Acquisition and Divestiture Activities	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Acquisition and Divestiture Activities [Abstract]
Acquisition and Divestiture Activities	Note 2 - Acquisition and Divestiture Activities As part of its growth strategy, the Company seeks to expand through targeted acquisitions of other manufacturers of electronic components that have established positions in major markets, reputations for product quality and reliability, and product lines with which the Company has substantial marketing and technical expertise. Year ended December 31, 2011 Huntington Electric, Inc. On September 28, 2011, Vishay acquired the resistor businesses of Huntington Electric, Inc., for approximately $19,335, net of cash acquired. For financial reporting purposes, the results of operations for these businesses have been included in the Resistors & Inductors segment from September 28, 2011. After allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $9,051 related to this acquisition. The goodwill associated with this transaction is deductible for income tax purposes. The Company will test the goodwill for impairment at least annually in accordance with GAAP. Had this acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements, the pro forma statements of operations would not be materially different than the consolidated statements of operations presented. Year ended December 31, 2010 Spin-off of Vishay Precision Group, Inc. On October 27, 2009, Vishay announced that it intended to spin off its measurements and foil resistors businesses into an independent, publicly-traded company to be named Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (“VPG”). On June 15, 2010, the Board of Directors of Vishay approved the spin-off of VPG and on July 6, 2010, Vishay completed the spin-off through a tax-free stock dividend to Vishay’s stockholders. Vishay’s common stockholders received 1 share of VPG common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay common stock they held on the record date, June 25, 2010, and Vishay’s Class B common stockholders received 1 share of VPG Class B common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay Class B common stock they held on the record date. Upon completion of the spin-off certain executive officers received bonuses aggregating approximately $2,100, which are reflected in the results of the year ended December 31, 2010. Until July 6, 2010, VPG was part of Vishay and its results of operations and cash flows are included in the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the completion of the spin-off. The product lines that comprise VPG are included in the VPG reporting segment. See Note 15 for further information on the effect that VPG had on Vishay’s consolidated results. Relationship with VPG after Spin-off Following the spin-off, VPG is an independent company and Vishay retains no ownership interest. However, two members of the VPG board of directors also serve on Vishay’s board of directors. In connection with the completion of the spin-off, on July 6, 2010, Vishay and its subsidiaries entered into several agreements with VPG and its subsidiaries that govern the relationship of the parties following the spin-off. Among the agreements entered into with VPG and its subsidiaries were a transition services agreement, several lease agreements, and supply agreements. None of the agreements are expected to have a material impact on Vishay’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Vishay also entered into a trademark license agreement with VPG pursuant to which Vishay granted VPG the license to use certain trademarks, service marks, logos, trade names, entity names, and domain names which include the term “Vishay.” The license granted VPG the limited, exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use certain marks and names incorporating the term “Vishay” in connection with the design, development, manufacture, marketing, provision and performance of certain VPG products that do not compete with any products within Vishay’s product range as constituted immediately following the separation and certain services provided in connection with the products. The license cannot be terminated except as a result of willful misconduct or liquidation bankruptcy of VPG. Due to the common board members, transition services agreement, lease and supply agreements, and trademark license agreements with VPG, which, in the aggregate, represent significant continuing involvement, Vishay did not restate prior periods to present VPG as a discontinued operation. Prepayment of KEMET Loan Receivable In conjunction with the acquisition of the wet tantalum capacitor business of KEMET Corporation (“KEMET”) on September 15, 2008, Vishay issued a three-year term loan of $15,000 to KEMET. On May 5, 2010, KEMET prepaid the entire principal amount of the term loan plus interest, which is reflected on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows as a cash inflow from investing activities. Year Ended December 31, 2009 Settlement with International Rectifier Corporation On April 1, 2007, Vishay completed its acquisition of the Power Control Systems business (“PCS business”) of International Rectifier for approximately $285,600, net of cash acquired. The final purchase price was pending the resolution of a net working capital adjustment as of the date of acquisition. Vishay also had notified International Rectifier of certain other claims that it had regarding the sale of the PCS business to Vishay. In June 2009, Vishay and International Rectifier entered into a settlement agreement. Under the settlement, International Rectifier refunded $30,000 of the purchase price associated with the acquisition of the PCS business and Vishay released International Rectifier from claims relating to certain outstanding disputes regarding the acquisition. As all goodwill associated with the PCS business was written off as part of the goodwill impairment charges recorded in 2008, Vishay recorded a gain of $28,195 during the second fiscal quarter of 2009, equal to the amount received pursuant to the settlement agreement less certain related expenses. Year Ended December 31, 2008 Sale of Automotive Modules and Subsystems Business On April 7, 2008, Vishay sold the automotive modules and subsystems business unit (“ASBU”) to a private equity firm. ASBU was originally acquired by Vishay as part of the April 1, 2007 acquisition of International Rectifier’s PCS business. Vishay determined that ASBU would not satisfactorily complement Vishay’s operations. The Company recorded an after tax loss of $5,690 during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008 subsequent to the resolution of a net working capital adjustment and the resolution of certain disputes with the buyer. Portions of this amount were paid during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and are reflected on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows as cash flows from discontinued operations. Subsequent Event Acquisition of HiRel Systems LLC On January 13, 2012, Vishay acquired HiRel Systems LLC, a leading supplier of high reliability transformers, inductors, coils, and power conversion products, for approximately $85,000, including repayment of debt, and subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The products and technology portfolio acquired will further enhance the Company’s inductors portfolio, particularly in the field of custom magnetics for medical, military, aerospace and aviation, and applications in the industrial and commercial field such as renewable energy and test and measurement equipment. For financial reporting purposes, the business will be included in the Resistors & Inductors segment beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2012.

As part of its growth strategy, the Company seeks to expand through targeted acquisitions of other manufacturers of electronic components that have established positions in major markets, reputations for product quality and reliability, and product lines with which the Company has substantial marketing and technical expertise.

On September 28, 2011, Vishay acquired the resistor businesses of Huntington Electric, Inc., for approximately $19,335, net of cash acquired. For financial reporting purposes, the results of operations for these businesses have been included in the Resistors & Inductors segment from September 28, 2011. After allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $9,051 related to this acquisition. The goodwill associated with this transaction is deductible for income tax purposes. The Company will test the goodwill for impairment at least annually in accordance with GAAP.

Had this acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements, the pro forma statements of operations would not be materially different than the consolidated statements of operations presented.

On October 27, 2009, Vishay announced that it intended to spin off its measurements and foil resistors businesses into an independent, publicly-traded company to be named Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (“VPG”).

On June 15, 2010, the Board of Directors of Vishay approved the spin-off of VPG and on July 6, 2010, Vishay completed the spin-off through a tax-free stock dividend to Vishay’s stockholders. Vishay’s common stockholders received 1 share of VPG common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay common stock they held on the record date, June 25, 2010, and Vishay’s Class B common stockholders received 1 share of VPG Class B common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay Class B common stock they held on the record date. Upon completion of the spin-off certain executive officers received bonuses aggregating approximately $2,100, which are reflected in the results of the year ended December 31, 2010.

Until July 6, 2010, VPG was part of Vishay and its results of operations and cash flows are included in the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the completion of the spin-off. The product lines that comprise VPG are included in the VPG reporting segment. See Note 15 for further information on the effect that VPG had on Vishay’s consolidated results.

Following the spin-off, VPG is an independent company and Vishay retains no ownership interest. However, two members of the VPG board of directors also serve on Vishay’s board of directors.

In connection with the completion of the spin-off, on July 6, 2010, Vishay and its subsidiaries entered into several agreements with VPG and its subsidiaries that govern the relationship of the parties following the spin-off. Among the agreements entered into with VPG and its subsidiaries were a transition services agreement, several lease agreements, and supply agreements. None of the agreements are expected to have a material impact on Vishay’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Vishay also entered into a trademark license agreement with VPG pursuant to which Vishay granted VPG the license to use certain trademarks, service marks, logos, trade names, entity names, and domain names which include the term “Vishay.” The license granted VPG the limited, exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use certain marks and names incorporating the term “Vishay” in connection with the design, development, manufacture, marketing, provision and performance of certain VPG products that do not compete with any products within Vishay’s product range as constituted immediately following the separation and certain services provided in connection with the products. The license cannot be terminated except as a result of willful misconduct or liquidation bankruptcy of VPG.

Due to the common board members, transition services agreement, lease and supply agreements, and trademark license agreements with VPG, which, in the aggregate, represent significant continuing involvement, Vishay did not restate prior periods to present VPG as a discontinued operation.

In conjunction with the acquisition of the wet tantalum capacitor business of KEMET Corporation (“KEMET”) on September 15, 2008, Vishay issued a three-year term loan of $15,000 to KEMET. On May 5, 2010, KEMET prepaid the entire principal amount of the term loan plus interest, which is reflected on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows as a cash inflow from investing activities.

On April 1, 2007, Vishay completed its acquisition of the Power Control Systems business (“PCS business”) of International Rectifier for approximately $285,600, net of cash acquired. The final purchase price was pending the resolution of a net working capital adjustment as of the date of acquisition. Vishay also had notified International Rectifier of certain other claims that it had regarding the sale of the PCS business to Vishay.

In June 2009, Vishay and International Rectifier entered into a settlement agreement. Under the settlement, International Rectifier refunded $30,000 of the purchase price associated with the acquisition of the PCS business and Vishay released International Rectifier from claims relating to certain outstanding disputes regarding the acquisition. As all goodwill associated with the PCS business was written off as part of the goodwill impairment charges recorded in 2008, Vishay recorded a gain of $28,195 during the second fiscal quarter of 2009, equal to the amount received pursuant to the settlement agreement less certain related expenses.

On April 7, 2008, Vishay sold the automotive modules and subsystems business unit (“ASBU”) to a private equity firm. ASBU was originally acquired by Vishay as part of the April 1, 2007 acquisition of International Rectifier’s PCS business. Vishay determined that ASBU would not satisfactorily complement Vishay’s operations.

The Company recorded an after tax loss of $5,690 during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008 subsequent to the resolution of a net working capital adjustment and the resolution of certain disputes with the buyer. Portions of this amount were paid during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and are reflected on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows as cash flows from discontinued operations.

On January 13, 2012, Vishay acquired HiRel Systems LLC, a leading supplier of high reliability transformers, inductors, coils, and power conversion products, for approximately $85,000, including repayment of debt, and subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The products and technology portfolio acquired will further enhance the Company’s inductors portfolio, particularly in the field of custom magnetics for medical, military, aerospace and aviation, and applications in the industrial and commercial field such as renewable energy and test and measurement equipment. For financial reporting purposes, the business will be included in the Resistors & Inductors segment beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2012.