View Filing Data

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
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, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 68,300,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,565,517

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 19,260	$ 40,566
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	39,813	33,398
Inventories	44,320	47,167
Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid expenses	6,949	8,905
Deferred income taxes	4,340	4,251
Discontinued operations	591	619
Total current assets	115,273	134,906
Property, plant and equipment, net	49,308	44,442
Cash value of life insurance	15,601	15,660
Deferred income taxes	10,075	11,492
Goodwill	27,966	28,307
Other assets	733	1,577
Total assets	218,956	236,384
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,396	18,195
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	30,014	35,348
Discontinued operations	460	2,008
Total current liabilities	43,870	55,551
Security bonus plan	24,092	25,602
Deferred compensation	9,414	10,792
Other liabilities	1,289	1,574
Total noncurrent liabilities	34,795	37,968
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value: Authorized - 500,000 shares, Issued and outstanding - None
Common stock, $1 par value: Authorized - 35,000,000 shares Issued - 8,568,220 and 8,534,028 shares Outstanding - 8,565,517 and 8,531,325 shares	8,568	8,534
Capital in excess of par value	6,114	5,328
Retained earnings	123,945	126,098
Treasury stock - 2,703 shares	(70)	(70)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,734	2,975
Total stockholders' equity	140,291	142,865
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 218,956	$ 236,384

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	35,000,000	35,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,568,220	8,534,028
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,565,517	8,531,325
Treasury stock, shares	2,703	2,703

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 75,366	$ 81,553	$ 242,099	$ 236,768
Cost of goods sold	32,820	31,605	101,315	91,706
Gross profit	42,546	49,948	140,784	145,062
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	45,335	43,605	137,026	132,097
Severance expense	282	1,334	1,492	2,984
Legal settlement		(3,500)		(4,050)
Gain on sale of assets				(1,701)
Operating income (loss)	(3,071)	8,509	2,266	15,732
Other income (expense), net	59	(14)	138	25
Interest expense	(79)	(105)	(662)	(386)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(3,091)	8,390	1,742	15,371
Income tax (benefit) expense	(937)	2,624	758	5,893
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,154)	5,766	984	9,478
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(9)	(2,337)	(61)	(2,030)
Net income (loss)	$ (2,163)	$ 3,429	$ 923	$ 7,448
Basic income (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	$ (0.25)	$ 0.68	$ 0.12	$ 1.11
Discontinued operations		(0.28)	(0.01)	(0.24)
Net income (loss) per share	(0.25)	0.40	0.11	0.87
Diluted income (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations	(0.25)	0.68	0.11	1.11
Discontinued operations		(0.28)		(0.24)
Net income (loss) per share	$ (0.25)	$ 0.40	$ 0.11	$ 0.87
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	8,566	8,522	8,549	8,522
Dilutive effect of stock based compensation		12	62	6
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	8,566	8,534	8,611	8,528
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.12	$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 0.20

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 923	$ 7,448
Loss from discontinued operations	61	2,030
Income from continuing operations	984	9,478
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,955	4,467
Deferred income taxes	1,328	3,325
Stock based compensation	(406)	276
Settlement payment		(10,000)
Gain on sale of assets		(1,701)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(6,941)	(7,032)
Inventories	2,642	(3,353)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,068	2,745
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(9,735)	3,039
Other	(2,342)	(1,744)
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations	(8,447)	(500)
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(8,918)	(5,218)
Net proceeds (outlay) related to sale of businesses	(192)	16,000
Proceeds from sale of property		2,027
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities of continuing operations	(9,110)	12,809
Financing activities:
Dividends paid	(3,071)	(1,534)
Other		(32)
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations	(3,071)	(1,566)
Discontinued operations:
Operating cash flows	(678)	3,644
Investing cash flows		(4)
Net cash (used in) provided by activities of discontinued operations	(678)	3,640
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(21,306)	14,383
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	40,566	8,787
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 19,260	$ 23,170

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 — 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, 2010. 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, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified for all prior periods presented to reflect current discontinued operations treatment (see Note 2 — Discontinued Operations). Unless noted otherwise, discussions in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements pertain to continuing operations. Certain other reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported. There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company has determined that there were no subsequent events to recognize or disclose in these financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

+ References + Details

Discontinued operations	9 Months Ended
Discontinued operations	Sep. 30, 2011
Discontinued operations [Abstract]
Discontinued operations	Note 2 — Discontinued operations In the third quarter of 2010 the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Assembly Component Systems, Inc. (“ACS”), a wholly owned subsidiary for $19.0 million. A $2.5 million net loss on the sale was recorded in the third quarter of 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Rutland Tool & Supply Company, Inc. (“Rutland”). Accordingly, Rutland’s results of operations have been reflected in discontinued operations. Rutland’s net sales, which were previously included in the Company’s Maintenance Repair and Operations (“MRO”) segment, were $7.7 million and $23.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the facts and circumstances leading to the completed or expected disposal, manner and timing of disposal, the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss), amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued operations, the segment in which the disposal group was reported, and the classification (whether sold or classified as held for sale) and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group. Includes all disposal groups, including those classified as components of the entity (discontinued operations).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 43-48
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1510-107760

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1020-107759

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1012-107759

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1474-107760

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6390789&loc=d3e2443-110228

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1436-107760

+ Details

Inventories

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 3 — Inventories

Components of inventories were as follows:


	(Amounts in thousands)
	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010
Finished goods	$	45,187		$	49,084
Work in progress		1,755			1,203
Raw materials		1,646			1,591

Total		48,588			51,878
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory		(4,268	)		(4,711	)

	$	44,320		$	47,167

Severance Reserve

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Severance Reserve [Abstract]

Severance Reserve

Note 4 — Severance Reserve

The table below shows the changes in the Company’s reserve for severance and related payments, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and 2010:


	(Amounts in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010
Balance at beginning of year	$	3,062		$	4,086
Charged to earnings		1,492			2,984
Cash paid		(2,715	)		(3,651	)

Balance at end of the period	$	1,839		$	3,419

Credit Agreement	9 Months Ended
Credit Agreement	Sep. 30, 2011
Credit Agreement [Abstract]
Credit Agreement	Note 5 — Credit Agreement During the third quarter of 2011, the Company entered into an Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated August 21, 2009 between the Company and The PrivateBank and Trust Company (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement extends the term of the $55.0 million credit facility, which includes an additional $20.0 million accordion feature, to October 1, 2016. The Amended Credit Agreement decreases the interest rate spreads and the unused line fee, increases the annual allowable dividends from $7.0 million to $10.0 million, increases the allowance for acquisitions and reduces the minimum working capital to total debt ratio from 2.0 to 1.75.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References + Details

Legal Settlement	9 Months Ended
Legal Settlement	Sep. 30, 2011
Legal Settlement/Contingency [Abstract]
Legal Settlement	Note 6 — Legal Settlement During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a benefit of $3.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively, related to proceeds received from legal remedies related to the actions of several former sales agents and Share Corporation alleging, among other things, breach of contract and interference with customer relationships.

Gain on Sale of Assets	9 Months Ended
Gain on Sale of Assets	Sep. 30, 2011
Gain on Sale of Assets [Abstract]
Gain on Sale of Assets	Note 7 — Gain on Sale of Assets In the first nine months of 2010, the Company received cash proceeds of $2.0 million from the sale of its Dallas, Texas distribution center, resulting in a gain of $1.7 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References + Details

Income Tax	9 Months Ended
Income Tax	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax [Abstract]
Income Tax	Note 8 — Income Tax 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, 2011, the Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the years 2009 and 2010 and income tax examinations from various other jurisdictions for the years 2005 through 2010.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

+ Details

Comprehensive Income (loss)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Comprehensive Income (loss) [Abstract]

Comprehensive Income (loss)

Note 9 — Comprehensive Income (loss)

Components of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:


	(Amounts in thousands)
	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011			2010		2011			2010

Net income (loss)	$	(2,163	)	$	3,429	$	923		$	7,448
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1,649	)		1,296		(1,241	)		1,169

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(3,812	)	$	4,725	$	(318	)	$	8,617

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income. Components of comprehensive income include: (1) foreign currency translation adjustments; (2) gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions that are designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity; (3) gains (losses) on intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; (4) change in the market value of a futures contract that qualifies as a hedge of an asset reported at fair value; (5) unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and that resulting from transfers of debt securities from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category; (6) a net loss recognized as an additional pension liability not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost; and (7) the net gain (loss) and net prior service cost or credit for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 14-26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e709-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920433&loc=d3e998-108581

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e716-108580

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e689-108580

+ Details

Related Party Transaction	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transaction	Sep. 30, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Abstract]
Related Party Transaction	Note 10 — Related Party Transaction The Company’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Port, was a partner in two partnerships that had an interest in Lawson’s common stock. During 2010, litigation was initiated against Dr. Port, requesting that the partnerships be changed to allow the partners to have more control over their respective shares. The suit named Dr. Port as a defendant based on his role in the partnerships and as a Director of the Company. The Company was not a party to the lawsuit. On March 17, 2011 the litigation was settled with assets distributed under the terms of a settlement agreement and all parties agreed to release Dr. Port, individually and as a Director of the Company, from any and all claims related to the litigation. Through September 30, 2011, the Company had incurred $0.8 million for legal services provided to Dr. Port in relation to this litigation of which $0.1 million was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions, including the nature of the relationship(s), a description of the transactions, the amount of the transactions, the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms of the transaction from the previous period, stated interest rate, expiration date, terms and manner of settlement per the agreement with the related party, and amounts due to or from related parties. If the entity and one or more other entities are under common ownership or management control and this control affects the operating results or financial position, disclosure includes the nature of the control relationship even if there are no transactions between the entities. Disclosure may also include the aggregate amount of current and deferred tax expense for each statement of earnings presented where the entity is a member of a group that files a consolidated tax return, the amount of any tax related balances due to or from affiliates as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, the principal provisions of the method by which the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense is allocated to the members of the group and the nature and effect of any changes in that method. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 4
-Section 08
-Paragraph k

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 3A
-Section 04
-Paragraph b

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 57
-Paragraph 1-4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39691-107864

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39678-107864

+ Details

Contingency	9 Months Ended
Contingency	Sep. 30, 2011
Legal Settlement/Contingency [Abstract]
Contingency	Note 11 — Contingency One of the Company’s subsidiaries, Drummond American LLC (“Drummond”), is under an employment tax examination for the years 2007 and 2008 of the long-standing treatment of its sales agents as independent contractors. The Company has received indications from the IRS that it intends to challenge Drummond’s position that the sales agents were independent contractors and will seek certain adjustments, potentially including penalties and interest. The Company intends to continue to pursue resolution with the IRS, but it is not possible at this time to predict the final outcome or to establish a reasonable estimate or a range of possible outcomes of this matter. An unfavorable outcome of this examination could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25287-109308

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

+ Details

Segment Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Note 12 — Segment Reporting

The Company has two operating segments: MRO and OEM. The Company’s MRO segment is a distributor of products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental Maintenance, Repair and Operations marketplace. The Company’s OEM segment manufactures, sells and distributes production and specialized component parts to the Original Equipment Manufacturer marketplace. The Company’s two reportable segments are distinguished by the nature of products distributed and sold, types of customers and manner of servicing them. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources to reportable segments primarily based on operating income.

The following table presents summary financial information for the Company’s reportable segments:


	(Amounts in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

Net sales
MRO	$	71,490		$	77,949		$	231,370		$	226,680
OEM		3,876			3,604			10,729			10,088

Consolidated total	$	75,366		$	81,553		$	242,099		$	236,768


Operating income (loss)
MRO	$	(3,140	)	$	6,191		$	3,126		$	12,979
OEM		351			152			632			(14	)
Severance expense		(282	)		(1,334	)		(1,492	)		(2,984	)
Legal Settlement		—			3,500			—			4,050
Gain on sale of assets		—			—			—			1,701

Consolidated total	$	(3,071	)	$	8,509		$	2,266		$	15,732

Other income (expense), net		59			(14	)		138			25
Interest expense		(79	)		(105	)		(662	)		(386	)


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(3,091	)	$	8,390		$	1,742		$	15,371

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8933-108599

+ Details

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Note 13 — Earnings Per Share Approximately 51,000 contingent shares of common stock, that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future, have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2011 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The contingent shares relate to the Company’s stock based compensation plans.