Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 215,293	$ 208,449	$ 428,174	$ 410,506
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	169,538	177,532	349,462	361,045
Selling, general and administrative expenses	25,510	22,315	50,289	48,395
Research and development	6,338	5,611	12,927	11,677
Restructuring charges	1,687	1,364	3,517	5,974
Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets	(550)	42	(185)	42
Total operating costs and expenses	202,523	206,864	416,010	427,133
Operating income (loss)	12,770	1,585	12,164	(16,627)
Non-operating (income) expense:
Interest income	3	11	6	175
Interest expense	10,287	9,908	20,743	19,942
Other (income) expense, net	(7,595)	946	(11,128)	1,301
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss) from NEC TOKIN	10,081	(9,258)	2,555	(37,695)
Income tax expense	2,583	1,444	3,865	3,260
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity income (loss) from NEC TOKIN	7,498	(10,702)	(1,310)	(40,955)
Equity income (loss) from NEC TOKIN	232	(1,243)	(1,443)	(4,620)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,730	(11,945)	(2,753)	(45,575)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $1,017, $(124), $1,935 and $(360), respectively	(1,400)	(1,151)	5,543	(2,661)
Net income (loss)	$ 6,330	$ (13,096)	$ 2,790	$ (48,236)
Net income (loss) per basic share:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.17	$ (0.26)	$ (0.06)	$ (1.01)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.12	$ (0.06)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.14	$ (0.29)	$ 0.06	$ (1.07)
Net income (loss) per diluted share:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.15	$ (0.26)	$ (0.05)	$ (1.01)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.11	$ (0.06)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.12	$ (0.29)	$ 0.06	$ (1.07)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	45,400	45,092	45,337	45,057
Diluted	52,521	45,092	52,562	45,057