Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 638,211	$ 602,890	$ 1,882,518	$ 1,754,809
Costs of products sold	479,819	459,670	1,414,750	1,331,998
Gross profit	158,392	143,220	467,768	422,811
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	93,837	90,067	287,300	273,941
Restructuring and severance costs	3,508	0	18,926	0
U.S. pension settlement charges	15,588	0	15,588	0
Executive compensation charges (credit)			0	(1,778)
Operating income	45,459	53,153	145,954	150,648
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(6,167)	(5,797)	(17,968)	(17,107)
Other	(474)	556	1,046	1,455
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(6,641)	(5,241)	(16,922)	(15,652)
Income before taxes	38,818	47,912	129,032	134,996
Income tax expense	11,841	15,043	40,259	41,501
Net earnings	26,977	32,869	88,773	93,495
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	6	150	350	536
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 26,971	$ 32,719	$ 88,423	$ 92,959
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ 0.60	$ 0.65
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.22	$ 0.57	$ 0.61
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	147,569	145,044	147,565	144,119
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	155,546	151,890	154,142	151,471
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.06	$ 0	$ 0.18	$ 0