Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Apr. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 03, 2010	Jul. 04, 2010	Apr. 04, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basic EPS [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MTI									$ 67,521	$ 66,869	$ (20,645)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MTI									0	0	(3,151)
Net income (loss) attributable to MTI	19,600	15,700	16,400	15,800	15,800	16,700	19,000	15,400	67,521	66,869	(23,796)
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									18,009,000	18,614,000	18,724,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 0.88	$ 0.90	$ 0.86	$ 0.86	$ 0.90	$ 1.01	$ 0.82	$ 3.75	$ 3.59	$ (1.10)
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.17)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 0.88	$ 0.90	$ 0.86	$ 0.86	$ 0.90	$ 1.01	$ 0.82	$ 3.75	$ 3.59	$ (1.27)
Diluted EPS [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MTI									67,521	66,869	(20,645)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MTI									0	0	(3,151)
Net income (loss) attributable to MTI	$ 19,600	$ 15,700	$ 16,400	$ 15,800	$ 15,800	$ 16,700	$ 19,000	$ 15,400	$ 67,521	$ 66,869	$ (23,796)
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									18,009,000	18,614,000	18,724,000
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)									109,000	79,000	0
Weighted average shares outstanding, adjusted (in shares)									18,118,000	18,693,000	18,724,000
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 0.87	$ 0.90	$ 0.86	$ 0.86	$ 0.90	$ 1.01	$ 0.82	$ 3.73	$ 3.58	$ (1.10)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.17)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to MTI (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 0.87	$ 0.90	$ 0.86	$ 0.86	$ 0.90	$ 1.01	$ 0.82	$ 3.73	$ 3.58	$ (1.27)
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities not included in the weighted average commons shares outstanding calculation (in shares)									109,032	96,801	322,833
Stock Options and Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities not included in the weighted average commons shares outstanding calculation (in shares)											55,000