Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 164,016	$ 109,720
Short-term investments	13,997
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2011 - $12,306; 2010 - $13,469)	92,088	97,753
Inventories	75,575	80,182
Deferred income taxes	11,895	10,588
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,219	13,882
Assets held for sale	6,592	6,831
Total current assets	378,382	318,956
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land	4,888	5,688
Buildings	52,730	53,089
Equipment	281,521	276,371
Accumulated depreciation	(220,255)	(205,001)
Net property, plant and equipment	118,884	130,147
Intangible assets, net of amortization:
Patents, licenses and software	10,753	11,211
Distribution network	19,307	9,752
Customer lists, trademarks and tradenames	14,523	20,865
Goodwill	115,697	112,687
Investments	14,867	11,660
Deferred income taxes	4,191	3,271
Other assets	1,820	2,580
Total assets	678,424	621,129
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	19,934	24,079
Accrued payroll	23,048	24,186
Accrued expenses	8,861	10,307
Accrued severance	1,843	3,279
Accrued income taxes	10,591	14,997
Current portion of long-term debt	85,000	33,000
Total current liabilities	149,277	109,848
Long-term debt, less current portion		41,000
Accrued severance		486
Accrued post-retirement benefits	15,292	5,564
Other long-term liabilities	12,752	11,571
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 34,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding, 2011 –21,552,529; 2010 - 21,752,536	216	218
Treasury stock, at cost: 1,534,550 and 654,984 shares, respectively	(58,834)	(23,546)
Additional paid-in capital	174,375	150,548
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,631	21,241
Retained earnings	376,572	304,056
Littelfuse, Inc. shareholders’ equity	500,960	452,517
Non-controlling interest	143	143
Total equity	501,103	452,660
Total liabilities and equity	$ 678,424	$ 621,129