Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $698 and $771 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract] Payment for business acquisition Cash paid for acquisition Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Cinch Acquisition [Member] Additional paid-in capital Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts SERP [Member] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) [Abstract] Deferred consideration Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value Acquisition date Acquisition of issued and outstanding capital stock (in hundredths) Total identifiable assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired Net assets acquired Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net Inventories Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Inventory Other current assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Accounts receivable Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Receivables Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities Goodwill Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount Intangible assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Not Amortizable Total liabilities assumed Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Liabilities Assumed Property, plant and equipment Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Property, Plant and Equipment Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Acquired tax assets and liabilities [Line Items] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents - beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents - end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Interest Interest Paid Fair value of consideration transferred Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Increase in income taxes payable (Increase) decrease in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Changes in operating assets and liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of: Increase in accounts payable Increase in accrued expenses Class B [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member] Common stock, authorized (in shares) Common stock, outstanding (in shares) Common Stock Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Cost of sales Currency translation adjustment Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Current Liabilities: Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Stock-based compensation Publicly-traded equity securities [Member] U.S. Federal [Member] Fixed income securities [Member] Foreign jurisdictions [Member] Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract] IRS audit settlement Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority Years tax audit notified by IRS Income Tax Examination [Line Items] Income Tax Examination [Table] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Interest and penalties uncertain tax positions recognized Accrued interest and penalties uncertain tax positions Income taxes, net of refunds received Income Taxes Paid, Net Refundable income taxes Increase in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Cash transferred from restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Intangible assets - net Goodwill Goodwill Finished goods Inventories Inventories Raw materials Work in progress Components of inventories [Abstract] Total Liabilities Liabilities TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Marketable securities Money market fund Investment Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis] Net Cash Used In Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Used in Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings (loss) Net earnings (loss) Net earnings (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Total Long-term Liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-term Liabilities: Operating lease, future minimum payments due Income from operations Operating Income (Loss) Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of $18 and $35, respectively Change in unfunded SERP liability, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Other comprehensive (loss) income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of marketable securities included in net earnings (loss) net of tax of ($45) Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of marketable securities included in net earnings (loss), tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax Reclassification adjustment for write-down of marketable securities included in net earnings net of tax of $181 Reclassification adjustment for write-down of marketable securities included in net earnings, tax Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities arising during the period, net of taxes of ($72), ($210), ($59) and ($71), respectively Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities arising during the period, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Interest income and other, net Dividends paid to common shareholders Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Compensation expense RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, pretax: Balance sheet amounts: Components of SERP expense [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Interest cost Net gains Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax Total SERP expense Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Prior service cost Service cost Preferred stock, authorized (in shares) Preferred stock, issued (in shares) Proceeds from sale of marketable securities Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment - net Purchase of marketable securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchase of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Income (loss) from operations: Related Party [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Restricted cash, current Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restructuring charges Restructuring charge Restructuring Charges Date of announcement Restructuring and Related Activities, Initiation Date Description of restructuring plan Restructuring and Related Activities, Description Cash payments of accrued restructuring costs Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash Accrued restructuring costs Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent Accrued restructuring costs Retained earnings Net Sales Net Sales INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Marketable Securities [Member] BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business segment information Total segment sales Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Selling, general and administrative Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Award [Table] State Jurisdiction [Member] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) [Abstract] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity: Stockholders' Equity: Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Table] Supplementary information: Total Current Assets Assets, Current Current Assets: Current Assets Liability for uncertain tax position that would impact effective tax rate GAMCO Investors [Member] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] TOTAL ASSETS Assets Total segment sales: Less Dividends Dividends Income Tax Authority [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Manufacturing Plant Relocation [Member] Facility Closing [Member] Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] As Adjusted [Member] Scenario, Actual [Member] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Fair value of investment, net ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Financial assets accounted at fair value on a recurring basis Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Class of Stock [Domain] Class Of Stock [Domain] Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $89 and ($33) as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($906) and ($941) as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Class A [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member] Total amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Other assets EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE [Abstract] Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share by Two Class Method [Table] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table] Earnings Per Share by Two Class Method [Line Items] Costs and expenses: Earnings before provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities, Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class Of Stock [Axis] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, treasury shares (in shares) Total Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Provision for income taxes Initial Measurement [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued Common share (in dollars per share) Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items] 401(k) Plan [Member] Litigation charges Litigation Settlement, Expense Liability for uncertain tax positions Segment, Geographical [Domain] Statement, Geographical [Axis] Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Measurement Period Adjustment [Member] Scenario, Adjustment [Member] Combined fair value of available-for-sale securities Assets at Fair Value Fair value of consideration transferred Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Consideration transferred [Abstract] Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract] Net identifiable assets acquired Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Earnings and weighted-average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Litigation reserve Acquisition-related costs Weighted-average shares outstanding: Cash paid in exchange of net assets acquired Cash Paid Income taxes payable Depreciation and amortization ACQUISITION Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Accounts payable Accrued expenses Accrued expenses Sales commissions Dividends payable Dividends Payable, Current Salaries, bonuses and related benefits Other Accrued expenses [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive (loss) income, tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive (loss) income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Minimum pension obligation and unfunded pension liability Asia [Member] Europe [Member] Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Undistributed earnings (loss) Undistributed Earnings, Basic Undistributed earnings (loss) Intersegment sales Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue Sales and income from operations [Abstract] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Recurring [Member] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] ACQUISITION [Abstract] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value by Measurement Frequency [Axis] Accrued expenses Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Estimated acquisition date fair values of the consideration transferred and identifiable net assets acquired Components of inventories LEGAL PROCEEDINGS [Abstract] LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] INVENTORIES [Abstract] RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN [Abstract] Manufacturing Plant Relocation [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss Amortization of adjustments Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs Financial Assets Fair Value [Abstract] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Axis] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract] RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract] Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Gross unrealized losses Gain on sale of investment Gain on sale of investment Income Tax Authority [Axis] Earnings per share: Earnings (loss) per share: Common share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EARNINGS PER SHARE Impairment of investment Impairment of investment Other-than-temporary impairment loss on investment Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entities [Table] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type The percentage that the Company will match of the next 5% of employee deferral into the 401(k) plan. Employer match of the next five percent of employee deferral Employer match of the next 5% of employee deferral The percentage that the Company will match of the first 1% of employee deferral into the 401(k) plan. Employer match of the first one percent of employee deferral Employer match of the first 1% of employee deferral The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns. Prior year liability uncertain tax positions year 2 Prior year liability uncertain tax positions relating to 2008 The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns. Prior year liability uncertain tax positions year 1 Prior year liability uncertain tax positions relating to 2007 Tax years being audited in the income tax examination. Income tax audit, years under examination The name of a geographic segment representing facts about a reporting entity disaggregated by the geographic area of the entities activities. This element may be used to identify operations in an individual country or group of countries depending on materiality. If a Geographical segment is an individual country use the countries defined in the Country Domain (Domain -2000) to identify the country segment. Germany [Member] Liabilities assumed [Abstract] Assets acquired [Abstract] Acquisition of the net assets of GigaCom Interconnect AB. GigaCom Interconnect [Member] Acquisition of the net assets of FibreCo Ltd. Fibreco Acquisition [Member] Percentage of equity interest in class of common stock held by investor. Equity Interest held by Investor Equity Interest held by Investor (in hundredths) Tax portion in relation to net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax Effect Change in unfunded SERP liability, tax Tax effect of accumulated appreciation or loss in value of total available-for-sale securities at the end of an accounting period. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Tax Effect Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, tax ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract] Number of shares of the company's common stock owned by the plan. Shares Held in Plan Shares owned by plan The Company's non-defined retirement fund covering substantially all of their Hong Kong-based full-time employees. Non-defined Retirement Fund [Member] Tabular disclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) recognized due to settlements or curtailments and disclosure of the net gain (loss) and net prior service cost or credit recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans. Schedule of Net Benefit Costs, Amount Recognized in Balance Sheet and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Components of SERP expense Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to subcontracting labor. Used to reflect current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Accrued subcontracting labor Subcontracting labor The entire disclosure pertaining to components of accrued expenses reported on the balance sheet and a description of accrued restructuring costs. Accrued Expenses And Restructuring Costs Disclosure [Text Block] ACCRUED EXPENSES ACCRUED EXPENSES [Abstract] The amount of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of capital assets and intangibles and the basis of capital assets computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Deferred tax liabilities property, plant and equipment and intangibles Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Tax assets and liabilities acquired [Line Items] Amount of realized gains or loss of investments held in a Rabbi Trust included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of the report date. Unrealized gain loss of investments held in a Rabbi Trust Unrealized gain of investments held in a Rabbi Trust Fair value of investments held in a Rabbi Trust as of the report date. Fair value of investments held in a Rabbi Trust Tabular disclosure for acquired tax assets and liabilities and related information. Acquired tax assets and liabilities [Table] Acquired tax assets and liabilities [Table] The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns. Prior year liability uncertain tax positions Tax years for which income tax examination not required by the statute. Income tax examination years not subject to examination Years not subject to examination by tax authorities Reconciling item [Abstract] Reconciling item: Number of industry in which entity operates with its reportable operating segments. Number of industry in which entity operates Number of reportable operating segments of the entity. Number of reportable operating segments The amount of the transfers of assets or liabilities measured on a recurring basis between different levels of the fair value hierarchy. Transfers in out between levels Value of investment in a trust (for example, a 'rabbi trust') set up specifically to accumulate stock for the sole purpose of distribution to participating employees. Investments held in Rabbi Trust [Member] A domicile country about which segment information is provided by the entity. North America [Member] Denominator [Abstract] Denominator: Net earnings allocation basic and diluted [Abstract] Net earnings allocation - basic and diluted: Undistributed earnings allocation basic and diluted [Abstract] Undistributed earnings (loss) allocation - basic and diluted: Numerator [Abstract] Numerator: Earning Per Share Two Class Method [Abstract] Earnings and weighted average shares outstanding [Abstract] Earnings allocated to one class of common stock in excess of earnings allocated to another class of stock. Excessive undistributed earnings allocation rate of one class over other class Undistributed earning allocation rate of Class B common stock in excess of Class A common stock (in hundredths) Dividend rate of one class in excess of dividend rate of another class. Excessive dividend rate of one class over other class Dividend rate Class B common stock in excess of dividend rate of Class A common stock (in hundredths) Amounts held back on acquisition payments in investing activities. Amount Held Back On Acquisition Payment Deferred consideration Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired by the entity. Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired Details Of Acquisition [Abstract] Details of acquisition: Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Dividends Paid Per Share [Abstract] Dividends paid per share: Average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic as well as diluted EPS. Weighted Average Number Of Share Outstanding Basic And Diluted Common share - basic and diluted (in shares) Document and Entity Information [Abstract]