Note 12 - Business Unit Segment Information (Details) - Business Unit Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 29, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Net sales
Net sales	$ 187,766		$ 175,853		$ 358,684		$ 336,431
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	8,447		7,566		16,251		15,517
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	31,382		32,096		59,499		57,920
Interest expense	644		421		1,020		844
Impairment, loan loss and equity in net loss or unconsolidated affiliate (2)			1,033	[1]	10,678	[1]	1,558	[1]
Other (income) expense, net	(4,659)		(757)		(5,568)		(656)
Income before income taxes(3)	35,397	[2]	31,399	[2]	53,369	[2]	56,174	[2]
Electronics [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	91,450		89,508		170,865		166,562
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	5,131		5,112		9,992		10,598
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	19,779		15,778		31,922		25,889
Automotive [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	64,548		51,450		123,933		104,076
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	2,319		1,502		4,303		2,951
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	8,913		6,965		18,396		16,471
Electrical [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	31,768		34,895		63,886		65,793
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	997		952		1,956		1,968
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	5,623		9,353		12,114		15,560
Other Segments [Member]
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	$ (2,933)	[3]			$ (2,933)	[3]

[1] During the first quarter of 2013, the company recorded approximately $10.7 million related to the impairment of its investment in Shocking Technologies. (See Note 6).

[2] 2012 Income before income taxes has been restated to reflect the company's retroactive equity losses from Shocking Technologies. (See Note 2).

[3] "Other" consists of acquisition related costs.