Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Companies Acquired - Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2012	$ 1,711,703	[1]
Acquisitions	22,179
Foreign currency translation	(1,092)
September 28, 2013	1,732,790	[1]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	1,018,780
Global Components [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2012	957,916	[1]
Acquisitions	22,179
Foreign currency translation	(5,218)
September 28, 2013	974,877	[1]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	716,925
Global ECS [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2012	753,787	[1]
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	4,126
September 28, 2013	757,913	[1]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$ 301,855

[1] The total carrying value of cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired for all periods in the table above is reflected net of $1,018,780 of accumulated impairment charges, of which $716,925 was recorded in the global components business segment and $301,855 was recorded in the global ECS business segment.