CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,358	$ 54,835
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $550 and $557, respectively	51,294	50,167
Income taxes receivable	22,669	22,707
Inventories	66,131	65,810
Deferred tax assets	5,318	5,335
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,030	7,967
Total current assets	202,800	206,821
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	41,692	43,411
Deferred tax assets	813	814
Other assets	7,002	7,082
Intangible assets, net	44,371	45,797
Goodwill	44,578	44,578
Total assets	341,256	348,503
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	10,000	10,000
Accounts payable	19,280	14,679
Income taxes payable	2,072	1,835
Deferred revenue	3,762	5,913
Deferred tax liabilities	146	140
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	24,738	25,641
Total current liabilities	59,998	58,208
Long-term debt	45,500	58,000
Deferred tax liabilities	8,745	8,722
Income taxes payable	8,083	8,057
Other liabilities	5,566	6,156
Total liabilities	127,892	139,143
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' Equity:
Common shares, no par value; Authorized shares: unlimited; Issued and outstanding: 33,599 and 33,478, respectively	423,856	423,856
Additional paid-in capital	19,213	17,931
Accumulated deficit	(226,379)	(227,760)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,701)	(5,024)
Total GSI Group Inc. stockholders' equity	212,989	209,003
Noncontrolling interest	375	357
Total stockholders' equity	213,364	209,360
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 341,256	$ 348,503