Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Common Shares Held In Treasury [Member]	Total
Balance at Sep. 30, 2009	$ 5,298	$ 6,490	$ 43,160	$ (9,703)	$ 0	$ 45,245
Comprehensive income:
Net income	0	0	5,362	0	0	5,362
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	(1,079)	0	(1,079)
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	0	0	0	(528)	0	(528)
Total comprehensive income						3,755
Dividend declared	0	0	(789)	0	0	(789)
Performance and restricted share expense	0	325	0	0	0	325
Repurchase of common shares	0	0	0	0	(692)	(692)
Share transactions under employee stock plans	27	168	0	0	0	195
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	5,325	6,983	47,733	(11,310)	(692)	48,039
Comprehensive income:
Net income	0	0	7,449	0	0	7,449
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	(45)	0	(45)
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	0	0	0	(1,347)	0	(1,347)
Total comprehensive income						6,057
Dividend declared	0	0	(1,060)	0	0	(1,060)
Performance and restricted share expense	0	373	0	0	0	373
Share transactions under employee stock plans	10	(324)	0	0	314	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 5,335	$ 7,032	$ 54,122	$ (12,702)	$ (378)	$ 53,409