Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
subsidiaries
segments
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of operating segments (segments) | segments 2    
Goodwill impairment $ 0 $ 0 $ 17,158,249
Deferred charges and intangible assets 21,837,351 20,708,496  
Accumulated amortization on deferred charges 10,693,175 8,253,040  
Shipping costs 7,502,945 4,488,041 5,155,011
Research and development expense 556,181 603,067 548,257
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months 2,380,950    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two 2,246,816    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three 2,073,384    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four 1,899,298    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five 1,677,948    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five 865,780    
Amortization expense 2,443,117 2,459,787 2,277,480
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Charged to (Reduction of) Cost and Expenses 1,237,000 984,000 767,000
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions 1,506,000 700,000 810,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Charged to (Reduction of) Cost and Expenses 202,000 (45,000) 104,000
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions $ 249,000 120,000 972,000
Minimum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, payment terms (days) 30 days    
Intangible asset depreciation period (years) 8 years    
Maximum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, payment terms (days) 60 days    
Intangible asset depreciation period (years) 15 years    
Land improvements and buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation useful life (years) 10 years    
Land improvements and buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation useful life (years) 40 years    
Machinery, fixtures and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation useful life (years) 3 years    
Machinery, fixtures and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation useful life (years) 20 years    
Software licenses [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation useful life (years) 5 years    
Metals Segment [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of subsidiaries (subsidiaries) | subsidiaries 3    
Goodwill impairment $ 0 0 $ 17,158,249
Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of operating segments (segments) | segments 1    
Number of subsidiaries (subsidiaries) | subsidiaries 2    
Bristol Metals, LLC, Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc., and Specialty Pipe & Tube [Member] | Metals Segment [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage of subsidiary (percent) 100.00%    
Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company [Member] | Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage of subsidiary (percent) 100.00%    
Deferred Charges [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Intangible asset depreciation period (years) 3 years    
Deferred Charges [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Intangible asset depreciation period (years) 10 years    
Customer Relationships [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Weighted average amortization period (years) 11 years    
Obsolescence reserve [Member] | Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Inventory reserves $ 411,157 697,000  
Physical inventory shrink reserve [Member] | Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Inventory reserves $ 285,627 $ 268,579