Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2016	Jun. 27, 2015	Jul. 02, 2016	Jun. 27, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 57,996	$ 59,508	$ 114,625	$ 116,116
Costs of products sold	36,501	38,473	73,355	74,102
Gross profit	21,495	21,035	41,270	42,014
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	18,444	18,396	36,492	37,144
Acquisition costs	352	0	414	0
Restructuring costs	1,011	304	1,686	382
Operating income	1,688	2,335	2,678	4,488
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(371)	(173)	(699)	(360)
Other	(30)	(414)	395	(1,343)
Other income (expense) - net	(401)	(587)	(304)	(1,703)
Income before taxes	1,287	1,748	2,374	2,785
Income tax (benefit) expense	(562)	288	29	478
Net earnings	1,849	1,460	2,345	2,307
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(19)	(16)	(3)	(29)
Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders	$ 1,868	$ 1,476	$ 2,348	$ 2,336
Basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.11	$ 0.18	$ 0.17
Diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.11	$ 0.18	$ 0.17
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	13,184	13,580	13,181	13,663
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	13,405	13,790	13,402	13,875