Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Class B Convertible Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital In Excess Of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total VPG Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 171,557	$ 1,278	$ 103	$ (8,765)	$ 190,373	$ 28,731	$ (40,337)	$ 171,383	$ 174
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	14,394					14,345		14,345	49
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,887						4,887	4,887
Share-based compensation expense	1,499				1,499			1,499
Restricted stock issuances	(261)	4			(265)			(261)
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes	1,303	6			1,297			1,303
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(75)								(75)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2017	193,304	1,288	103	(8,765)	192,904	43,076	(35,450)	193,156	148
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	23,645					23,646		23,646	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,015)						(2,015)	(2,015)
Share-based compensation expense	1,799				1,799			1,799
Restricted stock issuances	(812)	7			(819)			(812)
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes	2,794	12			2,782			2,794
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(109)								(109)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2018	218,453	1,307	103	(8,765)	196,666	66,569	(37,465)	218,415	38
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	22,295					22,188		22,188	107
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(238)						(238)	(238)
Share-based compensation expense	1,336				1,336			1,336
Restricted stock issuances	(872)	5			(877)			(872)
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes	0
Conversion from Class B to common stock	0
Impact due to DSI acquisition	299								299
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(52)								(52)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 241,752	$ 1,312	$ 103	$ (8,765)	$ 197,125	$ 89,288	$ (37,703)	$ 241,360	$ 392