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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 15, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	LAWSON PRODUCTS INC/NEW/DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000703604
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	8,919,644	8,919,644

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,663	$ 4,416
Restricted cash	800	800
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $445 and $476, respectively	43,561	38,575
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	445	476
Inventories, net	51,154	50,928
Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid expenses	5,077	3,728
Total current assets	108,255	98,447
Property, plant and equipment, net	24,535	27,333
Deferred income taxes	20,457	21,248
Goodwill	19,114	19,614
Cash value of life insurance	13,360	11,964
Intangible assets, net	10,901	11,813
Other assets	339	248
Total assets	196,961	190,667
Current liabilities:
Revolving line of credit	9,918	14,543
Accounts payable	16,332	12,394
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	38,583	33,040
Total current liabilities	64,833	59,977
Noncurrent liabilities:
Security bonus plan	12,876	12,981
Financing lease obligation	5,524	6,420
Deferred compensation	6,107	5,476
Deferred rent liability	2,081	3,512
Deferred tax liability	3,073	3,115
Other liabilities	4,445	5,696
Total liabilities	98,939	97,177
Stockholders' equity:
Authorized - 500,000 shares, Issued and outstanding — None	0	0
Authorized - 35,000,000 shares Issued - 8,952,918 and 8,921,302 shares, respectively Outstanding - 8,919,644 and 8,888,028 shares, respectively	8,953	8,921
Capital in excess of par value	14,989	13,005
Retained earnings	74,738	71,453
Treasury stock – 33,274 shares	(711)	(711)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	53	822
Total stockholders’ equity	98,022	93,490
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 196,961	$ 190,667

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	35,000,000	35,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,921,302	8,921,302
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,919,644	8,888,028
Treasury Stock, Shares	33,274	33,274

Consolidated Statements of operations and Comprehensive Income (loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Product revenue	$ 78,377	$ 75,651	$ 233,744	$ 225,274
Service revenue	10,153	0	29,627
Total revenue	88,530	75,651	263,371	225,274
Product cost of goods sold	36,979	29,646	109,667	89,249
Service costs	3,443	0	10,247	0
Gross profit	48,108	46,005	143,457	136,025
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	22,175	24,354	66,119	72,964
General and administrative expenses	28,199	20,561	72,213	58,790
Total SG&A	50,374	44,915	138,332	131,754
Gain on sale of property	0	0	0	(5,422)
Operating expenses	50,374	44,915	138,332	126,332
Operating income (loss)	(2,266)	1,090	5,125	9,693
Interest expense	(251)	(133)	(755)	(393)
Other (expense) income, net	170	843	(320)	953
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,347)	1,800	4,050	10,253
Income tax (benefit) expense	$ (1,531)	$ 479	$ 436	$ 802
Basic income (loss) per share of common stock	$ (0.09)	$ 0.15	$ 0.41	$ 1.07
Diluted income (loss) per share of common stock	$ (0.09)	$ 0.14	$ 0.39	$ 1.04
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	8,919	8,880	8,904	8,856
Effect of dilutive securities outstanding	0	253	346	256
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	8,919	9,133	9,250	9,112
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net (loss) income	$ (816)	$ 1,321	$ 3,614	$ 9,451
Adjustment for foreign currency translation	692	139	(769)	941
Net comprehensive income (loss)	$ (124)	$ 1,460	$ 2,845	$ 10,392

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 3,614	$ 9,451
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,120	4,940
Stock-based compensation	8,694	2,722
Deferred income taxes	830	0
Gain on sale of property	0	(5,422)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(5,624)	(7,046)
Inventories	(566)	(373)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,651)	(1,562)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,315	738
Other	442	307
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,174	3,755
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(1,626)	(1,228)
Business acquisition	(157)	0
Proceeds from sale of property	0	6,177
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,783)	4,949
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from revolving lines of credit	(4,625)	(841)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	14	0
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	0	(20)
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,611)	(861)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(533)	779
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3,247	8,622
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,216	11,221
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 8,463	$ 19,843

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lawson Products, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Reference should be made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In the opinion of the Company, all normal recurring adjustments have been made that are necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the interim periods. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. The Company has two operating segments. The first segment, the Lawson operating segment, distributes maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") products to customers primarily through a network of sales representatives offering vendor managed inventory ("VMI") service to customers throughout the United States and Canada. The second segment, The Bolt Supply House Ltd. ("Bolt Supply") operating segment, distributes MRO products primarily through its branches located in Western Canada. Bolt Supply had 13 branches in operation at the end of the third quarter 2018.

Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Adoption of ASC 606

On January 1, 2018 the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606-Revenue From Contracts With Customers (“ASC 606”). As part of the Company's adoption of ASC 606, it concluded that it has two separate performance obligations, and accordingly, two separate revenue streams: products and services. As a result, the Company is now reporting two separate revenue streams and two separate costs of revenues. The adoption of ASC 606 had a minimal impact on total reported revenues, costs and net income for the first nine months of 2018. However, the adoption required prospective reclassification of certain selling expenses associated with the separately identified vendor managed inventory services performance obligation costs historically classified as selling expenses to cost of sales. As ASC 606 was adopted on a modified retrospective method, prior quarters are not restated. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment in opening retained earnings in the amount of $0.3 million based on applying the guidance to the customer contracts that were not completed on that date.

ASC 606 defines a five step process to recognize revenues at the time and in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received for the performance obligations that have been provided. ASC 606 defines contracts as written, oral and through customary business practice. Under this definition, the Company considers contracts to be created at the time an order to purchase product is agreed upon regardless of whether or not there is a written contract.

Performance Obligations

Lawson has two operating segments; the Lawson segment and the Bolt Supply segment. Customer contracts have the following performance obligations:

The Lawson segment has two distinct performance obligations offered to its customers: a product performance obligation and a service performance obligation. Although the Company has identified that it offers its customers both a product and a service obligation, the customer only receives one invoice per transaction with no price breakout between these obligations. The Company does not price its offerings based on any breakout between these obligations.

Lawson generates revenue primarily from the sale of MRO products to its customers. Revenue related to product sales is recognized at the time that control of the product has been transferred to the customer; either at the time the product is shipped or the time the product has been received by the customer. The Company does not commit to long-term contracts to sell customers a certain minimum quantity of products.

The Lawson segment offers a VMI service proposition to its customers. A portion of these services, primarily related to stocking of product and maintenance of the MRO inventory, is provided a short period of time after control of the purchased product has been transferred to the customer. Since some components of VMI service have not been provided at the time the control of the product transfers to the customer, that portion of expected consideration is deferred until the time that those services have been provided.

The Bolt Supply segment does not provide VMI services for its customers or provide services in addition to product sales to customers. Revenue is recognized at the time that control of the product has been transferred to the customer which is either upon delivery or shipment depending on the terms of the contract.

Accounting Policy Elections

The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs after the control of the product has been transferred to the customer as a fulfillment cost.

Sales taxes that are imposed on our sales and collected from customers are excluded from revenues.

The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred as the amortization period is one year or less.

Significant Judgments

The Company employs certain significant judgments to estimate the dollar amount of revenue, and related expenses, allocated to the sale of product and service. These judgments include, among others, the percentage of customers that take advantage of the VMI services offered, the amount of revenue to be allocated to the VMI service based on the value of the service to its customers, and the amount of time after control of the product passes to the customer that the VMI service obligation is completed. It is assumed that any customer who averages placing orders at a frequency of longer than 30 days does not take advantage of the available VMI services offered. The estimate of the cost of sales is based on expenses directly related to sales representatives that provide direct VMI services to the customer.

Financial Impact of ASC 606 Adoption

As a result of applying ASC 606 the Company recorded a liability of $0.7 million for deferred revenue on January 1, 2018. Expenses related to these revenues of $0.4 million were also deferred resulting in a net reduction to opening retained earnings of $0.3 million as of January 1, 2018. At September 30, 2018, the Company had a deferred revenue liability of $0.7 million and a deferred expense of $0.3 million for related expenses associated with the deferred service performance obligations, respectively. The deferral of revenue and expenses does not affect the amount, timing and any uncertainty of cash flows generated from operations.

The following table presents the impact of ASC 606 on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited):



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	As Reported			Service Revenues and Costs Adjustments			Pro-Forma as if Previous Accounting Guidance Was in Effect

Product revenue	$	78,377		$	10,207		$	88,584
Service revenue	10,153			(10,153		)	—
Total revenue	$	88,530		$	54		$	88,584

Product cost of goods sold	$	36,979		$	—		$	36,979
Service costs	3,443			(3,443		)	—
Total cost of goods sold	$	40,422		$	(3,443	)	$	36,979

Gross profit	48,108			3,497			51,605
Gross profit percentage	54.3		%				58.3		%

Selling expenses	22,175			3,468			25,643
General and administrative expenses	28,199			—			28,199
Operating expenses	50,374			3,468			53,842

Operating loss as reported was $2.27 million whereas pro forma operating loss as if previous accounting guidance was in effect would have been $2.24 million.



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	As Reported			Service Revenues and Costs Adjustments			Pro-Forma as if Previous Accounting Guidance Was in Effect

Product revenue	$	233,744		$	29,609		$	263,353
Service revenue	29,627			(29,627		)	—
Total revenue	$	263,371		$	(18	)	$	263,353

Product cost of goods sold	$	109,667		$	—		$	109,667
Service costs	10,247			(10,247		)	—
Total cost of goods sold	$	119,914		$	(10,247	)	$	109,667

Gross profit	143,457			10,229			153,686
Gross profit percentage	54.5		%				58.4		%

Selling expenses	66,119			10,092			76,211
General and administrative expenses	72,213			—			72,213
Operating expenses	138,332			10,092			148,424

Operating income as reported was $5.13 million whereas pro forma operating income as if previous accounting guidance was in effect would have been $5.26 million.

Disaggregated revenue by geographic area follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2018		2017

United States	$	70,652	$	67,575	$	210,596	$	202,176
Canada	17,878		8,076		52,775		23,098
Consolidated total	$	88,530	$	75,651	$	263,371	$	225,274

Disaggregated revenue by product type follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017

Fastening Systems	24.6	%	20.4	%	24.5	%	20.6	%
Fluid Power	14.6	%	16.3	%	14.7	%	15.7	%
Specialty Chemicals	12.6	%	14.5	%	12.3	%	14.3	%
Cutting Tools and Abrasives	13.7	%	14.2	%	13.5	%	14.3	%
Electrical	10.6	%	11.7	%	10.9	%	11.9	%
Aftermarket Automotive Supplies	7.6	%	8.4	%	8.0	%	8.8	%
Safety	4.6	%	4.2	%	4.6	%	4.2	%
Welding and Metal Repair	1.7	%	2.2	%	1.9	%	2.2	%
Other	10.0	%	8.1	%	9.6	%	8.0	%
Consolidated Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

Restricted Cash Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
Restricted Cash Restricted Cash	Sep. 30, 2018
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]	Restricted Cash The Company has agreed to maintain $0.8 million in a money market account as collateral for an outside party that is providing certain commercial card processing services for the Company. The Company is restricted from withdrawing this balance without the prior consent of the outside party during the term of the agreement. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 does not materially affect the accounting for restricted cash of the Company.

Inventories

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories, net

Inventories, net, consisting primarily of purchased goods which are offered for resale, were as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Inventories, gross	$	56,602		$	56,492
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory	(5,448		)	(5,564		)
Inventories, net	$	51,154		$	50,928

Acquisitions Acquisition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

Acquisition

In October 2017, the Company acquired Bolt Supply, based in Calgary, Canada, for a purchase price of approximately $32.3 million, The purchase price was funded with cash on hand and utilization of Lawson Products’ existing credit facility. Bolt Supply is a leading Canadian distributor of high quality fasteners, power tools and industrial MRO supplies, with 13 branch locations throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, Canada at the end of the third quarter 2018.

The purchase price of the acquisition was allocated to the fair market value of Bolt Supply's assets and liabilities on the acquisition date. The fair market value appraisals of the majority of the assets and liabilities were determined by third party valuation firms including intangible assets of $7.2 million for trade names and $4.2 million for customer relationships, respectively. The trade names and customer relationships intangible assets have estimated useful lives of 15 and 12 years, respectively. The $14.0 million allocated to goodwill reflects the purchase price less the fair market value of the identifiable net assets. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the related tax balances, are based on estimates and assumptions. Further operating details related to the operations of Bolt Supply subsequent to the acquisition are included in Note 14 - Segment information.

The following table contains unaudited pro forma revenue and net income (loss) for Lawson Products assuming the Bolt Supply acquisition closed on January 1, 2016.



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018		2017
Revenue
Actual	$	88,530		$	75,651	$	263,371	$	225,274
Pro forma	88,530			85,156		263,371		250,781

Net income (loss)
Actual	$	(816	)	$	1,321	$	3,614	$	9,451
Pro forma	(816		)	1,534		3,614		10,175

The pro forma disclosures in the table above include adjustments for, amortization of intangible assets and acquisition costs to reflect results as if the acquisition of Bolt Supply had closed on January 1, 2016 rather than on the actual acquisition date. This pro forma information utilizes certain estimates, is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of the actual results of operation. In addition, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the pro forma information. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not reflect the impact of future positive or negative events that may occur after the acquisition, such as anticipated cost savings from operating synergies.

Goodwill Goodwill

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill activity for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 is included in the table below:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	19,614		$	5,520
Adjustment to original acquisition allocation	(17		)	(73		)
Impact of foreign exchange	(483		)	342
Ending balance	$	19,114		$	5,789

Intangible assets (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Intangible assets

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by intangible asset class were as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Trade names	$	7,994	$	(1,341	)	$	6,653	$	8,182	$	(957	)	$	7,225
Customer relationships	4,785		(537		)	4,248		4,911		(323		)	4,588
	$	12,779	$	(1,878	)	$	10,901	$	13,093	$	(1,280	)	$	11,813

Amortization expense of $0.7 million and $0.2 million related to intangible assets was recorded in General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Loan Agreement

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Loan Agreement

Lawson Loan Agreement

In 2012, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”). The Loan Agreement consists of a $40.0 million revolving line of credit facility, which includes a $10.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit. Certain terms of the original Loan Agreement have been revised by subsequent amendments.

The Loan Agreement, as amended, expires in August 2020. Due to the lock box arrangement and a subjective acceleration clause contained in the Loan Agreement, any outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit are classified as a current liability.

Currently, credit available under the Loan Agreement, as amended, is based upon:


a)	85% of the face amount of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, generally less than 60 days past due, and


b)	the lesser of 60% of the lower of cost or market value of the Company’s eligible inventory, generally inventory expected to be sold within 18 months, or $20.0 million.

The applicable interest rates for borrowings are at the Prime rate or, if the Company elects, the LIBOR rate plus 1.50% to 1.85% based on the Company’s debt to EBITDA ratio. The Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all existing assets of the Company. Dividends are restricted to amounts not to exceed $7.0 million annually.

At September 30, 2018, the Company had $8.4 million of borrowings under its revolving line of credit facility and additional borrowing availability of $27.0 million. The Company paid interest of $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted average interest rate was 3.82% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 3.91% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

In addition to other customary representations, warranties and covenants, the Company is required to meet a minimum trailing twelve month EBITDA to fixed charges ratio, as defined in the amended Loan Agreement, if the excess borrowing capacity is below $10.0 million. On September 30, 2018, the Company's borrowing capacity exceeded $10.0 million. Therefore, the Company was not subject to this financial covenant, however, for informational purposes the result of the financial covenant is provided below:



Quarterly Financial Covenant	Requirement	Actual
EBITDA to fixed charges ratio	1.10 : 1.00	3.60 : 1.00

Commitment Letter

Bolt Supply has a Commitment Letter with BMO Bank of Montreal ("BMO") dated March 30, 2017 which allows Bolt Supply to access up to $5.5 million Canadian dollars in the form of either an overdraft facility or as commercial letters of credit. The Commitment Letter is cancellable at any time at BMOs sole discretion and is secured by substantially all of Bolt Supply’s assets. It carries an interest rate of the bank's prime rate plus 0.25%. At September 30, 2018, Bolt Supply had $2.0 million Canadian dollars of outstanding borrowings and remaining borrowing availability of $3.5 million Canadian dollars. The Commitment Letter is subject to a working capital ratio of 1.35:1, a maximum ratio of debt to tangible net worth of 2.5:1 of the Bolt Supply assets and Debt Service Coverage Ratio 1.25:1 as defined in the Commitment Letter. At September 30, 2018, Bolt Supply was in compliance with all covenants which are subject to periodic review, at least annually, with the next review due by August 31, 2019.

Reserve for Severance

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Severance Reserve [Abstract]

Reserve for Severance

Severance Reserve

Changes in the Company’s reserve for severance as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	483		$	1,710
Charged to earnings	723			595
Payments	(787		)	(1,625		)
Balance at end of period	$	419		$	680

Stock-Based Compensation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2018
Stock Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock Performance Rights	Stock-Based Compensation The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $8.7 million and $2.7 million for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. A portion of stock-based compensation is related to the change in the market value of the Company's common stock. A summary of stock-based awards activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 follows: Stock Performance Rights ("SPRs") The Company issued 44,737 SPRs to key employees with an exercise price of $24.70 per share that cliff vest on December 31, 2020 and have a termination date of December 31, 2025. Restricted Stock Awards ("RSAs") The Company issued 26,080 RSAs to members of the Company's Board of Directors with a vesting date of May 15, 2019 and issued 20,059 RSAs to key employees that cliff vest on December 31, 2020. Each RSA is exchangeable for one share of the Company's common stock at the end of the vesting period. Market Stock Units ("MSUs") The Company issued 32,194 MSUs to key employees that cliff vest on December 31, 2020. MSU's are exchangeable for the Company's common stock at the end of the vesting period. The number of shares of common stock that will be issued upon vesting, ranging from zero to 48,291, will be determined based upon the trailing sixty-day weighted average closing price of the Company's common stock on December 31, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the effect of restricted stock awards, market stock units and future stock option exercises equivalent of approximately 403,000 shares was excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have been anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock options to purchase approximately 46,000 shares of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, stock options to purchase approximately 80,000 and 67,000 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

Income Tax	9 Months Ended
Income Tax	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company recorded income tax expenses of $0.4 million, a 10.8% effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The effective tax rate is lower than the U.S. statutory rate due mainly to discrete items such as the finalization of our calculation for previously untaxed foreign earnings and profits. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") recently issued SAB 118 (Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) which allows registrants to record provisional amounts during a measurement period. The SAB allows a company to recognize provisional amounts when it does not have the necessary information prepared in reasonable detail to calculate the effect of the change in tax law. Per the SAB, a company should report provisional amounts when the accounting is not complete, but for which a reasonable estimate can be determined. Lawson included in its 2017 taxable income calculation a provisional amount of approximately $8.4 million representing previously untaxed foreign earnings and profits as of December 31, 2017. The Company did not accrue any federal income tax on this amount as the Company is able to utilize federal net operating losses to offset the income. The Company recently finalized the foreign earnings and profits calculation in conjunction with the finalization of 2017 federal income tax return when all required necessary information was more readily available. A lower final foreign earnings and profits inclusion resulted in a tax benefit which had a beneficial impact on the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Excluding the discrete items, the Company's effective tax rate was 33.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. An income tax expense of $0.8 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as substantially all deferred tax assets were still subject to a tax valuation allowance at that time. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. Federal income tax, as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. As of September 30, 2018, the Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the years 2015 through 2017 and income tax examinations from various other jurisdictions for the years 2011 through 2017. Earnings from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. A distribution of these non-U.S. earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise may subject the Company to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. federal and state taxes.

Contingent Liability Contingent Liability (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Contingent Liability Contingent Liability (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2018
Contingent Liability [Abstract]
Environmental Contingency	Contingent Liabilities In 2012, the Company identified that a site it owns in Decatur, Alabama, contains hazardous substances in the soil and groundwater as a result of historical operations prior to the Company's ownership. The Company retained an environmental consulting firm to further investigate the contamination including the measurement and monitoring of the site and the site was enrolled in the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM") voluntary cleanup program. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had received estimates from its environmental consulting firm for two remediation solutions based on a chemical injection process. The first solution consisted of chemical injections throughout the entire site to directly eliminate the hazardous substances in the soil and groundwater. The second solution consisted of chemical injections around the perimeter of the site to prevent the migration of the hazardous chemicals off-site. Neither solution required additional excavation or repairs to be made to the property. The estimated expenditures over an 18 month period under the two injection scenarios ranged from $0.9 million to $2.0 million. The Company had determined that it would initially proceed with the method of injecting chemicals around the perimeter of the site to prevent the migration of the hazardous chemicals off-site. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $1.0 million remained accrued for this remediation. In June 2018, the Company received updated environmental remediation estimates from its environmental consulting firm based on information analyzed from further data collection and consultation with ADEM on their anticipated requirements. The updated remediation plan expands the chemical injection process over a larger area than previously estimated, including under the building on the property. The updated plan also requires four consecutive quarters of monitoring the affected area after the injection process is completed. Based upon feedback received from ADEM, the Company accrued an additional $0.5 million of expense in the second quarter of 2018 to bring the total liability to $1.4 million which represents the most likely outcome. This plan is expected to be approved by ADEM with remediation efforts commencing in the first quarter of 2019. The Company believes the environmental remediation liability of $1.4 million currently accrued will be sufficient to cover the cost of the plan. The Company does not expect to capitalize any amounts related to the remediation plan.

Lease termination (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Lease termination (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2018
Lease termination [Abstract]
Lease termination	Note 13 — Lease Termination In the first quarter of 2012, the Company signed a 10 year agreement to lease space for a new corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois ("Lease"). In the fourth quarter of 2013, due to excess capacity as a result of a corporate restructuring, the Company agreed to sublease a portion (approximately 17,100 square feet) of its corporate headquarters to a third party ("Sublease"). Both the Lease and the Sublease were scheduled to terminate in the first quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company entered into agreements with the lessor and the sub lessee to terminate both the Lease and Sublease in June 2019. The original loss recorded on the Sublease was reduced by $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2018 to reflect the shortened lease time frame. Additionally, the Company is required to pay a $0.5 million fee before June 2019 as a condition of early termination of the original Lease. As a result of these transactions, a $0.2 million net gain was recognized in the second quarter of 2018. The $0.5 million early termination fee is included in current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The termination of the Lease will reduce the Company’s future operating lease obligation by $1.2 million, offset by a reduction in future payments from the Sublease of $0.4 million.

Segment Information (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Segment Information

With the acquisition of Bolt Supply in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company operates in two reportable segments. The businesses were determined to be separate reportable segments because of differences in their financial characteristics and the methods they employ to deliver product to customers. The operating segments are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker responsible for reviewing operating performance and allocating resources. The Lawson segment primarily relies on its large network of sales representatives to visit the customer at the customers' work location and provide VMI service and produce sales orders for product that is then shipped to the customer. The Bolt Supply segment primarily sells product to customers through its branch locations. Bolt Supply had 13 branches in operation at the end of the third quarter 2018.

Financial information for the Company's reportable segments follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenue
Lawson product revenue	$	68,539		$	75,651		$	206,108		$	225,274
Lawson service revenue	10,153			—			29,627			—
Total Lawson revenue	78,692			75,651			235,735			225,274
Bolt Supply	9,838			—			27,636			—
Consolidated total	$	88,530		$	75,651		$	263,371		$	225,274

Gross profit
Lawson product gross profit	$	37,742		$	46,005		$	113,291		$	136,025
Lawson service gross profit	6,710			—			19,380			—
Total Lawson gross profit	44,452			46,005			132,671			136,025
Bolt Supply	3,656			—			10,786			—
Consolidated total	$	48,108		$	46,005		$	143,457		$	136,025

Operating income (loss)
Lawson	$	(2,955	)	$	1,090		$	3,062		$	9,693
Bolt Supply	689			—			2,063			—
Consolidated total	(2,266		)	1,090			5,125			9,693
Interest expense	(251		)	(133		)	(755		)	(393		)
Other income (expense), net	170			843			(320		)	953
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(2,347	)	$	1,800		$	4,050		$	10,253

Subsequent Event (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Event (Notes)	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events On October 1, 2018, the Company completed the purchase of Screw Products, Inc., an industrial parts distributor for approximately $5.2 million which was paid in cash at the time of closing. Screw Products has a location in Dallas, Texas and a location in Dayton, Ohio.

Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	As Reported			Service Revenues and Costs Adjustments			Pro-Forma as if Previous Accounting Guidance Was in Effect

Product revenue	$	233,744		$	29,609		$	263,353
Service revenue	29,627			(29,627		)	—
Total revenue	$	263,371		$	(18	)	$	263,353

Product cost of goods sold	$	109,667		$	—		$	109,667
Service costs	10,247			(10,247		)	—
Total cost of goods sold	$	119,914		$	(10,247	)	$	109,667

Gross profit	143,457			10,229			153,686
Gross profit percentage	54.5		%				58.4		%

Selling expenses	66,119			10,092			76,211
General and administrative expenses	72,213			—			72,213
Operating expenses	138,332			10,092			148,424

Operating income as reported was $5.13 million whereas pro forma operating income as if previous accounting guidance was in effect would have been $5.26 million.

The following table presents the impact of ASC 606 on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited):



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	As Reported			Service Revenues and Costs Adjustments			Pro-Forma as if Previous Accounting Guidance Was in Effect

Product revenue	$	78,377		$	10,207		$	88,584
Service revenue	10,153			(10,153		)	—
Total revenue	$	88,530		$	54		$	88,584

Product cost of goods sold	$	36,979		$	—		$	36,979
Service costs	3,443			(3,443		)	—
Total cost of goods sold	$	40,422		$	(3,443	)	$	36,979

Gross profit	48,108			3,497			51,605
Gross profit percentage	54.3		%				58.3		%

Selling expenses	22,175			3,468			25,643
General and administrative expenses	28,199			—			28,199
Operating expenses	50,374			3,468			53,842

Operating loss as reported was $2.27 million whereas pro forma operating loss as if previous accounting guidance was in effect would have been $2.24 million.

Revenue Recognition Geographical (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Geographical [Abstract]

Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]

Disaggregated revenue by geographic area follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2018		2017		2018		2017

United States	$	70,652	$	67,575	$	210,596	$	202,176
Canada	17,878		8,076		52,775		23,098
Consolidated total	$	88,530	$	75,651	$	263,371	$	225,274

Revenue Recognition Product Vertical (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Product Vertical [Abstract]

Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]

Disaggregated revenue by product type follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017

Fastening Systems	24.6	%	20.4	%	24.5	%	20.6	%
Fluid Power	14.6	%	16.3	%	14.7	%	15.7	%
Specialty Chemicals	12.6	%	14.5	%	12.3	%	14.3	%
Cutting Tools and Abrasives	13.7	%	14.2	%	13.5	%	14.3	%
Electrical	10.6	%	11.7	%	10.9	%	11.9	%
Aftermarket Automotive Supplies	7.6	%	8.4	%	8.0	%	8.8	%
Safety	4.6	%	4.2	%	4.6	%	4.2	%
Welding and Metal Repair	1.7	%	2.2	%	1.9	%	2.2	%
Other	10.0	%	8.1	%	9.6	%	8.0	%
Consolidated Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

Inventories (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of inventories

Inventories, net, consisting primarily of purchased goods which are offered for resale, were as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Inventories, gross	$	56,602		$	56,492
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory	(5,448		)	(5,564		)
Inventories, net	$	51,154		$	50,928

Acquisitions Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition Pro Forma Information

The following table contains unaudited pro forma revenue and net income (loss) for Lawson Products assuming the Bolt Supply acquisition closed on January 1, 2016.



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018		2017
Revenue
Actual	$	88,530		$	75,651	$	263,371	$	225,274
Pro forma	88,530			85,156		263,371		250,781

Net income (loss)
Actual	$	(816	)	$	1,321	$	3,614	$	9,451
Pro forma	(816		)	1,534		3,614		10,175

Goodwill (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

Goodwill activity for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 is included in the table below:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	19,614		$	5,520
Adjustment to original acquisition allocation	(17		)	(73		)
Impact of foreign exchange	(483		)	342
Ending balance	$	19,114		$	5,789

Intangible assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by intangible asset class were as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Trade names	$	7,994	$	(1,341	)	$	6,653	$	8,182	$	(957	)	$	7,225
Customer relationships	4,785		(537		)	4,248		4,911		(323		)	4,588
	$	12,779	$	(1,878	)	$	10,901	$	13,093	$	(1,280	)	$	11,813

Loan Agreement (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Covenants [Table Text Block]



Quarterly Financial Covenant	Requirement	Actual
EBITDA to fixed charges ratio	1.10 : 1.00	3.60 : 1.00

Commitment Letter

Reserve for Severance (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Severance Reserve [Abstract]

Changes in the Company's reserve for severance and related payments

Changes in the Company’s reserve for severance as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	483		$	1,710
Charged to earnings	723			595
Payments	(787		)	(1,625		)
Balance at end of period	$	419		$	680

Segment Information Segment Reporting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

Financial information for the Company's reportable segments follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenue
Lawson product revenue	$	68,539		$	75,651		$	206,108		$	225,274
Lawson service revenue	10,153			—			29,627			—
Total Lawson revenue	78,692			75,651			235,735			225,274
Bolt Supply	9,838			—			27,636			—
Consolidated total	$	88,530		$	75,651		$	263,371		$	225,274

Gross profit
Lawson product gross profit	$	37,742		$	46,005		$	113,291		$	136,025
Lawson service gross profit	6,710			—			19,380			—
Total Lawson gross profit	44,452			46,005			132,671			136,025
Bolt Supply	3,656			—			10,786			—
Consolidated total	$	48,108		$	46,005		$	143,457		$	136,025

Operating income (loss)
Lawson	$	(2,955	)	$	1,090		$	3,062		$	9,693
Bolt Supply	689			—			2,063			—
Consolidated total	(2,266		)	1,090			5,125			9,693
Interest expense	(251		)	(133		)	(755		)	(393		)
Other income (expense), net	170			843			(320		)	953
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(2,347	)	$	1,800		$	4,050		$	10,253

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 shares	Sep. 30, 2017 shares	Sep. 30, 2018 Segment shares	Sep. 30, 2017 shares
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments \| Segment			2
New Credit Facility Inventory Base Selling Period			18 months
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive Options Outstanding \| shares	403,000	80,000	46,000	67,000

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease to retained earnings	$ (74,738)		$ (74,738)			$ (71,453)
Deferred revenue	700		700
Deferred expense	300		300		$ 400
Operating expenses	(50,374)	$ (44,915)	(138,332)	$ (126,332)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease to retained earnings					300
Deferred revenue					$ 700
Operating expenses	$ (3,468)		$ (10,092)

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	As Reported			Service Revenues and Costs Adjustments			Pro-Forma as if Previous Accounting Guidance Was in Effect

Product revenue	$	233,744		$	29,609		$	263,353
Service revenue	29,627			(29,627		)	—
Total revenue	$	263,371		$	(18	)	$	263,353

Product cost of goods sold	$	109,667		$	—		$	109,667
Service costs	10,247			(10,247		)	—
Total cost of goods sold	$	119,914		$	(10,247	)	$	109,667

Gross profit	143,457			10,229			153,686
Gross profit percentage	54.5		%				58.4		%

Selling expenses	66,119			10,092			76,211
General and administrative expenses	72,213			—			72,213
Operating expenses	138,332			10,092			148,424

Operating income as reported was $5.13 million whereas pro forma operating income as if previous accounting guidance was in effect would have been $5.26 million.

The following table presents the impact of ASC 606 on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited):



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)	As Reported			Service Revenues and Costs Adjustments			Pro-Forma as if Previous Accounting Guidance Was in Effect

Product revenue	$	78,377		$	10,207		$	88,584
Service revenue	10,153			(10,153		)	—
Total revenue	$	88,530		$	54		$	88,584

Product cost of goods sold	$	36,979		$	—		$	36,979
Service costs	3,443			(3,443		)	—
Total cost of goods sold	$	40,422		$	(3,443	)	$	36,979

Gross profit	48,108			3,497			51,605
Gross profit percentage	54.3		%				58.3		%

Selling expenses	22,175			3,468			25,643
General and administrative expenses	28,199			—			28,199
Operating expenses	50,374			3,468			53,842

Operating loss as reported was $2.27 million whereas pro forma operating loss as if previous accounting guidance was in effect would have been $2.24 million.

Product revenue

$ 78,377

$ 75,651

$ 233,744

$ 225,274

Service revenue

10,153

29,627

Total revenue

88,530

75,651

263,371

225,274

Product cost of goods sold

36,979

29,646

109,667

89,249

Service costs

3,443

10,247

Cost of goods sold

40,422

119,914

Gross profit

$ 48,108

46,005

$ 143,457

136,025

Gross profit percentage

54.30%

54.50%

Selling expenses

$ 22,175

24,354

$ 66,119

72,964

General and administrative expenses

28,199

20,561

72,213

58,790

Gain on sale of property

50,374

44,915

138,332

126,332

Operating income (loss)

(2,266)

1,090

5,125

9,693

Pro forma operating income

(2,240)

5,260

Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Product revenue

88,584

263,353

Service revenue

Total revenue

88,584

263,353

Product cost of goods sold

36,979

109,667

Service costs

Cost of goods sold

36,979

109,667

Gross profit

$ 51,605

$ 153,686

Gross profit percentage

58.30%

58.40%

Selling expenses

$ 25,643

$ 76,211

General and administrative expenses

28,199

72,213

Gain on sale of property

53,842

148,424

Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Product revenue

10,207

29,609

Service revenue

(10,153)

(29,627)

Total revenue

(18)

Product cost of goods sold

Service costs

(3,443)

(10,247)

Cost of goods sold

(3,443)

(10,247)

Gross profit

3,497

10,229

Selling expenses

3,468

10,092

General and administrative expenses

Gain on sale of property

3,468

10,092

UNITED STATES

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Total revenue

70,652

67,575

210,596

202,176

CANADA

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Total revenue

$ 17,878

$ 8,076

$ 52,775

$ 23,098

Revenue Recognition Product Vertcal (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition Product Vertcal (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Product Revenue [Abstract]
Fastening Systems	24.60%	20.40%	24.50%	20.60%
Fluid Power	14.60%	16.30%	14.70%	15.70%
Specialty Chemicals	12.60%	14.50%	12.30%	14.30%
Cutting Tools and Abrasives	13.70%	14.20%	13.50%	14.30%
Electrical	10.60%	11.70%	10.90%	11.90%
Aftermarket Automotive Supplies	7.60%	8.40%	8.00%	8.80%
Safety	4.60%	4.20%	4.60%	4.20%
Welding and Metal Repair	1.70%	2.20%	1.90%	2.20%
Other Products	10.00%	8.10%	9.60%	8.00%
Total Products	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Restricted Cash Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 800	$ 800

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of inventories
Inventory, Gross	$ 56,602	$ 56,492
Inventory Valuation Reserves	(5,448)	(5,564)
Inventories, net	$ 51,154	$ 50,928

Acquisitions Acquisition Detail (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			$ 157	$ 0
Goodwill			$ 19,114	$ 5,789	$ 19,614	$ 5,520
Bolt [Member] [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 32,300	$ 5,200
Goodwill	14,000
Trade Names [Member] \| Bolt [Member] [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	$ 7,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Bolt [Member] [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	$ 4,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	12 years

Acquisitions Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 88,530	$ 75,651	$ 263,371	$ 225,274
Net Sales Pro Forma	88,530	85,156	263,371	250,781
Net Income Actual	(816)	1,321	3,614	9,451
Net income Pro Forma	$ (816)	$ 1,534	$ 3,614	$ 10,175

Goodwill - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 19,614	$ 5,520
Adjustment to original acquisition allocation	(17)	(73)
Impact of foreign exchange	(483)	342
Ending balance	$ 19,114	$ 5,789

Intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 700	$ 200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	12,779		$ 13,093
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,878)		(1,280)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	10,901		11,813
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	7,994		8,182
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,341)		(957)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	6,653		7,225
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	4,785		4,911
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(537)		(323)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 4,248		$ 4,588

Loan Agreement Covenant (Details)	9 Months Ended
Loan Agreement Covenant (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Loan Agreement [Line Items]
Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio	1.25
Maximum [Member] \| Actual Value [Member]
Loan Agreement [Line Items]
Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio	3.10
Maximum [Member] \| Required Minimum Value [Member]
Loan Agreement [Line Items]
Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio	1.10
Minimum [Member] \| Actual Value [Member]
Loan Agreement [Line Items]
Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio	1.00
Minimum [Member] \| Required Minimum Value [Member]
Loan Agreement [Line Items]
Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio	1.00

Loan Agreement (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Loan Agreement (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Loan Agreement [Line Items]
Excess cash capacity	$ 10,000
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	$ (4,625)	$ (841)
Eligible accounts receivables percentage	85.00%
Eligible accounts receivables past due days	60 days
Eligible inventory percentage	60.00%
Eligible inventory expected to be sold period	18 months
Maximum borrowing amount based on inventory	$ 20,000
Revolving Line of Credit	9,918		$ 14,543
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	27,000
Interest Paid	$ 800	$ 400
Weighted average interest rate	3.82%	3.91%
Bank Overdrafts	$ 5,500
Working Capital Ratio	1.35
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	2.5
Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio	1.25
Maximum
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Spread on LIBOR	1.85%
Restricted Dividends	$ 7,000
Minimum
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Spread on LIBOR	1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 40,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	10,000
Bolt [Member] [Member]
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	3,500
Secured Debt, Current	2,000
Line of Credit [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	$ 8,400
Prime Rate [Member]
Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]
Spread on LIBOR	0.25%

Reserve for Severance Activity in reserve (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reserve for severance and related payments
Balance at beginning of period	$ 483	$ 1,710
Charged to earnings	723	595
Cash paid	(787)	(1,625)
Balance at end of the period	$ 419	$ 680

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation Details (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Employee Benefits and Share-based Compensation	$ 8,694	$ 2,722
Minimum [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Equity Share Payout Range	0
Maximum [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Equity Share Payout Range	48,291
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted	44,737
Share Based Compensation Non Option Equity Instruments Granted Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 24.70

Stock-Based Compensation Restricted Stock Awards (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018 shares
Director Grant [Domain]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding	26,080
Director [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding	20,059

Stock-Based Compensation Market Stock Units (Details)	9 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation Market Stock Units (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018 shares
Maximum [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Equity Share Payout Range	48,291
MSU [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted	32,194

Stock-Based Compensation Anti Dilutive Options (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation Details
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Call Options and Warrants	403,000	80,000	46,000	67,000

Income Tax Income Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Tax Income Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes			$ (830)	$ 0
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (1,531)	$ 479	$ 436	$ 802
Effective income tax rate			10.80%
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries					$ 8,400
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent			33.50%

Contingent Liability Contingent Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental Exit Costs, Reasonably Possible Additional Losses, Low Estimate	$ 1.4
Environmental Exit Costs, Liability for Remediation	1.4	$ 1.0
Environmental Remediation Expense	0.5
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental Exit Costs, Anticipated Cost	0.9
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental Exit Costs, Anticipated Cost	$ 2.0

Lease termination (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Lease termination (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) ft²
Lease termination [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Sublease Revenue	$ 1.0
Area of Real Estate Property \| ft²	17,100
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	$ 1.0
Gain (Loss) on Termination of Lease	0.2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	1.2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current	$ 0.4

Segment Information Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) Segment	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	$ 78,377	$ 75,651	$ 233,744	$ 225,274
Sales Revenue, Services, Net	10,153	0	$ 29,627
Number of Reportable Segments \| Segment			2
Total revenue	88,530	75,651	$ 263,371	225,274
Gross Profit	48,108	46,005	143,457	136,025
Operating Income (Loss)	(2,266)	1,090	5,125	9,693
Interest Expense	251	133	755	393
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	170	843	(320)	953
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	(2,347)	1,800	4,050	10,253
Lawson [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	68,539		206,108	225,274
Sales Revenue, Services, Net	10,153	0	29,627	0
Total revenue	78,692	75,651	235,735	225,274
Gross Profit, Product	37,742	46,005	113,291		$ 136,025
Gross Profit, Services	6,710	0	19,380	0
Gross Profit	44,452	46,005	132,671	136,025
Operating Income (Loss)	(2,955)		3,062	9,693
Bolt [Member] [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	9,838	0	27,636	0
Gross Profit	3,656	0	10,786	0
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 689	$ 0	$ 2,063	$ 0

Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			$ 157	$ 0
Bolt [Member] [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 32,300	$ 5,200