Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 602,378	$ 554,254
Costs of products sold	457,095	417,520
Gross profit	145,283	136,734
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	96,307	91,129
Restructuring and severance costs	6,404	0
Operating income	42,572	45,605
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,980)	(5,486)
Other	1,312	115
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(4,668)	(5,371)
Income before taxes	37,904	40,234
Income tax expense	11,940	11,093
Net earnings	25,964	29,141
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	154	210
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 25,810	$ 28,931
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.20
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.19
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	147,557	143,591
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	152,556	150,632
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.06	$ 0