Note 11 - Business Unit Segment Information (Details) - Business Unit Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014		Mar. 30, 2013
Net sales
Net sales	$ 206,859	[1]	$ 170,918	[1]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	10,166		7,804
Operating income
Operating income	33,590		28,117
Interest expense	1,216		376
Impairment, loan loss and equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate (2)		[2]	10,678	[2]
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	(252)		319
Other (income) expense, net	(1,186)		(1,228)
Income before income taxes	33,812		17,972
Electronics [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	95,722		79,415
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	5,370		4,861
Operating income
Operating income	19,068		12,143
Automotive [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	82,419		59,385
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	3,528		1,984
Operating income
Operating income	11,899		9,483
Electrical [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	28,718		32,118
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	1,268		959
Operating income
Operating income	4,032		6,491
Other Segments [Member]
Operating income
Operating income	$ (1,409)	[3]		[3]

[1] Sales by country represent sales to customer or distributor locations.

[2] 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 5).

[3] "Other" consists of acquisition costs related to the SymCom acquisition. (See note 2).