Knowles (KN) 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 01, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Knowles Corp	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001587523	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	85,038,904
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	$281,033		$296,709		$554,418		$572,827
Cost of goods sold	230,831		191,440		421,158		371,174
Restructuring charges - cost of goods sold	16,417		4,041		16,417		5,864
Gross profit	33,785		101,228		116,843		195,789
Research and development expenses	21,701		21,243		40,921		42,160
Selling and administrative expenses	51,988		45,779		104,420		95,838
Restructuring charges	4,283		5,476		4,526		6,968
Operating expenses	77,972		72,498		149,867		144,966
Operating (loss) earnings	-44,187		28,730		-33,024		50,823
Interest expense, net	1,820		12,069		2,492		24,017
Other (income) expense, net	-201		825		145		-1,134
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	-45,806		15,836		-35,661		27,940
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	33,097		-835		35,597		-626
Net (loss) earnings	($78,903)		$16,671		($71,258)		$28,566
Earnings per share:	'		'		'		'
Basic (loss) earnings per share (usd per share)	($0.93)	[1]	$0.20	[1]	($0.84)	[1]	$0.34	[1]
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (usd per share)	($0.93)	[1]	$0.20	[1]	($0.84)	[1]	$0.34	[1]
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic (in shares)	85,042,334	[1]	85,019,159	[1]	85,033,149	[1]	85,019,159	[1]
Diluted (in shares)	85,042,334	[1]	85,019,159	[1]	85,033,149	[1]	85,019,159	[1]
[1]	On February 28, 2014, Dover shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2014 received one share of Knowles common stock for every two shares of Dover's common stock held as of the record date. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for all periods through December 31, 2013 was calculated using the shares distributed on February 28, 2014.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) earnings	($78,903)	$16,671	($71,258)	$28,566
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-9,239	9,222	-10,889	-9,917
Employee benefit plans:	'	'	'	'
Actuarial losses arising during period	0	0	-115	0
Amortization or settlement of actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost	140	94	140	94
Amortization of prior service costs included in net periodic pension cost	0	2	0	2
Total employee benefit plans	140	96	25	96
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized net losses arising during period	0	-134	0	-276
Net losses reclassified into earnings	0	9	0	9
Total cash flow hedges	0	-125	0	-267
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	-9,099	9,193	-10,864	-10,088
Comprehensive (loss) earnings	($88,002)	$25,864	($82,122)	$18,478

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$44,610	$105,588
Receivables, net of allowances of $838 and $1,686	207,287	224,556
Inventories, net	155,858	149,168
Prepaid and other current assets	15,940	11,803
Deferred tax assets	8,040	10,708
Total current assets	431,735	501,823
Property, plant and equipment, net	335,670	360,997
Goodwill	958,151	961,916
Intangible assets, net	305,498	318,310
Other assets and deferred charges	41,934	27,070
Total assets	2,072,988	2,170,116
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	7,500	0
Accounts payable	155,096	143,812
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	39,051	40,918
Other accrued expenses	47,855	25,245
Federal and other taxes on income	18,446	0
Total current liabilities	267,948	209,975
Long-term debt	392,500	0
Deferred income taxes	63,735	45,891
Other liabilities	30,099	27,123
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Net Former Parent Company Investment in Knowles Corporation, prior to Separation	0	1,850,602
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 85,038,904 shares issued at June 30, 2014	850	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,367,987	0
Accumulated deficit	-68,253	0
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	18,122	36,525
Total stockholders' equity	1,318,706	36,525
Total equity	1,318,706	1,887,127
Total liabilities and equity	$2,072,988	$2,170,116

Recovered_Sheet1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$838	$1,686
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	0
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	400,000,000	0
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	85,038,904	0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings	Net Former Parent Company Investment
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,887,127	$0	$0	$0	$36,525	$1,850,602
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) earnings	-71,258	'	'	-68,253	'	-3,005
Net transfers to Former Parent Company	-470,425	'	'	'	'	-470,425
Separation-related adjustments	-19,333	'	'	'	-7,539	-11,794
Reclassification of Net Former Parent Company Investment in connection with the Separation	0	'	1,365,378	'	'	-1,365,378
Issuance of common stock at Separation	0	850	-850	'	'	'
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-10,864	'	'	'	-10,864	'
Common stock issued for the exercise of stock options	143	'	143	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,316	'	3,316	'	'	'
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$1,318,706	$850	$1,367,987	($68,253)	$18,122	$0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Activities	'	'
Net (loss) earnings	($71,258)	$28,566
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to cash from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	71,462	65,012
Non-cash restructuring related charges	20,360	0
Stock-based compensation	3,903	1,129
Other, net	928	-4,564
Cash effect of changes in assets and liabilities (excluding effects of foreign exchange):	'	'
Receivables, net	15,407	21,081
Inventories, net	-9,704	-9,235
Prepaid and other current assets	-3,587	588
Accounts payable	640	-25,067
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	-4,706	-4,449
Other accrued expenses	22,895	6,661
Accrued and deferred taxes, net	24,000	-12,046
Other non-current assets and non-current liabilities	-5,553	-10,150
Net cash provided by operating activities	64,787	57,526
Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-41,144	-58,599
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	219	4,856
Capitalized patent defense costs	-8,161	-3,417
Other investment	-8,000	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-57,086	-57,160
Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from debt	400,000	0
Debt issuance costs	-2,853	0
Net proceeds from exercise of stock-based awards	143	0
Change in Former Parent Company borrowings, net	0	-39,256
Net transfers (to) from Former Parent Company	-465,902	41,612
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-68,612	2,356
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-67	-203
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-60,978	2,519
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	105,588	10,302
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$44,610	$12,821

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Description of Business - On February 28, 2014, Knowles Corporation became an independent, publicly-traded company as a result of the distribution by Dover Corporation (“Dover” or “Former Parent”) of 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Company to Dover’s shareholders (the "Separation"). For more information regarding the Separation, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. References to “Knowles,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Knowles Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company engages in the design and manufacture of innovative products and components which serve the mobile consumer electronics, medical technology, telecommunications infrastructure, military/space and other industrial end markets.
	Financial Statement Presentation - The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements should therefore be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014.
	The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may differ from those estimates. The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for these interim periods. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company corrected its incentive compensation accrual to reflect the actual amounts paid for 2013 incentive compensation, which increased earnings before income taxes by $1,420 ($923 net of tax), and tax expense associated with foreign taxes due on 2012 royalty income, which decreased net earnings by $1,100. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company corrected its severance accrual to include agreements executed in 2013, which decreased earnings before income taxes by $2,105 ($1,579 net of tax).  These items are not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements for any impacted period. In addition, certain prior period amounts on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
	Prior to the Separation on February 28, 2014, the Company’s financial statements were prepared on a stand-alone basis and were derived from Dover’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. The financial statements for those periods include allocations of costs that were incurred by Dover for functions such as corporate human resources, finance and legal, including the costs of salaries, benefits and other related costs. These expenses have been allocated to Knowles based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenues, headcount, or other measures. Knowles considers the expense allocation methodology reasonable. However, the allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses had Knowles operated as an independent, publicly-traded company for all periods presented. These allocations, which ceased as of the Separation date, totaled $3,368 and $11,965 during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements - During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company identified a classification error in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows whereby accrued capital expenditures and accrued patent defense costs were incorrectly classified as Additions to property, plant and equipment and Capitalized patent defense costs, respectively, within investing activities. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows presented herein have been revised to reflect the correction of this error. The results of this correction were an increase in net cash used in investing activities of $16,673 in the six months ending June 30, 2013, with an offsetting increase from net cash provided by operating activities during the same period. This classification error is not considered material to the six months ending June 30, 2013.
	Related Party Transactions - Knowles made a cash payment of $400,000 to Dover immediately prior to the Separation, which is reflected in Net transfers (to) from Former Parent Company on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and in Net transfers to Former Parent Company on the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity. In connection with a tax matters agreement entered into with Dover as part of the Separation, the Company had $1,685 recorded in accounts payable at June 30, 2014, which will be paid in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	Separation-related Adjustments - During the six months ended June 30, 2014, certain Separation-related adjustments were recorded in stockholders' equity, principally due to the transfer of certain pension plan liabilities from Dover upon the legal split of those plans, as well as to adjust the Company's income tax balances to reflect the Company's post-Separation stand-alone income tax positions. In addition, because the historical financial statements were derived from Dover’s accounting records, included in the Separation-related adjustments were adjustments to foreign currency translation adjustments to reflect the appropriate opening balances related to Knowles' legal entities at the Separation date.
	Non-cash Investing Activities - Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable at June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $16,919 and $6,877, respectively. In addition, legal costs incurred in the defense of the Company's patents included in accounts payable at June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $7,123 and $781, respectively. These non-cash amounts are not reflected as outflows to Additions to property, plant and equipment or Capitalized patent defense costs within investing activities of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the respective periods.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventories, net	'
	Inventories, net
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Raw materials	$	63,153		$	55,870
	Work in progress	32,585			29,886
	Finished goods	95,773			92,048
	Subtotal	191,511			177,804
	Less reserves	(35,653		)	(28,636		)
	Total	$	155,858		$	149,168

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n

Property, Plant and Equipment, net	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	12,365		$	12,238
	Buildings and improvements	104,615			85,815
	Machinery, equipment and other	652,562			678,386
	Subtotal	769,542			776,439
	Less accumulated depreciation	(433,872		)	(415,442		)
	Total	$	335,670		$	360,997

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The following table provides the changes in carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Mobile Consumer Electronics			Specialty Components			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	776,349		$	185,567		$	961,916
	Foreign currency translation	(3,497		)	(268		)	(3,765		)
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	772,852		$	185,299		$	958,151
	The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:
		June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	8,158		$	1,752		$	8,264		$	1,503
	Patents	48,688			9,646			47,543			17,549
	Customer Relationships	425,822			198,745			429,429			181,232
	Unpatented Technologies	65,742			64,857			65,757			64,574
	Other	1,564			1,476			1,564			1,389
	Total	549,974			276,476			552,557			266,247
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	32,000						32,000
	Total intangible assets, net	$	305,498					$	318,310
	Amortization expense totaled $10,826 and $12,271 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense was $21,537 and $23,984, respectively.

Restructuring_and_Related_Acti

Restructuring and Related Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Activities	'
	Restructuring and Related Activities
	Vienna action
	On April 1, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the cessation of manufacturing operations at the Company's Vienna, Austria facility as part of the Company's previously-announced plan to consolidate its manufacturing footprint. A summary of the pre-tax charge and remaining costs associated with the action, which was substantially complete by June 30, 2014, is as follows:
		Total Program			Recognized as of June 30, 2014			Remaining Costs to be Recognized
	Severance pay and benefits	$	15,883		$	12,555		$	3,328
	Contract termination and other costs	5,522			4,515			1,007
	Total	$	21,405		$	17,070		$	4,335
	Of the restructuring charges incurred to date, $12,506 were classified as Cost of goods sold and $4,564 were classified as Operating expenses on the respective Restructuring charges lines on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. These charges all relate to cash expenditures, the majority of which will be paid during the remainder of 2014.
	In conjunction with this restructuring action, the Company also accelerated depreciation on fixed assets and recorded inventory charges related to product lines that were exited of $20,360. These non-cash costs were classified as Cost of goods sold on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	The Company anticipates annual savings of $25,000 to $30,000 associated with this action beginning during the third quarter of 2014, mainly due to reduced salary and fixed asset depreciation expenses.
	Other actions
	In line with the Company's previously announced plans to consolidate its manufacturing footprint, the Company also had other actions underway during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 that are designed to better align the Company's operations with current market conditions through targeted facility consolidations, headcount reductions and other measures to further optimize operations. These actions included programs to transfer the Company's hearing health business and certain of its North American based capacitor business into new and existing lower-cost Asian manufacturing facilities as well as to reduce headcount in the consumer electronics business.
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the restructuring charges were related to the reduction in headcount within the Company's German and North American operations that serve the telecom infrastructure market in order to better align the business with current market dynamics, the migration of the Company's U.K. based capacitor production into existing Asian manufacturing facilities, and the integration of activities within the consumer electronics business.
	The following table details restructuring charges incurred by reportable segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Mobile Consumer Electronics	$	18,111		$	4,718		$	18,111		$	6,916
	Specialty Components	2,589			4,799			2,832			5,916
	Total	$	20,700		$	9,517		$	20,943		$	12,832
	The following table details the Company’s severance and other restructuring accrual activity:
		Severance Pay and Benefits			Contract Termination and Other Costs			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	5,000		$	534		$	5,534
	Restructuring charges	15,907			5,036			20,943
	Payments	(5,220		)	(529		)	(5,749		)
	Other, including foreign currency	767			11			778
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	16,454		$	5,052		$	21,506
	The severance and restructuring accruals are recorded in the following accounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
			30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Other accrued expenses		19,669			$	5,534
	Other liabilities (1)		1,837			—
	Total		$	21,506		$	5,534
	(1) This represents the long-term portion of the charges associated with lease obligations, net of reasonably obtainable sublease income.

Borrowings

Borrowings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Borrowings	'
	Borrowings
	On January 27, 2014, the Company entered into a $200,000 five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, as well as a $300,000 five-year senior secured term loan facility, which are referred to collectively as the “Credit Facilities.” In connection with the Separation from Dover, the Company incurred $100,000 of borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $300,000 of borrowings under the term loan facility, in each case to finance a cash payment to Dover immediately prior to the Separation.
	Borrowings at June 30, 2014 consist of the following:
		June 30, 2014
	Term Loan	$	300,000
	Revolving Credit Facility	100,000
	Total	400,000
	Less: current maturities	7,500
	Total long-term debt	$	392,500
	The Credit Facilities include a requirement, to be tested quarterly, that the Company maintains both (i) a minimum ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of 3.25 to 1.0 and (ii) a maximum ratio of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of 3.25 to 1.0. For these ratios, consolidated EBITDA and consolidated interest expense are calculated using the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters in a manner defined in the credit agreement. At June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and it expects to remain in compliance with all of its debt covenants over the next twelve months.
	The interest rate under the Credit Facilities is variable based on LIBOR at the time of the borrowing and the Company's leverage as measured by a total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA ratio. Based upon the Company's total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA ratio, the Company's borrowing rate could range from LIBOR + 1.25% to LIBOR + 2.25%. At June 30, 2014, the interest rate for the Credit Facilities was 1.65%.
	Interest expense and interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest expense	$	1,832		$	13,107		$	2,515		$	26,129
	Interest income	(12		)	(1,038		)	(23		)	(2,112		)
	Interest expense, net	$	1,820		$	12,069		$	2,492		$	24,017
	The interest expense, net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 primarily relates to interest expense on the net notes payable with Dover that were settled during the fourth quarter of 2013 in anticipation of the Separation.

Other_Comprehensive_Loss_Earni

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings	'
	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings
	The amounts recognized in other comprehensive (loss) earnings were as follows:
		Three Months Ended												Three Months Ended
		30-Jun-14												30-Jun-13
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax				Pre-tax				Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation	$	(9,239	)						$	(9,239	)		$	9,222						$	9,222
	Employee benefit plans	215				(75		)		140				127				(31		)	96
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	—				—				—				(192		)		67			(125		)
	Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings	$	(9,024	)		$	(75	)		$	(9,099	)		$	9,157			$	36		$	9,193
		Six Months Ended												Six Months Ended
		30-Jun-14												30-Jun-13
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax				Pre-tax				Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation	$	(10,889	)						$	(10,889	)		$	(9,917	)					$	(9,917	)
	Employee benefit plans	38				(13		)		25				127				(31		)	96
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	—				—				—				(410		)		143			(267		)
	Total other comprehensive loss	$	(10,851	)		$	(13	)		$	(10,864	)		$	(10,200	)		$	112		$	(10,088	)
	The following tables summarize the changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments				Employee benefit plans				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	44,379			$	(7,854	)		$	36,525
	Other comprehensive loss		(10,889		)		25				(10,864		)
	Separation-related adjustments		(7,204		)		(335		)		(7,539		)
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	26,286			$	(8,164	)		$	18,122
			Cash flow hedges				Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments				Employee benefit plans				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	—			$	11,784			$	(8,019	)		$	3,765
	Other comprehensive loss		(267		)		(9,917		)		96				(10,088		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013		$	(267	)		$	1,867			$	(7,923	)		$	(6,323	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes for the interim periods presented have been included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements on the basis of an estimated annual effective tax rate ("ETR"). The determination of the consolidated provision for income taxes requires management to make certain judgments and estimates. Changes in the estimated level of annual pre-tax earnings, tax laws, and changes resulting from tax audits can affect the overall effective income tax rate, which impacts the level of income tax expense and net income. Judgments and estimates related to the Company’s projections and assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, actual results could differ materially from projections. The year-to-date ETR deviates from the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the taxing jurisdictions in which the Company and its foreign subsidiaries generate taxable income or loss, the favorable impact of its tax holidays in Malaysia and judgments as to the realizability of the Company’s deferred tax assets.
	The Company's ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was (72.3)% and (99.8)%, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the ETR was impacted by discrete items totaling $32,716 and $35,708, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $36,793 on certain foreign subsidiaries' net deferred tax assets, primarily net operating losses, as the Company believes it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized, which was partially offset by a benefit related to an additional Malaysia tax holiday of $4,352. This tax holiday provides a full income tax exemption on certain MEMS manufacturing income for a ten year period commencing on July 26, 2011. This tax holiday is contingent on the Company meeting specified criteria, including investment in fixed assets and research and development activities. The benefit of this tax holiday for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was $0.06 per share. This benefit primarily relates to 2013; however, it was recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2014 because that is when the Company received approval of the tax holiday from the relevant taxing authority.
	The ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was (5.3)% and (2.2)%, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the ETR was impacted by net discrete tax items, principally related to the conclusion of certain international tax audits.
	Absent the discrete items, the ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was (0.8)% and 0.3%, respectively. Absent the discrete items, the ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was (2.8)%. The change in the ETR, excluding the discrete items, was due to the mix of earnings and losses by taxing jurisdictions.
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company’s income tax balances were adjusted to reflect the Company’s post-Separation stand-alone income tax positions, including those related to tax loss and credit carryforwards, other deferred tax assets and valuation allowances. These Separation-related adjustments resulted in a $10,066 increase to the net deferred tax liability, primarily due to a decrease in tax loss and credit carryforwards, partially offset by a decrease in the Company's valuation allowances. The increase in the net deferred tax liability was offset by a corresponding decrease in Net Former Parent Company Investment.

Equity_Incentive_Program

Equity Incentive Program	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Equity Incentive Program	'
	Equity Incentive Program
	Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings totaled $2,417 and $564 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, stock-based compensation expense was $3,903 and $1,129, respectively. Prior to the Separation, stock-based compensation expense was allocated to Knowles based on the portion of Dover's equity incentive program in which Knowles employees participated.
	Adopted in connection with the Separation, Knowles' Equity and Cash Incentive Plan provides for the assumption of certain awards granted under Dover's equity incentive program and authorizes the grant of several different forms of benefits, including stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), and stock-settled stock appreciation rights ("SSARs").
	In connection with the Separation, Dover equity awards previously granted to employees of the Company were converted to Knowles equity awards under the Company's Equity and Cash Incentive Plan. In general, each award is subject to the same terms and conditions as were in effect prior to the Separation, except that Dover performance shares converted to time-based RSUs. In addition, the Company made a grant comprised of both stock options and time-based RSUs that will vest 50% on the third and fourth anniversaries from the date of the grant. The Company also made a grant of both stock options and time-based RSUs that will vest evenly over the next three years. Lastly, the independent directors received a grant of Company shares that vested immediately, receipt of which was deferred by some of the recipients. The Company has elected to use the straight-line method to attribute the expense over the service period of the awards.
	Stock Options
	The expense related to stock options granted in the six months ended June 30, 2014, was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the assumptions shown in the table below. There were no stock options granted in the three months ended June 30, 2014.
	Risk-free interest rate	1.32	%	to	1.63%
	Dividend yield	—%
	Expected life (years)	4.5		to	5.3
	Volatility	44.4	%	to	49.90%
	Fair value at date of grant	$11.25		to	$13.50
	The following table summarizes the Company's SSAR and stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014.
		SSARs								Stock Options
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	—			$	—				—		$	—
	Converted	1,085,643			20.85					13,680		12.65
	Granted	—			—					1,291,995		29.53
	Exercised	—			—					(11,280	)	12.65
	Forfeited	—			—					(4,000	)	29.53
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	1,085,643			$	20.85	$	10,742	7.3	1,290,395		$	29.5	$	1,602	6.7
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014	393,527			$	17.33	$	5,277	5.7	2,400		$	12.65	$	43	0.6
	Unrecognized compensation expense related to SSARs and stock options not yet exercisable at June 30, 2014 was $1,720 and $14,614, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years for SSARs and 2.5 years for stock options.
	RSUs
	The following table summarizes the Company's RSU balances for the six months ended June 30, 2014.
		Share units			Weighted-average grant date fair value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	—			$	—
	Converted (1)	21,557			12.36
	Granted	361,674			29.53
	Forfeited	(1,016	)		29.53
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	382,215			$	28.56
	(1) The weighted-average grant date fair value is equal to the fair value at the date of conversion as opposed to the fair value when originally issued under Dover's plan.
	At June 30, 2014, $9,954 of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.
	Director Awards
	On March 7, 2014, the independent directors received grants totaling 16,930 shares with a grant date fair value of $29.53 per share. These shares vested immediately upon issuance.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the information used in computing basic and diluted shares outstanding and amounts used in computing the respective earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Net (loss) earnings	$	(78,903	)	$	16,671	$	(71,258	)	$	28,566
	Basic (loss) earnings per common share:
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (1)	85,042,334			85,019,159		85,033,149			85,019,159
	Basic (loss) earnings per share (1)	$	(0.93	)	$	0.2	$	(0.84	)	$	0.34
	Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (1)	85,042,334			85,019,159		85,033,149			85,019,159
	Dilutive effect of stock-based awards	—			—		—			—
	Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (1)	85,042,334			85,019,159		85,033,149			85,019,159
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share (1)	$	(0.93	)	$	0.2	$	(0.84	)	$	0.34
	(1) On February 28, 2014, Dover shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2014 received one share of Knowles common stock for every two shares of Dover's common stock held as of the record date. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for all periods through December 31, 2013 was calculated using the shares distributed on February 28, 2014.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the weighted-average number of anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the calculation above was 1,750,303 and 1,124,110, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	'
	Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
	The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, claims and investigations arising in the normal course of its business, including those related to intellectual property which may be owned by it or others. The Company owns many patents which cover products, technology and manufacturing processes. Some of these patents have been and, the Company expects, will continue to be challenged by others. In appropriate cases, the Company has taken and will take steps to protect and defend its patents and other intellectual property, including through the use of legal proceedings in various jurisdictions around the world. Such steps may result in retaliatory legal proceedings, including litigation or other legal proceedings in various forums and jurisdictions around the world alleging infringement by the Company of patents owned by others. The costs of investigations and legal proceedings, particularly multi-forum litigation, relating to the enforcement and defense of the Company’s intellectual property may be material. Additionally, in multi-forum disputes the Company may incur adverse judgments with regard to certain claims in certain forums while still contesting other related claims against the same opposing party in other forums. Based on the strength of its intellectual property and its prior experience enforcing it, the Company's current assessment is that the ultimate disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on its operating results or financial condition. The Company will periodically review the probable outcome of such proceedings, their impact on its operations, the associated costs and expenses incurred and reasonably expected to be incurred, and the amounts accrued.
	In addition, the Company may, on a limited, customer specific basis, provide contractual indemnities for certain losses that arise out of claims that its products infringe the intellectual property of others. Historically, the Company has not made significant payments under such indemnity arrangements. At June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s legal reserves were not significant.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	Knowles is organized into two reportable segments based on how management analyzes performance, allocates capital and makes strategic and operational decisions. These segments were determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280 - Segment Reporting and include (i) Mobile Consumer Electronics and (ii) Specialty Components. The segments are aligned around similar product applications serving Knowles' key end markets to enhance focus on end market growth strategies.
	•	Mobile Consumer Electronics designs and manufactures innovative acoustic products, including microphones, speakers, receivers and integrated audio solutions, used in several applications that serve the handset, tablet and other consumer electronic markets.
	•	Specialty Components specializes in the design and manufacture of specialized electronic components used in medical and life science applications, as well as high-performance solutions and components used in communications infrastructure and a wide variety of other markets. Specialty Components' transducer products are used principally in hearing aid applications within the commercial audiology markets, while its oscillator products predominantly serve the telecom infrastructure market and its capacitor products are used in applications including radio, radar, satellite, power supplies, transceivers and medical implants serving the defense, aerospace, telecommunication, and life sciences markets.
	Information regarding the Company's reportable segments is as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue:
	Mobile Consumer Electronics	$	166,743		$	189,655		$	330,733		$	359,426
	Specialty Components	114,300			107,063			223,706			213,427
	Intra-segment eliminations	(10		)	(9		)	(21		)	(26		)
	Total consolidated revenue	$	281,033		$	296,709		$	554,418		$	572,827
	(Loss) earnings before interest and income taxes: (1)
	Mobile Consumer Electronics	$	(47,535	)	$	26,993		$	(40,683	)	$	47,389
	Specialty Components	14,832			11,748			30,532			26,538
	Total segments	(32,703		)	38,741			(10,151		)	73,927
	Corporate expense / other	11,283			10,836			23,018			21,970
	Interest expense, net	1,820			12,069			2,492			24,017
	(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(45,806		)	15,836			(35,661		)	27,940
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	33,097			(835		)	35,597			(626		)
	Net (loss) earnings	$	(78,903	)	$	16,671		$	(71,258	)	$	28,566
	(1) During the first quarter of 2014, the Company began using earnings before interest and income taxes as the measure to make decisions about allocating resources to segments and assessing segment performance instead of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Recent_Accounting_Standards

Recent Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Standards	'
	Recent Accounting Standards
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09 that introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, which includes amendments that change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations - that is, a major effect on the organization's operations and financial results - should be presented as discontinued operations. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. Additionally, the ASU requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This update will be effective for Knowles in the first quarter of 2015. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, which provides that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. This standard is effective for Knowles for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company's adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 which requires additional disclosures regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The Company's adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_Basis_of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting Policy	'
	Financial Statement Presentation - The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements should therefore be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014.
	The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may differ from those estimates. The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for these interim periods.
Consolidation Policy	'
	Prior to the Separation on February 28, 2014, the Company’s financial statements were prepared on a stand-alone basis and were derived from Dover’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. The financial statements for those periods include allocations of costs that were incurred by Dover for functions such as corporate human resources, finance and legal, including the costs of salaries, benefits and other related costs. These expenses have been allocated to Knowles based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenues, headcount, or other measures. Knowles considers the expense allocation methodology reasonable. However, the allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses had Knowles operated as an independent, publicly-traded company for all periods presented.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Components of Inventory	'
	Inventories, net
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Raw materials	$	63,153		$	55,870
	Work in progress	32,585			29,886
	Finished goods	95,773			92,048
	Subtotal	191,511			177,804
	Less reserves	(35,653		)	(28,636		)
	Total	$	155,858		$	149,168

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Components of property, plant and equipment, net	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Land	$	12,365		$	12,238
	Buildings and improvements	104,615			85,815
	Machinery, equipment and other	652,562			678,386
	Subtotal	769,542			776,439
	Less accumulated depreciation	(433,872		)	(415,442		)
	Total	$	335,670		$	360,997

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill	'
	The following table provides the changes in carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Mobile Consumer Electronics			Specialty Components			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	776,349		$	185,567		$	961,916
	Foreign currency translation	(3,497		)	(268		)	(3,765		)
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	772,852		$	185,299		$	958,151
Schedule of Intangible Assets	'
	The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:
		June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	$	8,158		$	1,752		$	8,264		$	1,503
	Patents	48,688			9,646			47,543			17,549
	Customer Relationships	425,822			198,745			429,429			181,232
	Unpatented Technologies	65,742			64,857			65,757			64,574
	Other	1,564			1,476			1,564			1,389
	Total	549,974			276,476			552,557			266,247
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Trademarks	32,000						32,000
	Total intangible assets, net	$	305,498					$	318,310

Restructuring_ActivitiesTables

Restructuring Activities(Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Costs Recognized and Remaining Costs	'
	A summary of the pre-tax charge and remaining costs associated with the action, which was substantially complete by June 30, 2014, is as follows:
		Total Program			Recognized as of June 30, 2014			Remaining Costs to be Recognized
	Severance pay and benefits	$	15,883		$	12,555		$	3,328
	Contract termination and other costs	5,522			4,515			1,007
	Total	$	21,405		$	17,070		$	4,335
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	The following table details restructuring charges incurred by reportable segment for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Mobile Consumer Electronics	$	18,111		$	4,718		$	18,111		$	6,916
	Specialty Components	2,589			4,799			2,832			5,916
	Total	$	20,700		$	9,517		$	20,943		$	12,832
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table details the Company’s severance and other restructuring accrual activity:
		Severance Pay and Benefits			Contract Termination and Other Costs			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	5,000		$	534		$	5,534
	Restructuring charges	15,907			5,036			20,943
	Payments	(5,220		)	(529		)	(5,749		)
	Other, including foreign currency	767			11			778
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	16,454		$	5,052		$	21,506
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Balance Sheet Location	'
	The severance and restructuring accruals are recorded in the following accounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
			30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Other accrued expenses		19,669			$	5,534
	Other liabilities (1)		1,837			—
	Total		$	21,506		$	5,534
	(1) This represents the long-term portion of the charges associated with lease obligations, net of reasonably obtainable sublease income.

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	'
	Borrowings at June 30, 2014 consist of the following:
		June 30, 2014
	Term Loan	$	300,000
	Revolving Credit Facility	100,000
	Total	400,000
	Less: current maturities	7,500
	Total long-term debt	$	392,500
Schedule of Interest expense and interest income	'
	Interest expense and interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest expense	$	1,832		$	13,107		$	2,515		$	26,129
	Interest income	(12		)	(1,038		)	(23		)	(2,112		)
	Interest expense, net	$	1,820		$	12,069		$	2,492		$	24,017

Other_Comprehensive_Earnings_T

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Components of other comprehensive (loss) earnings	'
	The amounts recognized in other comprehensive (loss) earnings were as follows:
		Three Months Ended												Three Months Ended
		30-Jun-14												30-Jun-13
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax				Pre-tax				Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation	$	(9,239	)						$	(9,239	)		$	9,222						$	9,222
	Employee benefit plans	215				(75		)		140				127				(31		)	96
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	—				—				—				(192		)		67			(125		)
	Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings	$	(9,024	)		$	(75	)		$	(9,099	)		$	9,157			$	36		$	9,193
		Six Months Ended												Six Months Ended
		30-Jun-14												30-Jun-13
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax				Pre-tax				Tax			Net of tax
	Foreign currency translation	$	(10,889	)						$	(10,889	)		$	(9,917	)					$	(9,917	)
	Employee benefit plans	38				(13		)		25				127				(31		)	96
	Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges	—				—				—				(410		)		143			(267		)
	Total other comprehensive loss	$	(10,851	)		$	(13	)		$	(10,864	)		$	(10,200	)		$	112		$	(10,088	)
Schedule of (Loss) Earnings	'
	The following tables summarize the changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments				Employee benefit plans				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	44,379			$	(7,854	)		$	36,525
	Other comprehensive loss		(10,889		)		25				(10,864		)
	Separation-related adjustments		(7,204		)		(335		)		(7,539		)
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	26,286			$	(8,164	)		$	18,122
			Cash flow hedges				Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments				Employee benefit plans				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	—			$	11,784			$	(8,019	)		$	3,765
	Other comprehensive loss		(267		)		(9,917		)		96				(10,088		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013		$	(267	)		$	1,867			$	(7,923	)		$	(6,323	)

Equity_Incentive_Program_Table

Equity Incentive Program (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Assumptions	'
	The expense related to stock options granted in the six months ended June 30, 2014, was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the assumptions shown in the table below. There were no stock options granted in the three months ended June 30, 2014.
	Risk-free interest rate	1.32	%	to	1.63%
	Dividend yield	—%
	Expected life (years)	4.5		to	5.3
	Volatility	44.4	%	to	49.90%
	Fair value at date of grant	$11.25		to	$13.50
Schedule of SSAR and Stock Options Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the Company's SSAR and stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014.
		SSARs								Stock Options
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	—			$	—				—		$	—
	Converted	1,085,643			20.85					13,680		12.65
	Granted	—			—					1,291,995		29.53
	Exercised	—			—					(11,280	)	12.65
	Forfeited	—			—					(4,000	)	29.53
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	1,085,643			$	20.85	$	10,742	7.3	1,290,395		$	29.5	$	1,602	6.7
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014	393,527			$	17.33	$	5,277	5.7	2,400		$	12.65	$	43	0.6
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the Company's RSU balances for the six months ended June 30, 2014.
		Share units			Weighted-average grant date fair value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	—			$	—
	Converted (1)	21,557			12.36
	Granted	361,674			29.53
	Forfeited	(1,016	)		29.53
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	382,215			$	28.56
	(1) The weighted-average grant date fair value is equal to the fair value at the date of conversion as opposed to the fair value when originally issued under Dover's plan.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the information used in computing basic and diluted shares outstanding and amounts used in computing the respective earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Net (loss) earnings	$	(78,903	)	$	16,671	$	(71,258	)	$	28,566
	Basic (loss) earnings per common share:
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (1)	85,042,334			85,019,159		85,033,149			85,019,159
	Basic (loss) earnings per share (1)	$	(0.93	)	$	0.2	$	(0.84	)	$	0.34
	Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (1)	85,042,334			85,019,159		85,033,149			85,019,159
	Dilutive effect of stock-based awards	—			—		—			—
	Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (1)	85,042,334			85,019,159		85,033,149			85,019,159
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share (1)	$	(0.93	)	$	0.2	$	(0.84	)	$	0.34
	(1) On February 28, 2014, Dover shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2014 received one share of Knowles common stock for every two shares of Dover's common stock held as of the record date. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for all periods through December 31, 2013 was calculated using the shares distributed on February 28, 2014.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Revenue and Earnings from continuing operations by market segment	'
	Information regarding the Company's reportable segments is as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue:
	Mobile Consumer Electronics	$	166,743		$	189,655		$	330,733		$	359,426
	Specialty Components	114,300			107,063			223,706			213,427
	Intra-segment eliminations	(10		)	(9		)	(21		)	(26		)
	Total consolidated revenue	$	281,033		$	296,709		$	554,418		$	572,827
	(Loss) earnings before interest and income taxes: (1)
	Mobile Consumer Electronics	$	(47,535	)	$	26,993		$	(40,683	)	$	47,389
	Specialty Components	14,832			11,748			30,532			26,538
	Total segments	(32,703		)	38,741			(10,151		)	73,927
	Corporate expense / other	11,283			10,836			23,018			21,970
	Interest expense, net	1,820			12,069			2,492			24,017
	(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(45,806		)	15,836			(35,661		)	27,940
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	33,097			(835		)	35,597			(626		)
	Net (loss) earnings	$	(78,903	)	$	16,671		$	(71,258	)	$	28,566
	(1) During the first quarter of 2014, the Company began using earnings before interest and income taxes as the measure to make decisions about allocating resources to segments and assessing segment performance instead of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
			Incentive Compensation Accrual, Before Tax	Incentive Compensation Accrual, After Tax	Tax Expense Due on Royalty Income	Severance Accrual, Before Tax	Severance Accrual, After Tax
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in estimate	'	'	($1,420)	($923)	$1,100	$2,105	$1,579
Allocated expenses	3,368	11,965	'	'	'	'	'
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	'	-16,673	'	'	'	'	'
Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable	16,919	6,877	'	'	'	'	'
Noncash capitalized patent defense costs	$7,123	$781	'	'	'	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_Related_

Basis of Presentation Related Party Transactions (Details) (Dover, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Dover	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Cash Paid to Parent Company prior to Separation	$400,000
Accounts payable, former parent	$1,685

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$63,153	$55,870
Work in progress	32,585	29,886
Finished goods	95,773	92,048
Subtotal	191,511	177,804
Less reserves	-35,653	-28,636
Total	$155,858	$149,168

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$769,542	$776,439
Accumulated depreciation	-433,872	-415,442
Total	335,670	360,997
Land	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	12,365	12,238
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	104,615	85,815
Machinery, equipment and other	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$652,562	$678,386

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning balance	$961,916
Foreign currency translation	-3,765
Ending balance	958,151
Mobile Consumer Electronics	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning balance	776,349
Foreign currency translation	-3,497
Ending balance	772,852
Specialty Components	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning balance	185,567
Foreign currency translation	-268
Ending balance	$185,299

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets and Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$549,974	'	$549,974	'	$552,557
Accumulated Amortization	276,476	'	276,476	'	266,247
Intangible assets, net	305,498	'	305,498	'	318,310
Amortization expense	10,826	12,271	21,537	23,984	'
Trademarks	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	8,158	'	8,158	'	8,264
Accumulated Amortization	1,752	'	1,752	'	1,503
Patents	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	48,688	'	48,688	'	47,543
Accumulated Amortization	9,646	'	9,646	'	17,549
Customer Relationships	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	425,822	'	425,822	'	429,429
Accumulated Amortization	198,745	'	198,745	'	181,232
Unpatented Technologies	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	65,742	'	65,742	'	65,757
Accumulated Amortization	64,857	'	64,857	'	64,574
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,564	'	1,564	'	1,564
Accumulated Amortization	$1,476	'	$1,476	'	$1,389

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) (Trademarks, USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Trademarks	'	'
Unamortized intangible assets:	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$32,000	$32,000

Restructuring_and_Related_Acti1

Restructuring and Related Activities Costs Recognized and Remaining Costs (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	$20,943
Severance Pay and Benefits	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	15,907
Contract Termination and Other Costs	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	5,036
Vienna Action	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Total Program	21,405
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	17,070
Remaining Costs to be Recognized	4,335
Vienna Action | Minimum	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Anticipated annual savings	25,000
Vienna Action | Maximum	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Anticipated annual savings	30,000
Vienna Action | Cost of Goods Sold, Restructuring Charges	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	12,506
Vienna Action | Restructuring Charges	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	4,564
Vienna Action | Cost of Goods Sold	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Accelerated depreciation and inventory charges	20,360
Vienna Action | Severance Pay and Benefits	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Total Program	15,883
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	12,555
Remaining Costs to be Recognized	3,328
Vienna Action | Contract Termination and Other Costs	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Total Program	5,522
Recognized as of June 30, 2014	4,515
Remaining Costs to be Recognized	$1,007

Restructuring_Activities_Detai

Restructuring Activities (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Other accrued expenses

Other accrued expenses

Other liabilities

Other liabilities

Severance Pay and Benefits

Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Severance Pay and Contract Termination and Other Costs

Mobile Consumer Electronics

Mobile Consumer Electronics

Mobile Consumer Electronics

Mobile Consumer Electronics

Specialty Components

Specialty Components

Specialty Components

Specialty Components

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charges

$4,283

$5,476

$4,526

$6,968

'

'

'

'

'

'

$20,700

$9,517

$20,943

$12,832

$18,111

$4,718

$18,111

$6,916

$2,589

$4,799

$2,832

$5,916

Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance

'

'

5,534

'

19,669

5,534

1,837

[1]

0

[1]

5,000

534

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charges

'

'

20,943

'

'

'

'

'

15,907

5,036

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments

'

'

-5,749

'

'

'

'

'

-5,220

-529

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other, including foreign currency

'

'

778

'

'

'

'

'

767

11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance

$21,506

'

$21,506

'

$19,669

$5,534

$1,837

[1]

$0

[1]

$16,454

$5,052

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

This represents the long-term portion of the charges associated with lease obligations, net of reasonably obtainable sublease income.

Restructuring_and_Related_Acti2

Restructuring and Related Activities Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'		'
Severance and restructuring accrual	$21,506		$5,534
Other accrued expenses	'		'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'		'
Severance and restructuring accrual	19,669		5,534
Other liabilities	'		'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'		'
Severance and restructuring accrual	$1,837	[1]	$0	[1]
[1]	This represents the long-term portion of the charges associated with lease obligations, net of reasonably obtainable sublease income.

Borrowings_Details

Borrowings (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 27, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 27, 2014

Jan. 27, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 27, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Credit Facilities

Credit Facilities

Credit Facilities

Credit Facilities

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Senior Secured Note Issued January 2014

Senior Secured Note Issued January 2014

Senior Secured Note Issued January 2014

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Minimum

Maximum

Long-term borrowings [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt term

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior secured term loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

400,000,000

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Less: current maturities

7,500,000

'

7,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt (noncurrent)

392,500,000

'

392,500,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt covenant, EBITDA to interest ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25

'

'

'

Debt covenant, debt to EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

2.25%

Interest rate at period end

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.65%

'

'

Interest expense

1,832,000

13,107,000

2,515,000

26,129,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income

-12,000

-1,038,000

-23,000

-2,112,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense, net

$1,820,000

$12,069,000

$2,492,000

$24,017,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other_Comprehensive_Earnings_D

Other Comprehensive Earnings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, before tax	($9,239)	$9,222	($10,889)	($9,917)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	-9,239	9,222	-10,889	-9,917
Employee benefit plans:	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit plans, before Tax	215	127	38	127
Employee benefit plans, Tax	-75	-31	-13	-31
Total employee benefit plans	140	96	25	96
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges:	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, before tax	0	-192	0	-410
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, tax	0	67	0	143
Total cash flow hedges	0	-125	0	-267
Total other comprehensive earnings [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before tax	-9,024	9,157	-10,851	-10,200
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), tax	-75	36	-13	112
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	-9,099	9,193	-10,864	-10,088
Cash flow hedges	'	'	'	'
Total other comprehensive earnings [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	'	'	'	-267
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	'	'	-10,889	-9,917
Total other comprehensive earnings [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	'	'	-10,889	-9,917
Employee benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Total other comprehensive earnings [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax	'	'	$25	$96

Other_Comprehensive_Loss_Earni1

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings Changes in Balances of Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	$36,525	$3,765
Other comprehensive loss	-9,099	9,193	-10,864	-10,088
Separation-related adjustments	'	'	-19,333	'
Ending balance	18,122	-6,323	18,122	-6,323
Cash flow hedges	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	'	0
Other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	-267
Ending balance	'	-267	'	-267
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	44,379	11,784
Other comprehensive loss	'	'	-10,889	-9,917
Separation-related adjustments	'	'	-7,204	'
Ending balance	26,286	1,867	26,286	1,867
Employee benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	-7,854	-8,019
Other comprehensive loss	'	'	25	96
Separation-related adjustments	'	'	-335	'
Ending balance	-8,164	-7,923	-8,164	-7,923
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Separation-related adjustments	'	'	($7,539)	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Holiday [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	-72.30%	-5.30%	-99.80%	-2.20%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, discrete items	$32,716	'	$35,708	'
Valuation allowance	36,793	'	'	'
Pre-discrete tax rate	-0.80%	-2.80%	0.30%	-2.80%
Increase in deferred tax liability	'	'	10,066	'
Foreign Tax Authority	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Holiday [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax holiday	$4,352	'	'	'
Holiday benefit (usd per share)	$0.06	'	$0.06	'

Equity_Incentive_Program_Stock

Equity Incentive Program - Stock Options and SSARs (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
SSARs	'
SSARs, Number of Shares	'
Beginning balance	0
Converted	1,085,643
Granted	0
Ending balance	1,085,643
Exercisable	393,527
SSARs, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'
Beginning balance	$0
Converted	$20.85
Granted	$0
Ending balance	$20.85
Exercisable	$17.33
SARS and Options, Additional Disclosures	'
SSARs, aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding	$10,742
SSARs, aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable	5,277
SSARs, weighted average remaining contractual terms, outstanding	'7 years 4 months
SSARs, weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable	'5 years 8 months
Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]	'
Dividend yield	0.00%
Stock Options, Number of Shares	'
Beginning balance	0
Converted	13,680
Granted	1,291,995
Exercised	-11,280
Forfeited	-4,000
Ending balance	1,290,395
Exercisable	2,400
Stock Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Beginning balance	$0
Converted	$12.65
Granted	$29.53
Exercised	$12.65
Forfeited	$29.53
Ending balance	$29.50
Exercisable	$12.65
SARS and Options, Additional Disclosures	'
Options, aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding	1,602
Options, aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable	$43
Options, weighted average remaining contractual term, outstanding	'6 years 8 months
Options, weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable	'0 years 7 months
Minimum | Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.32%
Expected life (years)	'4 years 6 months
Volatility	44.40%
Fair value at date of grant	$11.25
Maximum | Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.63%
Expected life (years)	'5 years 3 months
Volatility	49.90%
Fair value at date of grant	$13.50

Equity_Incentive_Program_RSUs_

Equity Incentive Program - RSUs (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'
Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning balance	0
Converted	21,557	[1]
Granted	361,674
Forfeited	-1,016
Ending balance	382,215
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Beginning balance	$0
Converted	$12.36	[1]
Granted	$29.53
Forfeited	$29.53
Ending balance	$28.56
[1]	The weighted-average grant date fair value is equal to the fair value at the date of conversion as opposed to the fair value when originally issued under Dover's plan.

Equity_Incentive_Program_Addit

Equity Incentive Program - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014
					SSARs	Stock Options	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	Director	Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$2,417	$564	$3,903	$1,129	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting percentage	'	'	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	'	'	'	'	$1,720	$14,614	$9,954	'	'
Weighted average period for compensation expense to be recognized	'	'	'	'	'1 year 5 months	'2 years 6 months	'2 years 5 months	'	'
Shares granted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,930	'
Grant date fair value (usd per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$29.53

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Reconciliation of information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]	'	'		'		'		'
Net (loss) earnings	'	($78,903)		$16,671		($71,258)		$28,566
Basic (loss) earnings per common share:	'	'		'		'		'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	'	85,042,334	[1]	85,019,159	[1]	85,033,149	[1]	85,019,159	[1]
Basic (loss) earnings per share (usd per share)	'	($0.93)	[1]	$0.20	[1]	($0.84)	[1]	$0.34	[1]
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:	'	'		'		'		'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	'	85,042,334	[1]	85,019,159	[1]	85,033,149	[1]	85,019,159	[1]
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards (in shares)	'	0		0		0		0
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	'	85,042,334	[1]	85,019,159	[1]	85,033,149	[1]	85,019,159	[1]
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (usd per share)	'	($0.93)	[1]	$0.20	[1]	($0.84)	[1]	$0.34	[1]
Stock Issued During Period (in shares)	0.5	'		'		'		'
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation (in shares)	'	1,750,303		'		1,124,110		'
[1]	On February 28, 2014, Dover shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2014 received one share of Knowles common stock for every two shares of Dover's common stock held as of the record date. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for all periods through December 31, 2013 was calculated using the shares distributed on February 28, 2014.

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
					segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Number of reportable segments	'		'		2		'
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	$281,033		$296,709		$554,418		$572,827
Reconciliation of Net Earnings from Segments [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Interest expense, net	1,820		12,069		2,492		24,017
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	-45,806		15,836		-35,661		27,940
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	33,097		-835		35,597		-626
Net (loss) earnings	-78,903		16,671		-71,258		28,566
Mobile Consumer Electronics	'		'		'		'
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	166,743		189,655		330,733		359,426
Reconciliation of Net Earnings from Segments [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Earnings before interest and income taxes	-47,535	[1]	26,993	[1]	-40,683	[1]	47,389	[1]
Specialty Components	'		'		'		'
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	114,300		107,063		223,706		213,427
Reconciliation of Net Earnings from Segments [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Earnings before interest and income taxes	14,832	[1]	11,748	[1]	30,532	[1]	26,538	[1]
Intra-segment eliminations	'		'		'		'
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	-10		-9		-21		-26
Total segments	'		'		'		'
Reconciliation of Net Earnings from Segments [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Earnings before interest and income taxes	-32,703	[1]	38,741	[1]	-10,151	[1]	73,927	[1]
Corporate expense / other	'		'		'		'
Reconciliation of Net Earnings from Segments [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Earnings before interest and income taxes	($11,283)	[1]	($10,836)	[1]	($23,018)	[1]	($21,970)	[1]
[1]	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company began using earnings before interest and income taxes as the measure to make decisions about allocating resources to segments and assessing segment performance instead of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.