Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Loss on Pension Benefit Obligation	Currency translation adjustments	Currency Hedge Adjustment [Member]	Stockholders' Equity, Total	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 46,110	$ 61,971	$ 23,986	$ (39,422)	$ (24)	$ 83		$ 46,594	$ (484)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		21,486,000
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash (in shares)	548,331	548,000
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash	2,438	3,160	(722)					2,438
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees (in shares)		3,000
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees	17	17						17
Stock option compensation	1,275		1,275					1,275
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(3,380)		(4,513)					(4,513)	1,133
Net loss on pension benefit obligation	(60)				(60)			(60)
Currency translation	94					94		94
Net income	8,799			9,448				9,448	(649)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	55,293	65,148	20,026	(29,974)	(84)	177		55,293
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		22,037,000
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash (in shares)	571,964	572,000
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash	3,346	4,663	(1,317)					3,346
Tax benefit from Exercises of Common Stock options	3,275		3,275					3,275
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees (in shares)		40,000
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees	669	669						669
Stock option compensation	1,403		1,403					1,403
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(8,228)			(8,228)				(8,228)
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock (Shares)		672,000
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock	7,780	7,780						7,780
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock (Shares)		194,000
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock	2,242	2,242						2,242
Purchase of W.E.T. Automotive AG	46,122								46,122
Proceeds from subsidiary issuance of equity shares	1,175								1,175
Net loss on pension benefit obligation	(86)				(86)			(86)
Currency translation	(19,203)					(14,555)		(14,555)	(4,648)
Currency hedge	(206)						(206)	(206)
Net income	11,203			9,658				9,658	1,545
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	104,785	80,502	23,387	(28,544)	(170)	(14,378)	(206)	60,591	44,194
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		23,515,000
Public stock offering (in shares)		5,290,000
Public stock offering	75,532	75,532						75,532
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash (in shares)	176,896	177,000
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash	774	1,035	(261)					774
Tax benefit from Exercises of Common Stock options	171		171					171
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees (in shares)		155,000
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees	429	429						429
Stock option compensation	823		823					823
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(6,711)			(6,711)				(6,711)
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock (Shares)		601,000
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock	7,780	7,780						7,780
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock (Shares)		80,000
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock	1,031	1,031						1,031
Proceeds from subsidiary issuance of equity shares	1,921								1,921
Distribution paid to non-controlling interest	(290)								(290)
Net loss on pension benefit obligation	(1,032)				(1,032)			(1,032)
Currency translation	5,346					4,272		4,272	1,074
Tax effect	301					301		301
Currency hedge	(18)						(18)	(18)
Net income	24,321			17,872				17,872	6,449
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 215,163	$ 166,309	$ 24,120	$ (17,383)	$ (1,202)	$ (9,805)	$ (224)	$ 161,815	$ 53,348
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		29,818,000