Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Companies Acquired - Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2013	$ 2,039,293	[1]
Acquisitions	45,652
Foreign currency translation	(1,053)
March 29, 2014	2,083,892	[1]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	1,018,780
Global Components [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2013	1,000,860	[1]
Acquisitions	45,652
Foreign currency translation	662
March 29, 2014	1,047,174	[1]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	716,925
Global ECS [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2013	1,038,433	[1]
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	(1,715)
March 29, 2014	1,036,718	[1]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$ 301,855

[1] The total carrying value of cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired for all periods in the table above is reflected net of $1,018,780 of accumulated impairment charges, of which $716,925 was recorded in the global components business segment and $301,855 was recorded in the global ECS business segment.