Consolidated balance sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 86,797	$ 57,445
Accounts receivable, less allowance (2012 - $1,279; 2011- $1,140)	98,359	88,036
Inventories:
Finished products	7,001	6,271
Work in process	14,235	10,981
Materials	22,325	21,305
Net Inventory	43,561	38,557
Deferred income taxes	3,529	3,778
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	1,015	851
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,172	7,294
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	240,433	195,961
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	3,135	3,135
Buildings and building improvements	44,051	45,522
Machinery and equipment	230,265	249,597
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	277,451	298,254
Less allowances for depreciation	200,299	236,743
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	77,152	61,511
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	16,422	16,422
Other intangibles, less accumulated amortization	16,620	18,423
Cash surrender value of life insurance	8,802	10,028
Deferred income taxes	15,072	4,456
Pre-production costs	16,215	14,645
Other	12,932	13,298
Total Other Assets	86,063	77,272
TOTAL ASSETS	403,648	334,744
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	54,775	37,152
Salaries, wages and payroll taxes	9,554	8,996
Other accrued expenses	14,964	16,003
Deferred income taxes	9,131	0
Income taxes payable	3,453	1,336
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	91,877	63,487
LONG-TERM DEBT	48,000	0
OTHER LIABILITIES	3,413	5,619
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	4,801	4,494
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST	333	0
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.50 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,375,678 and 38,312,243 shares issued as of April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011, respectively	19,188	19,156
Additional paid-in capital	77,652	72,113
Accumulated other comprehensive income	15,573	23,152
Treasury stock, 1,342,188 shares as of April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011	(11,377)	(11,377)
Retained earnings	154,008	155,989
TOTAL METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	255,044	259,033
Noncontrolling interest	180	2,111
TOTAL EQUITY	255,224	261,144
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 403,648	$ 334,744