Note 11 - Business Unit Segment Information (Details) - Business Unit Segment Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014		Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 27, 2014		Sep. 28, 2013
Net sales
Net sales	$ 217,608	[1]	$ 201,040	[1]	$ 645,375	[1]	$ 559,724	[1]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	10,431		9,601		31,187		25,852
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	40,130		37,559		107,439		97,058
Interest expense	1,292		939		3,736		1,959
Impairment, loan loss and equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate (2)		[2]		[2]		[2]	10,678	[2]
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	(101)		1,476		2,022		(1,929)
Other (income) expense, net	(2,261)		(1,380)		(4,893)		(3,543)
Income before income taxes	41,200		36,524		106,574		89,893
Electronics [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	107,754		101,013		313,726		271,878
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	5,582		5,784		16,482		15,776
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	25,800		20,362		70,805		52,284
Automotive [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	80,639		70,386		245,083		194,319
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	3,435		2,880		10,609		7,183
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	12,227		11,135		35,158		29,531
Electrical [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	29,215		29,641		86,566		93,527
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization	1,414		937		4,096		2,893
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	3,224		6,687		7,541		18,801
Other Segments [Member]
Operating income (loss)
Operating income	$ (1,121)	[3]	$ (625)	[3]	$ (6,065)	[3]	$ (3,558)	[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, severance charges and restructuring costs.