Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total VPG, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Class B Convertible Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Total VPG, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained earnings										$ 531	$ 531	$ 531
Balance, beginning at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 218,453	$ 218,415	$ 1,307	$ 103	$ (8,765)	$ 196,666	$ 66,569	$ (37,465)	$ 38
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	13,906	13,808					13,808		98
Other comprehensive (loss) income	1,136	1,136						1,136
Share-based compensation expense	1,086	1,086				1,086
Restricted stock issuances	(872)	(872)	5			(877)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	2								2
Balance, ending at Jun. 29, 2019	234,242	234,104	1,312	103	(8,765)	196,875	80,908	(36,329)	138
Balance, beginning at Mar. 30, 2019	227,878	227,791	1,311	103	(8,765)	196,578	75,343	(36,779)	87
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	5,580	5,565					5,565		15
Other comprehensive (loss) income	450	450						450
Share-based compensation expense	572	572				572
Restricted stock issuances	(274)	(274)	1			(275)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	36								36
Balance, ending at Jun. 29, 2019	234,242	234,104	1,312	103	(8,765)	196,875	80,908	(36,329)	138
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained earnings	89,288
Balance, beginning at Dec. 31, 2019	241,752	241,360	1,312	103	(8,765)	197,125	89,288	(37,703)	392
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	5,039	5,071					5,071		(32)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,381)	(2,381)						(2,381)
Share-based compensation expense	757	757				757
Restricted stock issuances	(791)	(791)	5			(796)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(253)	48				48			(301)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	117								117
Balance, ending at Jun. 27, 2020	244,240	244,064	1,317	103	(8,765)	197,134	94,359	(40,084)	176
Balance, beginning at Mar. 28, 2020	239,107	238,760	1,316	103	(8,765)	196,709	92,600	(43,203)	347
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	1,747	1,759					1,759		(12)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	3,119	3,119						3,119
Share-based compensation expense	378	378				378
Restricted stock issuances	0	0	1			(1)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(253)	48				48			(301)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	142								142
Balance, ending at Jun. 27, 2020	244,240	$ 244,064	$ 1,317	$ 103	$ (8,765)	$ 197,134	$ 94,359	$ (40,084)	$ 176
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained earnings	$ 94,359