Reorganization Costs - Summary of the Reorganization and Expense-Reduction Program Costs (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014 Employees	Mar. 30, 2013 Employees
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Headcount Reduction	746	120
Employee Termination Benefits	$ 38,575	$ 5,564
Facility Costs	0	3,277
Total Reorganization Costs	38,575	8,841
Adjustments to Prior Year Costs	(151)	(175)
Total Reorganization Costs	38,424	8,666
BrightPoint [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Termination Benefits	1,555	2,699
Facility Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	1,555	2,699
Adjustments to Prior Year Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	1,555	2,699
North America [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Termination Benefits	6,222	165
Facility Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	6,222	165
Adjustments to Prior Year Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	6,222	165
Europe [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Termination Benefits	28,989	2,679
Facility Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	28,989	2,679
Adjustments to Prior Year Costs	(36)	(163)
Total Reorganization Costs	28,953	2,516
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Termination Benefits	1,340	21
Facility Costs	0	3,277
Total Reorganization Costs	1,340	3,298
Adjustments to Prior Year Costs	(115)	(12)
Total Reorganization Costs	1,225	3,286
Latin America [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Termination Benefits	469	0
Facility Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	469	0
Adjustments to Prior Year Costs	0	0
Total Reorganization Costs	$ 469	$ 0