Note 9 - Operations and Industry Segments
 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
9.  OPERATIONS AND INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

For management and reporting purposes, we divide our business into two segments: medical and custom products.  This industry segment information corresponds to the markets in the United States and Canada for which we manufacture and distribute our various products.

As described in Note 2, on December 9, 2011, we acquired substantially all of the assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (MCHP).  MCHP manufactures and markets medical bed frames and related products.  M.C. Healthcare's operations are reported as part of our medical segment for the period from December 9, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

The following table summarizes certain information on industry segments:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2012
   
July 2, 2011
   
June 30, 2012
   
July 2, 2011
 
                         
Net sales:
                       
Medical
  $ 11,618,522     $ 8,838,423     $ 34,792,619     $ 25,753,090  
Custom products
    5,318,607       4,856,434       23,571,938       13,102,783  
Total
  $ 16,937,129     $ 13,694,857     $ 58,364,557     $ 38,855,873  
                                 
Operating profit:
                               
Medical
  $ 1,101,343     $ 1,183,933     $ 3,809,075     $ 3,379,553  
Custom products
    238,157       513,157       2,200,179       1,216,682  
Total
    1,339,500       1,697,090       6,009,254       4,596,235  
                                 
Corporate expense
    (193,599 )      (163,841 )     (460,371 )      (422,182 )
Other
    (22,447 )      5,198       (47,463 )      14,394  
Income before income taxes
  $ 1,123,454     $ 1,538,447     $ 5,501,420     $ 4,188,447  

     Total sales by industry segment include sales to unaffiliated customers, as reported in our statements of income.  In calculating operating profit, non-allocable general corporate expenses, interest expense, other income, and income taxes are not included, but certain corporate operating expenses incurred for the benefit of all segments are included on an allocated basis.