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DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	12 Months Ended
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	Jan. 02, 2016
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	1. Description of Business The operations of The Eastern Company (the “Company”) consist of three business segments: industrial hardware, security products, and metal products. The industrial hardware segment produces latching devices for use on industrial equipment and instrumentation, composite panels used primarily in the transportation and electronic white board industries, as well as a broad line of proprietary hardware designed for truck bodies and other vehicular type equipment. The security products segment manufactures and markets a broad range of locks for traditional general purpose security applications as well as specialized locks for soft luggage, coin-operated vending and gaming equipment, and electric and computer peripheral components. This segment also manufactures and markets coin acceptors and metering systems to secure cash used in the commercial laundry industry and produces cashless payment systems utilizing advanced smart card technology. The metal products segment produces anchoring devices used in supporting the roofs of underground coal mines and specialty products which serve the construction, automotive, railroad and electrical industries. Sales are made to customers primarily in North America.