Note 11 - Business Unit Segment Information (Details) - Business Unit Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014		Jun. 29, 2013		Jun. 28, 2014		Jun. 29, 2013
Net sales
Net sales	$ 220,908	[1]	$ 187,766	[1]	$ 427,767		$ 358,684
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	10,590		8,447		20,756		16,250
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	33,719		31,382		67,309		59,499
Interest expense	1,228		644		2,444		1,020
Impairment, loan loss and equity in net loss or unconsolidated affiliate (2)		[2]		[2]		[2]	10,678	[2]
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	2,375		(3,724)		2,123		(3,405)
Other (income) expense, net	(1,446)		(935)		(2,632)		(2,163)
Income before income taxes	31,562		35,397		65,374		53,369
Electronics [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	109,947		91,450		205,972		170,865
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	5,530		5,131		10,900		9,992
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	26,210		19,779		45,581		31,922
Automotive [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	82,042		64,548		164,444		123,933
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	3,646		2,319		7,174		4,303
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	10,472		8,913		22,354		18,396
Electrical [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	28,919		31,768		57,351		63,886
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	1,414		997		2,682		1,955
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	571		5,623		4,317		12,114
Other Segments [Member]
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	$ (3,534)	[3]	$ (2,933)	[3]	$ (4,943)	[3]	$ (2,933)	[3]

[1] Sales by country represent sales to customer or distributor locations.

[2] During the first quarter of 2013, the company recorded an impairment of its investment in Shocking Technologies. (See Note 5).

[3] "Other" consists of acquisition related costs and severance charges.