Consolidated Statement Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	May 01, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 8,137	$ 19,193	$ 13,781
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Loss on sale of fixed assets	118	73	0
Gain on the sale of discontinued business	0	(4,148)	0
Gain on investment in business	0	(165)	0
Gain on bargain purchase	(255)	0	0
Provision for depreciation	14,348	13,354	17,112
Amortization of intangible assets	1,811	2,402	2,297
Impairment of tangible assets	0	1,299	710
Stock-based compensation	3,976	3,006	871
Provision for bad debt	495	249	142
Deferred income taxes	(1,939)	(5,207)	3,992
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(13,525)	(17,846)	(12,436)
Inventories	(3,278)	(8,710)	645
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(10,255)	13,841	(39)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,192	(301)	291
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	24,825	17,040	27,366
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(25,744)	(15,223)	(9,379)
Acquisition of businesses	(6,353)	(2,470)	(325)
Acquisition of technology licenses	0	0	(530)
Proceeds from life insurance policies	0	1,515	2,464
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(32,097)	(16,178)	(7,770)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	263	1,028	185
Tax expense from stock options and awards	0	0	(31)
Cash dividends	(10,364)	(10,329)	(10,414)
Proceeds from borrowings	52,000	0	0
Repayment of borrowings	(4,000)	0	0
NET CASH PROVIDED BY/(USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	37,899	(9,301)	(10,260)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	(1,275)	2,063	455
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	29,352	(6,376)	9,791
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	57,445	63,821	54,030
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$ 86,797	$ 57,445	$ 63,821