Long-term debt (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2013
Construction Loan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Construction Loan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Construction Loan [Member]
PNC Bank [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment Loan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Equipment Loan [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Equipment Loan [Member]
PNC Bank [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Term Loan December 2009 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Term Loan December 2009 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Term Loan December 2009 [Member]
HSBC Bank [Member]
Dec. 31, 2009
Prior Term Loan Replaced in December 2009 [Member]
HSBC Bank [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Term Loan November 2009 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Term Loan November 2009 [Member]
Oct. 31, 2009
Term Loan November 2009 [Member]
HSBC Bank [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
BAML Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
BAML Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Jan. 29, 2014
BAML Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Credit Agreement [Member]
Institution
Dec. 11, 2013
Credit Agreement [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Jan. 29, 2014
2.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
BAML Term Loan Member
Long-Term Debt [Line Items]                                                
Long-term Debt, Total $ 62,000,000 $ 62,774,000   $ 0 $ 29,375,000   $ 0 $ 11,068,000   $ 0 $ 18,200,000     $ 0 $ 4,131,000     $ 0            
Less current portion of long-term indebtedness 0 (4,470,000)                                            
Noncurrent portion of long-term indebtedness 62,000,000 58,304,000                                            
Interest rate, stated percentage (in hundredths)           3.00%     3.00%     3.25%       3.25% 2.75%           2.875%  
Debt instrument, type of variable interest rate           one month LIBOR     one month LIBOR     three month LIBOR       three month LIBOR one month LIBOR              
Maturity date                       Dec. 31, 2014                   Mar. 31, 2014 Jan. 15, 2021 Dec. 11, 2018
Number of lending institutions                                       3        
Maximum borrowing capacity           30,000,000     12,000,000       30,000,000       100,000,000             125,000,000
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term indebtedness                                       62,000,000        
Deferred financing costs                                       3,400,000 3,500,000      
Debt covenant, consolidated debt service coverage ratio, minimum                                       2.50        
Debt covenant, leverage ratio, maximum                                       3.50        
Debt Instrument, covenant, senior leverage ratio, maximum                                       2.00        
Debt covenant, minimum cash and liquid investments balance                                       50,000,000        
Loan advance expiration date           Jul. 31, 2012     Dec. 31, 2012                              
Face amount of debt instrument                       22,800,000                     250,000,000  
Conversion rate of notes per $1,000 principal amount (in shares)                                             30.8821  
Conversion price per share (in dollars per share)                                             $ 32.38  
Payments on borrowings on long-term indebtedness 62,774,000 10,227,000 15,494,000                               62,000,000          
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]                                                
2014 0                                              
2015 0                                              
2016 0                                              
2017 0                                              
2018 and thereafter 62,000,000                                              
Long-term Debt, Total $ 62,000,000 $ 62,774,000   $ 0 $ 29,375,000   $ 0 $ 11,068,000   $ 0 $ 18,200,000     $ 0 $ 4,131,000     $ 0