Note 15 - Business Unit Segment Information (Details) - Business Unit Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended															12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013		Sep. 28, 2013		Jun. 29, 2013		Mar. 30, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012		Sep. 29, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales
Net sales	$ 198,129	[1]	$ 201,040	[2]	$ 187,766	[3]	$ 170,918	[3],[4]	$ 158,794	[4],[5]	$ 172,688	[5],[6]	$ 175,853	$ 160,578	[6],[7]	$ 757,853		$ 757,853	$ 667,913	$ 667,913		$ 664,955
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization																34,480				31,433		32,252
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	32,823	[1]	37,559	[2]	31,382	[3]	28,117	[3],[4]	18,019	[4],[5]	30,931	[5],[6]	32,096	25,824	[6],[7]	129,881		129,881	106,870	106,870		113,904
Interest expense																2,917		2,917	1,701	1,701		1,691
Impairment and equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate (2)																10,678	[8]	10,678	7,334	7,334	[8]		[8]
Foreign exchange (gain) loss																(3,303)		(3,303)	3,179	3,179		1,238
Other expense (income), net																(4,646)		(4,646)	(5,396)	(5,396)		(4,126)
Income before income taxes																124,235		124,235	100,052	100,052		115,101
Electronics [Member]
Net sales
Net sales																367,052				329,466		354,487
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization																20,735				20,741		22,324
Operating income (loss)
Operating income																69,559				51,422		62,982
Automotive [Member]
Net sales
Net sales																267,207				206,222		197,586
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization																9,928				6,822		5,992
Operating income (loss)
Operating income																39,170				29,817		30,002
Electrical [Member]
Net sales
Net sales																123,594				132,225		112,882
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization																3,817				3,870		3,936
Operating income (loss)
Operating income																24,363				32,794		28,902
Other Segments [Member]
Operating income (loss)
Operating income																$ (3,211)	[9]			$ (7,163)	[9]	$ (7,982)	[9]

[1] In the fourth quarter of 2013, the company recorded a $2.8 million charge to income tax expense related to the company's impairment of its investment in Shocking Technologies in the fourth quarter of 2012. (See Note 6). The company also recorded a $0.5 million non-cash credit related to the step-up of inventory from the Hamlin acquisition (See Note 2) and $0.2 million in acquisition expenses for the Hamlin acquisition.

[2] In the third quarter of 2013, the company recorded a $0.3 million non-cash charge related to the step-up of inventory from the Hamlin acquisition (See Note 2). The company also recorded $0.3 million in acquisition charges related to the Hamlin acquisition.

[3] In the second quarter of 2013, the company recorded a $1.7 million non-cash charge related to step-up of inventory from the Hamlin acquisition (See Note 2). The company also recorded $1.2 million in acquisition charges related to the Hamlin acquisition.

[4] In the first quarter of 2013, the company recorded a $10.7 million charge related to the impairment of Shocking Technologies. Additionally, the company restated net income for a $3.3 million charge to income tax expense related to the company's investment in Shocking Technologies (See Note 6).

[5] In the fourth quarter of 2012, the company recorded a $7.3 million charge related to the impairment and equity method losses of Shocking Technologies. (See Note 6). The company also recorded a $5.1 million charge related to a pension settlement (See Note 12).

[6] In the third quarter of 2012, the company recorded $0.5 million charge related to the impairment of the Dnsen, Germany property (See Note 11). The company also recorded $0.6 million in acquisition charges related to the Accel and Terra Power acquisitions and $0.4 million of non-cash charges related to the step-up of inventory from the Accel acquisition (See Note 2).

[7] In the first quarter of 2012, the company recorded a $0.2 million non-cash charge related to the step-up of inventory from the Selco acquisition (See Note 2).

[8] During the first quarter of 2013, the company recorded approximately $10.7 million related to the impairment of Shocking Technologies. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the company recorded approximately $7.3 million related to the impairment and equity in net loss of its investment in Shocking Technologies (See Note 6).

[9] Included in "Other" Operating income (loss) for 2013 are acquisition related fees ($1.7 million included in Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A")) and non-cash charges for the sale of inventory that had been stepped-up to fair value at the acquisition date of Hamlin ($1.5 million included in Cost of sales ("COS")) (See Note 2). Included in "Other" Operating income (loss) for 2012 are acquisition related fees ($1.0 million included in SG&A), non-cash charges for the sale of inventory that had been stepped-up to fair value at the acquisition date of Accel and Terra Power ($0.6 million included in COS), charges related to a pension liability settlement ($5.1 million included in SG&A) (see Note 12), and asset impairment charges related to the sale of the Dnsen, Germany facility ($0.5 million included in SG&A) (See Note 11). Included in "Other" Operating income (loss) for 2011 are acquisition related fees ($1.0 million included in SG&A), a non-cash charge for the sale of inventory that had been stepped-up to fair value at the acquisition date of Cole Hersee ($3.7 million included in COS), asset impairment charges related to closure of the company's Des Plaines, Illinois ($0.8 million), Dundalk, Ireland ($0.6 million) and Dnsen, Germany ($0.9 million) manufacturing facilities (all included in SG&A) (see Note 11) and purchase accounting adjustments related to the Selco acquisition ($0.7 million included in COS).