Note 12 - Business Unit Segment Information (Details) - Business Unit Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 29, 2012		Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales
Net sales	$ 201,040		$ 172,688		$ 559,724		$ 509,119
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	9,601		7,969		25,852		23,486
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	37,559		30,931		97,058		88,851
Interest expense	939		454		1,959		1,298
Impairment, loan loss and equity in net loss or unconsolidated affiliate (2)			1,965	[1]	10,678	[1]	3,523	[1]
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	1,476		834		(1,929)		1,903
Other (income) expense, net	(1,380)		(1,350)		(3,543)		(3,025)
Income before income taxes(3)	36,524		29,028	[2]	89,893		85,202	[2]
Electronics [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	101,013		87,779		271,878		254,342
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	5,784		5,115		15,776		15,713
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	20,362		17,186		52,284		43,075
Automotive [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	70,386		51,878		194,319		155,954
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	2,880		1,911		7,183		4,862
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	11,135		7,018		29,531		23,489
Electrical [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	29,641		33,031		93,527		98,823
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	937		943		2,893		2,911
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	6,687		8,235		18,801		23,795
Other Segments [Member]
Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss)	$ (625)	[3]	$ (1,508)	[3]	$ (3,558)	[3]	$ (1,508)	[3]

[1] During the first quarter of 2013, the company recorded approximately $10.7 million related to the impairment of its investment in Shocking Technologies (See Note 6).

[2] 2012 Income before income taxes has been restated to reflect the company's retroactive equity losses from Shocking Technologies. (See Note 2).

[3] "Other" consists of acquisition related costs.