Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,493,282	$ 2,370,979	$ 2,230,097
Costs of products sold	1,881,990	1,803,719	1,703,424
Gross profit	611,292	567,260	526,673
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	385,696	368,542	349,625
Restructuring and severance costs	20,897	2,814	0
U.S. pension settlement charges	15,588	0	0
Executive compensation charges (credit)	0	(1,778)	0
Gain on Sale of Property	0	0	(12,153)
Operating Income	189,111	197,682	189,201
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(24,457)	(23,130)	(22,604)
Other	2,489	1,853	3,440
Other income (expense), total	(21,968)	(21,277)	(19,164)
Income before taxes	167,143	176,405	170,037
Income tax expense	49,300	52,636	46,506
Net earnings	117,843	123,769	123,531
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	214	789	793
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 117,629	$ 122,980	$ 122,738
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders:	$ 0.80	$ 0.85	$ 0.82
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders:	$ 0.77	$ 0.81	$ 0.79
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	147,567	144,963	149,117
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	153,716	151,417	155,844
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.24	$ 0	$ 0