Reorganization and Expense-Reduction Program Costs - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	$ 8,666	$ 557
2013 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	8,841
Facility exit costs	3,277
2012 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Adjustments to reorganization liabilities	175
Employee termination benefits [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	5,564
Number of employee terminations	120
Employee termination benefits [Member] | 2012 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs		557
Number of employee terminations		79
Asia-Pacific [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	3,298
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Employee termination benefits [Member] | 2012 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs		301
BrightPoint [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	2,699
Europe [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	2,679
North America [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs	165
North America [Member] | Employee termination benefits [Member] | 2012 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs		32
Latin America [Member] | Employee termination benefits [Member] | 2012 Actions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization costs		$ 224