Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (the Company) is a Texas corporation that provides worldwide integrated electronic manufacturing services (EMS), engineering and design services, and precision machining services. The Company provides services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the following industries: industrial controls, aerospace and defense (A&D), telecommunications, computers and related products for business enterprises, medical devices, and test and instrumentation. The Company has manufacturing operations located in the United States and Mexico (the Americas), Asia and Europe. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary in the opinion of management for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the 2016 10-K). Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP). Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted a new accounting standard update that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory withholding requirements, as well as classification in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As required by this standard, excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Income Statement as a component of the provision for income taxes on a prospective basis (See Note 8). As a result of including the income tax effects from excess tax benefits in income tax expense, the effects of the excess tax benefits are no longer included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding, resulting in an increase in the number of diluted shares outstanding. The Company adopted this change in the method of calculating diluted shares outstanding on a prospective basis. Additionally, excess tax benefits or deficiencies recognized on stock-based compensation expense are classified as an operating activity in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company has applied this provision prospectively. Additionally, the Company is now required to present the cost of shares withheld from the employee to satisfy the employees’ income tax liability as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as an operating cash flow. The Company adopted this change retrospectively. As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash provided by operations increased by $568 with a corresponding offset to net cash used in financing activities. The standard also allows for the option to account for forfeitures as they occur when determining the amount of compensation cost to be recognized, rather than estimating expected forfeitures over the course of a vesting period. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The net cumulative effect to the Company from the adoption of this accounting standard update was an increase to paid-in capital of $213 and a reduction to retained earnings of $213 as of January 1, 2017. Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to classify amounts relating to the amortization of intangible assets separately. Previously, the Company had reported these amounts under the captions “cost of sales” and “selling, general and administrative expenses”. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (the Company) is a Texas corporation that provides worldwide integrated electronic manufacturing services (EMS), engineering and design services, and precision machining services. The Company provides services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the following industries: industrial controls, aerospace and defense (A&D), telecommunications, computers and related products for business enterprises, medical devices, and test and instrumentation. The Company has manufacturing operations located in the United States and Mexico (the Americas), Asia and Europe.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary in the opinion of management for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the 2016 10-K).

Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP). Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted a new accounting standard update that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory withholding requirements, as well as classification in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As required by this standard, excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Income Statement as a component of the provision for income taxes on a prospective basis (See Note 8). As a result of including the income tax effects from excess tax benefits in income tax expense, the effects of the excess tax benefits are no longer included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding, resulting in an increase in the number of diluted shares outstanding. The Company adopted this change in the method of calculating diluted shares outstanding on a prospective basis. Additionally, excess tax benefits or deficiencies recognized on stock-based compensation expense are classified as an operating activity in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company has applied this provision prospectively. Additionally, the Company is now required to present the cost of shares withheld from the employee to satisfy the employees’ income tax liability as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as an operating cash flow. The Company adopted this change retrospectively. As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash provided by operations increased by $568 with a corresponding offset to net cash used in financing activities. The standard also allows for the option to account for forfeitures as they occur when determining the amount of compensation cost to be recognized, rather than estimating expected forfeitures over the course of a vesting period. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The net cumulative effect to the Company from the adoption of this accounting standard update was an increase to paid-in capital of $213 and a reduction to retained earnings of $213 as of January 1, 2017.

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to classify amounts relating to the amortization of intangible assets separately. Previously, the Company had reported these amounts under the captions “cost of sales” and “selling, general and administrative expenses”. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.