Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net sales	$ 842,954	$ 984,833	$ 1,018,488
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	716,358	775,670	752,846
Selling, general and administrative expenses	110,474	111,564	104,607
Research and development	27,993	29,440	25,864
Restructuring charges	18,719	14,254	7,171
Write down of long-lived assets	7,582	15,786
Goodwill impairment	1,092
Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets	18	318	(1,261)
Total operating costs and expenses	882,236	947,032	889,227
Operating (loss) income	(39,282)	37,801	129,261
Other (income) expense:
Interest income	(139)	(175)	(218)
Interest expense	41,331	28,567	30,175
Other (income) expense, net	(2,864)	965	(4,692)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			38,248
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity loss from NEC TOKIN	(77,610)	8,444	65,748
Income tax expense	3,318	1,752	2,704
Income (loss) before equity loss from NEC TOKIN	(80,928)	6,692	63,044
Equity loss from NEC TOKIN	(1,254)
Net income (loss)	$ (82,182)	$ 6,692	$ 63,044
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.83)	$ 0.15	$ 2.11
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.83)	$ 0.13	$ 1.22
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	44,897	43,285	29,847
Diluted (in shares)	44,897	52,320	51,477