to the uncertain nature inherent in such remediation and the possibility that initial estimates will not reflect the final outcome of a matter.

In late 2004, we determined that it was reasonably prudent, based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time, to perform a formal analysis to determine our potential future liability and related insurance coverage for asbestos-related matters. The determination to perform this study was made based on several factors, including the growing number of asbestos-related claims and recent settlement history. Projecting future asbestos costs is subject to numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform. Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens.

The models developed for determining the potential exposure and related insurance coverage were developed by outside consultants deemed to be experts in their respective fields with the forecast for asbestos related liabilities generated by National Economic Research Associates, Inc. (NERA) and the related insurance receivable projections developed by Marsh Risk Consulting (Marsh). The models contain numerous assumptions that significantly impact the results generated by the models. We believe the assumptions made are reasonable at the present time, but are subject to uncertainty based on the actual future outcome of our asbestos litigation. Historically , due to the inherent uncertainties of the forecast process and our limited amount of settlement and claims history, we utilized a forecast period of five years, which we concluded was the most reasonable period for recognizing a reserve for projected asbestos liabilities, and that costs that might be incurred after that period were not reasonably estimable at this time. In 2012, we reviewed this assumption and determined that it was appropriate to extend the forecast period from five years to ten years. We reached this conclusion due to the fact that we now have considerably more experience in addressing asbestos related lawsuits and have a longer history of activity to use as a baseline to more accurately project the liability over a longer period than previously disclosed. Further, settlement trends have become more consistent in recent years and we believe that we now have a more meaningful history of data on which to base our projections. Further, we determined that a 10 year projection period is now appropriate as, although we have a longer and more consistent history of data over the last few years, we do not believe we have sufficient data to justify a longer projection period at this time. As of December 31, 2012, the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery for the ten-year period through 2022 was $51.4 million and $48.3 million, resulting in an additional charge of $2.9 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2012 ($0.2 million was previously recognized throughout 2012).  For sensitivity purposes, if the forecast period was decreased to five years, the projected liability and related insurance recovery would be $30.1 million and $29.2 million, respectively. Also, if the forecast period was increased to fifteen years, the projected liability and related insurance recovery would be $67.9 million and $63.3 million, respectively.

Given the inherent uncertainty in making future projections, we plan to have the projections of current and future asbestos claims periodically re-examined, and we will update them further if needed based on our experience, changes in the underlying assumptions that formed the basis for NERA's and Marsh's models, and other relevant factors, such as changes in the tort system. There can be no assurance that our accrued asbestos liabilities will approximate our actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs, or that our accrued insurance recoveries will be realized. We believe that it is reasonably possible that we will incur additional charges for our asbestos liabilities and defense costs in the future, which could exceed existing reserves, but cannot reasonably estimate such excess amounts at this time.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes that the carrying values of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, long-term marketable securities, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and debt approximate fair value based on the maturities of these instruments.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit and Investment Risk

We extend credit on an uncollateralized basis to almost all customers. Concentration of credit and geographic risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the large number and general dispersion of accounts that constitute our customer base. We routinely perform credit evaluations on our customers. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no customers that individually accounted for more than ten percent of total accounts receivable. We did not experience significant credit losses on customers' accounts in 2012, 2011, or 2010.

We invest excess cash principally in investment grade government and corporate debt securities. We have established guidelines relative to diversification and maturities in order to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified to reflect changes in market conditions.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The objective of accounting for income taxes is to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the entity's financial statements. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in numerous foreign jurisdictions. No provision is made for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries because substantially all such earnings are indefinitely reinvested in those companies. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some or all of the undistributed earnings of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries will not be indefinitely reinvested, provision for the tax consequences, if any, will be recorded in the period circumstances change.

We have provided for potential liabilities due in various jurisdictions. In the ordinary course of global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Some of these uncertainties arise as a consequence of cost reimbursement arrangements among related entities. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different than that which is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals. Such differences could have a material impact on our income tax provision and operating results in the period in which such determination is made.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales to customers is recognized when title passes to the customer, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.

Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Shipping and Handling Charges

Costs that we incur for shipping and handling charges are charged to “Cost of sales” and payments received from our customers for shipping and handling charges are included in “Net sales” on our consolidated statements of income (loss).

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Pensions, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Pension and Retiree Health care and Life Insurance Benefits

We provide various defined benefit pension plans for our U.S. employees and we sponsor multiple fully insured or self-funded medical plans and a fully insured life insurance plan for retirees. The costs and obligations associated with these plans are dependent upon various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, salary growth, long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. The assumptions used in these models are determined as follows: (i) the discount rate used is based on comparisons to the Citigroup index, (ii) the salary growth is based on our historical and projected level of salary increases; (iii) the long-term rate of return on plan assets is determined based on historical portfolio results, market results and our expectations of future returns, as well as current market assumptions related to long-term return rates; and (iv) the mortality rate is based on a mortality projection that estimates current longevity rates and their impact on the long-term plan obligations. We review these assumptions periodically throughout the year and update as necessary.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2012		2011		2010
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	69,134	$	44,250	$	38,551
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share -
Weighted-average shares	16,426,209		16,035,882		15,800,913
Effect of dilutive stock options	564,949		701,829		204,749
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions	16,991,158		16,737,711		16,005,662
Basic income (loss) per share:	$	4.21	$	2.76	$	2.44
Diluted income (loss) per share:	4.07		2.64		2.41

Certain potential ordinary shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because they would have an anti-dilutive effect on net income per share.

	2012	2011	2010
Anti-dilutive shares excluded	774,878	879,604	1,407,865

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Hedging Activity

We use derivative instruments to manage certain foreign currency exposures. Derivative instruments are viewed as risk management tools and are not used for trading or speculative purposes. Derivatives used for hedging purposes must be designated and deemed effective as a hedge of the identified underlying risk exposure at the inception of the contract. Accordingly, changes in fair value of the derivative contract must be highly correlated with changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged item at inception of the hedge and over the life of the hedge contract.

Derivatives used to hedge forecasted cash flows associated with foreign currency commitments or forecasted commodity purchases are accounted for as cash flow hedges. For those derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. The ineffective portion of all hedges, if any, is recognized currently in earnings. For those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, any related gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated income statement as a component of "Other income/expense".

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Costs

Advertising is expensed as incurred and amounted to $2.0 million for 2012, $3.0 million for 2011 and $1.4 million for 2010.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Equity Compensation

Stock-based compensation is comprised of stock options and restricted stock. Stock options are measured at the grant date, based on the grant-date fair value of the awards ultimately expected to vest and, in most cases, is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is typically four years. A provision in our stock option agreements requires us to accelerate the expense for retirement eligible employees, as any unvested options would immediately vest upon retirement for such employees. We develop estimates used in calculating the grant-date fair value of stock options to determine the amount of stock-based compensation to be recorded. We calculate the grant-date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The use of this valuation model requires estimates of assumptions such as expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and forfeiture rates.

Performance-based restricted stock compensation expense is based on achievement of certain performance and service conditions. The fair value of the awards is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date and marked to market over the vesting period based on projections of the underlying performance measures.

Time-based restricted stock compensation awards are expensed over the vesting period, which is typically three years. The fair value of the awards is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU No. 2011-05). ASU No. 2011-05 amended ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, to converge the presentation of comprehensive income between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. ASU No. 2011-05 requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements and requires reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement in changes of stockholders' equity. ASU No. 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, which is the Company's fiscal year 2012. Subsequently, in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU No. 2011-12), which defers only those changes in ASU No. 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments but does not affect all other requirements in ASU No. 2011-05. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-05 and ASU No. 2011-12 affects the presentation of comprehensive income but did not impact our financial condition or results of operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Intangibles - Goodwill and Other

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02 , Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (ASU No. 2012-02). ASU No. 2012-02 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. ASU No. 2012-02 is effective for fiscal years that begin after September 15, 2012, however early adoption is permitted.  The adoption of this standard did not materially impact our financial condition or results of operations.