Vishay Precision (VPG) 10-K 11 Mar 20 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 11, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Entity Registrant Name	Vishay Precision Group, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001487952
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus (Q1,Q2,Q3,FY)	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 515,849
Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		12,511,392
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		1,022,887

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 86,910	$ 90,159
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $555 and $517, respectively	43,198	53,156
Inventories:
Raw materials	21,701	18,052
Work in process	23,128	22,007
Finished goods	22,066	22,182
Inventories	66,895	62,241
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,558	9,314
Total current assets	212,561	214,870
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land	4,243	3,390
Buildings and improvements	52,708	51,055
Machinery and equipment	111,492	105,840
Software	9,384	8,532
Construction in progress	2,485	2,157
Accumulated depreciation	(119,042)	(111,555)
Property and equipment, net	61,270	59,419
Goodwill	35,018	16,141
Intangible assets, net	34,198	17,656
Other assets	27,366	18,297
Total assets	370,413	326,383
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	8,869	11,461
Payroll and related expenses	16,312	17,757
Other accrued expenses	18,953	17,031
Income taxes	261	3,879
Current portion of long-term debt	44,516	4,654
Total current liabilities	88,911	54,782
Long-term debt, less current portion	17	22,421
Deferred income taxes	3,478	2,200
Other liabilities	20,586	13,545
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	15,669	14,982
Total liabilities	128,661	107,930
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share: authorized - 1,000,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock	1,312	1,307
Treasury stock, at cost - 619,667 shares held at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	(8,765)	(8,765)
Capital in excess of par value	197,125	196,666
Retained earnings	89,288	66,569
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(37,703)	(37,465)
Total Vishay Precision Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	241,360	218,415
Noncontrolling interests	392	38
Total equity	241,752	218,453
Total liabilities and equity	370,413	326,383
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Equity:
Common stock	$ 103	$ 103

Consolidated Balance Sheets _Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets [Parenthetical] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable (in dollars)	$ 555	$ 517
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	12,500,006	12,449,253
Treasury stock (in shares)	619,667	619,667
Class B Convertible Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,022,887	1,025,158

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 283,958	$ 299,794	$ 254,350
Costs of products sold	172,341	178,527	156,067
Gross profit	111,617	121,267	98,283
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	79,622	80,935	73,751
Acquisition costs	443	0	0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles	0	2,820	0
Executive severance costs	611	0	0
Restructuring costs	2,293	289	2,044
Operating income	28,648	37,223	22,488
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,507)	(1,738)	(1,842)
Other	(701)	(1,496)	(83)
Other expenses - net	(2,208)	(3,234)	(1,925)
Income before taxes	26,440	33,989	20,563
Income tax expense	4,145	10,344	6,169
Net earnings	22,295	23,645	14,394
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	(1)	49
Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders	$ 22,188	$ 23,646	$ 14,345
Basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.64	$ 1.76	$ 1.08
Diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.63	$ 1.75	$ 1.07
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	13,515	13,439	13,262
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	13,597	13,535	13,471

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 22,295	$ 23,645	$ 14,394
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	558	(3,929)	5,802
Pension and other postretirement actuarial items	(796)	1,914	(915)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(238)	(2,015)	4,887
Comprehensive income	22,057	21,630	19,281
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	(1)	49
Comprehensive income attributable to VPG stockholders	$ 21,950	$ 21,631	$ 19,232

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating activities
Net earnings	$ 22,295	$ 23,645	$ 14,394
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles	0	2,820	0
Depreciation and amortization	11,795	10,631	10,626
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	34	(120)	(195)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment related to disposal of subsidiary	(827)	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	1,336	1,799	1,499
Inventory write-offs for obsolescence	2,588	1,876	2,065
Deferred income taxes	(2,556)	1,011	1,890
Other	358	819	893
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Accounts receivable	11,369	(7,757)	(10,537)
Inventories	(619)	(5,095)	(4,307)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,087)	588	(3,260)
Trade accounts payable	(2,273)	(819)	2,009
Other current liabilities	(7,481)	5,981	7,652
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,932	35,379	22,729
Investing activities
Capital expenditures	(11,196)	(14,521)	(6,960)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	615	132	541
Purchase of business	(40,481)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(51,062)	(14,389)	(6,419)
Financing activities
Principal payments on long-term debt	(4,618)	(5,603)	(2,628)
Proceeds from revolving facility	22,000	22,000	41,000
Payments on revolving facility	0	(19,000)	(41,000)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(52)	(109)	(75)
Payments of employee taxes on certain share-based arrangements	(854)	(801)	(303)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	16,476	(3,513)	(3,006)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	405	(1,610)	2,536
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(3,249)	15,867	15,840
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	90,159	74,292	58,452
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	86,910	90,159	74,292
Supplemental disclosure of investing transactions:
Capital expenditures purchased	(10,529)	(13,239)	(10,092)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing transactions:
Conversion of exchangeable notes to common stock	0	$ (2,794)	$ (1,303)
Capital expenditures accrued but not yet paid	$ 1,183

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Class B Convertible Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital In Excess Of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total VPG Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 171,557	$ 1,278	$ 103	$ (8,765)	$ 190,373	$ 28,731	$ (40,337)	$ 171,383	$ 174
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	14,394					14,345		14,345	49
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,887						4,887	4,887
Share-based compensation expense	1,499				1,499			1,499
Restricted stock issuances	(261)	4			(265)			(261)
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes	1,303	6			1,297			1,303
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(75)								(75)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2017	193,304	1,288	103	(8,765)	192,904	43,076	(35,450)	193,156	148
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	23,645					23,646		23,646	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,015)						(2,015)	(2,015)
Share-based compensation expense	1,799				1,799			1,799
Restricted stock issuances	(812)	7			(819)			(812)
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes	2,794	12			2,782			2,794
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(109)								(109)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2018	218,453	1,307	103	(8,765)	196,666	66,569	(37,465)	218,415	38
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	22,295					22,188		22,188	107
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(238)						(238)	(238)
Share-based compensation expense	1,336				1,336			1,336
Restricted stock issuances	(872)	5			(877)			(872)
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes	0
Conversion from Class B to common stock	0
Impact due to DSI acquisition	299								299
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(52)								(52)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 241,752	$ 1,312	$ 103	$ (8,765)	$ 197,125	$ 89,288	$ (37,703)	$ 241,360	$ 392

Consolidated Statements of Eq_2

Consolidated Statements of Equity [Parenthetical] - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restricted stock issuances (in shares)	48,482	59,038	41,322
Common Stock
Common stock issuance from conversion of exchangeable notes (in shares)		123,808,000	57,729,000
Conversion from Class B to common stock (in shares)	2,271

Background and Summary of Signi

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Background Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (“VPG” or the “Company”) is an internationally recognized designer, manufacturer and marketer of sensors, and sensor-based measurement systems, as well as specialty resistors and strain gages based upon the Company's proprietary technology. The Company provides precision products and solutions, many of which are “designed-in” by its customers, specializing in the growing markets of stress, force, weight, pressure, and current measurements. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the individual entities in which the Company maintained a controlling financial interest. For those subsidiaries in which the Company’s ownership is less than 100 percent , the outside stockholders’ interests are shown as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All transactions, accounts, and profits between individual members comprising the Company have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Revenue Recognition The Company derives substantially all of its revenue from product sales. The Company recognizes the vast majority of its sales at a point-in-time. It utilizes the core principle of recognizing revenue when the Company satisfies performance obligations as evidenced by the transfer of control of its products to the customer. Such revenues are derived from purchase orders and/or contracts with customers. Each contract has the promise to transfer the control of the products, each of which is individually distinct and is considered the identified performance obligation. As part of the decision to enter into each contract, the Company evaluates the customer’s credit risk, but its contracts do not have any significant financing components, as payment is generally due net 30 to 60 days after delivery. In accordance with contract terms, revenue from the Company’s product sales is recognized at the time of product shipment from its facilities or delivery to the customer location, as determined by the agreed upon shipping terms. Under the terms of some of its contracts, the Company may be required to perform certain installation services. These installation services are performed at the time of product delivery or at some point thereafter. The installation services do not significantly modify the product provided, and although the Company may be required contractually to provide these services, the installation services could be performed by a third party or the customer. Thus, these installation services are a distinct performance obligation. In most of the applicable contracts, this installation service element is immaterial in the context of the agreement. When the installation services are accounted for as a separate performance obligation, the Company allocates the transaction price to this element based on its relative standalone selling price. Given the specialized nature of the Company's products, the Company generally does not allow product returns. Shipping and handling costs are recorded to Costs of product sold when control of the product has transferred to the customer. The Company offers standard product warranties. Warranty related costs continue to be recognized as expense when the products are sold. Sales, value add and other taxes collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. See Note 2 for further details on Revenues. Research and Development Expenses Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The amount charged to expense for research and development was $12.1 million , $11.8 million , and $11.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes such assets will "more likely than not" be realized. In making this determination, the Company considers all positive and negative evidence, including historic earnings, projected future income, and cost-effective tax-planning strategies. When the Company determines that its ability to realize deferred tax assets is not "more likely than not", the Company adjusts its deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which increases income tax expense. The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process in which the Company first determines whether it is "more likely than not" that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and then measures those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. The Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have all the necessary information available to prepare and analyze the accounting treatment for the proper recognition of the tax impact of the 2017 Tax Act. In accordance with SAB 118 guidance, the Company had recorded the provisional tax impacts related to the deemed distribution of foreign earnings and the expense for the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with SAB 118, the financial reporting impact of the 2017 Tax Act was completed in the fourth quarter of 2018 resulting in a net increase in tax expense of $0.8 million . Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Highly liquid investments with maturities greater than three months are classified as short-term investments. There were no investments classified as short-term investments at December 31, 2019 or 2018 . Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company evaluates the past-due status of its trade receivables based on contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.6 million and $0.5 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Bad debt expense was $0.1 million , $0.0 million , and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or market based on net realizable value. Inventories are adjusted for estimated excess and obsolescence and written down to net realizable value based upon estimates of future demand, technology developments, and market conditions. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are being depreciated over useful lives of seven to ten years . Buildings and building improvements are being depreciated over useful lives of twenty to forty years or the lease term. Software is being depreciated over useful lives of three to five years . Construction in progress is not depreciated until the assets are placed in service. Depreciation expense was $10.1 million , $8.9 million , and $8.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively, which included software depreciation expense of $0.6 million , $0.5 million , and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Business Combinations The Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired company, including when applicable, the fair value of contingent consideration between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired businesses based on estimated fair values, with any residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. Third party appraisal firms and other consultants are engaged to assist management in determining the fair values of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Estimating fair values requires significant judgments, estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to: discount rates, future cash flows and the economic lives of trade names, technology, customer relationships, property, plant and equipment, as well as income taxes. These estimates are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies, and are inherently uncertain. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is "more likely than not" impairment may have been incurred. We have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining if it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. However, if we conclude otherwise, then we are required to perform the quantitative impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing it against its carrying amount. We estimate the fair value of our steel and on-board weighing reporting units using the income approach and a market approach to valuation. The income approach to valuation uses our estimates of the future cash flows of the reporting unit discounted to their net present value using a discount rate determined using the capital asset pricing model and adjusted for the forecast risk inherent in our projections of future cash flows. The income approach to valuation is dependent on inputs from management such as expected revenue growth, profitability, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. The market approach to valuation uses the market capitalization of public companies similar to the reporting unit to calculate an implied EBITDA multiple, and we apply that calculated EBITDA multiple to the expected EBITDA of the reporting unit to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, after consideration of appropriate control premiums. We weigh the results of the income approach and the market approach to arrive at the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We estimate the fair value of our instrumentation reporting unit using the income approach. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required and no impairment loss is recognized. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the reporting unit fair value. The Company's required goodwill annual impairment test is completed as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter each year. As more fully described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the 2019 annual impairment test resulted in no impairment. The 2018 annual impairment test resulted in an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018. The 2017 annual impairment test resulted in no impairment. The indefinite-lived trade names are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the fair value based on current revenue projections of the related operations, under the relief from royalty method. Any excess carrying value over the applicable fair value is recognized as impairment. Any impairment would be recognized in the reporting period in which it has been identified. As more fully described in Note 4, the annual impairment test for 2019 resulted in no impairment. The 2018 annual impairment test resulted in the Company recording an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018. The 2017 annual impairment test resulted in no impairment. Definite-lived intangible assets, such as customer relationships, patents and acquired technology, non-competition agreements, and certain trade names are amortized on a straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Patents and acquired technology are being amortized over useful lives of seven to twenty years . Customer relationships are being amortized over useful lives of five to fifteen years . Trade names are being amortized over useful lives of seven to ten years . Non-competition agreements are being amortized over periods of five to ten years . The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets. Additionally, the Company reviews the carrying values of these assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The carrying value of long-lived assets held-and-used, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, is evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group. Losses on long-lived assets held-for-sale, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for disposal costs. Foreign Currency Translation The Company has significant operations outside of the United States. The Company's operations in Europe, Canada, and certain locations in Asia primarily generate and expend cash in local currencies, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the local currency as their functional currency. The Company’s operations in Israel and certain locations in Asia primarily generate cash in U.S. dollars, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. For those subsidiaries where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets have been translated at the rate of exchange as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. Translation adjustments do not impact the consolidated statements of operations and are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the statement of comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations. For those foreign subsidiaries where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, all foreign currency financial statement amounts are remeasured into U.S. dollars. Exchange gains and losses arising from remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated statements of operations. Share-Based Compensation Compensation costs related to share-based payments are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. For service-based awards, compensation cost is recognized over the period that an officer, employee, or non-employee director provides service in exchange for the award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. For performance based awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost for awards that are expected to vest based on whether performance criteria are expected to be met. For options and restricted stock units subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes expense over the service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was comprised of multiple awards. Commitments and Contingencies Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842) ,” a comprehensive new lease standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases. The core principle of this ASU requires lessees to present the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on their balance sheets. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. See Note 12- Leases. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." This ASU gives entities the option to reclassify to retained earnings the tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Act") related to items in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") that the FASB refers to as having been stranded in AOCI. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective January 1, 2019, and elected not to reclassify the income tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13, and subsequent related amendments to ASU 2016-13, replace the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model that requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. It also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes will result in earlier recognition of credit losses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures is not expected to be material. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, "Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans." This ASU amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit and pension and other postretirement plans. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the standard to determine the impact on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820)." This ASU modifies the disclosures on fair value measurements by removing the requirements to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the policy for timing of such transfers. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements for Level 3 fair value measurements, primarily focused on changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the standard to determine the impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Revenues

Revenues	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues	Revenues The following table disaggregates net revenue by geographic region from contracts with customers based on net revenues generated by subsidiaries within that geographic location (in thousands) : Year Ended December 31, 2019 Foil Technology Force Weighing and Total United States $ 56,393 $ 33,695 $ 24,227 $ 114,315 United Kingdom 3,181 10,450 15,576 29,207 Other Europe 32,328 10,811 16,860 59,999 Israel 12,401 415 — 12,816 Asia 27,500 8,986 8,331 44,817 Canada — — 22,804 22,804 $ 131,803 $ 64,357 $ 87,798 $ 283,958 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Foil Technology Force Weighing and Total United States $ 61,132 $ 39,955 $ 23,818 $ 124,905 United Kingdom 3,666 11,787 14,296 29,749 Other Europe 31,431 10,678 18,741 60,850 Israel 11,028 517 — 11,545 Asia 33,752 10,249 7,442 51,443 Canada — — 21,302 21,302 $ 141,009 $ 73,186 $ 85,599 $ 299,794 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Foil Technology Force Weighing and Total United States $ 52,032 $ 34,108 $ 19,523 $ 105,663 United Kingdom 3,173 12,187 11,127 26,487 Other Europe 26,322 8,793 17,312 52,427 Israel 6,673 635 — 7,308 Asia 28,073 9,723 7,288 45,084 Canada — — 17,381 17,381 $ 116,273 $ 65,446 $ 72,631 $ 254,350 The following table disaggregates net revenue by market sector (in thousands) : Years Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Test & Measurement $ 69,594 $ 76,735 $ 64,798 Avionics, Military & Space 23,975 26,743 22,378 Medical 10,863 9,868 8,769 Precision Weighing 91,001 93,734 81,439 Force Measurement 55,648 66,551 53,503 Steel 32,877 26,163 23,463 $ 283,958 $ 299,794 $ 254,350 Contract Assets & Liabilities Contract assets are established when revenues are recognized prior to a contractual payment due from the customer. When a payment becomes due based on the contract terms, the Company will reduce the contract asset and record a receivable. Contract liabilities are deferred revenues that are recorded when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance obligations. Our payment terms vary by the type and location of the products offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. The outstanding contract assets and liability accounts were as follows (in thousands) : Contract Asset Contract Liability Unbilled Revenue Accrued Customer Advances December 31, 2018 $ 964 $ 5,328 December 31, 2019 $ 3,937 $ 4,561 Increase ( decrease) $ 2,973 $ (767 ) Included in the contract asset at December 31, 2019 is $ 2.1 million attributable to the acquisition of DSI. The amount of revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2018 was $5.1 million . Practical Expedients The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts that have a duration of one year or less and for contracts that are substantially complete. The Company treats shipping and handling activities as fulfillment costs.

Acquisition Activity

Acquisition Activity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition Activity	Acquisition Activity Dynamic Systems Inc. On November 1, 2019, VPG completed the acquisition of New York-based Dynamic Systems Inc. ("DSI"), a provider of specialized dynamic thermal-mechanical test and simulation systems used to develop new metal alloys and optimize production processes, for a purchase price of $40.5 million , subject to customary adjustments, plus a potential earn out of up to an additional $3.0 million . DSI reports into the Company's Weighing and Control Systems segment. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities of DSI as of November 1, 2019 (in thousands): Working capital (a) $ 6,874 Property and equipment 1,727 Long-term deferred income tax liability (4,321 ) Non-Controlling interest (299 ) Intangible assets: Patents and acquired technology 10,250 Customer relationships 4,344 Trade names 3,300 Total intangible assets 17,894 Fair value of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities 21,875 Purchase price 40,481 Goodwill $ 18,606 (a) Working capital accounts include accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued payroll. The fair value of the contingent consideration is zero . The weighted average useful lives for the patents and acquired technology and customer relationships are 16 years, and 15 years, respectively. Most of the goodwill associated with DSI will be deductible for income tax purposes. The Company recorded acquisition costs of associated with this transaction in its consolidated statements of operation as follows (in thousands) : Year ended December 31, 2019 Accounting and legal fees $ 214 Appraisal fees 13 Other 216 $ 443 Following are the supplemental consolidated financial results for the Company on a unaudited pro forma basis, as if the DSI acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2018 (unaudited): Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 Pro forma net revenues $ 298,085 $ 314,437 Pro forma net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders $ 22,775 $ 23,821 Pro forma basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.69 $ 1.77 Pro forma diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.68 $ 1.76

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The Company performed the first step of the impairment test as of the first day of the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter by calculating the fair value of the reporting units and comparing it against its carrying amount. The Company estimated the fair value of our steel and on-board weighing reporting units using the income approach and a market approach to valuation. The income approach to valuation uses our estimates of the future cash flows of the reporting unit discounted to their net present value using a discount rate determined using the capital asset pricing model and adjusted for the forecast risk inherent in our projections of future cash flows. The income approach to valuation is dependent on inputs from management such as expected revenue growth, profitability, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. The market approach to valuation uses the market capitalization of public companies similar to the reporting unit to calculate an implied EBITDA multiple, and we apply that calculated EBITDA multiple to the expected EBITDA of the reporting unit to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, after consideration of appropriate control premiums. We weigh the results of the income approach and the market approach to arrive at the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We estimate the fair value of our instrumentation reporting unit using the income approach. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required and no impairment loss is recognized. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the reporting unit fair value.After completing the impairment test, the Company determined the fair value exceeded the carrying value for all reporting units. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the carrying value of the instrumentation reporting unit exceeded the fair value and the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.5 million . The impairment was primarily from lower margins on the forecasted projections due to product mix related to the Pacific acquisition. The impairment test for the remaining reporting units resulted in the fair value exceeding the carrying value, passing the quantitative impairment test. The Company's analysis in 2017 resulted in the fair value exceeding the carrying value for all reporting units. The determination of the fair value of the reporting unit and the allocation of that value to individual assets and liabilities within the reporting unit requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include the selection of appropriate peer group companies, control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in the industries in which the Company competes, the discount rate, terminal growth rates, and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making these estimates, actual financial results could differ from those estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting unit or the amount of the goodwill impairment charges. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment is as follows ( in thousands) : Total Weighing and Control Systems Segment Foil Technology Products Segment KELK Acquisition DSI Acquisition Stress-Tek Acquisition Pacific Instruments Balance at January 1, 2018 $ 19,181 $ 6,828 $ — $ 6,311 $ 6,042 Impairment charges (2,500 ) — — — (2,500 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment (540 ) (540 ) — — — Balance at December 31, 2018 16,141 6,288 — 6,311 3,542 Goodwill acquired 18,606 18,606 — — Foreign currency translation adjustment 271 271 — — — Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 35,018 $ 6,559 $ 18,606 $ 6,311 $ 3,542 Intangible assets were as follows (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived): Patents and acquired technology $ 19,504 $ 9,067 Customer relationships 25,690 20,941 Trade names 1,690 1,674 Non-competition agreements 11,745 11,820 58,629 43,502 Accumulated amortization: Patents and acquired technology (4,718 ) (4,103 ) Customer relationships (11,727 ) (10,399 ) Trade names (1,690 ) (1,674 ) Non-competition agreements (11,717 ) (11,748 ) (29,852 ) (27,924 ) Net intangible assets subject to amortization $ 28,777 $ 15,578 Intangible assets not subject to amortization (Indefinite-lived): Trade names 5,421 2,078 $ 34,198 $ 17,656 Certain intangible assets are subject to foreign currency translation. In conjunction with the acquisition of DSI on November 1, 2019 (See Note 3), the Company allocated $14.6 million for the purchase price to definite-lived intangibles assets and $3.3 million to indefinite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2019. The Company has determined that the trade name is an indefinite-lived intangibles asset. The Company performed an impairment test on the indefinite-lived trade names as of the first day of the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter and determined there was no impairment. In 2018, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.3 million related to the Pacific acquisition. The impairment was primarily from lower margins on the forecasted projections due to product mix. The value of the trade names was determined using an income approach, where the Company estimated the future cash flows associated with the trade names and discounted those cash flows back to their net present value. Due to the decline in cash flows as a result of the lower margins, the Company reduced the royalty rate, under the relief of royalty method, when performing the income approach valuation. The Company's annual impairment test on the indefinite-lived trade names in 2017 resulted in no impairment. Amortization expense was $1.7 million , $1.7 million , and $1.9 million , for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Amortization expense in 2019 included $0.2 million related to the DSI acquisition. Estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands) : 2020 $ 2,465 2021 2,416 2022 2,415 2023 2,311 2024 2,279

Restructuring Costs

Restructuring Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Costs	Restructuring Costs Restructuring costs reflect the cost reduction programs implemented by the Company. Restructuring costs are expensed during the period in which the Company determines it will incur those costs and all requirements for accrual are met. Because these costs are recorded based upon estimates, actual expenditures for the restructuring activities may differ from the initially recorded costs. If the initial estimates are too low or too high, the Company could be required to either record additional expense in future periods or to reverse part of the previously recorded charges. The Company recorded restructuring costs of $2.3 million , $0.3 million , and $2.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. In 2019, restructuring costs included $1.2 million of employee termination costs, including severance and statutory retirement allowances incurred in connection with various cost reduction programs, and $1.1 million of other exit costs, including asset write downs and an impairment of a right of use asset associated with the closure and downsizing of facilities as part of the manufacturing transitions of the Company's force sensors products to facilities in India and China. In 2018 and 2017, restructuring costs were comprised primarily of employee termination costs, including severance and statutory retirement allowances, and were incurred in connection with various cost reduction programs. The following table summarizes the activity to date related to these programs in the accrued restructuring liability, which is comprised of the activity associated primarily with the employee termination costs . The accrued restructuring liability balance as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is included in other accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ 159 $ 254 $ 1,333 Restructuring charges 1,559 289 2,044 Adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-02 (69 ) — — Cash payments (1,064 ) (384 ) (3,122 ) Foreign currency translation 19 — (1 ) Balance at end of year $ 604 159 254

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes For financial reporting purposes, income before taxes includes the following components (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Domestic $ (7,405 ) $ (7,897 ) $ (3,552 ) Foreign 33,845 41,886 24,115 $ 26,440 $ 33,989 $ 20,563 The expense (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Current: Federal $ 453 $ 189 $ (425 ) State and local (130 ) 162 89 Foreign 6,378 8,982 4,615 6,701 9,333 4,279 Deferred: Federal (2,638 ) 197 (257 ) State and local (123 ) (35 ) (1 ) Foreign 205 849 2,148 (2,556 ) 1,011 1,890 Total income tax expense $ 4,145 $ 10,344 $ 6,169 A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the actual income tax provision is as follows (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Tax at statutory rate $ 5,553 $ 7,138 $ 7,197 State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit (21 ) 89 93 Effect of foreign operations (109 ) 611 (1,137 ) Change in valuation allowance (646 ) 498 (397 ) Change in unrecognized tax benefits, net 650 258 105 Impairment of goodwill — 525 — Specialty tax credits (176 ) (295 ) (139 ) Statutory rate changes (249 ) 272 (470 ) Effect of foreign exchange (1,152 ) 321 (1,292 ) Loss of benefit of U.S. net operating loss (a) 967 — — Excess tax benefits related to share based compensation (a) (357 ) — — 2017 Tax Act: Effects of U.S. tax reform — (135 ) 11,311 Change in valuation allowance — 945 (9,093 ) Other (315 ) 117 (9 ) Total income tax expense $ 4,145 $ 10,344 $ 6,169 (a) Amounts for 2017 and 2018 are included in Other and fell below the 5% threshold. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Act") was enacted. The 2017 Tax Act significantly changed U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering the corporate tax rate, implementing a modified territorial tax system, and imposing a one-time transition tax on post 1986 undistributed foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act permanently reduces the U.S. tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21%, effective January 1, 2018. Under U.S. GAAP, changes in tax rates and tax law are accounted for in the period of enactment and deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to recover or be settled. Also on December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 which provides for a measurement period of one year from the enactment date to finalize the accounting for effects of the 2017 Tax Act. Consistent with that guidance, the Company had provisionally determined the tax cost of the one-time transition tax under the 2017 Tax Act to be approximately $2.2 million . This amount included the tax benefit from the net operating loss of approximately $3.9 million . As a result of the implementation of a modified territorial tax system, the Company reassessed its assertion with respect to certain subsidiaries that the earnings of those subsidiaries are indefinitely reinvested and in 2017 recorded a deferred tax liability of $1.8 million withholding tax associated with a planned cash distribution of approximately $25.5 million of previously unremitted earnings. The deferred tax liability of $1.8 million was included in the provisional tax of $2.2 million for 2017. As of December 31, 2019, the remaining planned cash distribution amount is approximately $14.1 million with a remaining deferred tax liability of approximately $1.5 million . In accordance with SAB 118, the financial reporting impact of the 2017 Tax Act was completed in the fourth quarter of 2018 resulting in a net $0.8 million increase in tax expense caused by a decrease in the transition tax and an increase in the valuation allowance. The 2017 Tax Act subjects a U.S. shareholder to tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The FASB Staff Q&A, Topic 740, No. 5, Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in the future years or provide for tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred. The Company has elected to recognize tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred. The Company recognized approximately $12.9 million and $15.6 million of GILTI income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The U.S. tax on the GILTI income was fully offset by foreign tax credits associated with GILTI and U.S. operating losses exclusive of GILTI. Any excess foreign tax credits associated with GILTI are lost and cannot be carried forward to future years. The Company would have generated a net operating loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes but for the effects of the GILTI provision. Deferred income taxes represent the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Pension and other postretirement costs $ 3,770 $ 3,600 Inventories 2,095 2,103 Net operating/capital loss and interest carryforwards 11,895 9,536 Tax credit carryforwards 1,431 748 Deferred compensation 2,865 2,009 Other accruals and reserves 3,362 3,547 Book over tax depreciation — 12 Total gross deferred tax assets 25,418 21,555 Less: valuation allowance (14,867 ) (14,455 ) 10,551 7,100 Deferred tax liabilities: Tax over book depreciation (290 ) — Investment in subsidiary (1,845 ) (1,983 ) Intangible assets, including tax deductible goodwill (5,745 ) (884 ) Total gross deferred tax liabilities (7,880 ) (2,867 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 2,671 $ 4,233 In 2015, the Company established a valuation allowance with respect to substantially all of its U.S. deferred tax assets due to uncertainty regarding the realization of these assets. Throughout 2018 and 2019, the Company reassessed its ability to realize its U.S. and other deferred tax assets by considering both positive and negative evidence regarding realization. The most significant negative evidence is continuing cumulative operating losses in the U.S. The impact of the acquisitions of Stress-Tek, Pacific and DSI was also considered in determining the realization of the U.S. deferred tax assets. Other aspects, such as operating results, additional interest expense and additional tax deductions related to the Stress-Tek acquisition, were also considered. The Company also considered positive evidence such as tax planning strategies and the projected benefits of our restructuring efforts. However, there was insufficient positive evidence to overcome the negative evidence. In November 2019, the Company acquired Dynamic Systems, Inc. ("DSI"), a U.S. company. DSI's opening balance sheet included $17 million of gross deferred tax liabilities, including $4.1 million of indefinite-lived liabilities. The acquisition contributed to a $2.5 million net reduction in valuation allowance and current tax benefit for the Company. This reduction in the valuation allowance will be adjusted going forward. Overall, the cumulative losses and the acquisition impacts still indicate that realization of our U.S. deferred tax assets remains uncertain such that the Company cannot conclude that it is "more likely than not" that the deferred tax assets will be recoverable. We will continue to monitor the realization of U.S. deferred tax assets and reduce the valuation allowance if, and when, sufficient positive evidence of realization exists. At December 31, 2019 and 2018 , the valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets was approximately $11.8 million and $12.3 million , respectively. The net change in valuation allowance was approximately $(0.6) million . The valuation allowance related to state taxes was $0.8 million and $1.0 million expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company also has valuation allowances of $3.1 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, with respect to certain foreign net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards. Significant valuation allowances are as follows (in thousands) : December 31, Jurisdiction 2019 2018 U.S. federal $ 3,395 $ 4,240 U.S. state (net of U.S. federal tax benefit) 8,411 8,057 Israel - capital losses 2,457 1,457 The following table summarizes significant net operating losses and credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands): December 31, Jurisdiction 2019 Expiring U.S. foreign tax credit 1,431 2025-2039 U.S state net operating losses 92,407 2023-2039 Israel capital losses 10,684 No expiration Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $159.0 million at December 31, 2019 compared to $143.0 million at December 31, 2018. As a result of the 2017 Tax Act, in 2017 the Company had provided for a deferred tax liability of approximately $1.8 million of withholding tax associated with a planned cash distribution of approximately $25.5 million . As of December 31, 2019, other than the planned cash distribution of $14.1 million , substantially all of the remaining undistributed earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly no provision has been made with respect to these earnings for incremental foreign income taxes, state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes. If those earnings were distributed to the U.S., the Company could be subject to incremental foreign income taxes, state income taxes, and withholding taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practicable because of the uncertainty regarding the timing of any such distribution and the impact on existing valuation allowances. In addition to the $1.5 million , additional withholding taxes of approximately $17.5 million are estimated to be payable upon remittance of the remaining previously unremitted earnings as of December 31, 2019 . Net income taxes paid were $11.1 million , $7.3 million , and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income taxes imposed by the U.S., various states, and the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. Each jurisdiction establishes rules that set forth the years which are subject to examination by its tax authorities. While the Company believes the tax positions taken on its tax returns for each jurisdiction are supportable, they may still be challenged by the jurisdiction's tax authorities. In anticipation of such challenges, the Company has established reserves for tax-related uncertainties. These liabilities are based on the Company’s best estimate of the potential tax exposures in each respective jurisdiction. It may take a number of years for a final tax liability in a jurisdiction to be determined, particularly in the event of an audit. If an uncertain matter is determined favorably, there could be a reduction in the Company’s tax expense. An unfavorable determination could increase tax expense and could require a cash payment, including interest and penalties. The following table summarizes changes in the Company's gross liabilities, excluding interest and penalties, associated with unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ 912 $ 823 $ 772 Addition based on tax positions related to current year 144 189 163 Addition based on tax positions related to prior years 668 182 — Reduction based on tax positions related to prior years (32 ) (98 ) (12 ) Currency translation adjustments 3 (28 ) 14 Reduction for payments made (134 ) — — Reduction for lapses of statute of limitations (206 ) (156 ) (114 ) Balance before indemnification receivable 1,355 912 823 Receivable from Vishay Intertechnology for indemnification — — (12 ) Balance at end of year $ 1,355 $ 912 $ 811 The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company accrued total penalties and interest of $0.0 million , $0.1 million and $0.1 million , respectively, none of which was included in the indemnification receivable. As of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, accrued penalties and interest were $0.1 million , $0.1 million and $0.1 million , respectively. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 is $1.4 million , $0.9 million , and $0.8 million , respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that an increase in unrecognized tax benefits related to foreign exposures of between $0.1 million and $0.2 million may be necessary in 2019. As of December 31, 2019 , the Company anticipates that it is reasonably possible that it will reverse up to $0.1 million of its current unrecognized tax benefits within the calendar year due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions. None of the unrecognized tax benefits the Company expects to reverse in 2020 due to statute lapses are covered by the Tax Matters Agreement. The Company and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as income tax returns in various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company files federal, state, and local income tax returns on a combined, unitary, or stand-alone basis. The statute of limitations in those jurisdictions generally ranges from 3 to 4 years . Additionally, the Company's foreign subsidiaries file income tax returns in the countries in which they have operations and the statutes of limitations in those jurisdictions generally range from 3 to 10 years . During the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2019, the Company concluded tax examinations in Taiwan and Belgium, respectively, for two of its subsidiaries, covering the years 2016 and 2017. The conclusion of the tax examinations resulted in no significant change in tax. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company concluded a tax examination in Germany for one of its subsidiaries, covering the years 2015 and 2016. The conclusion of the tax examination resulted in no significant change in tax. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company concluded a tax examination in Japan for one of its subsidiaries, covering the years 2014 through 2016. The conclusion of the tax examination resulted in no significant change in tax. The Company is subject to ongoing income tax audits, administrative appeals and judicial proceedings in India spanning a number of years.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 2015 Credit Agreement - Revolving Facility $ 34,000 $ 12,000 2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Closing Date Term Facility 2,038 2,967 2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facility 4,982 7,253 2015 Credit Agreement - Canadian Term Facility 3,476 4,798 Other debt 149 279 Deferred financing costs (112 ) (222 ) 44,533 27,075 Less: current portion 44,516 4,654 $ 17 $ 22,421 2015 Credit Agreement On December 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2015 Credit Agreement”) among the Company, VPG Canada, the lenders, Citizens Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as joint book-runners and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association as agent for such lenders (the “Agent”), pursuant to which the terms of the Company’s multi-currency, secured credit facility were revised and expanded to provide for the following facilities: (1) a secured revolving facility (the “2015 Revolving Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million , with a sublimit of $10.0 million which can be used for letters of credit for the account of the Company or its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, the proceeds of which may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, and a portion of which was used to fund the Stress-Tek and Pacific acquisitions ; (2) a secured closing date term facility for the Company (the “2015 U.S. Closing Date Term Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $4.5 million , the proceeds of which were used by the Company to refinance indebtedness under its existing term loan; (3) a secured delayed draw term facility for the Company (the "2015 U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facility") in an aggregate principal amount of $11.0 million , the proceeds of which were used to fund a portion of the Stress-Tek acquisition; and (4) a secured term facility for VPG Canada (the “2015 Canadian Term Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $9.5 million , the proceeds of which were used by VPG Canada to refinance indebtedness under its existing term loan. The aggregate principal amount of the 2015 Revolving Facility may be increased by a maximum of $15.0 million upon the request of the Company, subject to the terms of the 2015 Credit Agreement. The 2015 Credit Agreement terminates on December 30, 2020 . The term loans are being repaid in quarterly installments. Interest payable on amounts borrowed under the 2015 Revolving Facility, the 2015 U.S. Closing Date Term Facility, the 2015 U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facility, and the 2015 Canadian Term Facility (collectively, the “Facilities”) is based upon, at the Company’s option, (1) the greatest of: the Agent’s prime rate, the Federal Funds rate, or a LIBOR floor (the “Base Rate”), or (2) LIBOR plus a specified margin. An interest margin of 0.25% is added to Base Rate loans. Depending upon the Company’s leverage ratio, an interest rate margin ranging from 2.00% to 3.50% per annum is added to the applicable LIBOR rate to determine the interest payable on the Facilities. The Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.30% per annum to 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the 2015 Revolving Facility, which is determined based on the Company’s leverage ratio each quarter. Additional customary fees apply with respect to letters of credit. The total interest rates at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were 3.97% and 4.82% , respectively, for the 2015 Revolving and U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facilities and 3.97% and 4.82% , respectively, for the 2015 U.S. Closing Date Term and 2015 Canadian Term Facilities. The obligations of the Company and VPG Canada under the 2015 Credit Agreement are secured by pledges of stock in certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries, as well as guarantees by substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and of the Company (with respect to the 2015 Canadian Term Facility). The obligations of the Company and the guarantors under the 2015 Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all the assets (excluding real estate) of the Company and such guarantors. The 2015 Canadian Term Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of VPG Canada and by a secured guarantee by the Company and its domestic subsidiaries. The 2015 Credit Agreement restricts the Company from paying cash dividends and requires the Company to comply with other customary covenants, representations, and warranties, including the maintenance of specific financial ratios. The financial maintenance covenants include a tangible net worth ratio, a leverage ratio, and a fixed charges coverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with its financial maintenance covenants at December 31, 2019 . If the Company is not in compliance with any of these covenant restrictions, the credit facility could be terminated by the lenders, and all amounts outstanding pursuant to the credit facility could become immediately payable. Accordion Exercise On October 23, 2019, VPG exercised all of the $15.0 million accordion feature (the “Accordion”) of its revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The exercise of the Accordion increases the aggregate principal amount available under the Revolving Credit Facility to $45.0 million . Other Lines of Credit In addition to the 2015 Revolving Facility discussed above, certain subsidiaries of the Company had committed short-term lines of credit with a foreign bank aggregating approximately $3.0 million and $3.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company had outstanding letters of credit under these short-term lines of credit of $0.9 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Other Debt Other debt consists of debt held by VPG’s Japanese subsidiary and is payable monthly over the next 2 years at a zero percent interest rate. Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands) : 2020 $ 44,628 2021 17 2022 — 2023 — 2024 — Thereafter — Interest paid on third-party debt was $1.4 million , $1.6 million , and $1.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity The Company’s Class B convertible common stock carries ten votes per share. The common stock carries one vote per share. Class B shares are transferable only to certain permitted transferees while the common stock is freely transferable. Class B shares are convertible on a one -for- one basis at any time into shares of common stock. Transfers of Class B shares other than to permitted transferees result in the automatic conversion of the Class B shares into common stock. The Board of Directors may only declare dividends or other distributions with respect to the common stock or the Class B convertible common stock if it grants such dividends or distributions in the same amount per share with respect to the other class of stock. As discussed in Note 7, the Company is restricted from paying cash dividends. Stock dividends or distributions, on any class of stock, are payable only in shares of stock of that class. Shares of either common stock or Class B convertible common stock cannot be split, divided, or combined unless the other is also split, divided, or combined equally. The Board of Directors is authorized, without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The Board of Directors may fix or alter the designation, preferences, rights and any qualification, limitations, restrictions of the shares of any series, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption terms and prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series. No shares of the Company’s preferred stock are currently outstanding. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The cumulative balance of each component of other comprehensive income (loss) and the income tax effects allocated to each component are as follows (in thousands) : Beginning Before-Tax Tax Net-of-Tax Ending December 31, 2017 Pension and other postretirement actuarial items $ (7,145 ) $ (1,465 ) $ 112 $ (1,353 ) $ (8,498 ) Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items 583 (145 ) 438 438 Foreign currency translation adjustment (33,192 ) 5,654 148 5,802 (27,390 ) $ (40,337 ) $ 4,772 $ 115 $ 4,887 $ (35,450 ) December 31, 2018 Pension and other postretirement actuarial items $ (8,060 ) $ 1,392 $ (18 ) $ 1,374 $ (6,686 ) Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items 685 (145 ) 540 540 Foreign currency translation adjustment (27,390 ) (3,857 ) (72 ) (3,929 ) (31,319 ) $ (35,450 ) $ (1,780 ) $ (235 ) $ (2,015 ) $ (37,465 ) December 31, 2019 Pension and other postretirement actuarial items $ (6,146 ) $ (1,310 ) $ 194 $ (1,116 ) $ (7,262 ) Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items 359 (39 ) 320 320 Foreign currency translation adjustment (31,319 ) (290 ) 21 (269 ) (31,588 ) Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation 827 $ — 827 827 $ (37,465 ) $ (414 ) $ 176 $ (238 ) $ (37,703 ) Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment for gain on liquidation of a subsidiary is included in other income (expense) other ( See Note 15). Reclassifications of pension and other postretirement actuarial items out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 9).

Pensions and Other Postretireme

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Defined Benefit Plans Employees of the Company participate in various defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. U.S. Pension Plan The Vishay Precision Group Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, like all nonqualified plans, is considered to be unfunded. The Company maintains a nonqualified trust, referred to as a “rabbi” trust, to fund benefits under this plan. Rabbi trust assets are subject to creditor claims under certain conditions and are not the property of employees. Therefore, they are accounted for as other noncurrent assets within the consolidated balance sheets. The assets held in the rabbi trust are invested in money market funds and company-owned life insurance policies. The consolidated balance sheets include assets held in trust related to the nonqualified pension plan of $1.7 million at December 31, 2019 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2018 , and the related liabilities of $2.4 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Vishay Precision Group Non-Qualified Retirement Plan is frozen. Accordingly, no new employees may participate in the plan, no further participant contributions are permitted, and no further benefits accrue. Benefits accumulated prior to the freezing of the U.S. pension plan will be paid to employees upon retirement, and the Company will likely need to make additional cash contributions to the rabbi trust to fund this accumulated benefit obligation. Non-U.S. Pension Plans The Company provides pension and similar benefits to employees of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries consistent with local practices. Pension benefits earned are generally based on years of service and compensation during active employment. In 2018, the Company undertook several measures to de-risk the UK pension plan. The first measure was to freeze the plan, with no new participants permitted and no further benefits accrue. The second measure was to execute an enhanced transfer value exercise to transfer pension benefits outside of the plan. As s result, the Company incurred $0.7 million of expense related to these de-risking measures. Other Postretirement Benefit Plans In the U.S., the Company maintains two unfunded non-pension other postretirement benefit plans (“OPEB”) which are funded as costs are incurred. These plans provide medical and death benefits to retirees. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the benefit obligation, plan assets, and funded status related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 23,922 $ 4,645 $ 28,617 $ 4,726 Service cost (adjusted for actual employee contributions) 336 126 477 108 Interest cost 620 180 686 152 Contributions by participants — — 21 — Actuarial (gains) losses 2,170 (131 ) (1,568 ) (97 ) Benefits paid (856 ) (187 ) (1,042 ) (244 ) Curtailments and settlements (25 ) — (3,362 ) — Plan amendments and other 573 — 1,107 — Currency translation 531 — (1,014 ) — Benefit obligation at end of year $ 27,271 $ 4,633 $ 23,922 $ 4,645 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 14,501 $ — $ 17,454 $ — Actual return on plan assets 1,338 — (343 ) — Company contributions 1,032 187 1,495 244 Contributions by participants — 21 — Benefits paid (856 ) (187 ) (1,042 ) (244 ) Curtailments and settlements (25 ) — (2,429 ) — Plan amendments and other — 202 — Currency translation 430 — (857 ) — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 16,420 $ — $ 14,501 $ — Funded status at end of year $ (10,851 ) $ (4,633 ) $ (9,421 ) $ (4,645 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following pre-tax amounts (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Accrued pension and other postretirement costs $ (10,851 ) $ (4,633 ) $ (9,421 ) $ (4,645 ) Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arise from several factors, including experience and assumption changes with respect to the obligations and from the difference between expected returns and actual returns on plan assets. Actuarial items consist of the following (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Unrecognized net actuarial loss $ 6,500 $ 1,808 $ 5,237 $ 2,095 Unrecognized prior service cost 62 9 — Unamortized transition obligation 1 2 — $ 6,563 $ 1,808 $ 5,248 $ 2,095 The following table sets forth additional information regarding the projected and accumulated benefit obligations for the pension plans (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Accumulated benefit obligation, all plans $ 26,100 $ 23,040 Plans for which the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 25,800 $ 22,552 Accumulated benefit obligation 25,158 22,155 Fair value of plan assets 14,983 13,256 Unrecognized gains and losses are amortized into future net periodic pension cost using the 10% corridor method over the expected remaining service life of the employee group. The following table sets forth the components of net periodic cost of pension and other postretirement benefit plans (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Annual service cost $ 336 $ 126 $ 498 $ 108 $ 548 $ 96 Less: employee contributions — — 21 — 35 — Net service cost 336 126 477 108 513 96 Interest cost 620 180 686 152 674 142 Expected return on plan assets (517 ) — (549 ) — (536 ) — Amortization of actuarial losses 202 156 507 177 463 119 Amortization of transition obligation 1 — 1 — 1 — Curtailment and settlement losses — — 708 — — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 642 $ 462 $ 1,830 $ 437 $ 1,115 $ 357 See Note 8 for the pre-tax, tax effect, and after tax amounts included in other comprehensive income during the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 . The estimated actuarial items that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension cost during 2020 is $0.4 million . The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 of the respective years: 2019 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Discount rate 1.96 % 2.97 % 2.61 % 3.99 % Rate of compensation increase 1.20 % N/A 3.08 % N/A Expected return on plan assets 3.56 % N/A 2.70 % N/A The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic pension costs for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Discount rate 2.61 % 3.99 % 2.42 % 3.33 % Rate of compensation increase 3.08 % N/A 2.66 % N/A Expected return on plan assets 2.70 % N/A 3.46 % N/A Health care trend rate N/A 5.27 % N/A 17.25 % The health care trend ultimate rate is 3.90% per the terms of the plan. The impact of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the net periodic benefit cost and postretirement benefit obligation is not material. The plans’ expected return on assets is based on management’s expectation of long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this assumption, management considers historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested, advice from pension consultants and investment advisors, and current economic and capital market conditions. The investment mix between equity securities and fixed income securities is based upon achieving a desired return, balancing higher return, more volatile equity securities, and lower return, less volatile fixed income securities. The target allocation of plan assets approximates the actual allocation of plan assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 . Plan assets are comprised of: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Equity securities 48 % — 50 % — Fixed income securities 42 % — 37 % — Cash and cash equivalents 10 % — 13 % — Total 100 % — 100 % — The Company maintains defined benefit retirement plans in certain of its subsidiaries. The assets of the plans are measured at fair value. Equity securities held by the defined benefit retirement plans consist of equity securities that are valued based on quoted market prices on the last business day of the year. The fair value measurement of the equity securities is considered a Level 1 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. Fixed income securities held by the defined benefit retirement plans consist of government bonds and corporate notes that are valued based on quoted market prices on the last business day of the year. The fair value measurement of the fixed income securities is considered a Level 1 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. Cash held by the defined benefit retirement plans consists of deposits on account in various financial institutions. The carrying amount of the cash approximates its fair value. A summary of the Company’s pension plan assets for each fair value hierarchy level are as follows for the periods presented (see Note 16 for further description of the levels within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands)) : As of December 31, 2019 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Defined benefit pension plan assets Equity securities $ 7,796 $ 7,796 $ — $ — Fixed income securities 6,975 6,975 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,649 1,649 — — $ 16,420 $ 16,420 $ — $ — As of December 31, 2018 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Defined benefit pension plan assets Equity securities $ 7,221 $ 7,221 $ — $ — Fixed income securities 5,309 5,309 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,971 1,971 — — $ 14,501 $ 14,501 $ — $ — Estimated future benefit payments are as follows (in thousands) : Pension OPEB 2020 $ 921 $ 294 2021 1,038 338 2022 1,005 353 2023 1,569 292 2024 1,052 328 2024 - 2027 7,205 1,412 The Company anticipates making contributions to its funded and unfunded pension and postretirement benefit plans of approximately $1.5 million during 2020 . Other Retirement Obligations The Company participates in various other defined contribution plans based on local law or custom. The Company periodically makes contributions to these plans. At December 31, 2019 and 2018 , the consolidated balance sheets include $0.9 million and $1.3 million , respectively, within accrued pension and other postretirement costs related to these plans. Most of the Company’s U.S. employees are eligible to participate in 401(k) savings plans which provide company matching under various formulas. The Company’s matching expense for the plans was $0.7 million , $0.7 million , and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. No material amounts are included in the consolidated balance sheets related to unfunded 401(k) contributions. Certain key employees participate in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, which allows these employees to defer a portion of their compensation until retirement, or elect shorter deferral periods. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets include a liability within other noncurrent liabilities related to these deferrals. The Company maintains a nonqualified trust, referred to as a “rabbi” trust, to fund payments under this plan. Rabbi trust assets are subject to creditor claims under certain conditions and are not the property of employees. Therefore, they are accounted for as other noncurrent assets within the consolidated balance sheets. The assets held in the rabbi trust are invested in money market funds and company-owned life insurance policies. The consolidated balance sheets include assets held in trust related to the nonqualified deferred compensation plan of $3.5 million at December 31, 2019 and $3.1 million at December 31, 2018 , and the related liabilities of $4.9 million and $4.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation The Amended and Restated Vishay Precision Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “Plan”) permits the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock. At December 31, 2019 , the Company had reserved 417,602 shares of common stock for future grant of equity awards (restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), or stock options). If any outstanding awards are forfeited by the holder, the underlying shares would be available for future grants under the Plan. Restricted Stock Units Pursuant to the Plan, the Company issued RSUs to board members, executive officers, and certain employees of the Company during 2019 . The amount of compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. VPG determines compensation cost for RSUs based on the grant-date fair value of the underlying common stock. Compensation cost is recognized over the period that the participant provides service in exchange for the award. The Company recognizes compensation cost for RSUs that are expected to vest and for which performance criteria are expected to be met. On March 13, 2019, VPG’s three then- current executive officers were granted annual equity awards in the form of RSUs, of which 75% are performance-based. The awards have an aggregate target grant-date fair value of $1.8 million were comprised of 51,814 RSUs. Twenty-five percent of these awards will vest on January 1, 2022 , subject to the executives' continued employment. The performance-based portion of the RSUs will also vest on January 1, 2022, subject to the executives' continued employment and the satisfaction of certain performance objectives relating to three -year cumulative “adjusted free cash flow” and net earnings goals, each weighted equally. The awards issued in 2018 and 2017 have similar allocations and vesting criteria. On March 20, 2019, certain VPG employees were granted annual equity awards in the form of RSUs, of which 75% are performance-based. The awards have an aggregate target grant-date fair value of $0.4 million and were comprised of 12,445 RSUs. Twenty-five percent of these awards will vest on January 1, 2022 subject to the employees' continued employment. The performance-based portion of the RSUs will also vest on January 1, 2022, subject to the employee's continued employment and the satisfaction of certain performance objectives relating to three -year cumulative earnings goals and cash flow goals. On May 16, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the issuance of an aggregate of 8,244 RSUs to the independent board members of the Board of Directors and to the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. The awards have an aggregate grant-date fair value of $0.3 million and will vest on the earlier of the Annual Stockholders meeting or May 16, 2020, subject to the directors' continued service on the Board of Directors. Vesting of equity awards may be subject to acceleration under certain circumstances. RSU activity is presented below (number of RSUs in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Number Weighted Number Weighted Number Weighted Outstanding: Beginning of year 265 $ 17.64 417 $ 14.57 377 $ 14.04 Granted 73 35.27 74 28.20 98 16.75 Vested (75 ) 15.27 (86 ) 16.75 (58 ) 14.78 Forfeited (51 ) 11.49 (140 ) 14.70 — — End of year 212 $ 25.97 265 $ 17.64 417 $ 14.57 The fair value of the RSUs vested during 2019 is $2.5 million . Included in the 2019 and 2018 activity are RSU's forfeited as a result of performance objectives not being met. These awards are therefore available for future grants under the Plan. RSUs with performance-based vesting criteria are expected to vest as follows (number of RSUs in thousands) : Vesting Date Expected to Vest Not Expected to Vest Total January 1, 2020 53 5 58 January 1, 2021 35 14 49 January 1, 2022 3 45 48 Share-Based Compensation Expense The following table summarizes pre-tax share-based compensation expense recognized (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Restricted stock units $ 1,336 $ 1,799 $ 1,499 Share-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the awards and for RSUs with performance criteria, is recognized for RSU's that are expected to vest and for which performance criteria are expected to be met. During 2019, it was also determined that certain performance objectives associated with awards granted in 2017, 2018 and 2019 were not likely to be fully met, necessitating a reversal of certain compensation expense associated with those awards. As a net result, adjustments decreasing share based compensation expense totaling $0.8 million were recorded during the year based on anticipated performance levels. During 2017, it was determined that certain performance objectives associated with awards granted in 2015 were likely to be met, when share based compensation expense related to these performance objectives had been reduced in prior years. This necessitated an increase to share-based compensation expense associated with those awards in 2017. However, it was also determined that certain performance objectives associated with awards granted in 2016 and 2017 were not likely to be fully met, necessitating a reversal of certain compensations expense associated with those awards. As a net result, adjustments increasing share based compensation expense totaling $0.4 million were recorded during the year based on anticipated performance levels. The deferred tax benefit on share-based compensation expense was $0.1 million , $0.0 million , and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. As of December 31, 2019 , the Company had $1.2 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to share-based awards that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.4 years.

Commitments, Contingencies, and

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments Contingencies and Concentrations	Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations Litigation The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that constitute ordinary, routine litigation incidental to its business. The Company is of the opinion that the disposition of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on its business or its financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Executive Employment Agreements The Company has employment agreements with its executive officers which outline base salary, incentive compensation, and equity-based compensation. The employment agreements with the Company's executive officers also provide for incremental compensation in the event of termination without cause or resignation for good reason. Sources of Supplies Although most materials incorporated in the Company’s products are available from a number of sources, certain materials are available only from a relatively limited number of suppliers. Some of the most highly specialized materials for the Company’s sensors are sourced from a single vendor. The Company maintains a safety stock inventory of certain critical materials at its facilities. Certain metals used in the manufacture of the Company’s products are traded on active markets, and can be subject to significant price volatility. Market Concentrations No single customer comprises greater than 5% of net revenues. The vast majority of the Company’s products are used in the broad industrial market, with selected uses in military and aerospace, medical, agriculture, and construction. Within the broad industrial segment, the Company’s products serve wide applications in the waste management, bulk hauling, logging, scale manufacturing, engineering systems, pharmaceutical, oil, chemical, steel, paper, and food industries. Credit Risk Concentrations Financial instruments with potential credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and notes receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various major financial institutions. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are generally limited due to the Company’s large number of customers and their dispersion across many countries and industries. At December 31, 2019 and 2018 , the Company had no significant concentrations of credit risk. Geographic Concentrations At December 31, 2019 and 2018 , a significant percentage of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held outside the United States. See the following table for the percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 : December 31, 2019 2018 Asia 23 % 28 % United States 7 % 7 % Israel 28 % 35 % Europe 14 % 13 % United Kingdom 17 % 12 % Canada 11 % 5 % Total 100 % 100 %

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases Effective January 1, 2019 the Company adopted the new lease accounting standard using the modified retrospective method of applying the new standard at the adoption date. The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception or modification of such agreement. The arrangement is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset for a period in exchange for consideration. Lease right of use assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the expected term at commencement date. As the implicit rate is not determinable in most of the Company's leases, the Company's incremental borrowing rate is used as the basis to determine the present value of future lease payments. Refer to Note 7 for discussion of the Company's borrowing rate. The expected lease terms include options to extend or terminate. The period which is subject to an option to extend the lease is included in the lease term if it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Some of these leases contain variable payment provisions that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the lease commencement date and are therefore not included in our future minimum lease payments. Variable payments are expensed in the periods incurred. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. Additionally, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allows the carryforward the historical lease classification. The Company also made an election to exclude from balance sheet reporting leases with initial terms of 12 months or less and to exclude non-lease components from lease right of use assets and corresponding liabilities. The Company primarily leases office and manufacturing facilities in addition to vehicles, which have remaining terms of less than one year to seven years . The Company has no finance leases. The Company recorded a $0.5 million adjustment to opening retained earnings related to the remaining deferred gain recorded as part of the Karmiel, Israel sale leaseback. Leases recorded on the balance sheet consist of the following (in thousands) : Leases Classification on Balance Sheet December 31, 2019 Assets Operating lease right of use asset Other Assets $ 8,691 Liabilities Operating lease - current Other Accrued Expenses $ 2,827 Operating lease - non-current Other Liabilities $ 5,811 Other information related to lease term and discount rate is as follows: December 31, 2019 Operating leases weighted average remaining lease term (in years) 4.0 years Operating leases weighted average discount rate 5.05 % The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands) : Year Ended December 31, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 3,376 Variable lease cost 44 Short-term lease cost 87 Total lease cost $ 3,507 Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liability during 2019 were $0.3 million . The cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities approximates our operating lease cost for the year ended December 31, 2019 . Undiscounted maturities of operating lease payments as of December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows (in thousands) : 2020 $ 3,349 2021 2,563 2022 1,580 2023 1,201 2024 769 Thereafter 576 Total future minimum lease payments $ 10,038 Less: amount representing interest (1,400 ) Present value of future minimum lease payments $ 8,638 One of the Company's indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries enter into a lease agreement as tenant related to a property in Israel. Such lease agreement provides that we will lease a new building of approximately 121,400 square feet. The Company expects to commence occupancy in the second half of 2020. Rent expense on operating leases prior to adoption of ASC 842 was $3.6 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following are the future minimum lease payments (excluding related party leases as described in Note 17) with initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018 ( in thousands) : 2019 $ 3,580 2020 2,126 2021 997 2022 725 2023 503 Thereafter 336 Total lease payments $ 8,267

Segment and Geographic Data

Segment and Geographic Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Geographic Data	Segment and Geographic Data VPG reports in three product segments: the Foil Technology Products segment, the Force Sensors segment, and the Weighing and Control Systems segment. The Foil Technology Products reporting segment is comprised of the foil resistor and strain gage operating segments. The Force Sensors reporting segment is comprised of transducers, load cells, and modules. The Weighing and Control Systems reporting segment is comprised of complete systems which include load cells and instrumentation for weighing, force control and force measurement for a variety of uses such as process control and on-board weighing applications. VPG evaluates reporting segment performance based on multiple performance measures including gross profits, revenues, and operating income, exclusive of certain items. Management believes that evaluating segment performance, excluding items such as restructuring and severance costs, and other items is meaningful because it provides insight with respect to the intrinsic operating results of VPG. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 1). Reporting segment assets are the owned or allocated assets used by each segment. Products are transferred between segments on a basis intended to reflect, as nearly as practicable, the market value of the products. The following table sets forth reporting segment information (in thousands) : Foil Technology Products Force Sensors Weighing and Control Systems Corporate/ Other Total 2019 Net third-party revenues $ 131,803 $ 64,357 $ 87,798 $ — $ 283,958 Intersegment revenues 4,067 1,068 463 (5,598 ) — Gross profit 53,292 18,022 40,303 — 111,617 Segment operating income (loss) 29,873 8,643 21,058 (30,926 ) 28,648 Acquisition costs — — 443 — 443 Executive severance costs — — — 611 611 Restructuring costs 86 2,041 — 166 2,293 Depreciation and amortization expense 5,870 2,442 2,200 1,283 11,795 Capital expenditures 7,011 2,237 1,243 38 10,529 Total assets 116,920 75,885 158,597 19,011 370,413 2018 Net third-party revenues $ 141,009 $ 73,186 $ 85,599 $ — $ 299,794 Intersegment revenues 3,878 1,365 577 (5,820 ) — Gross profit 61,562 20,001 39,704 — 121,267 Segment operating income (loss) 38,404 10,514 20,508 (32,203 ) 37,223 Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles 2,820 — — — 2,820 Restructuring costs — 289 — — 289 Depreciation and amortization expense 5,173 2,323 2,121 1,014 10,631 Capital expenditures 9,239 2,483 1,370 147 13,239 Total assets 132,918 82,637 95,954 14,874 326,383 2017 Net third-party revenues $ 116,272 $ 65,446 $ 72,632 $ — $ 254,350 Intersegment revenues 2,316 1,346 911 (4,573 ) — Gross profit 47,755 18,192 32,336 — 98,283 Segment operating income (loss) 26,426 9,274 14,770 (27,982 ) 22,488 Restructuring costs 85 849 602 508 2,044 Depreciation and amortization expense 4,946 2,537 2,133 1,010 10,626 Capital expenditures 4,519 4,297 823 453 10,092 Total assets 119,175 77,756 97,007 12,613 306,551 The “Corporate/Other” column for segment operating income (loss) includes unallocated selling, general, and administrative expenses and certain items which management excludes from segment results when evaluating segment performance, as follows (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Unallocated selling, general, and administrative expenses $ (27,579 ) $ (29,094 ) $ (25,938 ) Acquisition costs (443 ) — — Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles — (2,820 ) — Executive severance costs (611 ) — — Restructuring costs (2,293 ) (289 ) (2,044 ) $ (30,926 ) $ (32,203 ) $ (27,982 ) The following geographic data includes property and equipment based on physical location (in thousands) : December 31, Property and Equipment - Net 2019 2018 United States $ 12,009 $ 10,933 United Kingdom 4,011 3,960 Other Europe 1,498 1,430 Israel 22,903 22,682 Asia 19,118 19,090 Canada and Other 1,731 1,324 $ 61,270 $ 59,419

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (see Note 10), and other potentially dilutive securities. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in thousands, except earnings per share) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Numerator: Numerator for basic earnings per share: Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders $ 22,188 $ 23,646 $ 14,345 Adjustment to the numerator for net earnings: Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive exchangeable notes, net of tax — 6 24 Numerator for diluted earnings per share: Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders $ 22,188 $ 23,652 $ 14,369 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted average shares 13,515 13,439 13,262 Effect of dilutive securities: Exchangeable notes — 22 145 Restricted stock units 82 74 64 Dilutive potential common shares 82 96 209 Denominator for diluted earnings per share: Adjusted weighted average shares 13,597 13,535 13,471 Basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.64 $ 1.76 $ 1.08 Diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.63 $ 1.75 $ 1.07

Additional Financial Statement

Additional Financial Statement Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Statement Information	Additional Financial Statement Information The caption “Other” on the consolidated statements of operations consists of the following (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Foreign exchange loss $ (1,638 ) $ (279 ) $ (724 ) Interest income 622 506 167 Pension expense (643 ) (1,682 ) (863 ) Other 958 (41 ) 1,337 $ (701 ) $ (1,496 ) $ (83 ) Foreign currency exchange gains and losses represent the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The change in foreign exchange gains/(losses) during the period, as compared to the prior year period, is primarily due to fluctuations in the Israeli shekel, the Euro, India Rupee and the Canadian dollar. Pension expense represents the net periodic benefit cost excluding the service cost. In 2018, the Company recognized a settlement loss of $0.7 million related to measures taken to de-risk the UK pension schemes as discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements. Included in Other for the year ended December 31, 2019, is a one-time $0.8 million gain on liquidation of one of the Company's subsidiaries. Included within Other, for the year ended December 31, 2017, is net proceeds of $1.5 million related to a lease termination payment at the Company's Tianjin, People's Republic of China location. The relocation of operation in Tianjin was completed in 2018. Other accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Customer advance payments $ 4,561 $ 5,328 Accrued restructuring 604 159 Goods received, not yet invoiced 1,561 1,819 Accrued taxes, other than income taxes 1,167 2,293 Accrued commissions 2,149 2,203 Accrued professional fees 1,082 1,775 Lease liability - current 2,827 — Other 5,002 3,454 $ 18,953 $ 17,031 Israeli Severance Pay The Israeli Severance Pay Law, 1963 ("Severance Pay Law"), specifies that employees of our Israeli subsidiary are entitled to severance payment, following the termination of their employment. Under the Severance Pay Law, the severance payment is calculated as one month salary for each year of employment, or a portion thereof. Part of the subsidiary's liability for severance pay is covered by the provisions of Section 14 of the Severance Pay Law ("Section 14"). Under Section 14 employees are entitled to monthly deposits, at a rate of 8.33% of their monthly salary, contributed on their behalf to their insurance funds. Payments in accordance with Section 14 release the subsidiary from any future severance payments in respect of those employees. As a result, the Company does not recognize any liability for severance pay due to these employees and the deposits under Section 14 are not recorded as an asset in the Company's balance sheet. For the subsidiary's employees in Israel who are not subject to Section 14, the Company calculated the liability for severance pay pursuant to the Severance Pay Law based on the most recent salary of these employees multiplied by the number of years of employment as of the balance sheet date. The Company recorded as expenses the increase in the severance liability, net of earnings (losses) from the related investment fund. The subsidiary's liability was partially funded by monthly payments deposited with insurers and the value of these deposits is recorded as an asset on the Company's balance sheet. Any unfunded amounts would be paid from operating funds and are covered by a provision established by the subsidiary. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 include a $8.0 million and $7.7 million liability, respectively, associated with Israeli severance requirements in other liabilities. Executive Severance During the second fiscal quarter of 2019, the Company recorded $0.6 million of severance costs associated with the resignation of an executive officer of the Company. The severance costs consisted of payments and other benefits as specified in the executive officer's separation agreement.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a valuation hierarchy of the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions. An asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables provide the financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis (in thousands) : As of December 31, 2019 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Assets held in rabbi trusts $ 5,169 $ 53 $ 5,116 $ — As of December 31, 2018 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Assets held in rabbi trusts $ 4,641 $ 87 $ 4,554 $ — The Company maintains nonqualified trusts, referred to as “rabbi” trusts, to fund payments under deferred compensation and nonqualified pension plans. Rabbi trust assets consist primarily of marketable securities, classified as available-for-sale money market funds at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , and company-owned life insurance assets. The marketable securities held in the rabbi trusts are valued using quoted market prices on the last business day of the year. The company-owned life insurance assets are valued in consultation with the Company’s insurance brokers using the value of underlying assets of the insurance contracts. The fair value measurement of the marketable securities held in the rabbi trust is considered a Level 1 measurement and the measurement of the company-owned life insurance assets is considered a Level 2 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the long-term debt, excluding capitalized deferred financing costs at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 approximates its carrying value, as the revolving debt and term loans are reset quarterly based on current market rates, plus a base rate as specified in the 2015 Credit Agreement. The fair value measurement of long-term debt is considered a Level 2 measurement. The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term notes payable, and accounts payable. The carrying amounts for these financial instruments reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Until July 6, 2010, VPG was part of Vishay Intertechnology, and the assets and liabilities consisted of those that Vishay Intertechnology attributed to its precision measurement and foil resistor businesses. Following the spin-off on July 6, 2010, VPG is an independent, publicly-traded company, and Vishay Intertechnology does not retain any ownership interest in VPG, although a common group of stockholders control a significant portion of the voting power of each company and the companies have three common board members. Subsequent to the spin-off, VPG and Vishay Intertechnology continue to share certain manufacturing locations. VPG owns one location in Japan at which it leases space to Vishay Intertechnology. Vishay Intertechnology owns one location in the United States, at which it leases space to VPG. Lease receipts and payments related to the shared facilities are immaterial.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Executive RSU grant On March 5, 2020, VPG’s three current executive officers were granted annual equity awards in the form of RSUs, of which 75% are performance-based. The awards have an aggregate target grant-date fair value of $1.2 million and were comprised of 44,269 RSUs. Twenty-five percent of these awards will vest on January 1, 2023, subject to the executives continued employment. The performance-based portion of the RSUs will also vest on January 1, 2023, subject to the executives continued employment and the satisfaction of certain performance objectives relating to three -year cumulative “adjusted free cash flow” and net earnings goals.

Summary of Quarterly Financial

Summary of Quarterly Financial information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019 2018 First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth Statement of Operations data: Net revenues $ 76,525 $ 70,870 $ 67,421 $ 69,142 $ 73,091 $ 74,231 $ 75,490 $ 76,982 Gross profit 33,051 28,609 25,790 24,167 28,505 31,366 30,580 30,816 Operating income 12,603 8,102 6,186 1,757 8,186 11,315 10,631 7,091 Net earnings 8,326 5,580 4,530 3,859 4,958 7,683 7,567 3,437 Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 83 15 21 (12 ) (30 ) (10 ) 20 19 Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders 8,243 5,565 4,509 3,871 4,988 7,693 7,547 3,418 Per Share Data: (b) Basic earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.41 $ 0.33 $ 0.29 $ 0.37 $ 0.57 $ 0.56 $ 0.25 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.41 $ 0.33 $ 0.28 $ 0.37 $ 0.57 $ 0.56 $ 0.25 Certain Items Recorded during the Quarters: Acquisition purchase accounting adjustments $ — $ — $ — $ 1,254 $ — $ — $ — $ — Acquisition costs — — — 443 — — — — Executive severance costs — 611 — — — — — — Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles — — — — — — — 2,820 UK pension settlement — — — — — — 673 Restructuring costs — — 547 1,746 — 61 228 — Tax effect of reconciling items and discrete tax items — — 80 3,663 — 9 35 (377 ) (a) The Company reports interim financial information for the 13-week periods beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday, except for the first fiscal quarter, which always begins on January 1, and the fourth fiscal quarter, which always ends on December 31. The first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2019 ended on March 30 , June 29 , September 28 , and December 31 , respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2018 ended on March 31 , June 30 , September 29 , and December 31 , respectively. (b) Quarterly amounts may not agree in total to the corresponding annual amounts due to rounding.

Background and Summary of Sig_2

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the individual entities in which the Company maintained a controlling financial interest. For those subsidiaries in which the Company’s ownership is less than 100 percent , the outside stockholders’ interests are shown as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All transactions, accounts, and profits between individual members comprising the Company have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company derives substantially all of its revenue from product sales. The Company recognizes the vast majority of its sales at a point-in-time. It utilizes the core principle of recognizing revenue when the Company satisfies performance obligations as evidenced by the transfer of control of its products to the customer. Such revenues are derived from purchase orders and/or contracts with customers. Each contract has the promise to transfer the control of the products, each of which is individually distinct and is considered the identified performance obligation. As part of the decision to enter into each contract, the Company evaluates the customer’s credit risk, but its contracts do not have any significant financing components, as payment is generally due net 30 to 60 days after delivery. In accordance with contract terms, revenue from the Company’s product sales is recognized at the time of product shipment from its facilities or delivery to the customer location, as determined by the agreed upon shipping terms. Under the terms of some of its contracts, the Company may be required to perform certain installation services. These installation services are performed at the time of product delivery or at some point thereafter. The installation services do not significantly modify the product provided, and although the Company may be required contractually to provide these services, the installation services could be performed by a third party or the customer. Thus, these installation services are a distinct performance obligation. In most of the applicable contracts, this installation service element is immaterial in the context of the agreement. When the installation services are accounted for as a separate performance obligation, the Company allocates the transaction price to this element based on its relative standalone selling price. Given the specialized nature of the Company's products, the Company generally does not allow product returns. Shipping and handling costs are recorded to Costs of product sold when control of the product has transferred to the customer. The Company offers standard product warranties. Warranty related costs continue to be recognized as expense when the products are sold. Sales, value add and other taxes collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. See Note 2 for further details on Revenues.
Research and Development Expense	Research and Development Expenses Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes such assets will "more likely than not" be realized. In making this determination, the Company considers all positive and negative evidence, including historic earnings, projected future income, and cost-effective tax-planning strategies. When the Company determines that its ability to realize deferred tax assets is not "more likely than not", the Company adjusts its deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which increases income tax expense. The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process in which the Company first determines whether it is "more likely than not" that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and then measures those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. The Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have all the necessary information available to prepare and analyze the accounting treatment for the proper recognition of the tax impact of the 2017 Tax Act. In accordance with SAB 118 guidance, the Company had recorded the provisional tax impacts related to the deemed distribution of foreign earnings and the expense for the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with SAB 118, the financial reporting impact of the 2017 Tax Act was completed in the fourth quarter of 2018 resulting in a net increase in tax expense of $0.8 million .
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Highly liquid investments with maturities greater than three months are classified as short-term investments. There were no investments classified as short-term investments at December 31, 2019 or 2018 .
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company evaluates the past-due status of its trade receivables based on contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or market based on net realizable value. Inventories are adjusted for estimated excess and obsolescence and written down to net realizable value based upon estimates of future demand, technology developments, and market conditions.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are being depreciated over useful lives of seven to ten years . Buildings and building improvements are being depreciated over useful lives of twenty to forty years or the lease term. Software is being depreciated over useful lives of three to five years . Construction in progress is not depreciated until the assets are placed in service.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations The Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired company, including when applicable, the fair value of contingent consideration between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired businesses based on estimated fair values, with any residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. Third party appraisal firms and other consultants are engaged to assist management in determining the fair values of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Estimating fair values requires significant judgments, estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to: discount rates, future cash flows and the economic lives of trade names, technology, customer relationships, property, plant and equipment, as well as income taxes. These estimates are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies, and are inherently uncertain.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is "more likely than not" impairment may have been incurred. We have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining if it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. However, if we conclude otherwise, then we are required to perform the quantitative impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing it against its carrying amount. We estimate the fair value of our steel and on-board weighing reporting units using the income approach and a market approach to valuation. The income approach to valuation uses our estimates of the future cash flows of the reporting unit discounted to their net present value using a discount rate determined using the capital asset pricing model and adjusted for the forecast risk inherent in our projections of future cash flows. The income approach to valuation is dependent on inputs from management such as expected revenue growth, profitability, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. The market approach to valuation uses the market capitalization of public companies similar to the reporting unit to calculate an implied EBITDA multiple, and we apply that calculated EBITDA multiple to the expected EBITDA of the reporting unit to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, after consideration of appropriate control premiums. We weigh the results of the income approach and the market approach to arrive at the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We estimate the fair value of our instrumentation reporting unit using the income approach. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required and no impairment loss is recognized. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the reporting unit fair value. The Company's required goodwill annual impairment test is completed as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter each year. As more fully described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the 2019 annual impairment test resulted in no impairment. The 2018 annual impairment test resulted in an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018. The 2017 annual impairment test resulted in no impairment. The indefinite-lived trade names are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the fair value based on current revenue projections of the related operations, under the relief from royalty method. Any excess carrying value over the applicable fair value is recognized as impairment. Any impairment would be recognized in the reporting period in which it has been identified. As more fully described in Note 4, the annual impairment test for 2019 resulted in no impairment. The 2018 annual impairment test resulted in the Company recording an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018. The 2017 annual impairment test resulted in no impairment. Definite-lived intangible assets, such as customer relationships, patents and acquired technology, non-competition agreements, and certain trade names are amortized on a straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Patents and acquired technology are being amortized over useful lives of seven to twenty years . Customer relationships are being amortized over useful lives of five to fifteen years . Trade names are being amortized over useful lives of seven to ten years . Non-competition agreements are being amortized over periods of five to ten years . The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets. Additionally, the Company reviews the carrying values of these assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The carrying value of long-lived assets held-and-used, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, is evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group. Losses on long-lived assets held-for-sale, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for disposal costs.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The Company has significant operations outside of the United States. The Company's operations in Europe, Canada, and certain locations in Asia primarily generate and expend cash in local currencies, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the local currency as their functional currency. The Company’s operations in Israel and certain locations in Asia primarily generate cash in U.S. dollars, and accordingly, these subsidiaries utilize the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. For those subsidiaries where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets have been translated at the rate of exchange as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. Translation adjustments do not impact the consolidated statements of operations and are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the statement of comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations. For those foreign subsidiaries where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, all foreign currency financial statement amounts are remeasured into U.S. dollars. Exchange gains and losses arising from remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation Compensation costs related to share-based payments are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. For service-based awards, compensation cost is recognized over the period that an officer, employee, or non-employee director provides service in exchange for the award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. For performance based awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost for awards that are expected to vest based on whether performance criteria are expected to be met. For options and restricted stock units subject to graded vesting, the Company recognizes expense over the service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was comprised of multiple awards.
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842) ,” a comprehensive new lease standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases. The core principle of this ASU requires lessees to present the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on their balance sheets. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. See Note 12- Leases. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." This ASU gives entities the option to reclassify to retained earnings the tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Act") related to items in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") that the FASB refers to as having been stranded in AOCI. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective January 1, 2019, and elected not to reclassify the income tax effects from AOCI to retained earnings. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13, and subsequent related amendments to ASU 2016-13, replace the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model that requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. It also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes will result in earlier recognition of credit losses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures is not expected to be material. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, "Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans." This ASU amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit and pension and other postretirement plans. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the standard to determine the impact on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820)." This ASU modifies the disclosures on fair value measurements by removing the requirements to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the policy for timing of such transfers. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements for Level 3 fair value measurements, primarily focused on changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the standard to determine the impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Revenues Revenues (Tables)

Revenues Revenues (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table disaggregates net revenue by geographic region from contracts with customers based on net revenues generated by subsidiaries within that geographic location (in thousands) : Year Ended December 31, 2019 Foil Technology Force Weighing and Total United States $ 56,393 $ 33,695 $ 24,227 $ 114,315 United Kingdom 3,181 10,450 15,576 29,207 Other Europe 32,328 10,811 16,860 59,999 Israel 12,401 415 — 12,816 Asia 27,500 8,986 8,331 44,817 Canada — — 22,804 22,804 $ 131,803 $ 64,357 $ 87,798 $ 283,958 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Foil Technology Force Weighing and Total United States $ 61,132 $ 39,955 $ 23,818 $ 124,905 United Kingdom 3,666 11,787 14,296 29,749 Other Europe 31,431 10,678 18,741 60,850 Israel 11,028 517 — 11,545 Asia 33,752 10,249 7,442 51,443 Canada — — 21,302 21,302 $ 141,009 $ 73,186 $ 85,599 $ 299,794 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Foil Technology Force Weighing and Total United States $ 52,032 $ 34,108 $ 19,523 $ 105,663 United Kingdom 3,173 12,187 11,127 26,487 Other Europe 26,322 8,793 17,312 52,427 Israel 6,673 635 — 7,308 Asia 28,073 9,723 7,288 45,084 Canada — — 17,381 17,381 $ 116,273 $ 65,446 $ 72,631 $ 254,350 The following table disaggregates net revenue by market sector (in thousands) : Years Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Test & Measurement $ 69,594 $ 76,735 $ 64,798 Avionics, Military & Space 23,975 26,743 22,378 Medical 10,863 9,868 8,769 Precision Weighing 91,001 93,734 81,439 Force Measurement 55,648 66,551 53,503 Steel 32,877 26,163 23,463 $ 283,958 $ 299,794 $ 254,350
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability	The outstanding contract assets and liability accounts were as follows (in thousands) : Contract Asset Contract Liability Unbilled Revenue Accrued Customer Advances December 31, 2018 $ 964 $ 5,328 December 31, 2019 $ 3,937 $ 4,561 Increase ( decrease) $ 2,973 $ (767 )

Acquisition Activity (Tables)

Acquisition Activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities of DSI as of November 1, 2019 (in thousands): Working capital (a) $ 6,874 Property and equipment 1,727 Long-term deferred income tax liability (4,321 ) Non-Controlling interest (299 ) Intangible assets: Patents and acquired technology 10,250 Customer relationships 4,344 Trade names 3,300 Total intangible assets 17,894 Fair value of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities 21,875 Purchase price 40,481 Goodwill $ 18,606 (a) Working capital accounts include accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued payroll.
Schedule of Acquisition Costs	The Company recorded acquisition costs of associated with this transaction in its consolidated statements of operation as follows (in thousands) : Year ended December 31, 2019 Accounting and legal fees $ 214 Appraisal fees 13 Other 216 $ 443
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	Following are the supplemental consolidated financial results for the Company on a unaudited pro forma basis, as if the DSI acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2018 (unaudited): Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 Pro forma net revenues $ 298,085 $ 314,437 Pro forma net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders $ 22,775 $ 23,821 Pro forma basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.69 $ 1.77 Pro forma diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.68 $ 1.76

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment is as follows ( in thousands) : Total Weighing and Control Systems Segment Foil Technology Products Segment KELK Acquisition DSI Acquisition Stress-Tek Acquisition Pacific Instruments Balance at January 1, 2018 $ 19,181 $ 6,828 $ — $ 6,311 $ 6,042 Impairment charges (2,500 ) — — — (2,500 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment (540 ) (540 ) — — — Balance at December 31, 2018 16,141 6,288 — 6,311 3,542 Goodwill acquired 18,606 18,606 — — Foreign currency translation adjustment 271 271 — — — Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 35,018 $ 6,559 $ 18,606 $ 6,311 $ 3,542
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Intangible assets were as follows (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived): Patents and acquired technology $ 19,504 $ 9,067 Customer relationships 25,690 20,941 Trade names 1,690 1,674 Non-competition agreements 11,745 11,820 58,629 43,502 Accumulated amortization: Patents and acquired technology (4,718 ) (4,103 ) Customer relationships (11,727 ) (10,399 ) Trade names (1,690 ) (1,674 ) Non-competition agreements (11,717 ) (11,748 ) (29,852 ) (27,924 ) Net intangible assets subject to amortization $ 28,777 $ 15,578 Intangible assets not subject to amortization (Indefinite-lived): Trade names 5,421 2,078 $ 34,198 $ 17,656
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense	Estimated annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands) : 2020 $ 2,465 2021 2,416 2022 2,415 2023 2,311 2024 2,279

Restructuring Costs (Tables)

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	The following table summarizes the activity to date related to these programs in the accrued restructuring liability, which is comprised of the activity associated primarily with the employee termination costs . The accrued restructuring liability balance as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is included in other accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ 159 $ 254 $ 1,333 Restructuring charges 1,559 289 2,044 Adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-02 (69 ) — — Cash payments (1,064 ) (384 ) (3,122 ) Foreign currency translation 19 — (1 ) Balance at end of year $ 604 159 254

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign	For financial reporting purposes, income before taxes includes the following components (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Domestic $ (7,405 ) $ (7,897 ) $ (3,552 ) Foreign 33,845 41,886 24,115 $ 26,440 $ 33,989 $ 20,563
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The expense (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Current: Federal $ 453 $ 189 $ (425 ) State and local (130 ) 162 89 Foreign 6,378 8,982 4,615 6,701 9,333 4,279 Deferred: Federal (2,638 ) 197 (257 ) State and local (123 ) (35 ) (1 ) Foreign 205 849 2,148 (2,556 ) 1,011 1,890 Total income tax expense $ 4,145 $ 10,344 $ 6,169
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the actual income tax provision is as follows (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Tax at statutory rate $ 5,553 $ 7,138 $ 7,197 State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit (21 ) 89 93 Effect of foreign operations (109 ) 611 (1,137 ) Change in valuation allowance (646 ) 498 (397 ) Change in unrecognized tax benefits, net 650 258 105 Impairment of goodwill — 525 — Specialty tax credits (176 ) (295 ) (139 ) Statutory rate changes (249 ) 272 (470 ) Effect of foreign exchange (1,152 ) 321 (1,292 ) Loss of benefit of U.S. net operating loss (a) 967 — — Excess tax benefits related to share based compensation (a) (357 ) — — 2017 Tax Act: Effects of U.S. tax reform — (135 ) 11,311 Change in valuation allowance — 945 (9,093 ) Other (315 ) 117 (9 ) Total income tax expense $ 4,145 $ 10,344 $ 6,169 (a) Amounts for 2017 and 2018 are included in Other and fell below the 5% threshold.
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Pension and other postretirement costs $ 3,770 $ 3,600 Inventories 2,095 2,103 Net operating/capital loss and interest carryforwards 11,895 9,536 Tax credit carryforwards 1,431 748 Deferred compensation 2,865 2,009 Other accruals and reserves 3,362 3,547 Book over tax depreciation — 12 Total gross deferred tax assets 25,418 21,555 Less: valuation allowance (14,867 ) (14,455 ) 10,551 7,100 Deferred tax liabilities: Tax over book depreciation (290 ) — Investment in subsidiary (1,845 ) (1,983 ) Intangible assets, including tax deductible goodwill (5,745 ) (884 ) Total gross deferred tax liabilities (7,880 ) (2,867 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 2,671 $ 4,233
Summary of Valuation Allowance	Significant valuation allowances are as follows (in thousands) : December 31, Jurisdiction 2019 2018 U.S. federal $ 3,395 $ 4,240 U.S. state (net of U.S. federal tax benefit) 8,411 8,057 Israel - capital losses 2,457 1,457
Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards	The following table summarizes significant net operating losses and credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands): December 31, Jurisdiction 2019 Expiring U.S. foreign tax credit 1,431 2025-2039 U.S state net operating losses 92,407 2023-2039 Israel capital losses 10,684 No expiration
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	The following table summarizes changes in the Company's gross liabilities, excluding interest and penalties, associated with unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ 912 $ 823 $ 772 Addition based on tax positions related to current year 144 189 163 Addition based on tax positions related to prior years 668 182 — Reduction based on tax positions related to prior years (32 ) (98 ) (12 ) Currency translation adjustments 3 (28 ) 14 Reduction for payments made (134 ) — — Reduction for lapses of statute of limitations (206 ) (156 ) (114 ) Balance before indemnification receivable 1,355 912 823 Receivable from Vishay Intertechnology for indemnification — — (12 ) Balance at end of year $ 1,355 $ 912 $ 811

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 2015 Credit Agreement - Revolving Facility $ 34,000 $ 12,000 2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Closing Date Term Facility 2,038 2,967 2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facility 4,982 7,253 2015 Credit Agreement - Canadian Term Facility 3,476 4,798 Other debt 149 279 Deferred financing costs (112 ) (222 ) 44,533 27,075 Less: current portion 44,516 4,654 $ 17 $ 22,421
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands) : 2020 $ 44,628 2021 17 2022 — 2023 — 2024 — Thereafter —

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The cumulative balance of each component of other comprehensive income (loss) and the income tax effects allocated to each component are as follows (in thousands) : Beginning Before-Tax Tax Net-of-Tax Ending December 31, 2017 Pension and other postretirement actuarial items $ (7,145 ) $ (1,465 ) $ 112 $ (1,353 ) $ (8,498 ) Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items 583 (145 ) 438 438 Foreign currency translation adjustment (33,192 ) 5,654 148 5,802 (27,390 ) $ (40,337 ) $ 4,772 $ 115 $ 4,887 $ (35,450 ) December 31, 2018 Pension and other postretirement actuarial items $ (8,060 ) $ 1,392 $ (18 ) $ 1,374 $ (6,686 ) Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items 685 (145 ) 540 540 Foreign currency translation adjustment (27,390 ) (3,857 ) (72 ) (3,929 ) (31,319 ) $ (35,450 ) $ (1,780 ) $ (235 ) $ (2,015 ) $ (37,465 ) December 31, 2019 Pension and other postretirement actuarial items $ (6,146 ) $ (1,310 ) $ 194 $ (1,116 ) $ (7,262 ) Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items 359 (39 ) 320 320 Foreign currency translation adjustment (31,319 ) (290 ) 21 (269 ) (31,588 ) Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation 827 $ — 827 827 $ (37,465 ) $ (414 ) $ 176 $ (238 ) $ (37,703 )

Pensions and Other Postretire_2

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets, and Funded Status to Benefit Plans	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the benefit obligation, plan assets, and funded status related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 23,922 $ 4,645 $ 28,617 $ 4,726 Service cost (adjusted for actual employee contributions) 336 126 477 108 Interest cost 620 180 686 152 Contributions by participants — — 21 — Actuarial (gains) losses 2,170 (131 ) (1,568 ) (97 ) Benefits paid (856 ) (187 ) (1,042 ) (244 ) Curtailments and settlements (25 ) — (3,362 ) — Plan amendments and other 573 — 1,107 — Currency translation 531 — (1,014 ) — Benefit obligation at end of year $ 27,271 $ 4,633 $ 23,922 $ 4,645 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 14,501 $ — $ 17,454 $ — Actual return on plan assets 1,338 — (343 ) — Company contributions 1,032 187 1,495 244 Contributions by participants — 21 — Benefits paid (856 ) (187 ) (1,042 ) (244 ) Curtailments and settlements (25 ) — (2,429 ) — Plan amendments and other — 202 — Currency translation 430 — (857 ) — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 16,420 $ — $ 14,501 $ — Funded status at end of year $ (10,851 ) $ (4,633 ) $ (9,421 ) $ (4,645 )
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Pretax Amounts	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following pre-tax amounts (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Accrued pension and other postretirement costs $ (10,851 ) $ (4,633 ) $ (9,421 ) $ (4,645 )
Actuarial Items	Actuarial items consist of the following (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Unrecognized net actuarial loss $ 6,500 $ 1,808 $ 5,237 $ 2,095 Unrecognized prior service cost 62 9 — Unamortized transition obligation 1 2 — $ 6,563 $ 1,808 $ 5,248 $ 2,095
Additional Information Regarding Projected and Accumulated Benefit Obligations for the Pension Plans	The following table sets forth additional information regarding the projected and accumulated benefit obligations for the pension plans (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Accumulated benefit obligation, all plans $ 26,100 $ 23,040 Plans for which the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 25,800 $ 22,552 Accumulated benefit obligation 25,158 22,155 Fair value of plan assets 14,983 13,256
Components of Net Periodic Costs of Benefit Plans	The following table sets forth the components of net periodic cost of pension and other postretirement benefit plans (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Annual service cost $ 336 $ 126 $ 498 $ 108 $ 548 $ 96 Less: employee contributions — — 21 — 35 — Net service cost 336 126 477 108 513 96 Interest cost 620 180 686 152 674 142 Expected return on plan assets (517 ) — (549 ) — (536 ) — Amortization of actuarial losses 202 156 507 177 463 119 Amortization of transition obligation 1 — 1 — 1 — Curtailment and settlement losses — — 708 — — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 642 $ 462 $ 1,830 $ 437 $ 1,115 $ 357
Weighted-average Assumptions Used for Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Pension Costs	The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 of the respective years: 2019 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Discount rate 1.96 % 2.97 % 2.61 % 3.99 % Rate of compensation increase 1.20 % N/A 3.08 % N/A Expected return on plan assets 3.56 % N/A 2.70 % N/A The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic pension costs for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 : 2019 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Discount rate 2.61 % 3.99 % 2.42 % 3.33 % Rate of compensation increase 3.08 % N/A 2.66 % N/A Expected return on plan assets 2.70 % N/A 3.46 % N/A Health care trend rate N/A 5.27 % N/A 17.25 %
Composition of Plan Assets	Plan assets are comprised of: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension OPEB Pension OPEB Equity securities 48 % — 50 % — Fixed income securities 42 % — 37 % — Cash and cash equivalents 10 % — 13 % — Total 100 % — 100 % —
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets for Each Hierarchy Level	A summary of the Company’s pension plan assets for each fair value hierarchy level are as follows for the periods presented (see Note 16 for further description of the levels within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands)) : As of December 31, 2019 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Defined benefit pension plan assets Equity securities $ 7,796 $ 7,796 $ — $ — Fixed income securities 6,975 6,975 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,649 1,649 — — $ 16,420 $ 16,420 $ — $ — As of December 31, 2018 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Defined benefit pension plan assets Equity securities $ 7,221 $ 7,221 $ — $ — Fixed income securities 5,309 5,309 — — Cash and cash equivalents 1,971 1,971 — — $ 14,501 $ 14,501 $ — $ —
Estimated future Benefit Payments	Estimated future benefit payments are as follows (in thousands) : Pension OPEB 2020 $ 921 $ 294 2021 1,038 338 2022 1,005 353 2023 1,569 292 2024 1,052 328 2024 - 2027 7,205 1,412

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Restricted Stock Units Activity	RSU activity is presented below (number of RSUs in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Number Weighted Number Weighted Number Weighted Outstanding: Beginning of year 265 $ 17.64 417 $ 14.57 377 $ 14.04 Granted 73 35.27 74 28.20 98 16.75 Vested (75 ) 15.27 (86 ) 16.75 (58 ) 14.78 Forfeited (51 ) 11.49 (140 ) 14.70 — — End of year 212 $ 25.97 265 $ 17.64 417 $ 14.57
Restricted Stock Units Performance-based Vesting Criteria	RSUs with performance-based vesting criteria are expected to vest as follows (number of RSUs in thousands) : Vesting Date Expected to Vest Not Expected to Vest Total January 1, 2020 53 5 58 January 1, 2021 35 14 49 January 1, 2022 3 45 48
Pre-tax Share-based Compensation Expense Recognized	The following table summarizes pre-tax share-based compensation expense recognized (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Restricted stock units $ 1,336 $ 1,799 $ 1,499

Commitments, Contingencies, a_2

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Percentage Of Cash and Cash Equivalents Reported By Region	See the following table for the percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 : December 31, 2019 2018 Asia 23 % 28 % United States 7 % 7 % Israel 28 % 35 % Europe 14 % 13 % United Kingdom 17 % 12 % Canada 11 % 5 % Total 100 % 100 %

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases Recorded on the Balance Sheet	Leases recorded on the balance sheet consist of the following (in thousands) : Leases Classification on Balance Sheet December 31, 2019 Assets Operating lease right of use asset Other Assets $ 8,691 Liabilities Operating lease - current Other Accrued Expenses $ 2,827 Operating lease - non-current Other Liabilities $ 5,811
Other Information Related to Lease Term and Discount Rate	Other information related to lease term and discount rate is as follows: December 31, 2019 Operating leases weighted average remaining lease term (in years) 4.0 years Operating leases weighted average discount rate 5.05 %
Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands) : Year Ended December 31, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 3,376 Variable lease cost 44 Short-term lease cost 87 Total lease cost $ 3,507
Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities	Undiscounted maturities of operating lease payments as of December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows (in thousands) : 2020 $ 3,349 2021 2,563 2022 1,580 2023 1,201 2024 769 Thereafter 576 Total future minimum lease payments $ 10,038 Less: amount representing interest (1,400 ) Present value of future minimum lease payments $ 8,638
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	The following are the future minimum lease payments (excluding related party leases as described in Note 17) with initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018 ( in thousands) : 2019 $ 3,580 2020 2,126 2021 997 2022 725 2023 503 Thereafter 336 Total lease payments $ 8,267

Segment and Geographic Data (Ta

Segment and Geographic Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reporting Segment Information	The following table sets forth reporting segment information (in thousands) : Foil Technology Products Force Sensors Weighing and Control Systems Corporate/ Other Total 2019 Net third-party revenues $ 131,803 $ 64,357 $ 87,798 $ — $ 283,958 Intersegment revenues 4,067 1,068 463 (5,598 ) — Gross profit 53,292 18,022 40,303 — 111,617 Segment operating income (loss) 29,873 8,643 21,058 (30,926 ) 28,648 Acquisition costs — — 443 — 443 Executive severance costs — — — 611 611 Restructuring costs 86 2,041 — 166 2,293 Depreciation and amortization expense 5,870 2,442 2,200 1,283 11,795 Capital expenditures 7,011 2,237 1,243 38 10,529 Total assets 116,920 75,885 158,597 19,011 370,413 2018 Net third-party revenues $ 141,009 $ 73,186 $ 85,599 $ — $ 299,794 Intersegment revenues 3,878 1,365 577 (5,820 ) — Gross profit 61,562 20,001 39,704 — 121,267 Segment operating income (loss) 38,404 10,514 20,508 (32,203 ) 37,223 Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles 2,820 — — — 2,820 Restructuring costs — 289 — — 289 Depreciation and amortization expense 5,173 2,323 2,121 1,014 10,631 Capital expenditures 9,239 2,483 1,370 147 13,239 Total assets 132,918 82,637 95,954 14,874 326,383 2017 Net third-party revenues $ 116,272 $ 65,446 $ 72,632 $ — $ 254,350 Intersegment revenues 2,316 1,346 911 (4,573 ) — Gross profit 47,755 18,192 32,336 — 98,283 Segment operating income (loss) 26,426 9,274 14,770 (27,982 ) 22,488 Restructuring costs 85 849 602 508 2,044 Depreciation and amortization expense 4,946 2,537 2,133 1,010 10,626 Capital expenditures 4,519 4,297 823 453 10,092 Total assets 119,175 77,756 97,007 12,613 306,551
Reporting Segment Information, Corporate Other and Excluded Items	The “Corporate/Other” column for segment operating income (loss) includes unallocated selling, general, and administrative expenses and certain items which management excludes from segment results when evaluating segment performance, as follows (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Unallocated selling, general, and administrative expenses $ (27,579 ) $ (29,094 ) $ (25,938 ) Acquisition costs (443 ) — — Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles — (2,820 ) — Executive severance costs (611 ) — — Restructuring costs (2,293 ) (289 ) (2,044 ) $ (30,926 ) $ (32,203 ) $ (27,982 )
Revenue From External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	The following geographic data includes property and equipment based on physical location (in thousands) : December 31, Property and Equipment - Net 2019 2018 United States $ 12,009 $ 10,933 United Kingdom 4,011 3,960 Other Europe 1,498 1,430 Israel 22,903 22,682 Asia 19,118 19,090 Canada and Other 1,731 1,324 $ 61,270 $ 59,419

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in thousands, except earnings per share) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Numerator: Numerator for basic earnings per share: Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders $ 22,188 $ 23,646 $ 14,345 Adjustment to the numerator for net earnings: Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive exchangeable notes, net of tax — 6 24 Numerator for diluted earnings per share: Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders $ 22,188 $ 23,652 $ 14,369 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted average shares 13,515 13,439 13,262 Effect of dilutive securities: Exchangeable notes — 22 145 Restricted stock units 82 74 64 Dilutive potential common shares 82 96 209 Denominator for diluted earnings per share: Adjusted weighted average shares 13,597 13,535 13,471 Basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.64 $ 1.76 $ 1.08 Diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders $ 1.63 $ 1.75 $ 1.07

Additional Financial Statemen_2

Additional Financial Statement Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	The caption “Other” on the consolidated statements of operations consists of the following (in thousands) : Years ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Foreign exchange loss $ (1,638 ) $ (279 ) $ (724 ) Interest income 622 506 167 Pension expense (643 ) (1,682 ) (863 ) Other 958 (41 ) 1,337 $ (701 ) $ (1,496 ) $ (83 )
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	Other accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands) : December 31, 2019 2018 Customer advance payments $ 4,561 $ 5,328 Accrued restructuring 604 159 Goods received, not yet invoiced 1,561 1,819 Accrued taxes, other than income taxes 1,167 2,293 Accrued commissions 2,149 2,203 Accrued professional fees 1,082 1,775 Lease liability - current 2,827 — Other 5,002 3,454 $ 18,953 $ 17,031

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables provide the financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis (in thousands) : As of December 31, 2019 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Assets held in rabbi trusts $ 5,169 $ 53 $ 5,116 $ — As of December 31, 2018 Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Total Fair Value Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Assets held in rabbi trusts $ 4,641 $ 87 $ 4,554 $ —

Summary of Quarterly Financia_2

Summary of Quarterly Financial information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019 2018 First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth Statement of Operations data: Net revenues $ 76,525 $ 70,870 $ 67,421 $ 69,142 $ 73,091 $ 74,231 $ 75,490 $ 76,982 Gross profit 33,051 28,609 25,790 24,167 28,505 31,366 30,580 30,816 Operating income 12,603 8,102 6,186 1,757 8,186 11,315 10,631 7,091 Net earnings 8,326 5,580 4,530 3,859 4,958 7,683 7,567 3,437 Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 83 15 21 (12 ) (30 ) (10 ) 20 19 Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders 8,243 5,565 4,509 3,871 4,988 7,693 7,547 3,418 Per Share Data: (b) Basic earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.41 $ 0.33 $ 0.29 $ 0.37 $ 0.57 $ 0.56 $ 0.25 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.41 $ 0.33 $ 0.28 $ 0.37 $ 0.57 $ 0.56 $ 0.25 Certain Items Recorded during the Quarters: Acquisition purchase accounting adjustments $ — $ — $ — $ 1,254 $ — $ — $ — $ — Acquisition costs — — — 443 — — — — Executive severance costs — 611 — — — — — — Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles — — — — — — — 2,820 UK pension settlement — — — — — — 673 Restructuring costs — — 547 1,746 — 61 228 — Tax effect of reconciling items and discrete tax items — — 80 3,663 — 9 35 (377 ) (a) The Company reports interim financial information for the 13-week periods beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday, except for the first fiscal quarter, which always begins on January 1, and the fourth fiscal quarter, which always ends on December 31. The first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2019 ended on March 30 , June 29 , September 28 , and December 31 , respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2018 ended on March 31 , June 30 , September 29 , and December 31 , respectively. (b) Quarterly amounts may not agree in total to the corresponding annual amounts due to rounding.

Background and Summary of Sig_3

Background and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Minimum ownership of fully controlled entities		100.00%
Research and development expense		$ 12.1	$ 11.8	$ 11.7
Recognized tax benefit to be realized upon ultimate settlement		greater than 50 percent likely to be realized
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017, income tax expense	$ 0.8
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 0.5	$ 0.6	0.5
Bad debt expense		0.1	0	0.1
Depreciation expense		$ 10.1	8.9	8.7
Minimum | Patents and acquired technology
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		7 years
Minimum | Customer relationships
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		5 years
Minimum | Trade names
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		7 years
Minimum | Non-competition agreements
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		5 years
Maximum | Patents and acquired technology
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		20 years
Maximum | Customer relationships
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		15 years
Maximum | Trade names
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		10 years
Maximum | Non-competition agreements
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (in years)		10 years
Machinery and Equipment | Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)		7 years
Machinery and Equipment | Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)		10 years
Building and Building Improvements | Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)		20 years
Building and Building Improvements | Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)		40 years
Software
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation expense		$ 0.6	$ 0.5	$ 0.5
Software | Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)		3 years
Software | Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (in years)		5 years

Revenues Revenues (Disaggregati

Revenues Revenues (Disaggregation of Revenue by Geographic Location) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 69,142	$ 67,421	$ 70,870	$ 76,525	$ 76,982	$ 75,490	$ 74,231	$ 73,091	$ 283,958	$ 299,794	$ 254,350
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									114,315	124,905	105,663
United Kingdom
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									29,207	29,749	26,487
Other Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									59,999	60,850	52,427
Israel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									12,816	11,545	7,308
Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									44,817	51,443	45,084
Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									22,804	21,302	17,381
Foil Technology Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									131,803	141,009	116,273
Foil Technology Products | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									56,393	61,132	52,032
Foil Technology Products | United Kingdom
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									3,181	3,666	3,173
Foil Technology Products | Other Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									32,328	31,431	26,322
Foil Technology Products | Israel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									12,401	11,028	6,673
Foil Technology Products | Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									27,500	33,752	28,073
Foil Technology Products | Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0	0
Force Sensors
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									64,357	73,186	65,446
Force Sensors | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									33,695	39,955	34,108
Force Sensors | United Kingdom
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									10,450	11,787	12,187
Force Sensors | Other Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									10,811	10,678	8,793
Force Sensors | Israel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									415	517	635
Force Sensors | Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									8,986	10,249	9,723
Force Sensors | Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0	0
Weighing and Control Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									87,798	85,599	72,631
Weighing and Control Systems | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									24,227	23,818	19,523
Weighing and Control Systems | United Kingdom
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									15,576	14,296	11,127
Weighing and Control Systems | Other Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									16,860	18,741	17,312
Weighing and Control Systems | Israel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0	0
Weighing and Control Systems | Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									8,331	7,442	7,288
Weighing and Control Systems | Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 22,804	$ 21,302	$ 17,381

Revenues Revenues (Disaggregat

Revenues Revenues (Disaggregation of Revenue by Market Sector) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 69,142	$ 67,421	$ 70,870	$ 76,525	$ 76,982	$ 75,490	$ 74,231	$ 73,091	$ 283,958	$ 299,794	$ 254,350
Test & Measurement
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									69,594	76,735	64,798
Avionics, Military & Space
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									23,975	26,743	22,378
Medical
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									10,863	9,868	8,769
Precision Weighing
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									91,001	93,734	81,439
Force Measurement
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									55,648	66,551	53,503
Steel
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 32,877	$ 26,163	$ 23,463

Revenues Revenues (Contract As

Revenues Revenues (Contract Assets and Liabilities) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Movement in Contract Assets and Liabilities [Roll Forward]
Unbilled revenue, beginning balance	$ 964
Contract liability, beginning balance	5,328
Unbilled revenue, ending balance	3,937
Contract liability, ending balance	4,561
Increase in unbilled revenue	2,973
Increase in accrued customer advances	$ (767)

Revenues Revenues (Narrative)

Revenues Revenues (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract asset	$ 3,937	$ 964
Contract with customer, liability, revenue recognized	5,100
Dynamic Systems Inc.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract asset	$ 2,100

Acquisition Activity (Narrative

Acquisition Activity (Narrative) (Details) - Dynamic Systems Inc.	Nov. 01, 2019USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 40,481,000
Potential earn out	3,000,000
Fair value of contingent consideration	$ 0
Patents and Acquired Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful lives	16 years
Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful lives	15 years

Acquisition Activity (Schedule

Acquisition Activity (Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		$ 35,018	$ 16,141	$ 19,181
Dynamic Systems Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital	$ 6,874
Property and equipment	1,727
Long-term deferred income tax liability	(4,321)
Non-Controlling interest	(299)
Intangible assets:
Total intangible assets	17,894
Fair value of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities	21,875
Purchase price	40,481
Goodwill	18,606
Dynamic Systems Inc. | Trade names
Intangible assets:
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	3,300
Dynamic Systems Inc. | Patents and Acquired Technology
Intangible assets:
Finite-lived intangibles	10,250
Dynamic Systems Inc. | Customer relationships
Intangible assets:
Finite-lived intangibles	$ 4,344

Acquisition Activity (Schedul_2

Acquisition Activity (Schedule of Acquisition Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs	$ 443	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 443	$ 0	$ 0
Dynamic Systems Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs									443
Accounting and legal fees | Dynamic Systems Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs									214
Appraisal fees | Dynamic Systems Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs									13
Other | Dynamic Systems Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs									$ 216

Acquisition Activity (Pro Forma

Acquisition Activity (Pro Forma Information) (Details) - Dynamic Systems Inc. - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma net revenues	$ 298,085	$ 314,437
Pro forma net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders	$ 22,775	$ 23,821
Pro forma basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.77
Pro forma diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.76

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment		$ 2,500,000
Amortization expense	$ 1,700,000	1,700,000	$ 1,900,000
Trade names
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	$ 300,000	$ 0
Dynamic Systems Inc.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	14,600,000
Amortization expense	200,000
Dynamic Systems Inc. | Trade names
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 3,300,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Summary of Goodwill Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 16,141	$ 19,181
Impairment charges		(2,500)
Goodwill acquired	18,606
Foreign currency translation adjustment	271	(540)
Ending balance	35,018	16,141
KELK | Weighing and Control Systems
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6,288	6,828
Foreign currency translation adjustment	271	(540)
Ending balance	6,559	6,288
Dynamic Systems Inc. | Weighing and Control Systems
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill acquired	18,606
Ending balance	18,606
Stress-Tek, Inc. | Weighing and Control Systems
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6,311	6,311
Ending balance	6,311	6,311
Pacific Instruments, Inc. | Foil Technology Products
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,542	6,042
Impairment charges		(2,500)
Ending balance	$ 3,542	$ 3,542

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived)	$ 58,629	$ 43,502
Accumulated amortization	(29,852)	(27,924)
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	28,777	15,578
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
Intangible assets, net	34,198	17,656
Trade names
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (Indefinite-lived)	5,421	2,078
Patents and acquired technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived)	19,504	9,067
Accumulated amortization	(4,718)	(4,103)
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived)	25,690	20,941
Accumulated amortization	(11,727)	(10,399)
Trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived)	1,690	1,674
Accumulated amortization	(1,690)	(1,674)
Non-competition agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets subject to amortization (Definite-lived)	11,745	11,820
Accumulated amortization	$ (11,717)	$ (11,748)

Goodwill and Other Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Estimated Annual Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 2,465
2021	2,416
2022	2,415
2023	2,311
2024	$ 2,279

Restructuring Costs (Narrative)

Restructuring Costs (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	$ 2,293	$ 289	$ 2,044
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	1,200
Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	$ 1,100

Restructuring Costs (Restructur

Restructuring Costs (Restructuring Activities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	$ 159
Restructuring costs	2,293	$ 289	$ 2,044
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	604	159
Employee Severance
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring costs	1,200
Cost Reduction Program
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring costs	1,559
Cost Reduction Program | Employee Severance
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	159	254	1,333
Restructuring costs		289	2,044
Adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-02	(69)
Cash payments	(1,064)	(384)	(3,122)
Foreign currency translation	19	0	(1)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 604	$ 159	$ 254

Income Taxes (Components of Inc

Income Taxes (Components of Income Before Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	$ (7,405)	$ (7,897)	$ (3,552)
Foreign	33,845	41,886	24,115
Income before taxes	$ 26,440	$ 33,989	$ 20,563

Income Taxes (Expense (Benefit)

Income Taxes (Expense (Benefit) for Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current:
Federal	$ 453	$ 189	$ (425)
State and local	(130)	162	89
Foreign	6,378	8,982	4,615
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	6,701	9,333	4,279
Deferred:
Federal	(2,638)	197	(257)
State and local	(123)	(35)	(1)
Foreign	205	849	2,148
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(2,556)	1,011	1,890
Total income tax expense	$ 4,145	$ 10,344	$ 6,169

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax at statutory rate	$ 5,553	$ 7,138	$ 7,197
State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit	(21)	89	93
Effect of foreign operations	(109)	611	(1,137)
Change in valuation allowance	(646)	498	(397)
Change in unrecognized tax benefits, net	650	258	105
Impairment of goodwill	0	525	0
Specialty tax credits	(176)	(295)	(139)
Statutory rate changes	(249)	272	(470)
Effect of foreign exchange	(1,152)	321	(1,292)
Loss of benefit of U.S. net operating loss	967	0	0
Excess tax benefits related to share based compensation	(357)	0	0
Effects of U.S. tax reform	0	(135)	11,311
Change in valuation allowance	0	945	(9,093)
Other	(315)	117	(9)
Total income tax expense	$ 4,145	$ 10,344	$ 6,169

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Provisional one-time transition tax, 2017 Tax Act					$ 2,200
Income tax benefit related to net operating loss					3,900
Provisional deferred tax liability, undistributed foreign earnings, 2017 Tax Act			$ 1,500		1,800
Provisional undistributed accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiary, 2017 Tax Act			14,100		25,500
Income tax expense, 2017 Tax Act		$ 800
Global intangible low-taxed income recognized			12,900	$ 15,600
Deferred tax liabilities, gross		2,867	7,880	2,867
Valuation allowance adjustment			(600)
Valuation allowance		14,455	14,867	14,455
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries		143,000	159,000	143,000
Unremitted earnings withholding taxes			1,500
Additional unremitted earnings withholding taxes			17,500
Net income taxes paid			11,100	7,300	4,100
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued		100	0	100	100
Penalties and interest accrued		100	100	100	100
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate		900	1,400	900	$ 800
Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Expected change in unrecognized tax benefits statute lapse			100
State and Local Jurisdiction
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance		1,000	$ 800	1,000
State and Local Jurisdiction | Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Statutes of limitations range			3 years
State and Local Jurisdiction | Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Statutes of limitations range			4 years
Foreign Tax Authority | Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible			$ 100
Statutes of limitations range			3 years
Foreign Tax Authority | Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible			$ 200
Statutes of limitations range			10 years
United States
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance		12,300	$ 11,800	12,300
United States | State and Local Jurisdiction
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance		8,057	8,411	8,057
Net Operating and Capital Loss Carryforward
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Valuation allowance		$ 2,200	$ 3,100	$ 2,200
Dynamic Systems Inc.
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities, gross	$ 17,000
Deferred tax liabilities, intangible assets	4,100
Valuation allowance adjustment	$ (2,500)

Income Taxes (Significant Compo

Income Taxes (Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
Pension and other postretirement costs	$ 3,770	$ 3,600
Inventories	2,095	2,103
Net operating/capital loss and interest carryforwards	11,895	9,536
Tax credit carryforwards	1,431	748
Deferred compensation	2,865	2,009
Other accruals and reserves	3,362	3,547
Book over tax depreciation	0	12
Total gross deferred tax assets	25,418	21,555
Less: valuation allowance	(14,867)	(14,455)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	10,551	7,100
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation	(290)	0
Investment in subsidiary	(1,845)	(1,983)
Intangible assets, including tax deductible goodwill	(5,745)	(884)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(7,880)	(2,867)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 2,671	$ 4,233

Income Taxes (Significant Valua

Income Taxes (Significant Valuation Allowances) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$ 14,867	$ 14,455
United States
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	11,800	12,300
Domestic Tax Authority | United States
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	3,395	4,240
State and Local Jurisdiction
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	800	1,000
State and Local Jurisdiction | United States
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	8,411	8,057
Capital Loss Carryforward | Israel
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$ 2,457	$ 1,457

Income Taxes (Significant Net O

Income Taxes (Significant Net Operating Losses and Credit Carryforwards) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
United States | Foreign Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 1,431
United States | State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	92,407
Israel
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 10,684

Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax

Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 912	$ 823	$ 772
Addition based on tax positions related to current year	144	189	163
Addition based on tax positions related to prior years	668	182	0
Reduction based on tax positions related to prior years	(32)	(98)	(12)
Currency translation adjustments	3		14
Currency translation adjustments		(28)
Reduction for payments made	(134)	0	0
Reduction for lapses of statute of limitations	(206)	(156)	(114)
Balance before indemnification receivable	1,355	912	823
Receivable from Vishay Intertechnology for indemnification	0	0	(12)
Balance at end of year	$ 1,355	$ 912	$ 811

Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Lon

Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other debt	$ 149	$ 279
Deferred financing costs	(112)	(222)
Long-Term Debt	44,533	27,075
Less: current portion	44,516	4,654
Long-term debt, less current portion	17	22,421
2015 Credit Agreement - Revolving Facility | 2015 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	34,000	12,000
2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Closing Date Term Facility | 2015 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	2,038	2,967
2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facility | 2015 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	4,982	7,253
2015 Credit Agreement - Canadian Term Facility | 2015 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 3,476	$ 4,798

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Det

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 23, 2019	Dec. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest paid			$ 1,400,000	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,700,000
Other Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term (in years)			2 years
Stated interest rate (as a percent)			0.00%
2015 Credit Agreement - Revolving Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount	$ 45,000,000
Line of credit facility, accordion feature, increase limit	$ 15,000,000
2015 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Expiration date		Dec. 30, 2020
2015 Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LIBOR		LIBOR
Interest rate in addition to LIBOR		0.25%
2015 Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate in addition to LIBOR		2.00%
Quarterly commitment fee		0.30%
2015 Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate in addition to LIBOR		3.50%
Quarterly commitment fee		0.50%
2015 Credit Agreement | 2015 Credit Agreement - Revolving Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount		$ 30,000,000
2015 Credit Agreement | Letter Of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount		10,000,000
2015 Credit Agreement | 2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Closing Date Term Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount		4,500,000
2015 Credit Agreement | 2015 Credit Agreement - U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount		11,000,000
2015 Credit Agreement | Foreign Term Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount		9,500,000
2015 Credit Agreement | Domestic Revolving Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount		$ 15,000,000
2015 Credit Agreement | Revolving and U.S. Delayed Draw Term Facilities | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, interest rate			3.97%	4.82%
2015 Credit Agreement | U.S. Closing Date Term and Canadian Term Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, interest rate			3.97%	4.82%
Other Lines of Credit | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principle amount			$ 3,000,000	$ 3,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding			$ 900,000	$ 900,000

Long-Term Debt (Maturity of Lon

Long-Term Debt (Maturity of Long-term Debt) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 44,628
2021	17
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
Thereafter	$ 0

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019voteshares	Dec. 31, 2018shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, number of votes | vote	1
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) | shares	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares	0
Common Class B
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, number of votes | vote	10
Conversion ratio	1

Stockholders' Equity (Component

Stockholders' Equity (Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 218,453	$ 193,304	$ 171,557
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax amount	(414)	(1,780)	4,772
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax effect	176	(235)	115
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(238)	(2,015)	4,887
Balance at end of period	241,752	218,453	193,304
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(37,465)	(35,450)	(40,337)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(238)	(2,015)	4,887
Balance at end of period	(37,703)	(37,465)	(35,450)
Pension and other postretirement actuarial items
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(6,146)	(8,060)	(7,145)
Balance at end of period		(6,146)	(8,060)
Pension and other postretirement actuarial items, before reclassifications
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(6,686)	(8,498)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax amount	(1,310)	1,392	(1,465)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax	194	(18)	112
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax amount	(1,116)	1,374	(1,353)
Balance at end of period	(7,262)	(6,686)	(8,498)
Reclassification adjustment for recognition of actuarial items
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Reclassification adjustment, before tax amount	359	685	583
Reclassification adjustment, tax effect	(39)	(145)	(145)
Reclassification adjustment, net of tax amount	320	540	438
Foreign currency translation adjustment
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(31,319)	(27,390)	(33,192)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax amount		(3,857)	5,654
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax		(72)	148
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax amount		(3,929)	5,802
Reclassification adjustment, before tax amount	827
Reclassification adjustment, tax effect	0
Reclassification adjustment, net of tax amount	827
Balance at end of period		$ (31,319)	$ (27,390)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, before reclassifications
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax amount	(290)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, tax	21
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax amount	(269)
Balance at end of period	$ (31,588)

Pensions and Other Postretire_3

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Settlement loss		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (673)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Estimated actuarial items that will be amortized from AOCI loss	$ 400								$ 400
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	3.90%								3.90%
Defined benefit plan, employer contribution in 2020	$ 1,500								$ 1,500
Defined contribution plan matching expense									700	$ 700	$ 700
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	15,669				14,982				15,669	14,982
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	10,851				9,421				10,851	9,421
Other Retirement Obligations
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Other retirement obligations	900				1,300				900	1,300
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	4,633				4,645				4,633	4,645
Foreign Plan | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Settlement loss									700
Nonqualified Plan | Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	3,500				3,100				3,500	3,100
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	4,900				4,200				4,900	4,200
Unfunded Plan | Nonqualified Plan | United States | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	1,700				1,600				1,700	1,600
Non qualified pension plan liabilities	$ 2,400				$ 2,200				$ 2,400	$ 2,200

Pensions and Other Postretire_4

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Reconciliation of The Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 14,501
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	16,420	$ 14,501
Pension Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	23,922	28,617
Service cost (adjusted for actual employee contributions)	336	477	$ 513
Interest cost	620	686	674
Contributions by participants	0	21	35
Actuarial (gains) losses	2,170	(1,568)
Benefits paid	(856)	(1,042)
Curtailments and settlements	(25)	(3,362)
Plan amendments and other	573	1,107
Currency translation	531	(1,014)
Benefit obligation at end of year	27,271	23,922	28,617
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	14,501	17,454
Actual return on plan assets	1,338	(343)
Company contributions	1,032	1,495
Contributions by participants		21
Benefits paid	(856)	(1,042)
Curtailments and settlements	(25)	(2,429)
Plan amendments and other		202
Currency translation	430	(857)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	16,420	14,501	17,454
Funded status at end of year	(10,851)	(9,421)
OPEB Plans
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	4,645	4,726
Service cost (adjusted for actual employee contributions)	126	108	96
Interest cost	180	152	142
Contributions by participants	0	0	0
Actuarial (gains) losses	(131)	(97)
Benefits paid	(187)	(244)
Curtailments and settlements	0	0
Plan amendments and other	0	0
Currency translation	0	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	4,633	4,645	4,726
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Company contributions	187	244
Contributions by participants	0	0
Benefits paid	(187)	(244)
Curtailments and settlements	0	0
Plan amendments and other	0	0
Currency translation	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status at end of year	$ (4,633)	$ (4,645)

Pensions and Other Postretire_5

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Accrued Pension and Other Postretirement Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	$ (15,669)	$ (14,982)
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	(10,851)	(9,421)
OPEB Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	$ (4,633)	$ (4,645)

Pensions and Other Postretire_6

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Unrecognized Actuarial Gains and Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$ 6,500	$ 5,237
Unrecognized prior service cost	62	9
Unamortized transition obligation	1	2
Benefit plans, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	6,563	5,248
OPEB Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	1,808	2,095
Unrecognized prior service cost		0
Unamortized transition obligation		0
Benefit plans, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	$ 1,808	$ 2,095

Pensions and Other Postretire_7

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Projected and Accumulated Benefit Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Accumulated benefit obligation, all plans	$ 26,100	$ 23,040
Plans for which the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	25,800	22,552
Accumulated benefit obligation	25,158	22,155
Fair value of plan assets	$ 14,983	$ 13,256

Pensions and Other Postretire_8

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Components of Net Periodic Cost of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 643	$ 1,682	$ 863
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Annual service cost	336	498	548
Less: employee contributions	0	21	35
Net service cost	336	477	513
Interest cost	620	686	674
Expected return on plan assets	(517)	(549)	(536)
Amortization of actuarial losses	202	507	463
Amortization of transition obligation	1	1	1
Curtailment and settlement losses	0	708	0
Net periodic benefit cost	642	1,830	1,115
OPEB Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Annual service cost	126	108	96
Less: employee contributions	0	0	0
Net service cost	126	108	96
Interest cost	180	152	142
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of actuarial losses	156	177	119
Amortization of transition obligation	0	0	0
Curtailment and settlement losses	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 462	$ 437	$ 357

Pensions and Other Postretire_9

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate, benefit obligation	1.96%	2.61%
Rate of compensation increase, benefit obligation	1.20%	3.08%
Expected return on plan assets, benefit obligation	3.56%	2.70%
Discount rate, net periodic pension cost	2.61%	2.42%
Rate of compensation increase, net periodic pension cost	3.08%	2.66%
Expected return on plan assets, net periodic pension cost	2.70%	3.46%
OPEB Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate, benefit obligation	2.97%	3.99%
Discount rate, net periodic pension cost	3.99%	3.33%
Health care trend rate	5.27%	17.25%

Pensions and Other Postretir_10

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Plan Assets) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	100.00%	100.00%
Pension Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	48.00%	50.00%
Pension Plans | Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	42.00%	37.00%
Pension Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	10.00%	13.00%
OPEB Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	0.00%	0.00%
OPEB Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	0.00%	0.00%
OPEB Plans | Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	0.00%	0.00%
OPEB Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	0.00%	0.00%

Pensions and Other Postretir_11

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	$ 16,420	$ 14,501
Level 1 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	16,420	14,501
Level 2 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Level 3 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	7,796	7,221
Equity securities | Level 1 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	7,796	7,221
Equity securities | Level 2 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Equity securities | Level 3 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	6,975	5,309
Fixed income securities | Level 1 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	6,975	5,309
Fixed income securities | Level 2 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Fixed income securities | Level 3 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	1,649	1,971
Cash and cash equivalents | Level 1 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	1,649	1,971
Cash and cash equivalents | Level 2 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents | Level 3 Inputs
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plan assets	$ 0	$ 0

Pensions and Other Postretir_12

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Estimated Future Benefit Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2020	$ 921
2021	1,038
2022	1,005
2023	1,569
2024	1,052
2024-2027	7,205
OPEB Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2020	294
2021	338
2022	353
2023	292
2024	328
2024-2027	$ 1,412

Share-Based Compensation (Narra

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	May 16, 2019USD ($)shares	Mar. 20, 2019USD ($)shares	Mar. 13, 2019USD ($)peopleshares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized (in shares) | shares				1,000,000
Number of shares available for grant (in shares) | shares				417,602
Deferred tax benefit				$ 100	$ 0	$ 100
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense				$ 1,200
Unrecognized share-based compensation expense recognition period				1 year 5 months 12 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of people granted awards | people			3
Percentage of performance based units on total units approved		75.00%	75.00%
Grant date fair value	$ 300	$ 400	$ 1,800
Number of RSUs, granted (in shares) | shares	8,244	12,445	51,814	73,000	74,000	98,000
Share-based compensation arrangement, other than options, vesting conditions (in dollars per share)		Twenty-five percent of these awards will vest on January 1, 2022	Twenty-five percent of these awards will vest on January 1, 2022
Award vesting period		3 years	3 years
Fair value of RSU's vested				$ 2,500
Increase (decrease) to share based compensation expense				1,336	$ 1,799	$ 1,499
Scenario, Adjustment
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) to share based compensation expense				$ (800)		$ 400

Share-Based Compensation (Restr

Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares	May 16, 2019	Mar. 20, 2019	Mar. 13, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Number of RSUs, beginning of year (in shares)				265,000	417,000	377,000
Number of RSUs, granted (in shares)	8,244	12,445	51,814	73,000	74,000	98,000
Number of RSUs, vested (in shares)				(75,000)	(86,000)	(58,000)
Number of RSUs, forfeited (in shares)				(51,000)	(140,000)	0
Number of RSUs, end of year (in shares)				212,000	265,000	417,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Weighted average grant-date fair value, beginning of year (in dollars per share)				$ 17.64	$ 14.57	$ 14.04
Weighted average grant-date fair value, granted (in dollars per share)				35.27	28.20	16.75
Weighted average grant-date fair value, vested (in dollars per share)				15.27	16.75	14.78
Weighted average grant-date fair value, forfeited (in dollars per share)				11.49	14.70	0
Weighted average grant-date fair value, end of year (in dollars per share)				$ 25.97	$ 17.64	$ 14.57

Share-Based Compensation (Res_2

Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Units Expected to Vest) (Details) - Performance Based Restricted Stock Units shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019shares
Vesting on January 1, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected to Vest (in shares)	53
Not Expected to Vest (in shares)	5
Total (in shares)	58
Vesting on January 1, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected to Vest (in shares)	35
Not Expected to Vest (in shares)	14
Total (in shares)	49
Vesting on January 1, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected to Vest (in shares)	3
Not Expected to Vest (in shares)	45
Total (in shares)	48

Share-Based Compensation (Pre-T

Share-Based Compensation (Pre-Tax Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units	$ 1,336	$ 1,799	$ 1,499

Commitments, Contingencies, a_3

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Concentration risk (as a percentage)	No single customer comprises greater than 5% of net revenues.

Commitments, Contingencies, a_4

Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Geographic Concentrations) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	100.00%	100.00%
Asia
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	23.00%	28.00%
United States
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	7.00%	7.00%
Israel
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	28.00%	35.00%
Europe
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	14.00%	13.00%
United Kingdom
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	17.00%	12.00%
Canada
Cash and Cash Equivalents by Region [Line Items]
Percentage of cash and cash equivalents by region	11.00%	5.00%

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020ft²	Jan. 01, 2019USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease liability	$ 300
Operating leases, rent expense		$ 3,600	$ 3,600
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of ASU					$ 531
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Retained Earnings
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of ASU					$ 531
Israel | Forecast
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Area of land (in sq ft) | ft²				121,400
Buildings and Vehicles | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, operating lease, remaining lease term (years)	1 year
Buildings and Vehicles | Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, operating lease, remaining lease term (years)	7 years

Leases - Leases Recorded on the

Leases - Leases Recorded on the Balance Sheet (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease right of use asset	$ 8,691
Operating lease - current	2,827
Operating lease - non-current	$ 5,811

Leases - Other Information Rela

Leases - Other Information Related to Leases (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating leases weighted average remaining lease term (years)	4 years
Operating leases weighted average discount rate (percent)	5.05%

Leases - Components of Lease Ex

Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 3,376
Variable lease cost	44
Short-term lease cost	87
Total lease cost	$ 3,507

Leases - Maturities of Operatin

Leases - Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2020	$ 3,349
2021	2,563
2022	1,580
2023	1,201
2024	769
Thereafter	576
Total future minimum lease payments	10,038
Less: amount representing interest	(1,400)
Present value of future minimum lease payments	$ 8,638

Leases - Future Minimum Lease P

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 3,580
2020	2,126
2021	997
2022	725
2023	503
Thereafter	336
Total lease payments	$ 8,267

Segment and Geographic Data (Na

Segment and Geographic Data (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment and Geographic Data (De

Segment and Geographic Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 69,142	$ 67,421	$ 70,870	$ 76,525	$ 76,982	$ 75,490	$ 74,231	$ 73,091	$ 283,958	$ 299,794	$ 254,350
Gross profit	24,167	25,790	28,609	33,051	30,816	30,580	31,366	28,505	111,617	121,267	98,283
Segment operating income (loss)	1,757	6,186	8,102	12,603	7,091	10,631	11,315	8,186	28,648	37,223	22,488
Acquisition costs	443	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	443	0	0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles	0	0	0	0	2,820	0	0	0	0	2,820	0
Executive severance costs	0	0	611	0	0	0	0	0	611	0	0
Restructuring costs	1,746	$ 547	$ 0	$ 0	0	$ 228	$ 61	$ 0	2,293	289	2,044
Depreciation and amortization expense									11,795	10,631	10,626
Capital expenditures									10,529	13,239	10,092
Total assets	370,413				326,383				370,413	326,383	306,551
Foil Technology Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									131,803	141,009	116,273
Gross profit									53,292	61,562	47,755
Segment operating income (loss)									29,873	38,404	26,426
Acquisition costs									0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles										2,820
Executive severance costs									0
Restructuring costs									86	0	85
Depreciation and amortization expense									5,870	5,173	4,946
Capital expenditures									7,011	9,239	4,519
Total assets	116,920				132,918				116,920	132,918	119,175
Force Sensors
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									64,357	73,186	65,446
Gross profit									18,022	20,001	18,192
Segment operating income (loss)									8,643	10,514	9,274
Acquisition costs									0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles										0
Executive severance costs									0
Restructuring costs									2,041	289	849
Depreciation and amortization expense									2,442	2,323	2,537
Capital expenditures									2,237	2,483	4,297
Total assets	75,885				82,637				75,885	82,637	77,756
Weighing and Control Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									87,798	85,599	72,631
Gross profit									40,303	39,704	32,336
Segment operating income (loss)									21,058	20,508	14,770
Acquisition costs									443
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles										0
Executive severance costs									0
Restructuring costs									0	0	602
Depreciation and amortization expense									2,200	2,121	2,133
Capital expenditures									1,243	1,370	823
Total assets	158,597				95,954				158,597	95,954	97,007
Operating Segments | Foil Technology Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									131,803	141,009	116,272
Operating Segments | Force Sensors
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									64,357	73,186	65,446
Operating Segments | Weighing and Control Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									87,798	85,599	72,632
Corporate/ Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									0	0	0
Gross profit									0	0	0
Segment operating income (loss)									(30,926)	(32,203)	(27,982)
Acquisition costs									0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles										0
Executive severance costs									611
Restructuring costs									166	0	508
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,283	1,014	1,010
Capital expenditures									38	147	453
Total assets	$ 19,011				$ 14,874				19,011	14,874	12,613
Intersegment revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									(5,598)	(5,820)	(4,573)
Intersegment revenues | Foil Technology Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									4,067	3,878	2,316
Intersegment revenues | Force Sensors
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									1,068	1,365	1,346
Intersegment revenues | Weighing and Control Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues									$ 463	$ 577	$ 911

Segment and Geographic Data (Op

Segment and Geographic Data (Operating Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Unallocated selling, general, and administrative expenses									$ (79,622)	$ (80,935)	$ (73,751)
Acquisition costs	$ (443)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	(443)	0	0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles	0	0	0	0	(2,820)	0	0	0	0	(2,820)	0
Executive severance costs	0	0	(611)	0	0	0	0	0	(611)	0	0
Restructuring costs									(2,293)	(289)	(2,044)
Operating income	$ 1,757	$ 6,186	$ 8,102	$ 12,603	$ 7,091	$ 10,631	$ 11,315	$ 8,186	28,648	37,223	22,488
Corporate/ Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Unallocated selling, general, and administrative expenses									(27,579)	(29,094)	(25,938)
Acquisition costs									0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles										0
Executive severance costs									(611)
Operating income									$ (30,926)	$ (32,203)	$ (27,982)

Segment and Geographic Data (Pr

Segment and Geographic Data (Property and Equipment, Net) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$ 61,270	$ 59,419
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	12,009	10,933
United Kingdom
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	4,011	3,960
Other Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	1,498	1,430
Israel
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	22,903	22,682
Asia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	19,118	19,090
Canada and Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$ 1,731	$ 1,324

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders	$ 3,871	$ 4,509	$ 5,565	$ 8,243	$ 3,418	$ 7,547	$ 7,693	$ 4,988	$ 22,188	$ 23,646	$ 14,345
Adjustment to the numerator for net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive exchangeable notes, net of tax									0	6	24
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders									$ 22,188	$ 23,652	$ 14,369
Denominator:
Weighted average shares									13,515	13,439	13,262
Effect of dilutive securities:
Exchangeable notes (in shares)									0	22	145
Restricted stock units (in shares)									82	74	64
Dilutive potential common shares (in shares)									82	96	209
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Adjusted weighted average shares									13,597	13,535	13,471
Basic earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.33	$ 0.41	$ 0.61	$ 0.25	$ 0.56	$ 0.57	$ 0.37	$ 1.64	$ 1.76	$ 1.08
Diluted earnings per share attributable to VPG stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.33	$ 0.41	$ 0.61	$ 0.25	$ 0.56	$ 0.57	$ 0.37	$ 1.63	$ 1.75	$ 1.07

Additional Financial Statemen_3

Additional Financial Statement Information (Other) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Foreign exchange loss	$ (1,638)	$ (279)	$ (724)
Interest income	622	506	167
Pension expense	(643)	(1,682)	(863)
Other	958	(41)	1,337
Other nonoperating income (expense)	$ (701)	$ (1,496)	$ (83)

Additional Financial Statemen_4

Additional Financial Statement Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Settlement loss		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (673)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Gain on liquidation of subsidiary									$ 827	$ 0	$ 0
Monthly deposits as percentage of monthly salary									8.33%
Executive severance costs	0	$ 0	$ 611	$ 0	0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 611	0	0
Other Liabilities
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Severance liability	$ 8,000				$ 7,700				8,000	7,700
Tianjin, People's Republic of China
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net proceeds from lease termination											$ 1,500
Pension Plans | Foreign Plan
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Settlement loss									$ 700
Pension Plans | United Kingdom
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Settlement loss										$ 700

Additional Financial Statemen_5

Additional Financial Statement Information (Other Accrued Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Customer advance payments	$ 4,561	$ 5,328
Accrued restructuring	604	159
Goods received, not yet invoiced	1,561	1,819
Accrued taxes, other than income taxes	1,167	2,293
Accrued commissions	2,149	2,203
Accrued professional fees	1,082	1,775
Lease liability - current	2,827
Other	5,002	3,454
Accrued liabilities, current	$ 18,953	$ 17,031

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in rabbi trusts	$ 5,169	$ 4,641
Level 1 Inputs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in rabbi trusts	53	87
Level 2 Inputs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in rabbi trusts	5,116	4,554
Level 3 Inputs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in rabbi trusts	$ 0	$ 0

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) - Vishay Intertechnology	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019facilityboard_member
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of common board members | board_member	3
Japan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Manufacturing facility	1
United States
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Manufacturing facilities leased from related party	1

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 05, 2020USD ($)officershares	May 16, 2019shares	Mar. 20, 2019shares	Mar. 13, 2019peopleshares	Dec. 31, 2019shares	Dec. 31, 2018shares	Dec. 31, 2017shares
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of people granted awards | people				3
Number of RSUs granted (in shares)		8,244	12,445	51,814	73,000	74,000	98,000
Award vesting period			3 years	3 years
Subsequent Event | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted stock units grant date fair value | $	$ 1.2
Number of RSUs granted (in shares)	44,269
Subsequent Event | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Vesting on January 1, 2023
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Award vesting rights (percentage)	25.00%
Subsequent Event | Performance Shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Subsequent Event | Executive Officer | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of people granted awards | officer	3
Subsequent Event | Executive Officer | Performance Shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Percentage of performance based units on total units approved	75.00%

Summary of Quarterly Financia_3

Summary of Quarterly Financial information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Operations data:
Net revenues	$ 69,142	$ 67,421	$ 70,870	$ 76,525	$ 76,982	$ 75,490	$ 74,231	$ 73,091	$ 283,958	$ 299,794	$ 254,350
Gross profit	24,167	25,790	28,609	33,051	30,816	30,580	31,366	28,505	111,617	121,267	98,283
Operating income	1,757	6,186	8,102	12,603	7,091	10,631	11,315	8,186	28,648	37,223	22,488
Net earnings	3,859	4,530	5,580	8,326	3,437	7,567	7,683	4,958	22,295	23,645	14,394
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)	21	15	83	19	20	(10)	(30)	107	(1)	49
Net earnings attributable to VPG stockholders	$ 3,871	$ 4,509	$ 5,565	$ 8,243	$ 3,418	$ 7,547	$ 7,693	$ 4,988	$ 22,188	$ 23,646	$ 14,345
Per Share Data:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.33	$ 0.41	$ 0.61	$ 0.25	$ 0.56	$ 0.57	$ 0.37	$ 1.64	$ 1.76	$ 1.08
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.33	$ 0.41	$ 0.61	$ 0.25	$ 0.56	$ 0.57	$ 0.37	$ 1.63	$ 1.75	$ 1.07
Certain Items Recorded during the Quarters:
Acquisition purchase accounting adjustments	$ 1,254	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Acquisition costs	443	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	$ 443	$ 0	$ 0
Executive severance costs	0	0	611	0	0	0	0	0	611	0	0
Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles	0	0	0	0	2,820	0	0	0	0	2,820	0
UK pension settlement		0	0	0	673	0	0	0
Restructuring costs	1,746	547	0	0	0	228	61	0	$ 2,293	$ 289	$ 2,044
Tax effect of reconciling items and discrete tax items	$ 3,663	$ 80	$ 0	$ 0	$ (377)	$ 35	$ 9	$ 0

Uncategorized Items - vpg-20191

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ (153,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member] | Parent [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	(153,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	(153,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] | Parent [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ 531,000