Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 146,969	$ 151,518
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	124,920	122,358
Insurance recovery for business interruption - casualties	(3,627)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	19,404	18,372
Research and development expenses	6,109	5,029
Insurance recovery for property damage - casualties	(1,769)
Operating earnings	1,932	5,759
Other (expense)/income:
Interest expense	(659)	(492)
Interest income	449	196
Other	575	1,130
Total other income	365	834
Earnings before income taxes	2,297	6,593
Income tax expense	14	1,477
Net earnings	$ 2,283	$ 5,116
Net earnings per share - Note J
Basic	$ 0.07	$ 0.15
Diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.15
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.035	$ 0.03
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic	34,106	34,293
Diluted	34,718	35,075