Acquisition and Divestiture Activities	6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2011
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition and Divestiture Activities	Note 2 – Acquisition and Divestiture Activities As part of its growth strategy, the Company seeks to expand through targeted acquisitions of other manufacturers of electronic components that have established positions in major markets, reputations for product quality and reliability, and product lines with which the Company has substantial marketing and technical expertise. Spin-off of Vishay Precision Group, Inc. On October 27, 2009, Vishay announced that it intended to spin off its measurements and foil resistors businesses into an independent, publicly-traded company to be named Vishay Precision Group, Inc. On June 15, 2010, the Board of Directors of Vishay approved the spin-off of VPG and on July 6, 2010, Vishay completed the spin-off through a tax-free stock dividend to Vishay’s stockholders. Vishay’s common stockholders received 1 share of VPG common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay common stock they held on the record date, June 25, 2010, and Vishay’s Class B common stockholders received 1 share of VPG Class B common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay Class B common stock they held on the record date. Until July 6, 2010, VPG was part of Vishay and its results of operations and cash flows are included in the amounts reported in these consolidated condensed financial statements for periods prior to the completion of the spin-off. The product lines that comprise VPG are included in the VPG reporting segment. See Note 8 for further information on the effect that VPG had on Vishay’s consolidated results. Relationship with VPG after Spin-off Following the spin-off, VPG is an independent company and Vishay retains no ownership interest. However, two members of the VPG board of directors also serve on Vishay’s board of directors. In connection with the completion of the spin-off, on July 6, 2010, Vishay and its subsidiaries entered into several agreements with VPG and its subsidiaries that govern the relationship of the parties following the spin-off. Among the agreements entered into with VPG and its subsidiaries were a transition services agreement, several lease agreements, and supply agreements. None of the agreements are expected to have a material impact on Vishay’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Vishay also entered into a trademark license agreement with VPG pursuant to which Vishay granted VPG the license to use certain trademarks, service marks, logos, trade names, entity names, and domain names which include the term “Vishay.” The license granted VPG the limited, exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use certain marks and names incorporating the term “Vishay” in connection with the design, development, manufacture, marketing, provision and performance of certain VPG products that do not compete with any products within Vishay’s product range as constituted immediately following the separation and certain services provided in connection with the products. The license cannot be terminated except as a result of willful misconduct or liquidation bankruptcy of VPG. As a result of this continuing involvement, Vishay did not restate prior periods to present VPG as a discontinued operation. Prepayment of KEMET Loan Receivable In conjunction with the acquisition of the wet tantalum capacitor business of KEMET Corporation (“KEMET”) on September 15, 2008, Vishay issued a three-year term loan of $15 million to KEMET. On May 5, 2010, KEMET prepaid the entire principal amount of the term loan plus interest.

Note 2 – Acquisition and Divestiture Activities

As part of its growth strategy, the Company seeks to expand through targeted acquisitions of other manufacturers of electronic components that have established positions in major markets, reputations for product quality and reliability, and product lines with which the Company has substantial marketing and technical expertise.

Spin-off of Vishay Precision Group, Inc.

On October 27, 2009, Vishay announced that it intended to spin off its measurements and foil resistors businesses into an independent, publicly-traded company to be named Vishay Precision Group, Inc.

On June 15, 2010, the Board of Directors of Vishay approved the spin-off of VPG and on July 6, 2010, Vishay completed the spin-off through a tax-free stock dividend to Vishay’s stockholders. Vishay’s common stockholders received 1 share of VPG common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay common stock they held on the record date, June 25, 2010, and Vishay’s Class B common stockholders received 1 share of VPG Class B common stock for every 14 shares of Vishay Class B common stock they held on the record date.

Until July 6, 2010, VPG was part of Vishay and its results of operations and cash flows are included in the amounts reported in these consolidated condensed financial statements for periods prior to the completion of the spin-off. The product lines that comprise VPG are included in the VPG reporting segment. See Note 8 for further information on the effect that VPG had on Vishay’s consolidated results.

Relationship with VPG after Spin-off

Following the spin-off, VPG is an independent company and Vishay retains no ownership interest. However, two members of the VPG board of directors also serve on Vishay’s board of directors.

In connection with the completion of the spin-off, on July 6, 2010, Vishay and its subsidiaries entered into several agreements with VPG and its subsidiaries that govern the relationship of the parties following the spin-off. Among the agreements entered into with VPG and its subsidiaries were a transition services agreement, several lease agreements, and supply agreements. None of the agreements are expected to have a material impact on Vishay’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Vishay also entered into a trademark license agreement with VPG pursuant to which Vishay granted VPG the license to use certain trademarks, service marks, logos, trade names, entity names, and domain names which include the term “Vishay.” The license granted VPG the limited, exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use certain marks and names incorporating the term “Vishay” in connection with the design, development, manufacture, marketing, provision and performance of certain VPG products that do not compete with any products within Vishay’s product range as constituted immediately following the separation and certain services provided in connection with the products. The license cannot be terminated except as a result of willful misconduct or liquidation bankruptcy of VPG.

As a result of this continuing involvement, Vishay did not restate prior periods to present VPG as a discontinued operation.

Prepayment of KEMET Loan Receivable

In conjunction with the acquisition of the wet tantalum capacitor business of KEMET Corporation (“KEMET”) on September 15, 2008, Vishay issued a three-year term loan of $15 million to KEMET. On May 5, 2010, KEMET prepaid the entire principal amount of the term loan plus interest.