Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014	Jul. 04, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 590,470	$ 641,929	$ 1,183,906	$ 1,244,307
Costs of products sold	448,988	477,836	897,386	934,931
Gross profit	141,482	164,093	286,520	309,376
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	91,652	97,156	187,722	193,463
Restructuring and severance costs	5,660	9,014	7,070	15,418
Operating income	44,170	57,923	91,728	100,495
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(6,736)	(5,821)	(13,097)	(11,801)
Other	1,160	208	4,620	1,520
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(5,576)	(5,613)	(8,477)	(10,281)
Income before taxes	38,594	52,310	83,251	90,214
Income tax expense	12,076	16,478	25,808	28,418
Net earnings	26,518	35,832	57,443	61,796
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	250	190	476	344
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 26,268	$ 35,642	$ 56,967	$ 61,452
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.18	$ 0.24	$ 0.39	$ 0.42
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.17	$ 0.23	$ 0.37	$ 0.40
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	147,700	147,567	147,699	147,561
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	151,700	154,322	152,183	153,438
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.06	$ 0.06	$ 0.12	$ 0.12