Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Industry Segments (Segment Information) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Industry Segments (Segment Information) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2015
Sep. 27, 2014
Jun. 28, 2014
Mar. 29, 2014
Dec. 28, 2013
Sep. 28, 2013
Jun. 29, 2013
Mar. 30, 2013
Jan. 03, 2015
Dec. 28, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales $ 48,569,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 48,452,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 52,688,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 49,796,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 46,402,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 49,212,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 50,485,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 50,652,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 199,504,628us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 196,751,175us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet $ 166,162,142us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Operating income                 19,641,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments 7,006,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments 10,503,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
Operating income                 16,340,798us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 3,763,711us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 7,323,980us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Acquisition related costs                 301,715us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 264,186us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 880,583us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Interest expense                 1,091,694us-gaap_InterestExpense 1,357,328us-gaap_InterestExpense 600,893us-gaap_InterestExpense
Change in fair value of interest rate swap                 425,543us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax (740,832)us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax 113,648us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Palmer earn-out adjustment                 (3,476,197)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
Gain on bargain purchase, net of taxes                 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount (1,077,332)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount
Income before income taxes                 18,004,787us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 4,108,048us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 5,876,884us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Identifiable assets 187,849,230us-gaap_Assets       163,260,371us-gaap_Assets       187,849,230us-gaap_Assets 163,260,371us-gaap_Assets  
Assets held for sale 0synl_AssetsHeldForSale       12,768,000synl_AssetsHeldForSale       0synl_AssetsHeldForSale 12,768,000synl_AssetsHeldForSale  
Depreciation and amortization                 5,191,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization 4,672,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization 2,962,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Capital expenditures                 8,066,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements 5,648,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements 4,542,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
Metals Segment [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 134,304,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
140,233,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
114,788,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
Operating income                 13,511,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
1,263,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
5,660,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
Identifiable assets 145,558,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
      111,952,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
      145,558,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
111,952,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
 
Depreciation and amortization                 4,078,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
3,809,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
2,339,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
Capital expenditures                 3,123,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
4,194,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
3,353,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_MetalsSegmentMember
Specialty Chemicals Segment [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 65,201,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
56,518,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
51,374,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
Operating income                 6,130,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
5,743,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
4,843,000synl_OperatingIncomeAllocatedToSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
Identifiable assets 32,504,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
      28,041,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
      32,504,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
28,041,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
 
Depreciation and amortization                 974,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
659,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
435,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
Capital expenditures                 4,913,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
1,397,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
1,066,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= synl_SpecialtyChemicalsSegmentMember
Corporate [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Less unallocated corporate expenses                 3,292,000us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
3,243,000us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
3,165,000us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Operating income                 16,349,000us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
3,763,000us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
7,338,000us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Acquisition related costs                 302,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
264,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
881,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Interest expense                 1,092,000us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
1,357,000us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
601,000us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Change in fair value of interest rate swap                 426,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
(741,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
114,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Palmer earn-out adjustment                 (3,476,000)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Gain on bargain purchase, net of taxes                 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
(1,077,000)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Other income, net                 0us-gaap_OtherIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
(148,000)us-gaap_OtherIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
(135,000)us-gaap_OtherIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Income before income taxes                 18,005,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
4,108,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
5,877,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Identifiable assets 9,787,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
      10,499,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
      9,787,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
10,499,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
 
Depreciation and amortization                 139,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
204,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
188,000us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
Capital expenditures                 30,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
57,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
123,000us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
United States [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 191,032,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
189,447,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
156,795,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
Elsewhere [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 8,473,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= synl_ForeignMember
7,304,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= synl_ForeignMember
9,367,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= synl_ForeignMember
Operating Segments [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 $ 199,505,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
$ 196,751,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
$ 166,162,000us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember