CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012
CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	CONTINGENCIES Certain litigation arising in the normal course of business is pending against us. We are from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, breach of contracts, employment-related matters and environmental matters. We consider insurance coverage and third-party indemnification when determining required accruals for pending litigation and claims. Although the outcome of potential legal actions and claims cannot be determined, it is our opinion, based on the information available, that we have adequate reserves for these liabilities. Delphi Related Litigation On September 4, 2008, Methode and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC (“Delphi”) entered into a supply agreement pursuant to which Methode was to supply all of Delphi’s requirements for the seat bladders used in Delphi’s occupant restraint system from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011. On August 26, 2009, Delphi notified us that effective September 10, 2009, our supply arrangement was terminated. We are contesting Delphi’s right to terminate this long-term supply arrangement and the parties are engaged in litigation regarding this supply agreement and our related intellectual property. In March 2010, DPH Holdings Corp., as successor to Delphi Corporation, served the Company with a complaint seeking to recover approximately $19,726 in alleged preference payments that Delphi made to the Company within the 90-day preference period preceding Delphi’s bankruptcy filing. The Company is seeking to dismiss the Delphi preference complaint based on violations of due process and the Company possesses several other substantive defenses.

CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

CONTINGENCIES

Certain litigation arising in the normal course of business is pending against us. We are from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, breach of contracts, employment-related matters and environmental matters. We consider insurance coverage and third-party indemnification when determining required accruals for pending litigation and claims. Although the outcome of potential legal actions and claims cannot be determined, it is our opinion, based on the information available, that we have adequate reserves for these liabilities.

Delphi Related Litigation

On September 4, 2008, Methode and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC (“Delphi”) entered into a supply agreement pursuant to which Methode was to supply all of Delphi’s requirements for the seat bladders used in Delphi’s occupant restraint system from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011. On August 26, 2009, Delphi notified us that effective September 10, 2009, our supply arrangement was terminated. We are contesting Delphi’s right to terminate this long-term supply arrangement and the parties are engaged in litigation regarding this supply agreement and our related intellectual property.

In March 2010, DPH Holdings Corp., as successor to Delphi Corporation, served the Company with a complaint seeking to recover approximately $19,726 in alleged preference payments that Delphi made to the Company within the 90-day preference period preceding Delphi’s bankruptcy filing. The Company is seeking to dismiss the Delphi preference complaint based on violations of due process and the Company possesses several other substantive defenses.