Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 60,142	$ 5,366	$ 7,523	$ 59,597	$ (12,344)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	10,234	0	0	10,234	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(284)	0	0	0	(284)
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	2,854	0	0	0	2,854
Interest rate swap agreement adjustment, net of tax	31	0	0	0	31
Dividend declared	(1,081)	0	0	(1,081)	0
Performance and restricted share expense	298	0	298	0	0
Share transactions under employee stock plans	(181)	41	(222)	0	0
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	72,013	5,407	7,599	68,750	(9,743)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	5,023	0	0	5,023	0
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	(891)	0	0	0	(891)
Interest rate swap agreement adjustment, net of tax	21	0	0	0	21
Dividend declared	(1,090)	0	0	(1,090)	0
Performance and restricted share expense	1,801	0	1,801	0	0
Share transactions under employee stock plans	(257)	41	(298)	0	0
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	76,620	$ 5,448	9,102	72,683	(10,613)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(2,872)		0	$ (2,872)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	120	$ 0	0		120
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	(1,500)	0	0	$ 0	(1,500)
Interest rate swap agreement adjustment, net of tax	5	0	0	0	5
Performance and restricted share expense	963	0	963	0	0
Share transactions under employee stock plans	(267)	20	(287)	0	0
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 73,069	$ 5,468	$ 9,778	$ 69,811	$ (11,988)