CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities: [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)	$ (14,045)	$ (23,144)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
(Gain)/loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes	(12,530)	5,411
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(2,420)	(5,406)
Depreciation and amortization, excluding non-cash interest expense	44,284	45,527
Amortization of intangible assets	7,473	7,455
Non-cash interest expense, net	7,742	5,796
Deferred income taxes	(8,960)	(6,211)
Gain on bargain purchase	12,435	0
Gain on sale of assets	(205)	(1,290)
Non-cash restructuring, impairment and other charges, net	1,495	10,801
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net	9,440	11,439
Stock-based compensation provision	2,879	4,445
Gain on insurance claim	(2,670)	0
Other non-cash charges	4,921	3,711
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable	(15,249)	9,601
Inventories	(26,245)	(846)
Accounts payable and accrued compensation and related liabilities	52,127	(15,495)
Other working capital changes	(2,506)	(19,211)
Other, net	(14,925)	(12,662)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	10,698	12,466
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	7,055	6,212
Net cash provided by operating activities	17,753	18,678
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cost of business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(33,166)	(644)
Capital expenditures	(23,045)	(15,326)
Purchase of investment	(1,650)	0
Proceeds from insurance claim	3,036	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	7,861	2,333
Proceeds from sale of intangible asset	0	1,700
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(46,964)	(11,937)
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations	42,714	39,610
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	(4,250)	27,673
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Repayment of 10.5% senior notes	0	(169,875)
Payment of financing related costs and expenses and debt issuance discounts	(15,219)	(32,335)
Repayments of other long-term debt	(3,323)	(3,499)
Purchase and retirement of common stock upon vesting of RSUs	(509)	(734)
Proceeds from issuance of 11.5% senior notes	0	225,000
Proceeds from issuance of 7% senior exchangeable notes	0	86,250
(Repayment)/borrowings under revolving credit facility, net	(18,000)	45,550
Proceeds from issuance of 15% unsecured term loan, due 2017	50,000	0
Repayment of 15% unsecured term loan, due 2017	(30,000)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	76	0
Borrowings under ABL facility, due 2017	474,400	0
Repayments under ABL facility, due 2017	(392,600)	0
Proceeds from equipment note	20,000
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations	(13,028)	(52,531)
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations	0	(1,652)
Net cash used in financing activities	(13,028)	(54,183)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(47)	414
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	428	(7,418)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,110	17,753
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,538	10,335
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	6,042	0
7.875% senior subordinated notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Repayments of senior subordinated notes	(67,848)	(196,088)
Term Loan B, due 2016 [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Repayment of Term Loan	(390,005)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loan Facility		17,987
8.375% senior subordinated notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Repayments of senior subordinated notes	0	(24,787)
Term loan facility, due 2017 [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loan Facility	360,000	0
Equipment note [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Proceeds from equipment note	$ 20,000	$ 0