Note 7 - Equity Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliate	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Equity Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliate In 2005, Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. (a subsidiary of Alpha Pro Tech) entered into a joint venture with a manufacturer in India for the production of building products. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, a private company, Harmony Plastics Private Limited (“Harmony”), was created with ownership interests of 41.66% by Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. and 58.34% by Maple Industries and Associates. Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. contributed $508,000 for its equity position, and Maple Industries and Associates contributed $708,000 for its equity position. This joint venture positions Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. to respond to current and expected increased product demand for the Building Supply segment. In addition, the joint venture also supplies some products for the Disposable Protective Apparel segment. The capital from the initial funding and a bank loan, which loan is guaranteed exclusively by the individual shareholders of Maple Industries and Associates and collateralized by the assets of Harmony, were utilized to purchase the original manufacturing facility in India. Harmony currently has three facilities in India, consisting of: (1) a 102,000 square foot building for manufacturing housewrap and synthetic roof underlayment; (2) a 71,500 square foot building for manufacturing coated material and sewing proprietary disposable protective apparel; and (3) a 16,000 square foot facility for sewing proprietary disposable protective apparel. All facility additions have been financed by Harmony with no guarantees from the Company. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), the Company assesses whether or not related entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”). For those related entities that qualify as VIEs, ASC 810 requires the Company to determine whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE and, if so, to consolidate the VIE. The Company has determined that Harmony is not a VIE and is, therefore, considered to be an unconsolidated affiliate. The Company records its investment in Harmony as “equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliate” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its equity interest in Harmony’s results of operations as “equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. The Company continuously reviews its investment in Harmony for impairment. Management has determined that no impairment was required as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. initially invested $1,450,000 in the joint venture: $508,000 as equity and $942,000 as a long-term advance for materials. Harmony has repaid the advance in full. For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, Alpha Pro Tech purchased $2,283,000 and $4,205,000 of inventory, respectively, from Harmony. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company purchased $4,992,000 and $7,826,000 of inventory, respectively, from Harmony. For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate of $38,000 and $171,000, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate of $71,000 and $318,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2013, the Company’s investment in Harmony was $2,569,000, consisting of its original $1,450,000 investment and cumulative equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate of $2,138,000, less $942,000 in repayments of the advance and dividends of $77,000.

Note 7 - Equity Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliate

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

7. Equity Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliate

In 2005, Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. (a subsidiary of Alpha Pro Tech) entered into a joint venture with a manufacturer in India for the production of building products. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, a private company, Harmony Plastics Private Limited (“Harmony”), was created with ownership interests of 41.66% by Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. and 58.34% by Maple Industries and Associates. Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. contributed $508,000 for its equity position, and Maple Industries and Associates contributed $708,000 for its equity position.

This joint venture positions Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. to respond to current and expected increased product demand for the Building Supply segment. In addition, the joint venture also supplies some products for the Disposable Protective Apparel segment.

The capital from the initial funding and a bank loan, which loan is guaranteed exclusively by the individual shareholders of Maple Industries and Associates and collateralized by the assets of Harmony, were utilized to purchase the original manufacturing facility in India. Harmony currently has three facilities in India, consisting of: (1) a 102,000 square foot building for manufacturing housewrap and synthetic roof underlayment; (2) a 71,500 square foot building for manufacturing coated material and sewing proprietary disposable protective apparel; and (3) a 16,000 square foot facility for sewing proprietary disposable protective apparel. All facility additions have been financed by Harmony with no guarantees from the Company.

In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), the Company assesses whether or not related entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”). For those related entities that qualify as VIEs, ASC 810 requires the Company to determine whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE and, if so, to consolidate the VIE. The Company has determined that Harmony is not a VIE and is, therefore, considered to be an unconsolidated affiliate.

The Company records its investment in Harmony as “equity investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliate” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its equity interest in Harmony’s results of operations as “equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. The Company continuously reviews its investment in Harmony for impairment. Management has determined that no impairment was required as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Alpha ProTech Engineered Products, Inc. initially invested $1,450,000 in the joint venture: $508,000 as equity and $942,000 as a long-term advance for materials. Harmony has repaid the advance in full.

For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, Alpha Pro Tech purchased $2,283,000 and $4,205,000 of inventory, respectively, from Harmony. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company purchased $4,992,000 and $7,826,000 of inventory, respectively, from Harmony. For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate of $38,000 and $171,000, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate of $71,000 and $318,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2013, the Company’s investment in Harmony was $2,569,000, consisting of its original $1,450,000 investment and cumulative equity in income of unconsolidated affiliate of $2,138,000, less $942,000 in repayments of the advance and dividends of $77,000.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group.

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