Acquisition and Divestiture Activities	9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Acquisition Activities [Abstract]
Acquisition Activities	Note 2 – Acquisition 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. MCB Industrie S.A. On June 13, 2013, Vishay acquired MCB Industrie S.A. ("MCB Industrie") in France, a well-established manufacturer of specialty resistors and sensors, for $23,034, net of cash acquired. The products and technology portfolio acquired is expected to enable Vishay to expand its presence in the European industrial market. For financial reporting purposes, the results of operations for this business have been included in the Resistors & Inductors segment from June 13, 2013. The inclusion of this business did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results for the fiscal quarter or nine fiscal months ended September 28, 2013. Based on an estimate of their fair values, the Company allocated $5,433 of the purchase price to definite-lived intangible assets. After allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on an estimation of their fair values at the date of acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $7,985 related to this acquisition. The goodwill associated with this transaction is not 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 condensed financial statements, the pro forma statements of operations would not be materially different than the consolidated condensed statements of operations presented. The remaining fluctuation in the goodwill account balance is due to foreign currency translation.

Note 2 – Acquisition 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.

MCB Industrie S.A.

On June 13, 2013, Vishay acquired MCB Industrie S.A. ("MCB Industrie") in France, a well-established manufacturer of specialty resistors and sensors, for $23,034, net of cash acquired. The products and technology portfolio acquired is expected to enable Vishay to expand its presence in the European industrial market. For financial reporting purposes, the results of operations for this business have been included in the Resistors & Inductors segment from June 13, 2013. The inclusion of this business did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results for the fiscal quarter or nine fiscal months ended September 28, 2013. Based on an estimate of their fair values, the Company allocated $5,433 of the purchase price to definite-lived intangible assets. After allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on an estimation of their fair values at the date of acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $7,985 related to this acquisition. The goodwill associated with this transaction is not 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 condensed financial statements, the pro forma statements of operations would not be materially different than the consolidated condensed statements of operations presented.

The remaining fluctuation in the goodwill account balance is due to foreign currency translation.