Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2012
segments
subsidiaries
Dec. 31, 2011
Jan. 01, 2011
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of operating segments (segments) 2    
Number of subsidiaries (subsidiaries) 3    
Inventory reserves $ 2,383,000 $ 2,699,000  
Intangible asset depreciation period (years) 15 years    
Deferred charges and intangible assets 9,352,895 155,283  
Accumulated amortization on deferred charges 605,000 37,000  
Shipping costs 3,445,000 3,088,000 2,669,000
Research and development expense 612,000 352,000 392,000
Cash value of life insurance 2,549,220 3,092,430  
Contingent consideration earn-out period (years) 3 years    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months 1,588,000    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two 1,347,000    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three 1,153,000    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four 984,000    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five 864,000    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five 2,812,000    
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance 0    
Present value contingent consideration liability associated with the Palmer acquisition 8,152,000    
Interest expense charged during the year 57,000    
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability 0    
Ending balance 8,209,000 0  
Palmer of Texas [Member]
      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Contingent consideration earn-out period (years) 3 years    
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Allowance for doubtful accounts pursuant to acquisition 928,000 793,000 85,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] | Palmer of Texas [Member]
      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of days subsequent to acquistion for establishment of an allowance for doubtful accounts (days) 120 days    
Allowance for doubtful accounts pursuant to acquisition 821,000    
Minimum [Member]
      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, payment terms (days) 30 days    
Maximum [Member]
      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, payment terms (days) 45 days    
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    
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
      
Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Fair value of interest rate swap $ 450,000    
Variable rate basis on interest rate swap LIBOR    
Bristol Metals, LLC, Ram-Fab, LLC and Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc. [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