Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vishay and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. For those consolidated subsidiaries in which the Company's ownership is less than 100 percent, the outside stockholders' interests are shown as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Investments in affiliates over which the Company has significant influence but not a controlling interest are carried on the equity basis. Investments in affiliates over which the Company does not have significant influence are accounted for by the cost method. All intercompany transactions, accounts, and profits are eliminated. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue on product sales during the period when the sales process is complete. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with terms of an agreement of sale, title and risk of loss have been transferred, collectibility is reasonably assured, and pricing is fixed or determinable. For the portion of sales where title and risk of loss passes at point of delivery, the Company recognizes revenue upon delivery to the customer, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. The Company historically has had agreements with distributors that provided limited rights of product return. The Company has modified these arrangements to allow distributors a limited credit for unsaleable products, which it terms a "scrap allowance." Consistent with industry practice, the Company also has a "stock, ship and debit" program whereby it considers requests by distributors for credits on previously purchased products that remain in distributors' inventory, to enable the distributors to offer more competitive pricing. In addition, the Company has contractual arrangements whereby it provides distributors with protection against price reductions initiated by the Company after product is sold by the Company to the distributor and prior to resale by the distributor. The Company records a reduction of revenue during each period, and records a related accrued expense for the period, based upon its estimate of product returns, scrap allowances, "stock, ship and debit" credits, and price protection credits that will be attributable to sales recorded through the end of the period. The Company makes these estimates based upon sales levels to its distributors during the period, inventory levels at the distributors, current and projected market conditions, and historical experience under the programs. While the Company utilizes a number of different methodologies to estimate the accruals, all of the methodologies take into account sales levels to distributors during the relevant period, inventory levels at the distributors, current and projected market trends and conditions, recent and historical activity under the relevant programs, changes in program policies, and open requests for credits. These procedures require the exercise of significant judgments. The Company believes that it has a reasonable basis to estimate future credits under the programs. Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs are included in costs of products sold. Research and Development Expenses Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The amount charged to expense for research and development (exclusive of purchased in-process research and development) aggregated $67,153, $66,842, and $64,193, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The Company spends additional amounts for the development of machinery and equipment for new processes and for cost reduction measures. Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets which the Company believes do not meet GAAP criteria of "more likely than not" to be realized. This criterion requires a level of judgment regarding future taxable income, which may be revised due to changes in market conditions, tax laws, or other factors. If the Company's assumptions and estimates change in the future, valuation allowances established may be increased, resulting in increased tax expense. Conversely, if the Company is ultimately able to utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been established, then the related portion of the valuation allowance can be released, resulting in decreased tax expense. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company establishes reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when the Company believes that certain positions might be challenged despite the Company's belief that its tax return positions are fully supportable. The Company adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances and the provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate. These accruals for tax-related uncertainties are based on management's best estimate of potential tax exposures. When particular matters arise, a number of years may elapse before such matters are audited by tax authorities and finally resolved. Favorable resolution of such matters could be recognized as a reduction to the Company's effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Unfavorable resolution of any particular issue could increase the effective tax rate and may require the use of cash in the year of resolution. The amount included in current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets reflect only amounts expected to be settled in cash within one year. See Note 5. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments Cash and cash equivalents includes demand deposits and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Highly liquid investments with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year are classified as short-term investments. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company's short-term investments were comprised of time deposits with financial institutions whose original maturity exceeds three months, but less than one year. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company evaluates the past-due status of its trade receivables based on contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Bad debt expense (income realized upon subsequent collection) was $301, $61, and $(152) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or market. Inventories are adjusted for estimated obsolescence and written down to net realizable value based upon estimates of future demand, technology developments, and market conditions. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are being depreciated over useful lives of seven to ten years. Buildings and building improvements are being depreciated over useful lives of twenty to forty years. Construction in progress is not depreciated until the assets are placed in service. The estimated cost to complete construction in progress at December 31, 2017 was approximately $79,000. Depreciation of capital lease assets is included in total depreciation expense. Depreciation expense was $148,883, $144,521, and $154,340 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Gains and losses on the disposal of assets which do not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations are included in the determination of operating margin (within selling, general, and administrative expenses). Individually material gains and losses on disposal are separately disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business acquired over the fair value of the related net assets at the date of acquisition. Certain of the Company's tradenames were assigned indefinite useful lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but rather are tested for impairment at least annually. These tests are performed more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The Company's business segments (see Note 15) represent its reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. See Note 3 for further information on the impairment tests performed in 2016 and 2015. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company has no recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Patents and acquired technology are being amortized over useful lives of seven to twenty-five years. Capitalized software is amortized over periods of three to ten years, primarily included in costs of products sold on the consolidated statements of operations. Customer relationships are amortized over useful lives of five to twenty years. Noncompete agreements are amortized over periods of three to ten years. The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets. GAAP prescribes a quantitative method for determining goodwill impairment. The Company has the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing the quantitative impairment test. If it is determined, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is not more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is not required. If it is determined that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. The Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit and compares that fair value to the net book value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined using various valuation techniques, including a comparable companies market multiple approach and a discounted cash flow analysis (an income approach). If the net book value of the reporting unit were to exceed the fair value, the Company would recognize an impairment charge. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The carrying value of long-lived assets held-and-used, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, is evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group. Losses on long-lived assets held-for-sale, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for anticipated disposal costs. See Note 3 for further information on the impairment tests performed in 2016 and 2015. Available-for-Sale Securities Short-term investments and other assets reported on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include time deposits with financial institutions whose original maturity exceeds three months, but less than one year and investments in marketable securities which are classified as available-for-sale. These assets include assets that are held in trust related to the Company's non-qualified pension and deferred compensation plans (see Note 11) and assets that are intended to fund a portion of the Company's other postretirement benefit obligations outside of the U.S. These assets are reported at fair value, based on quoted market prices as of the end of the reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses are reported, net of their related tax consequences, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity until sold. At the time of sale, the assets that are held in trust related to the Company's non-qualified pension and deferred compensation plans, any gains (losses) calculated by the specific identification method are recognized as a reduction (increase) to benefits expense, within selling, general, and administrative expenses. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" below. Financial Instruments The Company uses financial instruments in the normal course of its business, including from time to time, derivative financial instruments. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into contracts that are not considered derivative financial instruments in their entirety, but that include embedded derivative features. The convertible senior debentures due 2040, due 2041, and due 2042 contain embedded derivatives that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, outstanding derivative instruments were not material. The Company reports derivative instruments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at their fair values. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. For instruments designated as hedges, the effective portion of gains or losses is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and the ineffective portion, if any, is reported in current period net earnings (loss). Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, including embedded derivatives, are recorded in current period net earnings (loss). The Company has in the past used interest rate swap agreements to modify variable rate obligations to fixed rate obligations, thereby reducing exposure to market rate fluctuations. The Company uses financial instruments such as forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion, but not all, of the risk associated with its firm commitments denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of the Company's foreign currency management is to minimize the effect of exchange rate changes on actual cash flows from foreign currency denominated transactions. Other financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, held-to-maturity short-term investments, accounts receivable, and notes payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments reported on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. Stock-Based Compensation Compensation costs related to stock-based payment transactions are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity (or liability) instruments issued. Compensation cost is recognized over the period that an officer, employee, or non-employee director is required to provide service in exchange for the award. For awards subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes expense over the service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. The Company recognizes compensation cost for restricted stock units ("RSUs") that are expected to vest and records cumulative adjustments in the period that the expectation changes. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Foreign Currency Translation The Company has significant operations outside of the United States. The Company finances its operations in Europe and certain locations in Asia in local currencies, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the local currency as their functional currency. The Company's operations in Israel and most significant locations in Asia are largely financed in U.S. dollars, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. For those subsidiaries where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets have been translated at the rate of exchange as of the balance sheet date. Translation adjustments do not impact the consolidated results of operations and are reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. While the translation of revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars does not directly impact the statement of operations, the translation effectively increases or decreases the U.S. dollar equivalent of revenues generated and expenses incurred in those foreign currencies. For those foreign subsidiaries where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, all foreign currency financial statement amounts are remeasured into U.S. dollars. Exchange gains and losses arising from remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated results of operations. Commitments and Contingencies Liabilities for loss contingencies, including environmental remediation costs, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. The costs for a specific environmental remediation site are discounted if the aggregate amount of the obligation and the amount and timing of the cash payments for that site are fixed or reliably determinable based upon information derived from the remediation plan for that site. Accrued liabilities for environmental matters recorded at December 31, 2017 and 2016 do not include claims against third parties. Restructuring and Severance Costs Restructuring and severance costs reflect charges resulting from cost reduction programs implemented by the Company. Restructuring and severance costs include exit costs, severance benefits pursuant to an on-going arrangement, voluntary termination compensation under a defined program, and any related pension curtailment and settlement charges. The Company recognizes expense for one-time benefits only after management has committed to a plan, the plan is sufficiently detailed to provide the number, classification, and location of employees to be terminated as well as the expected completion date, the plan has been sufficiently communicated to employees such that they are able to determine the type and amount of benefits they will receive if terminated, and it is unlikely that the plan will be significantly changed or withdrawn. If an employee is not required to render service beyond a minimum retention period, the Company recognizes expense once the aforementioned criteria have been met. If an employee is required to render service beyond a minimum retention period, the Company recognizes expense over the period that the employee is required to render future service. The Company recognizes expense for on-going benefit arrangements when the liability is reasonably estimable and considered probable. The Company recognizes expense for voluntary separation / early retirement when the employee delivers an irrevocable voluntary termination notice pursuant to a defined company program. The Company recognizes other exit costs as incurred. Self-Insurance Programs The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms to provide for the potential liabilities for workers' compensation, general liability, property damage, director and officers' liability, and vehicle liability. As part of its self-insurance program for certain risks, the Company created a wholly-owned captive insurance entity in 2007. At December 31, 2017, the captive insurance entity provides only property and general liability insurance, although it is licensed to also provide casualty and directors' and officers' insurance. The captive insurance entity had $560 accrued for outstanding claims at December 31, 2017 and no amounts accrued for outstanding claims at December 31, 2016. Certain cash and investments held by the captive insurance entity are restricted primarily for the purpose of potential insurance claims. Restricted cash of $9,438 and $10,211 is included in other noncurrent assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing required statutory reserves of the captive insurance entity. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Convertible Debentures The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash in a manner that reflects the Company's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The liability component at issuance is recognized at fair value, based on the fair value of a similar instrument that does not have a conversion feature. A discount is recorded if debentures are issued at a coupon rate which is below the rate of a similar instrument that did not have a conversion feature at issuance. The equity component is based on the excess of the principal amount of the debentures over the fair value of the liability component, after adjusting for an allocation of debt issuance costs and the deferred tax impact, and is recorded as capital in excess of par. Debt discounts are amortized as additional non-cash interest expense over the expected life of the debt. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The ASU is the result of the FASB's simplification initiative intended to improve GAAP by reducing costs and complexity while maintaining or enhancing the usefulness of related financial statement information. The ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the ASU on January 1, 2017. The ASU allowed prospective adoption of certain aspects, while requiring retrospective adoption of other aspects of the guidance. The Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits in January 1, 2017 retained earnings (accumulated deficit) of $386. The Company reclassified $542 and $639 of cash withholding taxes paid when shares were withheld for vested equity awards in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to financing cash flows. The Company retrospectively reclassified an immaterial amount of excess tax benefits as operating cash flows on the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company will recognize forfeitures on its stock-based awards as they occur. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA") was enacted in the United States. The TCJA represents sweeping changes in U.S. tax law. Under GAAP (specifically, Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740), the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recognized in the period in which the new legislation is enacted. The total effect of tax law changes on deferred tax balances is recorded as a component of income tax expense. In response to the TCJA, the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB No. 118") to provide guidance to registrants in applying ASC Topic 740 in connection with the TCJA. SAB No. 118 provides that in the period of enactment, the income tax effects of the TCJA may be reported as a provisional amount based on a reasonable estimate (to the extent a reasonable estimate can be determined), which would be subject to adjustment during a "measurement period". The measurement period begins in the reporting period of the TCJA's enactment and ends when a registrant has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information that was needed in order to complete the accounting requirements under ASC Topic 740. SAB No. 118 also describes supplemental disclosures that should accompany the provisional amounts. The Company has applied the guidance in SAB No. 118 to account for the financial accounting impacts of the TCJA as of December 31, 2017, and has provided the applicable supplemental disclosures in Note 5. Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The ASU is the result of a convergence project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The ASU removes inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements; provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; provides more useful information to users of financial statements through expanded disclosure requirements; and simplifies the preparation of financial statements by reducing the number of requirements to which an entity must refer. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company intends to retrospectively adopt the ASU effective January 1, 2018. Based on work performed to date, the Company expects to record a cumulative-effect adjustment of approximately $2,500 to January 1, 2016 retained earnings (accumulated deficit) upon the retrospective adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 for certain custom products where revenue will be recognized throughout the production process. The Company also expects to record a reclassification of warranty expenses from costs of products sold to contra-revenue of $4,154 and $6,103 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The ASU enhances the reporting model for financial instruments by addressing certain aspects, including requiring equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values; eliminating the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the disclosed fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost; and requiring the use of the exit price notion for fair value measurements of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings (accumulated deficit) of $1,801 on January 1, 2018 for the cumulative change in fair value of available-for-sale equity investments previously recognized in other comprehensive income. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU is the result of a project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Upon adoption of the ASU, the Company will recognize lease assets and liabilities for its operating leases which are not currently reported on its consolidated balance sheets. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with the ability to early adopt. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the ASU on its lease contracts. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020, with the ability to early adopt for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the ASU on its financial assets measured at amortized cost. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU amends the income statement presentation requirements of net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and requires retrospective adoption. Upon adoption, the Company will reclassify the components of net benefit costs other than the current service component, currently presented as $3,497 and $4,040 of cost of goods sold for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $8,919 and $11,981 million of selling, general, and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to other expenses. The Company will also reclassify the $79,321 U.S. pension settlement charges recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016 to other expenses. Reclassifications In addition to the changes due to the retrospective adoption of certain aspects of new accounting guidance described above, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vishay and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. For those consolidated subsidiaries in which the Company's ownership is less than 100 percent, the outside stockholders' interests are shown as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Investments in affiliates over which the Company has significant influence but not a controlling interest are carried on the equity basis. Investments in affiliates over which the Company does not have significant influence are accounted for by the cost method. All intercompany transactions, accounts, and profits are eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue on product sales during the period when the sales process is complete. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with terms of an agreement of sale, title and risk of loss have been transferred, collectibility is reasonably assured, and pricing is fixed or determinable. For the portion of sales where title and risk of loss passes at point of delivery, the Company recognizes revenue upon delivery to the customer, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. The Company historically has had agreements with distributors that provided limited rights of product return. The Company has modified these arrangements to allow distributors a limited credit for unsaleable products, which it terms a "scrap allowance." Consistent with industry practice, the Company also has a "stock, ship and debit" program whereby it considers requests by distributors for credits on previously purchased products that remain in distributors' inventory, to enable the distributors to offer more competitive pricing. In addition, the Company has contractual arrangements whereby it provides distributors with protection against price reductions initiated by the Company after product is sold by the Company to the distributor and prior to resale by the distributor.

The Company records a reduction of revenue during each period, and records a related accrued expense for the period, based upon its estimate of product returns, scrap allowances, "stock, ship and debit" credits, and price protection credits that will be attributable to sales recorded through the end of the period. The Company makes these estimates based upon sales levels to its distributors during the period, inventory levels at the distributors, current and projected market conditions, and historical experience under the programs. While the Company utilizes a number of different methodologies to estimate the accruals, all of the methodologies take into account sales levels to distributors during the relevant period, inventory levels at the distributors, current and projected market trends and conditions, recent and historical activity under the relevant programs, changes in program policies, and open requests for credits. These procedures require the exercise of significant judgments. The Company believes that it has a reasonable basis to estimate future credits under the programs.

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included in costs of products sold.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The amount charged to expense for research and development (exclusive of purchased in-process research and development) aggregated $67,153, $66,842, and $64,193, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The Company spends additional amounts for the development of machinery and equipment for new processes and for cost reduction measures.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets which the Company believes do not meet GAAP criteria of "more likely than not" to be realized. This criterion requires a level of judgment regarding future taxable income, which may be revised due to changes in market conditions, tax laws, or other factors. If the Company's assumptions and estimates change in the future, valuation allowances established may be increased, resulting in increased tax expense. Conversely, if the Company is ultimately able to utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been established, then the related portion of the valuation allowance can be released, resulting in decreased tax expense.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company establishes reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when the Company believes that certain positions might be challenged despite the Company's belief that its tax return positions are fully supportable. The Company adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances and the provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.

These accruals for tax-related uncertainties are based on management's best estimate of potential tax exposures. When particular matters arise, a number of years may elapse before such matters are audited by tax authorities and finally resolved. Favorable resolution of such matters could be recognized as a reduction to the Company's effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Unfavorable resolution of any particular issue could increase the effective tax rate and may require the use of cash in the year of resolution. The amount included in current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets reflect only amounts expected to be settled in cash within one year.

See Note 5.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents includes demand deposits and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Highly liquid investments with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year are classified as short-term investments. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company's short-term investments were comprised of time deposits with financial institutions whose original maturity exceeds three months, but less than one year.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company evaluates the past-due status of its trade receivables based on contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Bad debt expense (income realized upon subsequent collection) was $301, $61, and $(152) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or market. Inventories are adjusted for estimated obsolescence and written down to net realizable value based upon estimates of future demand, technology developments, and market conditions.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are being depreciated over useful lives of seven to ten years. Buildings and building improvements are being depreciated over useful lives of twenty to forty years. Construction in progress is not depreciated until the assets are placed in service. The estimated cost to complete construction in progress at December 31, 2017 was approximately $79,000. Depreciation of capital lease assets is included in total depreciation expense. Depreciation expense was $148,883, $144,521, and $154,340 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Gains and losses on the disposal of assets which do not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations are included in the determination of operating margin (within selling, general, and administrative expenses). Individually material gains and losses on disposal are separately disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business acquired over the fair value of the related net assets at the date of acquisition. Certain of the Company's tradenames were assigned indefinite useful lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but rather are tested for impairment at least annually. These tests are performed more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The Company's business segments (see Note 15) represent its reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. See Note 3 for further information on the impairment tests performed in 2016 and 2015. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company has no recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Patents and acquired technology are being amortized over useful lives of seven to twenty-five years. Capitalized software is amortized over periods of three to ten years, primarily included in costs of products sold on the consolidated statements of operations. Customer relationships are amortized over useful lives of five to twenty years. Noncompete agreements are amortized over periods of three to ten years. The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets.

GAAP prescribes a quantitative method for determining goodwill impairment. The Company has the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing the quantitative impairment test. If it is determined, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is not more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is not required. If it is determined that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required.

The Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit and compares that fair value to the net book value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined using various valuation techniques, including a comparable companies market multiple approach and a discounted cash flow analysis (an income approach). If the net book value of the reporting unit were to exceed the fair value, the Company would recognize an impairment charge.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The carrying value of long-lived assets held-and-used, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, is evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group. Losses on long-lived assets held-for-sale, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for anticipated disposal costs.

See Note 3 for further information on the impairment tests performed in 2016 and 2015.

Available-for-Sale Securities

Short-term investments and other assets reported on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include time deposits with financial institutions whose original maturity exceeds three months, but less than one year and investments in marketable securities which are classified as available-for-sale. These assets include assets that are held in trust related to the Company's non-qualified pension and deferred compensation plans (see Note 11) and assets that are intended to fund a portion of the Company's other postretirement benefit obligations outside of the U.S. These assets are reported at fair value, based on quoted market prices as of the end of the reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses are reported, net of their related tax consequences, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity until sold. At the time of sale, the assets that are held in trust related to the Company's non-qualified pension and deferred compensation plans, any gains (losses) calculated by the specific identification method are recognized as a reduction (increase) to benefits expense, within selling, general, and administrative expenses. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" below.

Financial Instruments

The Company uses financial instruments in the normal course of its business, including from time to time, derivative financial instruments. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into contracts that are not considered derivative financial instruments in their entirety, but that include embedded derivative features. The convertible senior debentures due 2040, due 2041, and due 2042 contain embedded derivatives that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, outstanding derivative instruments were not material.

The Company reports derivative instruments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at their fair values. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. For instruments designated as hedges, the effective portion of gains or losses is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and the ineffective portion, if any, is reported in current period net earnings (loss). Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, including embedded derivatives, are recorded in current period net earnings (loss).

The Company has in the past used interest rate swap agreements to modify variable rate obligations to fixed rate obligations, thereby reducing exposure to market rate fluctuations. The Company uses financial instruments such as forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion, but not all, of the risk associated with its firm commitments denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of the Company's foreign currency management is to minimize the effect of exchange rate changes on actual cash flows from foreign currency denominated transactions.

Other financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, held-to-maturity short-term investments, accounts receivable, and notes payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments reported on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation costs related to stock-based payment transactions are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity (or liability) instruments issued. Compensation cost is recognized over the period that an officer, employee, or non-employee director is required to provide service in exchange for the award. For awards subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes expense over the service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. The Company recognizes compensation cost for restricted stock units ("RSUs") that are expected to vest and records cumulative adjustments in the period that the expectation changes.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company has significant operations outside of the United States. The Company finances its operations in Europe and certain locations in Asia in local currencies, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the local currency as their functional currency. The Company's operations in Israel and most significant locations in Asia are largely financed in U.S. dollars, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.

For those subsidiaries where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets have been translated at the rate of exchange as of the balance sheet date. Translation adjustments do not impact the consolidated results of operations and are reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. While the translation of revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars does not directly impact the statement of operations, the translation effectively increases or decreases the U.S. dollar equivalent of revenues generated and expenses incurred in those foreign currencies.

For those foreign subsidiaries where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, all foreign currency financial statement amounts are remeasured into U.S. dollars. Exchange gains and losses arising from remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated results of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies, including environmental remediation costs, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. The costs for a specific environmental remediation site are discounted if the aggregate amount of the obligation and the amount and timing of the cash payments for that site are fixed or reliably determinable based upon information derived from the remediation plan for that site. Accrued liabilities for environmental matters recorded at December 31, 2017 and 2016 do not include claims against third parties.

Restructuring and Severance Costs

Restructuring and severance costs reflect charges resulting from cost reduction programs implemented by the Company. Restructuring and severance costs include exit costs, severance benefits pursuant to an on-going arrangement, voluntary termination compensation under a defined program, and any related pension curtailment and settlement charges.

The Company recognizes expense for one-time benefits only after management has committed to a plan, the plan is sufficiently detailed to provide the number, classification, and location of employees to be terminated as well as the expected completion date, the plan has been sufficiently communicated to employees such that they are able to determine the type and amount of benefits they will receive if terminated, and it is unlikely that the plan will be significantly changed or withdrawn. If an employee is not required to render service beyond a minimum retention period, the Company recognizes expense once the aforementioned criteria have been met. If an employee is required to render service beyond a minimum retention period, the Company recognizes expense over the period that the employee is required to render future service.

The Company recognizes expense for on-going benefit arrangements when the liability is reasonably estimable and considered probable.

The Company recognizes expense for voluntary separation / early retirement when the employee delivers an irrevocable voluntary termination notice pursuant to a defined company program.

The Company recognizes other exit costs as incurred.

Self-Insurance Programs

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms to provide for the potential liabilities for workers' compensation, general liability, property damage, director and officers' liability, and vehicle liability.

As part of its self-insurance program for certain risks, the Company created a wholly-owned captive insurance entity in 2007. At December 31, 2017, the captive insurance entity provides only property and general liability insurance, although it is licensed to also provide casualty and directors' and officers' insurance. The captive insurance entity had $560 accrued for outstanding claims at December 31, 2017 and no amounts accrued for outstanding claims at December 31, 2016.

Certain cash and investments held by the captive insurance entity are restricted primarily for the purpose of potential insurance claims. Restricted cash of $9,438 and $10,211 is included in other noncurrent assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing required statutory reserves of the captive insurance entity.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Convertible Debentures

The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash in a manner that reflects the Company's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The liability component at issuance is recognized at fair value, based on the fair value of a similar instrument that does not have a conversion feature. A discount is recorded if debentures are issued at a coupon rate which is below the rate of a similar instrument that did not have a conversion feature at issuance. The equity component is based on the excess of the principal amount of the debentures over the fair value of the liability component, after adjusting for an allocation of debt issuance costs and the deferred tax impact, and is recorded as capital in excess of par. Debt discounts are amortized as additional non-cash interest expense over the expected life of the debt.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The ASU is the result of the FASB's simplification initiative intended to improve GAAP by reducing costs and complexity while maintaining or enhancing the usefulness of related financial statement information. The ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the ASU on January 1, 2017. The ASU allowed prospective adoption of certain aspects, while requiring retrospective adoption of other aspects of the guidance. The Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits in January 1, 2017 retained earnings (accumulated deficit) of $386. The Company reclassified $542 and $639 of cash withholding taxes paid when shares were withheld for vested equity awards in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to financing cash flows. The Company retrospectively reclassified an immaterial amount of excess tax benefits as operating cash flows on the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company will recognize forfeitures on its stock-based awards as they occur.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA") was enacted in the United States. The TCJA represents sweeping changes in U.S. tax law. Under GAAP (specifically, Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740), the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recognized in the period in which the new legislation is enacted. The total effect of tax law changes on deferred tax balances is recorded as a component of income tax expense.

In response to the TCJA, the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB No. 118") to provide guidance to registrants in applying ASC Topic 740 in connection with the TCJA. SAB No. 118 provides that in the period of enactment, the income tax effects of the TCJA may be reported as a provisional amount based on a reasonable estimate (to the extent a reasonable estimate can be determined), which would be subject to adjustment during a "measurement period". The measurement period begins in the reporting period of the TCJA's enactment and ends when a registrant has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information that was needed in order to complete the accounting requirements under ASC Topic 740. SAB No. 118 also describes supplemental disclosures that should accompany the provisional amounts. The Company has applied the guidance in SAB No. 118 to account for the financial accounting impacts of the TCJA as of December 31, 2017, and has provided the applicable supplemental disclosures in Note 5.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The ASU is the result of a convergence project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The ASU removes inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements; provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; provides more useful information to users of financial statements through expanded disclosure requirements; and simplifies the preparation of financial statements by reducing the number of requirements to which an entity must refer. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company intends to retrospectively adopt the ASU effective January 1, 2018. Based on work performed to date, the Company expects to record a cumulative-effect adjustment of approximately $2,500 to January 1, 2016 retained earnings (accumulated deficit) upon the retrospective adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 for certain custom products where revenue will be recognized throughout the production process. The Company also expects to record a reclassification of warranty expenses from costs of products sold to contra-revenue of $4,154 and $6,103 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The ASU enhances the reporting model for financial instruments by addressing certain aspects, including requiring equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values; eliminating the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the disclosed fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost; and requiring the use of the exit price notion for fair value measurements of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings (accumulated deficit) of $1,801 on January 1, 2018 for the cumulative change in fair value of available-for-sale equity investments previously recognized in other comprehensive income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU is the result of a project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Upon adoption of the ASU, the Company will recognize lease assets and liabilities for its operating leases which are not currently reported on its consolidated balance sheets. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with the ability to early adopt. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the ASU on its lease contracts.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020, with the ability to early adopt for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the ASU on its financial assets measured at amortized cost.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU amends the income statement presentation requirements of net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and requires retrospective adoption. Upon adoption, the Company will reclassify the components of net benefit costs other than the current service component, currently presented as $3,497 and $4,040 of cost of goods sold for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $8,919 and $11,981 million of selling, general, and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to other expenses. The Company will also reclassify the $79,321 U.S. pension settlement charges recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016 to other expenses.

Reclassifications

In addition to the changes due to the retrospective adoption of certain aspects of new accounting guidance described above, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.