Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Net Sales:
Total net sales	$ 242,785		$ 234,265		$ 478,495		$ 496,532
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Total income (loss) before income taxes	7,516		(6,182)		12,818		782
Depreciation and Amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	8,608	[1]	8,837	[1]	17,513	[1]	17,607	[1]
Interest Expense, net:
Total interest expense, net	4,575		5,162		9,149		10,517
Capital Expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	4,883		7,522		10,701		14,370
Total Assets:
Total assets	594,406				594,406				592,691
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	(13,821)		(16,521)		(27,086)		(33,312)
Total Assets:
Total assets	(269,887)				(269,887)				(268,843)
Electronics [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	59,533		55,409		114,919		114,160
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Total income (loss) before income taxes	3,913		1,825		7,695		5,871
Depreciation and Amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	1,242		1,087		2,521		2,155
Interest Expense, net:
Total interest expense, net	186		393		373		786
Capital Expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	519		712		988		1,466
Total Assets:
Total assets	93,321				93,321				84,772
Electronics [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	48,684		41,504		93,204		84,932
Electronics [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	10,849		13,905		21,715		29,228
Wiring [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	75,150		87,486		153,601		182,581
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Total income (loss) before income taxes	(1,543)		529		(1,970)		3,173
Depreciation and Amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	1,196		1,262		2,407		2,532
Interest Expense, net:
Total interest expense, net	71		44		195		73
Capital Expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	988		691		1,504		1,486
Total Assets:
Total assets	107,286				107,286				99,755
Wiring [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	72,952		85,723		149,800		180,475
Wiring [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	2,198		1,763		3,801		2,106
Control Devices [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	75,208		69,417		147,917		140,938
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Total income (loss) before income taxes	7,613		3,829		13,880		7,901
Depreciation and Amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	2,470		2,317		5,005		4,748
Interest Expense, net:
Total interest expense, net	32		57		79		114
Capital Expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	1,657		1,962		4,897		4,032
Total Assets:
Total assets	112,924				112,924				100,351
Control Devices [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	74,434		68,564		146,347		138,960
Control Devices [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	774		853		1,570		1,978
PST - Consolidated [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	46,715		38,474		89,144		92,164
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Total income (loss) before income taxes	2,539		(8,124)		3,022		(8,456)
Depreciation and Amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	3,654		4,124		7,486		8,077
Interest Expense, net:
Total interest expense, net	282	[1]	686	[1]	559	[1]	1,598	[1]
Capital Expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	1,626		2,985		3,092		5,406
Total Assets:
Total assets	251,937				251,937				267,687
PST - Consolidated [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	46,715		38,474		89,144		92,165
PST - Consolidated [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Total net sales	0		0		0		0
Corporate Segment [Member]
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Corporate interest expense	(4,004)		(3,982)		(7,943)		(7,946)
Total income (loss) before income taxes	(1,002)		(259)		(1,866)		239
Depreciation and Amortization:
Total depreciation and amortization	46		47		94		95
Interest Expense, net:
Total interest expense, net	4,004		3,982		7,943		7,946
Capital Expenditures:
Total capital expenditures	93		1,172		220		1,980
Total Assets:
Total assets	$ 298,825	[2]			$ 298,825	[2]			$ 308,969	[2]

[1] These amounts represent depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets.

[2] Assets located at Corporate consist primarily of cash, intercompany loan receivables and equity investments.