Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances and reserves, beginning balance	$ 664	$ 582
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Expense	164	196
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Other Accounts	108	19
Deductions	(322)	(133)
Valuation allowances and reserves, ending balance	614	664
Inventory obsolescence reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances and reserves, beginning balance	1,398	1,191
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Expense	32	171
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Other Accounts	365	267
Deductions	(77)	(231)
Valuation allowances and reserves, ending balance	1,718	1,398
Inventory LIFO reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances and reserves, beginning balance	7,974	7,495
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Expense	1,563	479
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Other Accounts	0	0
Deductions	0	0
Valuation allowances and reserves, ending balance	9,537	7,974
Asset impairment reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances and reserves, beginning balance	1,152	933
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Expense	0	219
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Other Accounts	0	0
Deductions	(106)	0
Valuation allowances and reserves, ending balance	1,046	1,152
Deferred tax valuation allowance [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances and reserves, beginning balance	452	464
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Expense	127	(12)
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Other Accounts	0	0
Deductions	0	0
Valuation allowances and reserves, ending balance	579	452
Workers' compensation reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances and reserves, beginning balance	674	945
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Expense	170	20
Additions (Reductions) Charged to Other Accounts	(6)	30
Deductions	(170)	(321)
Valuation allowances and reserves, ending balance	$ 668	$ 674