Preformed Line Products (PLPC) 10-K14 Mar 142013 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 07, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000080035	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	5,392,597	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$164,466,770

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$24,291	$28,120
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $2,136 ($2,039 in 2012)	67,587	61,695
Inventories - net	73,835	86,916
Deferred income taxes	7,022	6,557
Prepaids	6,112	5,652
Prepaid taxes	3,733	2,729
Other current assets	3,154	2,432
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	185,734	194,101
Property, plant and equipment - net	100,461	93,326
Patents and other intangibles - net	11,787	14,038
Goodwill	13,873	15,537
Deferred income taxes	3,416	6,069
Other assets	17,135	9,993
TOTAL ASSETS	332,406	333,064
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Notes payable to banks	1,105	217
Current portion of long-term debt	195	251
Trade accounts payable	21,750	21,822
Accrued compensation and amounts withheld from employees	10,787	12,271
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	11,118	11,967
Accrued profit-sharing and other benefits	5,086	5,387
Dividends payable	1,098	0
Income taxes payable and deferred income taxes	1,076	6,328
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	52,215	58,243
Long-term debt, less current portion	13,054	9,322
Unfunded pension obligation	5,027	13,184
Income taxes payable	1,556	2,304
Deferred income taxes	3,621	4,485
Other noncurrent liabilities	4,603	4,457
PLPC Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares - $2 par value per share, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 5,391,074 and 5,377,937 issued and outstanding, net of 779,279 and 689,472 treasury shares at par, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012	10,782	10,756
Common shares issued to rabbi trust, 253,156 and 184,036 shares at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012	-9,306	-6,522
Deferred compensation liability	9,306	6,522
Paid in capital	21,082	16,355
Retained earnings	238,168	227,622
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-17,702	-13,664
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	252,330	241,069
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$332,406	$333,064

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, less allowances	$2,136	$2,039
Common stock, par value	$2	$2
Common stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	5,391,074	5,377,937
Common stock, shares outstanding	5,391,074	5,377,937
Treasury shares, at par	779,279	689,472
Common stock, shares issued to rabbi trust	253,156	184,036

Statements_of_Consolidated_Inc

Statements of Consolidated Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net sales	$409,776	$439,192	$424,404
Cost of products sold	278,875	294,754	283,555
GROSS PROFIT	130,901	144,438	140,849
Costs and expenses	'	'	'
Selling	35,704	37,093	35,825
General and administrative	44,557	46,222	44,396
Research and engineering	14,708	15,447	13,360
Other operating (income) expenses - net	3,922	1,554	1,914
Goodwill impairment	862	0	0
Total costs and expenses	99,753	100,316	95,495
OPERATING INCOME	31,148	44,122	45,354
Other income (expense)	'	'	'
Interest income	618	648	575
Interest expense	-450	-597	-827
Other income	478	654	892
Total other income (expense)	646	705	640
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	31,794	44,827	45,994
Income taxes	11,207	15,541	15,010
NET INCOME	$20,587	$29,286	$30,984
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	'	'	'
Net income	$3.84	$5.50	$5.89
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	'	'	'
Net income	$3.77	$5.45	$5.78
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.60	$1	$0.80
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	5,361	5,324	5,259
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	5,467	5,371	5,358

Statements_of_Consolidated_Com

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$20,587	$29,286	$30,984
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-8,457	1,680	-7,460
Recognized net actuarial loss	306	466	256
Gain (loss) on unfunded pension obligations	4,113	-2,670	-3,825
Gain on pension curtailment	0	3,899	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-4,038	3,375	-11,029
Less: Other comprehensive income, net of tax attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	19	-50
Comprehensive income	$16,549	$32,680	$19,905

Statements_of_Consolidated_Cas

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net income	$20,587	$29,286	$30,984
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	12,088	11,564	10,525
Provision for accounts receivable allowances	837	1,416	1,292
Provision for inventory reserves	2,672	1,981	1,480
Deferred income taxes	-1,105	-2,927	-688
Share-based compensation expense	3,057	3,080	2,933
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	-357	-197	-203
Goodwill impairment	862	0	0
Net investment in life insurance	10	-3	-28
Other - net	-56	-137	73
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-10,273	5,047	-16,061
Inventories	3,040	1,290	-21,197
Trade accounts payables and accrued liabilities	-3,906	-3,196	8,574
Income taxes payable	-4,670	3,381	-815
Other - net	-1,247	-200	180
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	18,223	50,385	17,049
INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-21,034	-21,043	-18,912
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-5,173	0
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	532	1,965	464
Restricted cash and long-term term deposits	-3,642	0	-328
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-24,144	-24,251	-18,776
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in notes payable to banks	922	-1,734	1,015
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	73,638	70,058	79,110
Payments of long-term debt	-69,884	-89,060	-61,065
Dividends paid	-2,305	-6,492	-4,381
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	357	197	203
Earn-out consideration payment	-513	-1,148	0
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	1,519	549	1,064
Purchase of common shares for treasury	-2,881	-333	-623
Purchase of common shares for treasury from related parties	-4,030	-2,457	-2,899
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	-3,177	-30,420	12,424
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,953	280	-1,226
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-3,829	-4,006	9,471
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	28,120	32,126	22,655
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$24,291	$28,120	$32,126

Statements_of_Consolidated_Sha

Statements of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares [Member]	Common Shares Issued to Rabbi Trust [Member]	Deferred Compensation Liability [Member]	Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Defined Benefit Pension Plan Activity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
In Thousands	Total	Common Shares [Member]	Common Shares Issued to Rabbi Trust [Member]	Deferred Compensation Liability [Member]	Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Defined Benefit Pension Plan Activity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$196,665	$10,542	($1,200)	$1,200	$8,748	$184,060	($1,560)	($4,450)	($675)
Net income	30,984	'	'	'	'	30,984	'	'	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	0	'	'	'	'	-725	'	'	725
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-7,510	'	'	'	'	'	-7,460	'	-50
Recognized net actuarial loss net of tax provision of $156, $284 and $187 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	256	'	'	'	'	'	'	256	'
Gain Loss on unfunded pension obligations net of tax (benefit) provision of $2,331, $1,627 and $2,056 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-3,825	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,825	'
Gain on pension curtailment net of tax provision of $2,376	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	19,905	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,751	'	'	'	2,933	-182	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	203	'	'	'	203	'	'	'	'
Purchase of 52,392, 50,334 and 89,807 common shares for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-3,522	-105	'	'	'	-3,417	'	'	'
Issuance of 26,353, 20,365 and 34,575 common shares for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	1,064	53	'	'	1,011	'	'	'	'
Restricted shares awards of 88,692, 74,276 and 68,369 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	0	177	'	'	-177	'	'	'	'
Common shares issued to rabbi trust of 85,735, 74,996 and 69,120 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	0	'	-2,612	2,612	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared-$.80, $1.00 and $0.60 per share for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-4,208	'	'	'	'	-4,208	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	212,858	10,667	-3,812	3,812	12,718	206,512	-9,020	-8,019	0
Net income	29,286	'	'	'	'	29,286	'	'	'
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	19	'	'	'	'	19	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,680	'	'	'	'	'	1,680	'	'
Recognized net actuarial loss net of tax provision of $156, $284 and $187 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	466	'	'	'	'	'	'	466	'
Gain Loss on unfunded pension obligations net of tax (benefit) provision of $2,331, $1,627 and $2,056 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-2,670	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,670	'
Gain on pension curtailment net of tax provision of $2,376	3,899	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,899	'
Comprehensive income	32,680	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,891	'	'	'	3,080	-189	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	197	'	'	'	197	'	'	'	'
Purchase of 52,392, 50,334 and 89,807 common shares for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-2,790	-101	'	'	'	-2,689	'	'	'
Issuance of 26,353, 20,365 and 34,575 common shares for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	550	41	'	'	509	'	'	'	'
Restricted shares awards of 88,692, 74,276 and 68,369 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	0	149	'	'	-149	'	'	'	'
Common shares issued to rabbi trust of 85,735, 74,996 and 69,120 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	0	'	-2,710	2,710	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared-$.80, $1.00 and $0.60 per share for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-5,317	'	'	'	'	-5,317	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	241,069	10,756	-6,522	6,522	16,355	227,622	-7,340	-6,324	0
Net income	20,587	'	'	'	'	20,587	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-8,457	'	'	'	'	'	-8,457	'	'
Recognized net actuarial loss net of tax provision of $156, $284 and $187 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	306	'	'	'	'	'	'	306	'
Gain Loss on unfunded pension obligations net of tax (benefit) provision of $2,331, $1,627 and $2,056 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	4,113	'	'	'	'	'	0	4,113	'
Gain on pension curtailment net of tax provision of $2,376	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	16,549	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,957	'	'	'	3,057	-100	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	357	'	'	'	357	'	'	'	'
Purchase of 52,392, 50,334 and 89,807 common shares for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-6,911	-180	'	'	'	-6,731	'	'	'
Issuance of 26,353, 20,365 and 34,575 common shares for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	1,519	69	'	'	1,450	'	'	'	'
Restricted shares awards of 88,692, 74,276 and 68,369 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	0	137	'	'	-137	'	'	'	'
Common shares issued to rabbi trust of 85,735, 74,996 and 69,120 for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	0	'	-2,784	2,784	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared-$.80, $1.00 and $0.60 per share for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively	-3,210	'	'	'	'	-3,210	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$252,330	$10,782	($9,306)	$9,306	$21,082	$238,168	($15,797)	($1,905)	$0

Statements_of_Consolidated_Sha1

Statements of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Tax provision (benefit) for recognized net actuarial loss	$187	$284	$156
Tax (benefit)	2,506	1,627	2,331
Curtailment net of tax provision	0	2,376	'
Purchase of common shares	89,807	50,334	52,392
Issuance of common shares	34,575	20,365	26,353
Restricted shares awards	68,369	74,276	88,692
Common shares issued to rabbi trust	69,120	74,996	85,735
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.60	$1	$0.80
Common Shares [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase of common shares	89,807	50,334	52,392
Issuance of common shares	34,575	20,365	26,353
Restricted shares awards	68,369	74,276	88,692
Common Shares Issued to Rabbi Trust [Member]	'	'	'
Common shares issued to rabbi trust	69,120	74,996	85,735
Deferred Compensation Liability [Member]	'	'	'
Common shares issued to rabbi trust	69,120	74,996	85,735
Paid In Capital [Member]	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares	34,575	20,365	26,353
Restricted shares awards	68,369	74,276	88,692
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase of common shares	89,807	50,334	52,392
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.60	$1	$0.80
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Activity [Member]	'	'	'
Tax provision (benefit) for recognized net actuarial loss	187	284	156
Tax (benefit)	2,506	1,627	2,331
Curtailment net of tax provision	'	$2,376	'

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note A – Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Operations
	Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy, telecommunication, cable operators, data communication and other similar industries. The Company’s primary products support, protect, connect, terminate and secure cables and wires. The Company also provides solar hardware systems and mounting hardware for a variety of solar power applications. The Company’s customers include public and private energy utilities and communication companies, cable operators, governmental agencies, contractors and subcontractors, distributors and value-added resellers. The Company serves its worldwide markets through strategically located domestic and international manufacturing facilities.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
	Noncontrolling Interests
	During 2011, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of BlueSky joint venture from BlueSky Energy Pty Ltd.
	Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures
	Investments in joint ventures, where the Company owns between 20% and 50%, or where the Company does not have control but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operations or financial policies, are accounted for by the equity method. As of December 31, 2013, the Company owned 25.93% in Proxisafe Ltd., located in Calgary, Alberta. The Company accounts for its joint venture interest in Proxisafe accounts using the equity method.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents are stated at fair value and consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.
	Receivable Allowances
	The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable is based upon the number of days the accounts are past due, the current business environment and specific information such as bankruptcy or liquidity issues of customers. The Company also maintains an allowance for future sales credits related to sales recorded during the year. The estimated allowance is based on historical sales credits issued in the subsequent year related to the prior year and any significant preapproved open return good authorizations as of the balance sheet date.
	Inventories
	The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of determining cost for the majority of its material portion of inventories in PLP-USA. All other inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Reserves are maintained for estimated obsolescence or excess inventory based on past usage, and future demand.

	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, approximates its fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, which is considered to be a level two input. Based on the analysis performed, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value at December 31, 2013.
	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives used, when purchased new, are: land improvements, ten years; buildings, forty years; building improvements, five to forty years; and machinery and equipment, three to ten years. Appropriate reductions in estimated useful lives are made for property, plant and equipment purchased in connection with an acquisition of a business or in a used condition when purchased.
	Long-Lived Assets
	The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might be impaired and the discounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets are less than the carrying value. The Company’s cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect the Company’s best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is then reduced to fair value. The estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. The Company did not record any impairments to long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	Goodwill and other intangible assets generally result from business acquisitions. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing. Intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, technology, customer backlogs, trademarks and land use rights, are generally amortized over periods from less than one year to twenty years. The Company’s intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized using a projected cash flow basis method over their useful lives unless another method was demonstrated to be more appropriate. Customer relationships and trademark intangibles acquired in 2009 and on January 31, 2012 are amortized using a projected cash flow basis method over the period in which the economic benefits of the intangibles are consumed. Customer relationships, technology and trademarks acquired in July 2010 are being amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. This straight-line method was more appropriate because it better reflected the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise expire compared to using a projected cash flow basis method. An evaluation of the remaining useful life of intangible assets with a determinable life is performed on a periodic basis and when events and circumstances warrant an evaluation. The Company assesses intangible assets with a determinable life for impairment consistent with its policy for assessing other long-lived assets. Goodwill and intangible assets are also reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently when changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired, or in the case of finite lived intangible assets, when the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that would result in an impairment review primarily include operations reporting losses or a significant change in the use of an asset. Impairment charges are recognized pursuant to FASB ASC 350-20, Goodwill.

	The Company performs the annual impairment test for goodwill utilizing a combination of discounted cash flow methodology, market comparable, and an overall market capitalization reasonableness test in computing fair value by reporting unit. The Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value to assess if goodwill has been impaired. Based on the assumptions as to growth, discount rates and the weighting used for each respective valuation methodology, results of the valuations could be significantly changed. However, the Company believes that the methodologies and weightings used are reasonable and result in appropriate fair values of the reporting units.
	During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test from the first day of the first quarter (January 1) to the first day of the fourth quarter (October 1). The Company determined that this change is preferable under the circumstances as it (1) better aligns with the Company’s annual business planning and budgeting process and (2) provides the Company with additional time to prepare and complete the impairment test, including measurement of any indicated impairment, as necessary, prior to issuance of the year-end financial statements. This voluntary change in accounting principle was not made to delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is impracticable to do so because retrospective application would require the application of significant estimates and assumptions with the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change was applied prospectively.
	The Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill as of October 1, 2013. The Company recorded impairment for goodwill during the year end December 31, 2013 of $.9 million. The Company did not have any impairment for goodwill or other intangibles for the year ended December 31, 2012. See Note J for additional information.
	Revenue Recognition
	Sales are recognized when products are shipped and the title and risk of loss has passed to unaffiliated customers or when they are delivered based on the terms of the sale, there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue related to shipping and handling costs billed to customers is included in net sales and the related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold.
	Research and Development
	Research and development costs for new products are expensed as incurred and totaled $2.3 million in 2013, $2.1 million in 2012 and $2.4 million in 2011.
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are computed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. In the Consolidated Financial Statements, the benefits of a consolidated return have been reflected where such returns have or could be filed based on the entities and jurisdictions included in the financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of particular assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
	Net deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that we believe these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
	Uncertain tax positions are recorded in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

	Advertising
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $2 million in 2013, $1.8 million in 2012 and $1.8 million in 2011.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the date of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The translation adjustments are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates in effect during the period. Transaction gains and losses arising from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in income and expense as incurred. Aggregate transaction gains and losses for the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $3.7 million loss, a less than $.1 million loss and a $1.2 million loss, respectively. Upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity, the cumulative translation adjustment for that entity is reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Business Combinations
	The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required 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 period. For other amounts, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2013. As these amendments relate to presentation only, the provisions of ASU 2012-04 did not have an effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, an amendment to FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740). This update clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, 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 if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Retrospective application was permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
	New Accounting Standards To Be Adopted
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity.” ASU 2013-05 clarifies the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment under current U.S. GAAP by emphasizing that the accounting for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income for sales or transfers of a controlling financial interest within a foreign Entity is the same irrespective of whether the sale or transfer is of a subsidiary or a group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or business. When a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2013-05 on the Company’s financial statements.

Other_Financial_Statement_Info

Other Financial Statement Information	12 Months Ended
Other Financial Statement Information	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Other Financial Statement Information	'

	Note B – Other Financial Statement Information

	Inventories – net



		December 31
		2013			2012
	Finished products	$	37,301		$	41,474
	Work-in-process		7,779			7,940
	Raw materials		40,251			46,133

			85,331			95,547
	Excess of current cost over LIFO cost		(4,146	)		(4,674	)
	Noncurrent portion of inventory		(7,350	)		(3,957	)

		$	73,835		$	86,916


	Costs for inventories of certain material are determined using the LIFO method and totaled approximately $25.1 million and $30.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.



	Property and equipment – net

	Major classes of property, plant and equipment are as follows:



		December 31
		2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	12,141		$	13,190
	Buildings and improvements		69,963			59,505
	Machinery and equipment		141,940			138,533
	Construction in progress		7,185			7,242

			231,229			218,470
	Less accumulated depreciation		130,768			125,144

		$	100,461		$	93,326


	Depreciation of property and equipment was $10.6 million in 2013, $10 million in 2012 and $9.3 million in 2011. Machinery and equipment includes $.4 million of capital leases at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

	Legal proceedings

	From time to time, the Company may be subject to litigation incidental to its business. The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings that the Company believes would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Pension_Plans

Pension Plans	12 Months Ended
Pension Plans	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension Plans	'

	Note C – Pension Plans

	PLP-USA hourly employees of the Company who meet specific requirements as to age and length and date of service are covered by a defined benefit pension plan (“Plan”). On December 12, 2012, the Company approved a freeze on further benefit accruals under the PLP-USA hourly employee pension plan and notified the participants of the freeze on December 19, 2012. Beginning February 1, 2013, participants ceased earning additional benefits under the Plan and no new participants entered the plan. The Plan freeze required an evaluation of the Plans’ assets and obligations as of December 31, 2012, which resulted in a non-cash curtailment gain of $6.3 million, which was recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) during the fourth quarter 2012. The measurement of the Plans’ assets and obligations also resulted in a reduction in the Company’s pension liability of $6.3 million. The evaluation did not have an effect on net periodic pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its Plan.

	Net periodic pension cost for the Plan consists of the following components for the years ended December 31:



			2013				2012				2011
	Service cost		$	222			$	1,300			$	1,003
	Interest cost			1,251				1,411				1,373
	Expected return on plan assets			(1,436	)			(1,186	)			(1,089	)
	Recognized net actuarial loss			493				750				412

	Net periodic pension cost		$	530			$	2,275			$	1,699




	The following tables set forth benefit obligations, plan assets and the accrued benefit cost of the Plan at December 31:



			2013				2012
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the year		$	31,590			$	30,863
	Service cost			222				1,300
	Interest cost			1,251				1,411
	Actuarial (gain) loss			(4,901	)			4,859
	Gain on curtailment			0				(6,275	)
	Benefits paid			(637	)			(568	)

	Projected benefit obligation at end of year		$	27,525			$	31,590

	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year		$	18,406			$	15,077
	Actual return on plan assets			3,154				1,748
	Employer contributions			1,576				2,149
	Benefits paid			(637	)			(568	)

	Fair value of plan assets at end of the year		$	22,499			$	18,406

	Unfunded pension obligation		$	5,026			$	13,184


	In accordance with ASC 715-20, the Company recognizes the underfunded status of the Plan as a liability. The amount recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Plan at December 31 is comprised of the following:



			2013				2012
	Balance at January 1		$	(6,305	)		$	(8,000	)
	Reclassification adjustments:
	Pretax amortized net actuarial loss			493				750
	Tax provision			(187	)			(284	)

				306				466

	Adjustment to recognize gain (loss)on unfunded pension obligations:
	Pretax gain (loss)			6,619				(4,297	)
	Tax (benefit) provision			(2,506	)			1,627

				4,113				(2,670	)

	Adjustment to recognize the gain on curtailment of the pension plan:
Pretax curtailment gain			0				6,275
Tax provision			0				(2,376	)

			0				3,899

Balance at December 31		$	(1,886	)		$	(6,305	)


The estimated net loss for the Plan that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive income into periodic benefit cost for 2014 is $12 thousand. There is no prior service cost to be amortized in the future.



The Plan had accumulated benefit obligations in excess of Plan assets as follows:



		2013				2012
Accumulated benefit obligation		$	27,525			$	31,590
Fair market value of assets			22,499				18,406

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 are as follows:



		2013		2012
Discount rate		5.00%		4.00%
Rate of compensation increase		n/a		n/a

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 are as follows:



		2013				2012				2011
Discount rate			4	%			4.5	%			5.6	%
Rate of compensation increase			n/a				2.5				3.5
Expected long-term return on plan assets			8				8				8

The net periodic pension cost for 2013 was based on a long-term asset rate of return of 8.0%. This rate is based upon management’s estimate of future long-term rates of return on similar assets and is consistent with historical returns on such assets. Using the Plan’s current mix of assets and based on the average historical returns and expected future returns for such mix, an expected long-term rate-of-return of 8.0% is justified.

At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets included inputs in Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, by category, are as follows:



		At December 31, 2013
		Total Assets at				Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant
		Fair Value				Active Markets				Observable				Unobservable
						for Identical				Inputs (Level 2)				Inputs (Level 3)
						Assets (Level 1)
Asset Category
Cash		$	1,127			$	1,127			$	0			$	0
Equity Securities			7,455				7,455				0				0
U.S. Treasury Bonds			4,161				4,161				0				0
Mutual Funds - Equity			6,776				6,776				0				0
Corporate Bonds			2,950				0				2,950				0
Mortgage-Backed Securities			30				0				30				0

Total		$	22,499			$	19,519			$	2,980			$	0


		At December 31, 2012
		Total Assets at				Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant
		Fair Value				Active Markets				Observable				Unobservable
						for Identical				Inputs (Level 2)				Inputs (Level 3)
						Assets (Level 1)
Asset Category
Cash		$	464			$	464			$	0			$	0
Equity Securities			6,121				6,121				0				0
U.S. Treasury Bonds			4,205				4,205				0				0
Mutual Funds - Equity			4,944				4,944				0				0
Corporate Bonds			2,640				0				2,640				0
Mortgage-Backed Securities			32				0				32				0

Total		$	18,406			$	15,734			$	2,672			$	0


The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, are as follows:



		Plan assets
		at December 31
		2013				2012
Asset category
Equity securities			63	%			60	%
Debt securities			32				37
Cash and equivalents			5				3

			100	%			100	%


Management seeks to maximize the long-term total return of financial assets consistent with the fiduciary standards of ERISA. The ability to achieve these returns is dependent upon the need to accept moderate risk to achieve long-term capital appreciation.

In recognition of the expected returns and volatility from financial assets, retirement plan assets are invested in the following ranges with the target allocation noted:



		Range				Target
Equities			30-80	%			60	%
Fixed Income			20-70	%			40	%
Cash Equivalents			0-10	%



Investment in these markets is projected to provide performance consistent with expected long-term returns with appropriate diversification.

The Company’s policy is to fund amounts deductible for federal income tax purposes. The Company expects to contribute $.7 million to the Plan in 2014.

The benefits expected to be paid out of the Plan assets in each of the next five years and the aggregate benefits expected to be paid for the subsequent five years are as follows:



Year		Pension Benefits
2014		$	715,302
2015			776,134
2016			852,886
2017			926,748
2018			1,005,382
2019-2023			6,482,705

The Company also provides retirement benefits through various defined contribution plans including PLP-USA’s Profit Sharing Plan. Expense for these defined contribution plans was $5.6 million in 2013, $5.7 million in 2012 and $4.8 million in 2011.

Further, the Company also provides retirement benefits through the Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan. To the extent an employee’s award under PLP-USA’s Profit Sharing Plan exceeds the maximum allowable contribution permitted under existing tax laws, the excess is accrued for (but not funded) under a non-qualified Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan. The return under this Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan is calculated at a weighted average of the one year Treasury Bill rate plus 1%. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the interest rate for the Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan was 1.15% and 1.12%, respectively. Expense for the Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan was $.3 million for 2013, $.4 million for 2012 and $.3 million and 2011. The Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan unfunded status as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $3 million and $2.6 million and is included in Other noncurrent liabilities.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI")	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI")	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI")	'
	Note D – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”)
	The following tables set forth the total changes in AOCI by component, net of tax:


			Year ended December 31
			Defined benefit			Currency			Total
			pension plan			Translation
			activity			Adjustment
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	(6,324	)	$	(7,340	)	$	(13,664	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:
	Loss on foreign currency translation adjustment			0			(8,457	)		(8,457	)
	Gain on unfunded pension obligations			4,113			0			4,113
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI:
	Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss (a)			306			0			306

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			4,419			(8,457	)		(4,038	)

	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(1,905	)	$	(15,797	)	$	(17,702	)


	(a)	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs as noted in Note C Pension Plans.

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements

Debt and Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
Debt and Credit Arrangements	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt and Credit Arrangements	'

	Note E – Debt and Credit Arrangements



		December 31
		2013			2012
	Short-term debt
	Secured notes
	Brazilian Real denominated (R$3,808k) at 3.25% to 3.6% due 2014	$	1,105		$	0
	New Zealand Dollar (NZ$264k) at 1.70% to 5.56%		0			217
	Current portion of long-term debt		195			251

	Total short-term debt		1,300			468

	Long-term debt
	USD denominated at 1.29%, due 2017		12,604			9,236
	Australian dollar denominated term loans (A$1,065), at 6.0% (5.83% in 2012), due 2018, secured by land and building		570			70
	Brazilian Real denominated term loan (R$918k) at 4.5% to 8.12% due 2014 secured by capital equipment		75			267

	Total long-term debt		13,249			9,573
	Less current portion		(195	)		(251	)

	Total long-term debt, less current portion		13,054			9,322
	Total debt	$	14,354		$	9,790


	The PLP-USA line of credit makes $50 million available to the Company at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.125% with a term expiring January 2017. At December 31, 2013, the interest rate on the line of credit agreement was 1.29%. There was $12.6 million outstanding at December 31, 2013 under the line of credit. On January 23, 2014, we extended the term to January 2017. The line of credit agreement contains, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining levels of working capital, net worth and profitability. At December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

	Aggregate maturities of long-term debt during the next five years are as follows: $.2 million for 2014, $.1 million for 2015, $.1 million for 2016, $12.7 million for 2017, and $.1 million thereafter.

	Interest paid was $.4 million in 2013, $.9 million in 2012 and $.8 million in 2011.

	Guarantees and Letters of Credit

	The Company has provided financial guarantees for uncompleted work and financial commitments. The terms of these guarantees vary with end dates ranging from the current year through the completion of such transactions. The guarantees would typically be triggered in the event of nonperformance. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had total outstanding guarantees of $2 million. Additionally, certain domestic and foreign customers require the Company to issue letters of credit or performance bonds as a condition of placing an order. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had total outstanding letters of credit of $4.7 million.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
Leases	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'

	Note F – Leases

	The Company has commitments under operating leases primarily for office and manufacturing space, transportation equipment, office equipment and computer equipment. Rental expense was $3.8 million in 2013, $3.7 million in 2012 and $3.9 million in 2011. Future minimum rental commitments having non-cancelable terms exceeding one year are $2.6 million in 2014, $1.8 million in 2015, $1.5 million in 2016, $1.2 million in 2017, $1.2 million in 2018, and an aggregate $9.9 million thereafter. One such lease is for the Company’s aircraft with a lease commitment through December 2014. Under the terms of the lease, the Company maintains the risk to make up a deficiency from market value attributable to damage, extraordinary wear and tear, excess air hours or exceeding maintenance overhaul schedules required by the Federal Aviation Administration. At the present time, the Company does not believe it has incurred any obligation for any contingent rent under the lease.

	The Company has commitments under capital leases for equipment and vehicles. Amounts recognized as capital lease obligations are reported in Accrued expense and other liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases are approximately $.1 million in 2014, $.1 million in 2015 and less than $.1 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The imputed interest for the capital leases is less than $.1 million. Leased property and equipment under capital leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. Routine maintenance, repairs and replacements are expensed as incurred.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'

	Note G – Income Taxes

	Income before income taxes was derived from the following sources:



			2013				2012				2011
	United States		$	16,388			$	21,754			$	18,842
	Foreign			15,406				23,073				27,152

			$	31,794			$	44,827			$	45,994


	The components of income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:



			2013				2012				2011
	Current
	Federal		$	6,308			$	9,663			$	5,679
	Foreign			5,018				7,885				8,896
	State and local			986				920				1,123

				12,312				18,468				15,698

	Deferred
	Federal			(1,081	)			(1,443	)			726
	Foreign			157				(1,310	)			(1,199	)
	State and local			(181	)			(174	)			(215	)

				(1,105	)			(2,927	)			(688	)

	Income taxes		$	11,207			$	15,541			$	15,010


	The differences between the provision for income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate and the tax shown in the Statements of Consolidated Income for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:



			2013				2012				2011
	U. S. federal statutory tax rate			35	%			35	%			35	%
	Federal tax at statutory rate		$	11,128			$	15,689			$	16,098
	State and local taxes, net of federal benefit			583				485				590
	U.S. federal permanent items			124				332				14
	Domestic productions activity deduction			(372	)			(669	)			(401	)
	Foreign earnings and related tax credits			658				1,498				261
	Non-U.S. tax rate variances			(1,467	)			(1,175	)			(1,510	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits			(770	)			310				21
	Valuation allowance			1,091				(337	)			19
	Tax credits			(453	)			(85	)			(265	)
	Other, net			685				(507	)			183

			$	11,207			$	15,541			$	15,010


	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying value for financial statement purposes. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:



			2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued compensation and benefits		$	1,463			$	1,808
Inventory valuation reserves			2,581				2,771
Benefit plan reserves			7,773				9,468
Capital tax loss carryforwards			0				2,034
Net operating loss carryforwards			1,244				788
Other accrued expenses			2,926				2,480
Unrealized foreign exchange			743				58

Gross deferred tax assets			16,730				19,407
Valuation allowance			(1,420	)			(2,329	)

Net deferred tax assets			15,310				17,078

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and other basis differences			(5,533	)			(5,276	)
Intangibles			(2,828	)			(3,571	)
Other			(132	)			(90	)

Deferred tax liabilities			(8,493	)			(8,937	)

Net deferred tax assets		$	6,817			$	8,141


		2013				2012
Change in net deferred tax assets:
Deferred income tax benefit		$	1,105			$	2,927
Items of other comprehensive income (loss)			(2,692	)			(1,033	)
Currency translation			263				(254	)
Deferred tax balances from business acquisition			0				(1,036	)

Total change in net deferred tax assets		$	(1,324	)		$	604


Deferred taxes are recognized at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.



At December 31, 2013, the Company has $1.2 million of foreign net operating loss carryfowards that will expire between the years 2014 and 2018.

The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets by jurisdiction. Based on this evaluation, the Company has established a valuation allowance of $1.4 million at December 31, 2013 in order to measure only the portion of the deferred tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized. Therefore, the Company recorded an allowance of $1.2 million against the foreign net operating loss carryforwards and $.2 million against other foreign deferred tax assets that may not be realized. The total decrease in valuation allowance during the year was $.9 million, of which $1.1 million impacts the tax provision and a $2 million decrease is netted against the expiration and related reversal of a deferred tax asset related to an expiring U.S. capital loss carryforward.

The Company has not established a deferred tax liability associated with approximately $129 million of its undistributed foreign earnings at December 31, 2013 as these earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested. These earnings would be taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries, or upon the remittance of dividends. While the measurement of the unrecognized U.S. income taxes with respect to these earnings is not practicable, foreign tax credits would be available to offset some or all of such earnings that would be remitted as dividends.

Income taxes paid net of refunds were approximately $19.9 million in 2013, $16 million in 2012 and $14 million in 2011.

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2013, with few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2007.

The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the period ended December 31:



		2013				2012				2011
Balance at January 1		$	1,361			$	1,015			$	1,062
Additions for tax positions of prior years			0				511				0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years			(588	)			0				(32	)
Expiration of statutes of limitations			(165	)			(165	)			(15	)

Balance at December 31		$	608			$	1,361			$	1,015


Accrued interest and penalties are not included in the above unrecognized tax balances. The Company records accrued interest as well as penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of the provision for income taxes. The Company recognized less than $.1 million, net of the amount lapsed through expiring statutes, during each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The Company had approximately $.6 million, $.6 million and $.5 million for the payment of interest accrued at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company had approximately $.3 million accrued for the payment of penalties at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. If recognized, approximately $0, $.7 million, and $.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits would affect the tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. The Company does not anticipate any material changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Note H – Share-Based Compensation
	The 1999 Stock Option Plan
	The 1999 Stock Option Plan (the Plan) permits the grant of 300,000 options to buy common shares of the Company to certain employees at not less than fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. At December 31, 2013 there were no shares remaining to be issued under the Plan. Options issued to date under the Plan vest 50% after one year following the date of the grant, 75% after two years, and 100% after three years and expire from five to ten years from the date of grant. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises will be funded with the issuance of new shares.

	The Company has elected to use the simplified method of calculating the expected term of the stock options and historical volatility to compute fair value under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. zero coupon Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures have been estimated to be zero.
	There were no shares granted for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Activity in the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:


			Number of				Weighted				Weighted				Aggregate
			Shares				Average				Average				Intrinsic
							Exercise Price				Remaining				Value
							per Share				Contractual
											Term (Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013			32,150			$	40.93
	Exercised			(19,150	)		$	41.59

	Outstanding (exercisable and vested) at December 31, 2013			13,000			$	39.95				3.6			$	432

	Exercisable at December 31, 2013			13,000			$	39.95				3.6			$	432

	There were 19,150 stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2013, 17,757 in 2012 and 22,025 during the year ended December 31, 2011. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $.6 million each year. Cash received for the exercise of stock options during 2013 and 2012 was $.8 million and $.4 million, respectively.
	The Company recorded compensation expense related to the stock options currently vesting of $0 for the year ended December 31, 2013, less than $.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. All compensation cost has been recognized as of December 31, 2013.
	The excess tax benefits from share based awards for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $.2 million, $.1 million and $.1 million respectively, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in financing activities, and represents the reduction in income taxes otherwise payable during the period, attributable to the actual gross tax benefits in excess of the expected tax benefits for options exercised in the current period.
	Long Term Incentive Plan of 2008
	Under the Preformed Line Products Company Long Term Incentive Plan of 2008 (the “LTIP”), certain employees, officers, and directors are eligible to receive awards of options and restricted shares. The purpose of this LTIP is to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and motivating officers, employees and directors and to provide an incentive to those individuals to increase shareholder value through long-term incentives directly linked to the Company’s performance. The total number of Company common shares reserved for awards under the LTIP is 900,000. Of the 900,000 common shares, 800,000 common shares have been reserved for restricted share awards and 100,000 common shares have been reserved for share options. The LTIP expires on April 17, 2018.
	Restricted Share Awards
	For all of the participants except the CEO, a portion of the restricted share award is subject to time-based cliff vesting and a portion is subject to vesting based upon the Company’s performance over a three year period. All of the CEO’s restricted shares are subject to vesting based upon the Company’s performance over a three year period.

	The restricted shares are offered at no cost to the employees; however, the participant must remain employed with the Company until the restrictions lapse. The fair value of restricted share awards is based on the market price of a common share on the grant date. The Company currently estimates that no awards will be forfeited. Dividends declared are accrued in cash dividends.
	A summary of the restricted share awards for the year ended December 31, 2013 is as follows:


			Restricted Share Awards
			Performance				Service				Total				Weighted-Average
			and Service				Required				Restricted				Grant-Date Fair
			Required								Awards				Value
	Nonvested as of January 1, 2013			103,221				11,363				114,584			$	48.33
	Granted			47,832				5,614				53,446				70.27
	Vested			(61,594	)			(6,775	)			(68,369	)			39.92

	Nonvested as of December 31, 2013			89,459				10,202				99,661			$	65.86

	For time-based restricted shares, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award in General and administrative expense in the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Income. Compensation expense related to the time-based restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $.3 million for each year. As of December 31, 2013, there was $.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to time-based restricted share awards that is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining period of approximately 1.7 years.
	For the performance-based awards, the number of restricted shares in which the participants will vest depends on the Company’s level of performance measured by growth in pretax income and sales over a requisite performance period. Depending on the extent to which the performance criterions are probable of being satisfied under the LTIP, the participants are eligible to earn common shares over the vesting period. Performance-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2.7 million, $2.5 million and $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2013, the remaining performance-based restricted share awards compensation expense of $3.3 million is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 1.7 years.
	The excess tax benefits from service and performance-based awards for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $.1 million each year, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in financing activities, and represents the reduction in income taxes otherwise payable during the period, attributable to the actual gross tax benefits in excess of the expected tax benefits for restricted shares vested in the current period.
	In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the LTIP), vesting of the restricted shares will be accelerated and all restrictions will lapse. Unvested performance-based awards are based on a maximum potential payout. Actual shares awarded at the end of the performance period may be less than the maximum potential payout level depending on achievement of performance-based award objectives.
	To satisfy the vesting of its restricted share awards, the Company has reserved new shares from its authorized but unissued shares. Any additional granted awards will also be issued from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares. Under the LTIP, there are 429,873 common shares currently available for additional restricted share grants.
	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company maintains a trust, commonly referred to as a rabbi trust, in connection with the Company’s deferred compensation plan. This plan allows for two deferrals. First, Directors make elective deferrals of Director fees payable and held in the rabbi trust. The deferred compensation plan allows the Directors to elect to receive Director fees in shares of common stock of the Company at a later date instead of fees paid each quarter in cash. Second, this plan allows certain Company employees to defer LTIP restricted shares for future distribution in the form of common shares. Assets of the rabbi trust are consolidated, and the value of the Company’s stock held in the rabbi trust is classified in Shareholders’ equity and generally accounted for in a manner similar to treasury stock. The Company recognizes the original amount of the deferred compensation (fair value of the deferred stock award at the date of grant) as the basis for recognition in common shares issued to the rabbi trust. Changes in the fair value of amounts owed to certain employees or Directors are not recognized as the Company’s deferred compensation plan does not permit diversification and must be settled by the delivery of a fixed number of the Company’s common shares. As of December 31, 2013, 253,156 LTIP shares have been deferred and are being held by the rabbi trust.
	Share Option Awards
	The LTIP plan permits the grant of 100,000 options to buy common shares of the Company to certain employees at not less than fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. At December 31, 2013 there were 57,000 shares remaining available for issuance under the LTIP. Options issued to date under the Plan vest 50% after one year following the date of the grant, 75% after two years, and 100% after three years and expire from five to ten years from the date of grant. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises will be funded with the issuance of new shares.
	The Company has elected to use the simplified method of calculating the expected term of the stock options and historical volatility to compute fair value under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. zero coupon Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures have been estimated to be zero.
	There were 0, 8,000, and 14,500 options granted for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The fair values for the stock options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:


			2012				2011
	Risk-free interest rate			1.3	%			1.4	%
	Dividend yield			1.9	%			1.9	%
	Expected life (years)			6				6
	Expected volatility			47	%			47.1	%
	Activity in the Company’s LTIP plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:


		Number of				Weighted				Weighted				Aggregate
		Shares				Average				Average				Intrinsic
						Exercise Price				Remaining				Value
						per Share				Contractual
										Term (Years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2013			33,750			$	50.21
Exercised			(14,250	)		$	45.11
Forfeited			(2,500	)		$	52.21

Outstanding (vested and expected to vest) at December 31, 2013			17,000			$	54.2				8.1			$	322

Exercisable at December 31, 2013			10,625			$	53.49				7.9			$	209

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2012 and 2011 was $21.76 and $19.92, respectively. There were 14,250, 1,250 and 3,000 stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $.4 million and less than $.1 million. Cash received for the exercise of stock options during 2013 and 2012 was $.6 million and $.1 million, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded compensation expense related to the stock options currently vesting of $.1 million, $.3 million and $.1 million. The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized at December 31, 2013 is expected to be a combined total of $.1 million over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years.
The excess tax benefits from share based awards for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was less than $.1 million, $0 and less than $.1 million, respectively as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in financing activities, and represents the reduction in income taxes otherwise payable during the period, attributable to the actual gross tax benefits in excess of the expected tax benefits for options exercised in the current period.

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh

Computation of Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
Computation of Earnings Per Share	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	Note I – Computation of Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share were computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings per share were calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive shares of common stock that were outstanding during the periods presented.
	The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31 was as follows:


		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator
	Net income	$	20,587	$	29,286	$	30,984

	Denominator
	Determination of shares (in thousands)
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		5,361		5,324		5,259
	Dilutive effect - share-based awards		106		47		99

	Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		5,467		5,371		5,358

	Earnings per common share attributable to PLPC shareholders
	Basic	$	3.84	$	5.5	$	5.89

	Diluted	$	3.77	$	5.45	$	5.78

	For the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 1,500, 17,750 and 4,500 stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to the average market price being lower than the exercise price plus any unearned compensation on unvested options, and as such they are anti-dilutive.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 0, 37,985 and 0 restricted shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to the average market price being lower than the exercise price plus any unearned compensation on unvested options, and as such they are anti-dilutive.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	Note J – Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	The Company’s finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of the following:


		December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount		Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Finite-lived intangible assets
	Patents	$	4,824	$	(4,434	)	$	4,819		$	(4,135	)
	Land use rights		1,380		(153	)		1,322			(125	)
	Trademark		1,590		(680	)		1,674			(529	)
	Customer backlog		578		(578	)		578			(578	)
	Technology		2,751		(538	)		2,924			(361	)
	Customer relationships		10,133		(3,086	)		10,728			(2,279	)

		$	21,256	$	(9,469	)	$	22,045		$	(8,007	)

	Indefinite-lived intangible assets

	Goodwill	$	13,873				$	15,537

	The Company performs its annual impairment test for goodwill utilizing a combination of discounted cash flow methodology, market comparables and an overall market capitalization reasonableness test in computing fair value by reporting unit. The Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value to assess if goodwill has been impaired. Based on the assumptions as to growth, discount rates and the weighting used for each respective valuation methodology, results of the valuations could be significantly different. The Company believes that the methodologies and weightings used are reasonable and result in appropriate fair values of the reporting units.
	During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test from the first day of the first quarter (January 1) to the first day of the fourth quarter (October 1). The Company determined that this change is preferable under the circumstances as it (1) better aligns with the Company’s annual business planning and budgeting process and (2) provides the Company with additional time to prepare and complete the impairment test, including measurement of any indicated impairment, as necessary, prior to issuance of the year-end financial statements. This voluntary change in accounting principle was not made to delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is impracticable to do so because retrospective application would require the application of significant estimates and assumptions with the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change was applied prospectively.
	The Company performed its annual impairment tests for goodwill as of October 1, 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded two non-cash goodwill impairment charges within the Asia-Pacific reporting segment totaling $.9 million. The goodwill impairment testing revealed that the carrying values of these two businesses exceeded their fair values. The goodwill impairment charges were due to a combination of factors including reported net losses in 2013, forecasted net losses in 2014, reduction in future discounted cash flow, higher market discount rates and changes in the utility and solar markets.

	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, is as follows:


		The Americas		EMEA			Asia-Pacific			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	3,078	$	1,029		$	8,092		$	12,199
	Additions		0		853			2,111			2,964
	Curency translation		0		(63	)		437			374

	Balance at December 31, 2012		3,078		1,819			10,640			15,537

	Impairment		0		0			(862	)		(862	)
	Curency translation		0		(65	)		(737	)		(802	)

	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	3,078	$	1,754		$	9,041		$	13,873

	The Company’s only intangible asset with an indefinite life is goodwill. The Company’s goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The increase in goodwill of $3.3 million in 2012 is related to two immaterial acquisitions the Company made for a total purchase price of $8.9 million and foreign currency translation. Of the $1.7 million decrease in goodwill in 2013, $.8 million is related to foreign currency translation and $.9 million is due to goodwill impairment.
	The aggregate amortization expense for other intangibles with finite lives, ranging from 4 to 82 years, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million. Amortization expense is estimated to be $1.3 million for 2014, $1.1 million for 2015, $.9 million for 2016, $.9 million for 2017 and $.8 million annually for 2018. The weighted-average remaining amortization period is approximately 24 years. The weighted-average remaining amortization period by intangible asset class; patents, 1.7 years; land use rights, 63 years; trademark, 12.3 years; technology, 17 years and customer relationships, 14.1 years.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Note K – Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

The carrying value of the Company’s current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable and short-term debt, approximates its fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated using discounted cash flows analysis, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements which are considered to be level two inputs. There have been no transfers in or out of level two for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2013. Based on the analysis performed, the fair value and the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt are as follows:

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2012

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Long-term debt and related current maturities

13,279

13,249

9,573

As part of the January 31, 2012 Purchase Agreement to acquire Australian Electricity Systems PTY Ltd (AES), the Company recorded an additional earn-out consideration payment of $1.2 million US dollars. This amount represented the fair value of the earn-out consideration based on AES achieving a financial performance target over the twelve months ended June 30, 2012. The Company finalized the AES contingent consideration arrangement to $.4 million in 2012 which was paid to the former owner in April 2013.

Also, the Company acquired all the assets of Forma Line Industries CC on March 1, 2012 located in South Africa. As part of the Purchase Agreement for this acquisition, the Company entered into a one-year earn-out contingent consideration arrangement that ended on March 1, 2013. The fair value of this contingent consideration arrangement was $.1 million and was paid in March 2013.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
Segment Information	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'

	Note L – Segment Information

	The Company designs, manufactures and sells hardware employed in the construction and maintenance of telecommunication, energy and other utility networks, data communication products and mounting hardware for solar power applications. Principal products include cable anchoring, control hardware and splice enclosures which are sold primarily to customers in North and South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia Pacific.

	The Company reports its segments in four geographic regions: PLP-USA, The Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) and Asia-Pacific in accordance with accounting standards codified in FASB ASC 280, Segment Reporting. Each segment distributes a full range of the Company’s primary products. The PLP-USA segment is comprised of U.S. operations manufacturing the Company’s traditional products primarily supporting domestic energy and telecommunications products. The other three segments, The Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific support the Company’s energy, telecommunications, data communication and solar products in each respective geographical region.

	The segment managers responsible for each region report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker and are accountable for the financial results and performance of their entire segment for which they are responsible. The business components within each segment are managed to maximize the results of the entire company rather than the results of any individual business component of the segment.

	The amount of each segment’s performance reported to the chief operating decision maker is for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segment and assessing its performance. The Company evaluates segment performance and allocates resources based on several factors primarily based on sales and income from continuing operations, net of tax.

	The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note A in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements. No single customer accounts for more than ten percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues. It is not practical to present revenues by product line. U.S. net sales for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $163 million, $179.4 million and $171.5 million, respectively. U.S. long lived assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $38.4 million and $28.9 million, respectively.

	The following table presents a summary of the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Financial results for the PLP-USA segment include the elimination of all segments’ intercompany profits in inventory.



			Year ended December 31
			2013				2012				2011
	Net sales
	PLP-USA		$	144,054			$	162,027			$	146,146
	The Americas			91,497				92,584				100,144
	EMEA			61,543				66,272				61,430
	Asia-Pacific			112,682				118,309				116,684

	Total net sales		$	409,776			$	439,192			$	424,404

	Intersegment sales
	PLP-USA		$	12,939			$	8,537			$	9,095
	The Americas			6,204				7,501				7,048
	EMEA			2,080				4,582				1,968
	Asia-Pacific			10,491				14,766				11,995

	Total intersegment sales		$	31,714			$	35,386			$	30,106

	Interest income
	PLP-USA		$	0			$	3			$	0
	The Americas			290				283				160
	EMEA			215				209				155
	Asia-Pacific			113				153				260

	Total interest income		$	618			$	648			$	575

	Interest expense
	PLP-USA		$	(305	)		$	(437	)		$	(270	)
	The Americas			(41	)			(58	)			(295	)
	EMEA			(68	)			(50	)			(47	)
	Asia-Pacific			(36	)			(52	)			(215	)

	Total interest expense		$	(450	)		$	(597	)		$	(827	)

	Income taxes
	PLP-USA		$	6,286			$	9,581			$	6,708
	The Americas			2,585				2,722				3,864
	EMEA			2,052				2,769				1,637
	Asia-Pacific			284				469				2,801

	Total income taxes		$	11,207			$	15,541			$	15,010

	Net income (loss)
	PLP-USA		$	10,875			$	13,290			$	10,413
	The Americas			5,896				6,763				8,159
	EMEA			6,047				6,840				5,519
Asia-Pacific			(2,231	)			2,393				6,893

Total net income		$	20,587			$	29,286			$	30,984




		Year Ended December 31
		2013				2012				2011
Expenditure for long-lived assets
PLP-USA		$	12,262			$	6,702			$	3,798
The Americas			3,107				2,781				7,114
EMEA			2,573				2,816				2,427
Asia-Pacific			3,092				8,744				5,573

Total expenditures for long-lived assets		$	21,034			$	21,043			$	18,912

Depreciation and amortization
PLP-USA		$	3,793			$	3,520			$	3,438
The Americas			2,444				2,565				2,244
EMEA			1,792				1,714				1,818
Asia-Pacific			4,059				3,765				3,025

Total depreciation and amortization		$	12,088			$	11,564			$	10,525




		As of December 31
		2013				2012
Identifiable assets
PLP-USA		$	90,414			$	84,192
The Americas			73,200				67,745
EMEA			51,345				51,370
Asia-Pacific			117,129				129,437

			332,088				332,744
Corporate assets			318				320

Total identifiable assets		$	332,406			$	333,064

Long-lived assets
PLP-USA		$	36,888			$	27,353
The Americas			19,168				20,069
EMEA			14,467				13,263
Asia-Pacific			29,938				32,641

Total long-lived assets		$	100,461			$	93,326

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note M – Related Party Transactions
	On May 8, 2013, the Company purchased 2,500 common shares of the Company from Ryan Ruhlman, at a price per share of $76.98, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. On November 12, 2013 the Company purchased 3,200 common shares of the Company from Ryan Ruhlman, at a price per share of $78.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. Ruhlman is the son of Robert G. Ruhlman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved these transactions.
	On May 8, 2013, the Company purchased 3,000 common shares of the Company from David C. Sunkle, at a price per share of $76.98, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Additionally, on November 12, 2013, the Company purchased 1,000 common shares of the Company from David C. Sunkle, at a price per share of $78.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. Sunkle is an Officer of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved these transactions.
	On May 9, 2013, the Company purchased 9,757 Common Shares of the Company from a foundation of which Barbara P. Ruhlman, Robert G. Ruhlman, Randall M. Ruhlman and Bernard Karr are officers, at a price per share of $76.87. Barbara P. Ruhlman is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the mother of Robert G. Ruhlman and Randall M. Ruhlman, both of whom are also members of the Board of Directors. Robert G. Ruhlman is Chairman, President and CEO of the Company. The purchase was consummated pursuant to a Shares Purchase Agreement dated May 9, 2013, between the Company and the foundation. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	On November 12, 2013, the Company purchased 25,000 common shares of the Company from Robert G. Ruhlman, at a price per share of $78.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. Ruhlman is Chairman, President and CEO of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	On November 12, 2013, the Company purchased 2,750 common shares of the Company from Dennis F. McKenna, at a price per share of $78.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. McKenna is an Officer of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	On November 12, 2013, the Company purchased 2,500 common shares of the Company from J. Cecil Curlee, at a price per share of $78.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. Curlee is an Officer of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	On November 12, 2013, the Company purchased 1,750 common shares of the Company from Caroline S. Vaccariello, at a price per share of $78.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mrs. Vaccariello is an Officer of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	In August 2012, the Company purchased 30,410 common shares of the Company from a trust for the benefit of Barbara P. Ruhlman and a foundation of which Barbara P. Ruhlman, Robert G. Ruhlman and Randall M. Ruhlman are officers, at a price per share of $54.92, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Barbara P. Ruhlman is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the mother of Robert G. Ruhlman and Randall M. Ruhlman, both of whom are also members of the Board of Directors. Robert G. Ruhlman is Chairman, President and CEO of the Company. The purchase was consummated pursuant to two Shares Purchase Agreements both dated August 14, 2012, one between the Company and the trust and the other between the Company and the foundation. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved these transactions.
	In August 2012, the Company purchased 4,100 common shares of the Company from Dennis F. McKenna, at a price per share of $55.91, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. McKenna is an Officer of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	In December 2012, the Company purchased 7,408 common shares of the Company from William H. Haag, at a price per share of $54.71, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price. Mr. Haag is an Officer of the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	The Company’s Australian subsidiary utilizes information technology services from X Information Technology (“XIT”). For the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 PLP-Australia incurred a total of $0 million, $.7 million and $.5 million for these expenses. XIT was once owned and operated by Paul Cascun, Regional IT Manager, a current PLP employee. Prior to his employment at PLP, Mr. Cascun sold his shares in XIT to his sister who now owns and operates the company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	On May 10, 2011, the Company purchased 29,842 common shares of the Company from a trust for the benefit of Barbara P. Ruhlman and a foundation of which Barbara P. Ruhlman, Robert G. Ruhlman, Randall M. Ruhlman are officers, at a price per share of $69.21, which was calculated using a 30-day average price. Barbara P. Ruhlman is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the mother of Robert G. Ruhlman and Randall M. Ruhlman, both of whom are also members of the Board of Directors. Robert G. Ruhlman is Chairman, President and CEO of the Company. The purchase was consummated pursuant to two Shares Purchase Agreements both dated May 10, 2011, one between the Company and the trust and the other between the Company and the foundation. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.

	On August 16, 2011, the Company purchased 12,000 common shares of the Company from Robert G. Ruhlman at a price per share of $63.72, which was calculated using a 30-day average price. Robert G. Ruhlman is Chairman, President and CEO of the Company, as well as a member of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	Ryan Ruhlman has worked for the Company for over six years, recently being promoted to the role of Manager of New Business Development and Marketing Communication. He is the son of Robert G. Ruhlman, President and CEO of the Company, and received $184,608 in reportable compensation for 2011. The bulk of his compensation, $99,600 is attributable to his 2011 award of stock options, in line with the Company’s compensation for mid-level managers.
	The Company’s New Zealand subsidiary, Electropar currently leases two parcels of property, on which it has its corporate office, manufacturing and warehouse space. The entities leasing the property to Electropar are owned, in part, by Grant Wallace a Director, and Cameron Wallace an employee. For each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Electropar incurred a total of $.3 million, $.3 million and $.3 million for such lease expense. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	The Company’s DPW operation rents two properties owned by RandReau Properties, LLC and RaRe Properties, LLC., which are owned by Kevin Goodreau, Vice President of Business Development – Solar Division, and Jeffrey Randall, Vice President of Product Design – Solar Division. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, DPW paid rent expense of $.3 million annually for the properties. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	The Company’s Belos operation hires temporary employees through a temporary work agency, Flex-Work Sp. Z.o.o., which is 50% owned by Agnieszka Rozwadowska. Agnieszka Rozwadowskais the wife of Piotr Rozwadowski, the Managing Director of the Belos operation located in Poland. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Belos incurred a total of $.3 million, $.7 million and $.7 million, respectively, for such temporary labor expense. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.
	The Company’s Belos operations engaged a company to perform various maintenance, renovation and building services at its location. This entity, ZRB Michalczyk Strumien, is solely owned by the husband (Aleksander Michalczyk) of Belos’ Finance Director, Urszula Michalczyk. Belos incurred a total of $0 in 2013 and 2012, and $.2 million 2011, annually for such maintenance and building expense. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
Business Combinations	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'

	Note N – Business Combinations

	The Company acquired Australian Electricity Systems PTY Ltd (AES) on January 31, 2012, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of AES for $6.3 million Australian dollars including acquired cash of $1.8 million Australian dollars, net of customary post-working capital adjustments of $.5 million Australian dollars. As part of the purchase agreement to acquire AES, the Company recorded on January 31, 2012 a $1.1 million Australian dollars earn-out consideration payment. This amount represented the fair value of the earn-out consideration based on AES achieving a financial performance target over the twelve months ended June 30, 2012. The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement was determined by estimating the (probability-weighted) expected earn-out payment discounted to present value and is considered a level three input. The parties agreed this contingent consideration was $.4 million which was included in the Accrued expenses and other liabilities line on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012. The Company paid this $.4 million consideration to the former owner in April 2013. The acquisition of AES was immaterial to the Company. AES is reported as part of the Company’s Asia-Pacific segment.

Product_Warranty_Reserve

Product Warranty Reserve	12 Months Ended
Product Warranty Reserve	Dec. 31, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Product Warranty Reserve	'

	Note O – Product Warranty Reserve

	The Company records an accrual for estimated warranty costs to costs of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income. These amounts are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company records and accounts for its warranty reserve based on specific claim incidents. Should the Company become aware of a specific potential warranty claim for which liability is probable and reasonably estimable, a specific charge is recorded and accounted for accordingly. Adjustments are made quarterly to the accruals as claim information changes. During the second quarter of 2011, the Company accepted certified product from a supplier which later failed in the field. The Company took responsibility to expedite correcting the situation and as such, the Company increased the warranty reserve by $1.8 million during the second quarter of 2011.

	The following is a rollforward of the product warranty reserve:



		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at January 1	$	1,229		$	824		$	536
	Additions charged to income		443			1,384			1,968
	Warranty usage		(475	)		(983	)		(1,467	)
	Currency translation		(57	)		4			(213	)

	Balance at December 31	$	1,140		$	1,229		$	824

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	'
	Note P – Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)
	The following table summarizes our quarterly results of operations for each of the quarters in 2013 and 2012.


		Quarter ended
		March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31
	2013
	Net sales	$	98,689	$	111,716	$	100,828	$	98,543
	Gross profit		31,299		37,549		31,660		30,393
	Income before income taxes		6,917		10,680		8,544		5,653
	Net income		4,965		6,386		6,104		3,132
	Net income, basic	$	0.92	$	1.19	$	1.14	$	0.59
	Net income, diluted	$	0.91	$	1.17	$	1.12	$	0.58
	2012
	Net sales	$	108,846	$	111,940	$	114,206	$	104,200
	Gross profit		36,012		36,966		38,507		32,953
	Income before income taxes		12,191		9,913		13,410		9,313
	Net income		8,133		6,596		9,284		5,273
	Net income, basic	$	1.52	$	1.24	$	1.75	$	0.99
	Net income, diluted	$	1.5	$	1.21	$	1.71	$	0.98

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'

	Note Q – Subsequent Events

	On January 31, 2014, the Company acquired Helix Uniformed Limited (Helix), located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. From an accounting perspective, the acquisition is not considered material. The acquisition of Helix will diversify the Company’s business in Canada, expand its manufacturing footprint and enhance its engineering capabilities locally.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'

	PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

	SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

	Years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

	(Thousands of dollars)



	For the year ended December 31, 2013:		Balance at		Additions		Deductions			Other			Balance at
			beginning		charged to					additions or			end of
			of period		costs and					deductions (a)			period
					expenses
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	1,395	$	419	$	(368	)	$	(5	)	$	1,441
	Reserve for credit memos			644		418		(390	)		0			672
	Slow-moving and obsolete inventory reserves			6,773		2,672		(1,006	)		(439	)		8,000
	Accrued product warranty			1,229		443		(475	)		(57	)		1,140
	U.S. tax capital loss			2,034		0		(49	)		(1,985	)		0
	Foreign net operating loss tax carryforwards			295		1,096		(115	)		(70	)		1,206

	For the year ended December 31, 2012:		Balance at		Additions		Deductions			Other			Balance at
			beginning		charged to					additions or			end of
			of period		costs and					deductions (a)			period
					expenses
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	1,258	$	774	$	(651	)	$	14		$	1,395
	Reserve for credit memos			369		642		(367	)		0			644
	Slow-moving and obsolete inventory reserves			5,875		1,981		(828	)		(255	)		6,773
	Accrued product warranty			824		1,384		(983	)		4			1,229
	U.S. tax capital loss			2,053		0		(19	)		0			2,034
	Foreign net operating loss tax carryforwards			1,062		0		(760	)		(7	)		295

	For the year ended December 31, 2011:		Balance at		Additions		Deductions			Other			Balance at
			beginning		charged to					additions or			end of
			of period		costs and					deductions (a)			period
					expenses
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	875	$	925	$	(512	)	$	(30	)	$	1,258
	Reserve for credit memos			338		367		(336	)		0			369
	Slow-moving and obsolete inventory reserves			5,607		1,480		(1,132	)		(80	)		5,875
	Accrued product warranty			536		1,968		(1,467	)		(213	)		824
	U.S. tax capital loss			2,056		0		(3	)		0			2,053
	Foreign net operating loss tax carryforwards			937		269		(165	)		21			1,062


	(a)	Other additions or deductions relate to translation adjustments and 2013 reflects the expiration of U.S. capital loss and certain foreign net operating loss carryforwards.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations	'
	Nature of Operations
	Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy, telecommunication, cable operators, data communication and other similar industries. The Company’s primary products support, protect, connect, terminate and secure cables and wires. The Company also provides solar hardware systems and mounting hardware for a variety of solar power applications. The Company’s customers include public and private energy utilities and communication companies, cable operators, governmental agencies, contractors and subcontractors, distributors and value-added resellers. The Company serves its worldwide markets through strategically located domestic and international manufacturing facilities.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries for which it has a controlling interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Noncontrolling Interests	'

	Noncontrolling Interests

	During 2011, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of BlueSky joint venture from BlueSky Energy Pty Ltd.
Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures	'
	Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures
	Investments in joint ventures, where the Company owns between 20% and 50%, or where the Company does not have control but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operations or financial policies, are accounted for by the equity method. As of December 31, 2013, the Company owned 25.93% in Proxisafe Ltd., located in Calgary, Alberta. The Company accounts for its joint venture interest in Proxisafe accounts using the equity method.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents are stated at fair value and consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.
Receivable Allowances	'
	Receivable Allowances
	The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable is based upon the number of days the accounts are past due, the current business environment, and specific information such as bankruptcy or liquidity issues of customers. The Company also maintains an allowance for future sales credits related to sales recorded during the year. The estimated allowance is based on historical sales credits issued in the subsequent year related to the prior year and any significant preapproved open return good authorizations as of the balance sheet date.
Inventories	'

	Inventories

	The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of determining cost for the majority of its material portion of inventories in PLP-USA. All other inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Reserves are maintained for estimated obsolescence or excess inventory based on past usage, and future demand.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'

	Fair Value of Financial Instruments

	Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, approximates its fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, which is considered to be a level two input. Based on the analysis performed, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value at December 31, 2013.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives used, when purchased new, are: land improvements, ten years; buildings, forty years; building improvements, five to forty years; and machinery and equipment, three to ten years. Appropriate reductions in estimated useful lives are made for property, plant and equipment purchased in connection with an acquisition of a business or in a used condition when purchased.
Long-Lived Assets	'
	Long-Lived Assets
	The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might be impaired and the discounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets are less than the carrying value. The Company’s cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect the Company’s best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is then reduced to fair value. The estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. The Company did not record any impairments to long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	Goodwill and other intangible assets generally result from business acquisitions. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing. Intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, technology, customer backlogs, trademarks and land use rights, are generally amortized over periods from less than one year to twenty years. The Company’s intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized using a projected cash flow basis method over their useful lives unless another method was demonstrated to be more appropriate. Customer relationships and trademark intangibles acquired in 2009 and on January 31, 2012 are amortized using a projected cash flow basis method over the period in which the economic benefits of the intangibles are consumed. Customer relationships, technology and trademarks acquired in July 2010 are being amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. This straight-line method was more appropriate because it better reflected the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise expire compared to using a projected cash flow basis method. An evaluation of the remaining useful life of intangible assets with a determinable life is performed on a periodic basis and when events and circumstances warrant an evaluation. The Company assesses intangible assets with a determinable life for impairment consistent with its policy for assessing other long-lived assets. Goodwill and intangible assets are also reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently when changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired, or in the case of finite lived intangible assets, when the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that would result in an impairment review primarily include operations reporting losses or a significant change in the use of an asset. Impairment charges are recognized pursuant to FASB ASC 350-20, Goodwill.

	The Company performs the annual impairment test for goodwill utilizing a combination of discounted cash flow methodology, market comparable, and an overall market capitalization reasonableness test in computing fair value by reporting unit. The Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value to assess if goodwill has been impaired. Based on the assumptions as to growth, discount rates and the weighting used for each respective valuation methodology, results of the valuations could be significantly changed. However, the Company believes that the methodologies and weightings used are reasonable and result in appropriate fair values of the reporting units.
	During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test from the first day of the first quarter (January 1) to the first day of the fourth quarter (October 1). The Company determined that this change is preferable under the circumstances as it (1) better aligns with the Company’s annual business planning and budgeting process and (2) provides the Company with additional time to prepare and complete the impairment test, including measurement of any indicated impairment, as necessary, prior to issuance of the year-end financial statements. This voluntary change in accounting principle was not made to delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is impracticable to do so because retrospective application would require the application of significant estimates and assumptions with the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change was applied prospectively.
	The Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill as of October 1, 2013. The Company recorded impairment for goodwill during the year end December 31, 2013 of $.9 million. The Company did not have any impairment for goodwill or other intangibles for the year ended December 31, 2012. See Note J for additional information.
Revenue Recognition	'

	Revenue Recognition

	Sales are recognized when products are shipped and the title and risk of loss has passed to unaffiliated customers or when they are delivered based on the terms of the sale, there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue related to shipping and handling costs billed to customers is included in net sales and the related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold.
Research and Development	'
	Research and Development
	Research and development costs for new products are expensed as incurred and totaled $2.3 million in 2013, $2.1 million in 2012 and $2.4 million in 2011.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are computed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. In the Consolidated Financial Statements, the benefits of a consolidated return have been reflected where such returns have or could be filed based on the entities and jurisdictions included in the financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of particular assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
	Net deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that we believe these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

	Uncertain tax positions are recorded in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
Advertising	'
	Advertising
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $2 million in 2013, $1.8 million in 2012 and $1.8 million in 2011.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the date of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The translation adjustments are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates in effect during the period. Transaction gains and losses arising from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in income and expense as incurred. Aggregate transaction gains and losses for the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $3.7 million loss, a less than $.1 million loss, and a $1.2 million loss, respectively. Upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity, the cumulative translation adjustment for that entity is reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Business Combinations	'
	Business Combinations
	The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	'

	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required 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 period. For other amounts, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2013. As these amendments relate to presentation only, the provisions of ASU 2012-04 did not have an effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, an amendment to FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740). This update clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, 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 if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Retrospective application was permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
New Accounting Standards to be Adopted	'

	New Accounting Standards To Be Adopted

	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity.” ASU 2013-05 clarifies the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment under current U.S. GAAP by emphasizing that the accounting for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income for sales or transfers of a controlling financial interest within a foreign Entity is the same irrespective of whether the sale or transfer is of a subsidiary or a group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or business. When a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2013-05 on the Company’s financial statements.

Other_Financial_Statement_Info1

Other Financial Statement Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Other Financial Statement Information (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Inventories - Net	'
	Inventories – net


		December 31
		2013			2012
	Finished products	$	37,301		$	41,474
	Work-in-process		7,779			7,940
	Raw materials		40,251			46,133

			85,331			95,547
	Excess of current cost over LIFO cost		(4,146	)		(4,674	)
	Noncurrent portion of inventory		(7,350	)		(3,957	)

		$	73,835		$	86,916

Property, Plant and Equipment - Net	'
	Major classes of property, plant and equipment are as follows:


		December 31
		2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	12,141		$	13,190
	Buildings and improvements		69,963			59,505
	Machinery and equipment		141,940			138,533
	Construction in progress		7,185			7,242

			231,229			218,470
	Less accumulated depreciation		130,768			125,144

		$	100,461		$	93,326

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Pension Plans (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Net periodic pension cost for the Plan consists of the following components for the years ended December 31:


		2013			2012			2011
	Service cost	$	222		$	1,300		$	1,003
	Interest cost		1,251			1,411			1,373
	Expected return on plan assets		(1,436	)		(1,186	)		(1,089	)
	Recognized net actuarial loss		493			750			412

	Net periodic pension cost	$	530		$	2,275		$	1,699

Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets	'
	The following tables set forth benefit obligations, plan assets and the accrued benefit cost of the Plan at December 31:


		2013			2012
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$	31,590		$	30,863
	Service cost		222			1,300
	Interest cost		1,251			1,411
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(4,901	)		4,859
	Gain on curtailment		0			(6,275	)
	Benefits paid		(637	)		(568	)

	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	27,525		$	31,590

	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year	$	18,406		$	15,077
	Actual return on plan assets		3,154			1,748
	Employer contributions		1,576			2,149
	Benefits paid		(637	)		(568	)

	Fair value of plan assets at end of the year	$	22,499		$	18,406

	Unfunded pension obligation	$	5,026		$	13,184

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Related to Pension Plan	'

	In accordance with ASC 715-20, the Company recognizes the underfunded status of the Plan as a liability. The amount recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Plan at December 31 is comprised of the following:



		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	(6,305	)	$	(8,000	)
	Reclassification adjustments:
	Pretax amortized net actuarial loss		493			750
	Tax provision		(187	)		(284	)

			306			466

	Adjustment to recognize gain (loss)on unfunded pension obligations:
	Pretax gain (loss)		6,619			(4,297	)
	Tax (benefit) provision		(2,506	)		1,627

			4,113			(2,670	)

	Adjustment to recognize the gain on curtailment of the pension plan:
	Pretax curtailment gain		0			6,275
	Tax provision		0			(2,376	)

			0			3,899

	Balance at December 31	$	(1,886	)	$	(6,305	)

Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	'
	The Plan had accumulated benefit obligations in excess of Plan assets as follows:


		2013			2012
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	27,525		$	31,590
	Fair market value of assets		22,499			18,406
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	'

	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 are as follows:



		2013		2012
	Discount rate	5.00%		4.00%
	Rate of compensation increase	n/a		n/a
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 are as follows:


		2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate		4	%		4.5	%		5.6	%
	Rate of compensation increase		n/a			2.5			3.5
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		8			8			8
Fair Value of the Company's Pension Plan Assets	'
	The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, by category, are as follows:


		At December 31, 2013
		Total Assets at			Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value			Active Markets			Observable			Unobservable
					for Identical			Inputs (Level 2)			Inputs (Level 3)
					Assets (Level 1)
	Asset Category
	Cash	$	1,127		$	1,127		$	0		$	0
	Equity Securities		7,455			7,455			0			0
	U.S. Treasury Bonds		4,161			4,161			0			0
	Mutual Funds - Equity		6,776			6,776			0			0
	Corporate Bonds		2,950			0			2,950			0
	Mortgage-Backed Securities		30			0			30			0

	Total	$	22,499		$	19,519		$	2,980		$	0


		At December 31, 2012
		Total Assets at			Quoted Prices in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value			Active Markets			Observable			Unobservable
					for Identical			Inputs (Level 2)			Inputs (Level 3)
					Assets (Level 1)
	Asset Category
	Cash	$	464		$	464		$	0		$	0
	Equity Securities		6,121			6,121			0			0
	U.S. Treasury Bonds		4,205			4,205			0			0
	Mutual Funds - Equity		4,944			4,944			0			0
	Corporate Bonds		2,640			0			2,640			0
	Mortgage-Backed Securities		32			0			32			0

	Total	$	18,406		$	15,734		$	2,672		$	0

Weighted-Average Asset Allocations of Pension Plan Assets	'
	The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, are as follows:


		Plan assets
		at December 31
		2013			2012
	Asset category
	Equity securities		63	%		60	%
	Debt securities		32			37
	Cash and equivalents		5			3

			100	%		100	%

Weighted-Average Target Allocations of Pension Plans	'
	In recognition of the expected returns and volatility from financial assets, retirement plan assets are invested in the following ranges with the target allocation noted:


		Range			Target
	Equities		30-80	%		60	%
	Fixed Income		20-70	%		40	%
	Cash Equivalents		0-10	%
Aggregate Benefits Expected to be Paid Out of Plan Assets	'
	The benefits expected to be paid out of the Plan assets in each of the next five years and the aggregate benefits expected to be paid for the subsequent five years are as follows:


	Year	Pension Benefits
	2014	$	715,302
	2015		776,134
	2016		852,886
	2017		926,748
	2018		1,005,382
	2019-2023		6,482,705

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Total Changes in AOCI by Component Net of Tax	'
	The following tables set forth the total changes in AOCI by component, net of tax:


			Year ended December 31
			Defined benefit			Currency			Total
			pension plan			Translation
			activity			Adjustment
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	(6,324	)	$	(7,340	)	$	(13,664	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:
	Loss on foreign currency translation adjustment			0			(8,457	)		(8,457	)
	Gain on unfunded pension obligations			4,113			0			4,113
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI:
	Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss (a)			306			0			306

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			4,419			(8,457	)		(4,038	)

	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(1,905	)	$	(15,797	)	$	(17,702	)


	(a)	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs as noted in Note C Pension Plans.

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements_T

Debt and Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Debt and Credit Arrangements (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt and Credit Arrangements	'

		December 31
		2013			2012
	Short-term debt
	Secured notes
	Brazilian Real denominated (R$3,808k) at 3.25% to 3.6% due 2014	$	1,105		$	0
	New Zealand Dollar (NZ$264k) at 1.70% to 5.56%		0			217
	Current portion of long-term debt		195			251

	Total short-term debt		1,300			468

	Long-term debt
	USD denominated at 1.29%, due 2017		12,604			9,236
	Australian dollar denominated term loans (A$1,065), at 6.0% (5.83% in 2012), due 2018, secured by land and building		570			70
	Brazilian Real denominated term loan (R$918k) at 4.5% to 8.12% due 2014 secured by capital equipment		75			267

	Total long-term debt		13,249			9,573
	Less current portion		(195	)		(251	)

	Total long-term debt, less current portion		13,054			9,322

	Total debt	$	14,354		$	9,790

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Before Income Taxes	'
	Income before income taxes was derived from the following sources:


		2013			2012			2011
	United States	$	16,388		$	21,754		$	18,842
	Foreign		15,406			23,073			27,152

		$	31,794		$	44,827		$	45,994

Components of Income Taxes	'

	The components of income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:



		2013			2012			2011
	Current
	Federal	$	6,308		$	9,663		$	5,679
	Foreign		5,018			7,885			8,896
	State and local		986			920			1,123

			12,312			18,468			15,698

	Deferred
	Federal		(1,081	)		(1,443	)		726
	Foreign		157			(1,310	)		(1,199	)
	State and local		(181	)		(174	)		(215	)

			(1,105	)		(2,927	)		(688	)

	Income taxes	$	11,207		$	15,541		$	15,010

Differences Between the Provision for Income Taxes at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate and the Tax	'

	The differences between the provision for income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate and the tax shown in the Statements of Consolidated Income for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:



		2013			2012			2011
	U. S. federal statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	Federal tax at statutory rate	$	11,128		$	15,689		$	16,098
	State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		583			485			590
	U.S. federal permanent items		124			332			14
	Domestic productions activity deduction		(372	)		(669	)		(401	)
	Foreign earnings and related tax credits		658			1,498			261
	Non-U.S. tax rate variances		(1,467	)		(1,175	)		(1,510	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits		(770	)		310			21
	Valuation allowance		1,091			(337	)		19
	Tax credits		(453	)		(85	)		(265	)
	Other, net		685			(507	)		183

		$	11,207		$	15,541		$	15,010

Tax Effects of Temporary Differences that Give Rise to the Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:


		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	1,463		$	1,808
	Inventory valuation reserves		2,581			2,771
	Benefit plan reserves		7,773			9,468
	Capital tax loss carryforwards		0			2,034
	Net operating loss carryforwards		1,244			788
	Other accrued expenses		2,926			2,480
	Unrealized foreign exchange		743			58

	Gross deferred tax assets		16,730			19,407
	Valuation allowance		(1,420	)		(2,329	)

	Net deferred tax assets		15,310			17,078

	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and other basis differences		(5,533	)		(5,276	)
	Intangibles		(2,828	)		(3,571	)
	Other		(132	)		(90	)

	Deferred tax liabilities		(8,493	)		(8,937	)

	Net deferred tax assets	$	6,817		$	8,141


		2013			2012
	Change in net deferred tax assets:
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	1,105		$	2,927
	Items of other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,692	)		(1,033	)
	Currency translation		263			(254	)
	Deferred tax balances from business acquisition		0			(1,036	)

	Total change in net deferred tax assets	$	(1,324	)	$	604

Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'

	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the period ended December 31:



		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at January 1	$	1,361		$	1,015		$	1,062
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		0			511			0
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(588	)		0			(32	)
	Expiration of statutes of limitations		(165	)		(165	)		(15	)

	Balance at December 31	$	608		$	1,361		$	1,015

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Restricted Share Awards	'
	A summary of the restricted share awards for the year ended December 31, 2013 is as follows:


		Restricted Share Awards
		Performance			Service			Total			Weighted-Average
		and Service			Required			Restricted			Grant-Date Fair
		Required						Awards			Value
	Nonvested as of January 1, 2013		103,221			11,363			114,584		$	48.33
	Granted		47,832			5,614			53,446			70.27
	Vested		(61,594	)		(6,775	)		(68,369	)		39.92

	Nonvested as of December 31, 2013		89,459			10,202			99,661		$	65.86

Weighted-Average Assumptions for Estimating Fair Values	'
	The fair values for the stock options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:


		2012			2011
	Risk-free interest rate		1.3	%		1.4	%
	Dividend yield		1.9	%		1.9	%
	Expected life (years)		6			6
	Expected volatility		47	%		47.1	%
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]	'
Activity in Company's Plan	'
	Activity in the Company’s LTIP plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:


		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise Price			Remaining			Value
					per Share			Contractual
								Term (Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		33,750		$	50.21
	Exercised		(14,250	)	$	45.11
	Forfeited		(2,500	)	$	52.21

	Outstanding (vested and expected to vest) at December 31, 2013		17,000		$	54.2			8.1		$	322

	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		10,625		$	53.49			7.9		$	209

Stock Options [Member]	'
Activity in Company's Plan	'
	Activity in the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:


		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise Price			Remaining			Value
					per Share			Contractual
								Term (Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		32,150		$	40.93
	Exercised		(19,150	)	$	41.59

	Outstanding (exercisable and vested) at December 31, 2013		13,000		$	39.95			3.6		$	432

	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		13,000		$	39.95			3.6		$	432

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh1

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Computation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31 was as follows:


		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator
	Net income	$	20,587	$	29,286	$	30,984

	Denominator
	Determination of shares (in thousands)
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		5,361		5,324		5,259
	Dilutive effect - share-based awards		106		47		99

	Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		5,467		5,371		5,358

	Earnings per common share attributable to PLPC shareholders
	Basic	$	3.84	$	5.5	$	5.89

	Diluted	$	3.77	$	5.45	$	5.78

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	The Company’s finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of the following:


		December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount		Amortization			Amount			Amortization
	Finite-lived intangible assets
	Patents	$	4,824	$	(4,434	)	$	4,819		$	(4,135	)
	Land use rights		1,380		(153	)		1,322			(125	)
	Trademark		1,590		(680	)		1,674			(529	)
	Customer backlog		578		(578	)		578			(578	)
	Technology		2,751		(538	)		2,924			(361	)
	Customer relationships		10,133		(3,086	)		10,728			(2,279	)

		$	21,256	$	(9,469	)	$	22,045		$	(8,007	)

	Indefinite-lived intangible assets

	Goodwill	$	13,873				$	15,537

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, is as follows:


		The Americas		EMEA			Asia-Pacific			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	3,078	$	1,029		$	8,092		$	12,199
	Additions		0		853			2,111			2,964
	Curency translation		0		(63	)		437			374

	Balance at December 31, 2012		3,078		1,819			10,640			15,537

	Impairment		0		0			(862	)		(862	)
	Curency translation		0		(65	)		(737	)		(802	)

	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	3,078	$	1,754		$	9,041		$	13,873

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets1

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value and Carrying Value of Long-Term Debt

Based on the analysis performed, the fair value and the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt are as follows:

December 31, 2013

December 31, 2012

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

Long-term debt and related current maturities

13,279

13,249

9,573

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Company's Reportable Segment	'

	The following table presents a summary of the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Financial results for the PLP-USA segment include the elimination of all segments’ intercompany profits in inventory.



			Year ended December 31
			2013				2012				2011
	Net sales
	PLP-USA		$	144,054			$	162,027			$	146,146
	The Americas			91,497				92,584				100,144
	EMEA			61,543				66,272				61,430
	Asia-Pacific			112,682				118,309				116,684

	Total net sales		$	409,776			$	439,192			$	424,404

	Intersegment sales
	PLP-USA		$	12,939			$	8,537			$	9,095
	The Americas			6,204				7,501				7,048
	EMEA			2,080				4,582				1,968
	Asia-Pacific			10,491				14,766				11,995

	Total intersegment sales		$	31,714			$	35,386			$	30,106

	Interest income
	PLP-USA		$	0			$	3			$	0
	The Americas			290				283				160
	EMEA			215				209				155
	Asia-Pacific			113				153				260

	Total interest income		$	618			$	648			$	575

	Interest expense
	PLP-USA		$	(305	)		$	(437	)		$	(270	)
	The Americas			(41	)			(58	)			(295	)
	EMEA			(68	)			(50	)			(47	)
	Asia-Pacific			(36	)			(52	)			(215	)

	Total interest expense		$	(450	)		$	(597	)		$	(827	)

	Income taxes
	PLP-USA		$	6,286			$	9,581			$	6,708
	The Americas			2,585				2,722				3,864
	EMEA			2,052				2,769				1,637
	Asia-Pacific			284				469				2,801

	Total income taxes		$	11,207			$	15,541			$	15,010

	Net income (loss)
	PLP-USA		$	10,875			$	13,290			$	10,413
	The Americas			5,896				6,763				8,159
	EMEA			6,047				6,840				5,519
	Asia-Pacific			(2,231	)			2,393				6,893

	Total net income		$	20,587			$	29,286			$	30,984




			Year Ended December 31
			2013				2012				2011
	Expenditure for long-lived assets
	PLP-USA		$	12,262			$	6,702			$	3,798
	The Americas			3,107				2,781				7,114
EMEA			2,573				2,816				2,427
Asia-Pacific			3,092				8,744				5,573

Total expenditures for long-lived assets		$	21,034			$	21,043			$	18,912

Depreciation and amortization
PLP-USA		$	3,793			$	3,520			$	3,438
The Americas			2,444				2,565				2,244
EMEA			1,792				1,714				1,818
Asia-Pacific			4,059				3,765				3,025

Total depreciation and amortization		$	12,088			$	11,564			$	10,525




		As of December 31
		2013				2012
Identifiable assets
PLP-USA		$	90,414			$	84,192
The Americas			73,200				67,745
EMEA			51,345				51,370
Asia-Pacific			117,129				129,437

			332,088				332,744
Corporate assets			318				320

Total identifiable assets		$	332,406			$	333,064

Long-lived assets
PLP-USA		$	36,888			$	27,353
The Americas			19,168				20,069
EMEA			14,467				13,263
Asia-Pacific			29,938				32,641

Total long-lived assets		$	100,461			$	93,326

Product_Warranty_Reserve_Table

Product Warranty Reserve (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Product Warranty Reserve (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Roll Forward of Product Warranty Reserve	'
	The following is a rollforward of the product warranty reserve:


		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at January 1	$	1,229		$	824		$	536
	Additions charged to income		443			1,384			1,968
	Warranty usage		(475	)		(983	)		(1,467	)
	Currency translation		(57	)		4			(213	)

	Balance at December 31	$	1,140		$	1,229		$	824

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Results of Operations	'
	The following table summarizes our quarterly results of operations for each of the quarters in 2013 and 2012.


		Quarter ended
		March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31
	2013
	Net sales	$	98,689	$	111,716	$	100,828	$	98,543
	Gross profit		31,299		37,549		31,660		30,393
	Income before income taxes		6,917		10,680		8,544		5,653
	Net income		4,965		6,386		6,104		3,132
	Net income, basic	$	0.92	$	1.19	$	1.14	$	0.59
	Net income, diluted	$	0.91	$	1.17	$	1.12	$	0.58
	2012
	Net sales	$	108,846	$	111,940	$	114,206	$	104,200
	Gross profit		36,012		36,966		38,507		32,953
	Income before income taxes		12,191		9,913		13,410		9,313
	Net income		8,133		6,596		9,284		5,273
	Net income, basic	$	1.52	$	1.24	$	1.75	$	0.99
	Net income, diluted	$	1.5	$	1.21	$	1.71	$	0.98

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Description of cash and cash equivalents original maturities	'Three months or less	'	'
Goodwill impairment	$862,000	$0	$0
Research and development costs	2,300,000	2,100,000	2,400,000
Minimum percentage of ownership in investments for consolidation	50.00%	'	'
Advertising cost	2,000,000	1,800,000	1,800,000
Aggregate foreign currency transaction gain and losses	-3,700,000	'	-1,200,000
Land and Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	'10 years	'	'
Building [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	'40 years	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in joint ventures	20.00%	'	'
Amortization period of intangible assets	'1 year	'	'
Minimum [Member] \| Building Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	'5 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	'3 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in joint ventures	50.00%	'	'
Amortization period of intangible assets	'20 years	'	'
Aggregate foreign currency transaction gain and losses	'	($100,000)	'
Maximum [Member] \| Building Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	'40 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	'10 years	'	'
Blue Sky [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquisition of shares by company	'	'	50.00%
Proxisafe [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Company acquired investment in Proxisafe Ltd	25.93%	'	'

Other_Financial_Statement_Info2

Other Financial Statement Information - Inventories - Net (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished products	$37,301	$41,474
Work-in-process	7,779	7,940
Raw materials	40,251	46,133
Inventory, gross	85,331	95,547
Excess of current cost over LIFO cost	-4,146	-4,674
Noncurrent portion of inventory	-7,350	-3,957
Inventory - net	$73,835	$86,916

Other_Financial_Statement_Info3

Other Financial Statement Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cost of inventories for certain materials using LIFO method	$25.10	$30.20	'
Property plant and equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation of property and equipment	10.6	10	9.3
Capital leases of machinery and equipment	$0.40	$0.40	'

Other_Financial_Statement_Info4

Other Financial Statement Information - Property, Plant and Equipment - Net (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment - Gross	$231,229	$218,470
Less accumulated depreciation	130,768	125,144
Property and equipment - Net	100,461	93,326
Land and Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment - Gross	12,141	13,190
Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment - Gross	69,963	59,505
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment - Gross	141,940	138,533
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment - Gross	$7,185	$7,242

Pension_Plans_Additional_Infor

Pension Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Pension Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Pretax curtailment gain	$0	$6,275,000	'
Pension liability	'	6,300,000	'
Estimated net loss for the PLP-USA pension plan	12,000	'	'
Prior service cost	0	'	'
Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Contribution to pension plan	700,000	'	'
Expense for contribution plan	5,600,000	5,700,000	4,800,000
Weighted average of one year treasury bill	1.00%	'	'
Interest rate for the supplemental profit sharing plan	1.15%	1.12%	'
Expense for the supplemental profit sharing plan	300,000	400,000	300,000
Supplemental profit sharing plan unfunded status	$3,000,000	$2,600,000	'

Pension_Plans_Components_of_Ne

Pension Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	$222	$1,300	$1,003
Interest cost	1,251	1,411	1,373
Expected return on plan assets	-1,436	-1,186	-1,089
Recognized net actuarial loss	493	750	412
Net periodic pension cost	$530	$2,275	$1,699

Pension_Plans_Projected_Benefi

Pension Plans - Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status Of Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$31,590	$30,863	'
Service cost	222	1,300	1,003
Interest cost	1,251	1,411	1,373
Actuarial (gain) loss	-4,901	-4,859	'
Gain on curtailment	0	-6,275	'
Benefits paid	-637	-568	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	27,525	31,590	30,863
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year	18,406	15,077	'
Actual return on plan assets	3,154	1,748	'
Employer contributions	1,576	2,149	'
Benefits paid	-637	-568	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of the year	22,499	18,406	15,077
Unfunded pension obligation	$5,026	$13,184	'

Pension_Plans_Amount_Recognize

Pension Plans - Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Related to Pension Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	($6,305)	($8,000)	'
Pretax amortized net actuarial loss	493	750	412
Tax provision	-187	-284	-156
Net of reclassification adjustments	306	466	256
Pretax gain (loss)	6,619	-4,297	'
Tax (benefit) provision	2,506	1,627	2,331
Net of tax adjustment to recognize (loss)gain on unfunded pension obligations	4,113	-2,670	-3,825
Pretax curtailment gain	0	6,275	'
Tax provision	0	-2,376	'
Net of tax adjustment to recognize the gain on curtailment of the pension plan	0	3,899	0
Ending Balance	($1,886)	($6,305)	($8,000)

Pension_Plans_Accumulated_Bene

Pension Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Plans With Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	$27,525	$31,590
Fair market value of assets	$22,499	$18,406

Pension_Plans_WeightedAverage_

Pension Plans - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]	'	'
Discount rate	5.00%	4.00%
Rate of compensation increase	0.00%	0.00%

Pension_Plans_WeightedAverage_1

Pension Plans - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.00%	4.50%	5.60%
Rate of compensation increase	'	2.50%	3.50%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%

Pension_Plans_Fair_Value_of_th

Pension Plans - Fair Value of the Company's Pension Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	$22,499	$18,406	$15,077
Cash [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	1,127	464	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	7,455	6,121	'
U.S. Treasury Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	4,161	4,205	'
Mutual Funds-Equity [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	6,776	4,944	'
Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	2,950	2,640	'
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	30	32	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	19,519	15,734	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member] \| Cash [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	1,127	464	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	7,455	6,121	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member] \| U.S. Treasury Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	4,161	4,205	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member] \| Mutual Funds-Equity [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	6,776	4,944	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member] \| Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level1) [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	2,980	2,672	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Cash [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| U.S. Treasury Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Mutual Funds-Equity [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	2,950	2,640	'
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	30	32	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cash [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| U.S. Treasury Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Mutual Funds-Equity [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	0	0	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets	$0	$0	'

Pension_Plans_WeightedAverage_2

Pension Plans - Weighted-Average Asset Allocations of Pension Plan Assets (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocations of pension plan assets	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocations of pension plan assets	63.00%	60.00%
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocations of pension plan assets	32.00%	37.00%
Cash and Equivalents [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average asset allocations of pension plan assets	5.00%	3.00%

Pension_Plans_WeightedAverage_3

Pension Plans - Weighted-Average Target Allocations of Pension Plans (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Securities [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Target plan asset allocation range, Minimum	30.00%
Target plan asset allocation range, Maximum	80.00%
Target plan asset allocations	60.00%
Fixed Income [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Target plan asset allocation range, Minimum	20.00%
Target plan asset allocation range, Maximum	70.00%
Target plan asset allocations	40.00%
Cash and Equivalents [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Target plan asset allocation range, Minimum	0.00%
Target plan asset allocation range, Maximum	10.00%

Pension_plans_Aggregate_Benefi

Pension plans - Aggregate Benefits Expected to be Paid Out of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$715,302
2015	776,134
2016	852,886
2017	926,748
2018	1,005,382
2019-2023	$6,482,705

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") - Summary of Total Changes in AOCI by Component Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	($13,664)	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	'	'	'
Loss on foreign currency translation adjustment	-8,457	1,680	-7,460
Gain on unfunded pension obligations	4,113	-2,670	-3,825
Amounts reclassified from AOCI:	'	'	'
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss	306	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-4,038	3,375	-11,029
Balance at December 31, 2013	-17,702	-13,664	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Activity [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	-6,324	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	'	'	'
Loss on foreign currency translation adjustment	0	'	'
Gain on unfunded pension obligations	4,113	-2,670	-3,825
Amounts reclassified from AOCI:	'	'	'
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss	306	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,419	'	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	-1,905	-6,324	'
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	-7,340	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:	'	'	'
Loss on foreign currency translation adjustment	-8,457	'	'
Gain on unfunded pension obligations	0	'	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI:	'	'	'
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss	0	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-8,457	'	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	($15,797)	'	'

Debit_and_Credit_Arrangements_

Debit and Credit Arrangements - Debt and Credit Arrangements (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Short-term debt	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	$195	$251
Short-term debt	1,300	468
Long-term debt	'	'
Total long-term debt	13,249	9,573
Less current portion	-195	-251
Total long-term debt, less current portion	13,054	9,322
Total debt	14,354	9,790
USD Denominated Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Total long-term debt	12,604	9,236
Australian Dollar Denominated Term Loans Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Total long-term debt	570	70
Brazilian Real Denominated Term Loan Long-Term Debt [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Total long-term debt	75	267
Brazilian Real Denominated Secured Notes Short Term Debt [Member]	'	'
Short-term debt	'	'
Short-term debt	1,105	0
New Zealand Dollar [Member]	'	'
Short-term debt	'	'
Short-term debt	$0	$217

Debit_and_Credit_Arrangements_1

Debit and Credit Arrangements - Debt and Credit Arrangements (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Australian Dollar Denominated Term Loans Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	6.00%	5.83%
Minimum [Member] \| USD Denominated Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	1.29%	'
Minimum [Member] \| Brazilian Real Denominated Term Loan Long-Term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	4.50%	'
Maximum [Member] \| Brazilian Real Denominated Term Loan Long-Term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	8.12%	'
Brazilian Real Denominated Secured Notes Short Term Debt [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	3.25%	'
Brazilian Real Denominated Secured Notes Short Term Debt [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	3.60%	'
New Zealand Dollar [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	1.70%	1.70%
New Zealand Dollar [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate	5.56%	5.56%

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements_A

Debt and Credit Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Line of credit	$50	'	'
PLP-USA line of credit maturity date	'2017-01	'	'
Interest rate of LIBOR plus	1.13%	'	'
Interest rate for Line of credit	1.29%	'	'
Line credit outstanding	12.6	'	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for 2014	0.2	'	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for 2015	0.1	'	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for 2016	0.1	'	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for 2017	12.7	'	'
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt there after	0.1	'	'
Interest paid	0.4	0.9	0.8
Total outstanding guarantees	2	'	'
Letter of credit outstanding	$4.70	'	'

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rental expense	$3.80	$3.70	$3.90
Future minimum rental commitments, 2014	2.6	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments, 2015	1.8	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments, 2016	1.5	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments, 2017	1.2	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments, 2018	1.2	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments, Thereafter	9.9	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases, 2014	0.1	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases, 2015	$0.10	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases, 2016	'Less than $.1 million	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases, 2017	'Less than $.1 million	'	'
Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases, 2018	'Less than $.1 million	'	'
Imputed interest maximum amount	'Less than $.1 million	'	'

Income_Taxes_Income_Before_Inc

Income Taxes - Income Before Income Taxes and Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$16,388	$21,754	$18,842
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,406	23,073	27,152
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$5,653	$8,544	$10,680	$6,917	$9,313	$13,410	$9,913	$12,191	$31,794	$44,827	$45,994

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components of Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current	'	'	'
Federal	$6,308	$9,663	$5,679
Foreign	5,018	7,885	8,896
State and local	986	920	1,123
Current, Total	12,312	18,468	15,698
Deferred	'	'	'
Federal	-1,081	-1,443	726
Foreign	157	-1,310	-1,199
State and local	-181	-174	-215
Deferred Total	-1,105	-2,927	-688
Income taxes	$11,207	$15,541	$15,010

Income_Taxes_Differences_Betwe

Income Taxes - Differences Between the Provision for Income Taxes at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate and the Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
U. S. federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Federal tax at statutory rate	$11,128	$15,689	$16,098
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	583	485	590
U.S. federal permanent items	124	332	14
Domestic productions activity deduction	-372	-669	-401
Foreign earnings and related tax credits	658	1,498	261
Non-U.S. tax rate variances	-1,467	-1,175	-1,510
Unrecognized tax benefits	-770	310	21
Valuation allowance	1,091	-337	19
Tax credits	-453	-85	-265
Other, net	685	-507	183
Income taxes	$11,207	$15,541	$15,010

Income_Taxes_Tax_Effects_of_Te

Income Taxes - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to the Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	$1,463	$1,808	'
Inventory valuation reserves	2,581	2,771	'
Benefit plan reserves	7,773	9,468	'
Capital tax loss carryforwards	0	2,034	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	1,244	788	'
Other accrued expenses	2,926	2,480	'
Unrealized foreign exchange	743	58	'
Gross deferred tax assets	16,730	19,407	'
Valuation allowance	-1,420	-2,329	'
Net deferred tax assets	15,310	17,078	'
Depreciation and other basis differences	-5,533	-5,276	'
Intangibles	-2,828	-3,571	'
Other	-132	-90	'
Deferred tax liabilities	-8,493	-8,937	'
Net deferred tax assets	6,817	8,141	'
Deferred income tax benefit	1,105	2,927	688
Items of other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,692	-1,033	'
Currency translation	263	-254	'
Deferred tax balances from business acquisition	0	-1,036	'
Total change in net deferred tax assets	($1,324)	$604	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards expiration period start year	'2014	'	'
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards expiration period end year	'2018	'	'
Valuation allowance	$1,420,000	$2,329,000	'
Impact of valuation allowances on Income tax provision	1,100,000	'	'
Net decrease in valuation allowance from the prior year	-900,000	'	'
Expiration U.S. capital loss carryforward	2,000,000	'	'
Deferred tax liability not established by the company	129,000,000	'	'
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	19,900,000	16,000,000	14,000,000
Recognized accrued interest and penalties lapsed	100,000	100,000	100,000
Payment of interest accrued	600,000	600,000	500,000
Accrued penalties payment	300,000	300,000	300,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	0	700,000	500,000
Foreign Country [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	1,200,000	'	'
Foreign net operating loss carryfowards, valuation allowance, amount	1,200,000	'	'
Other Foreign Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Foreign net operating loss carryfowards, valuation allowance, amount	$200,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Changes_in_Unreco

Income Taxes - Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at January 1	$1,361	$1,015	$1,062
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	511	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-588	0	-32
Expiration of statutes of limitations	-165	-165	-15
Balance at December 31	$608	$1,361	$1,015

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	19,150	'	'
Deferred shares and held by the rabbi trust	253,156	184,036	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common shares reserved for awards	300,000	'	'
Shares remaining to be issued	0	'	'
Option issued under plan vest	50.00%	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and granted after 2 years	75.00%	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and granted after 3 years	100.00%	'	'
Estimated Forfeitures	$0	'	'
Stock options exercised	19,150	17,757	22,025
Total intrinsic value of stock options	600,000	600,000	600,000
Cash received for exercise of stock options awards	800,000	400,000	'
Compensation expenses	0	'	'
Excess tax benefits	200,000	100,000	100,000
Stock Options [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and expire	'10 years	'	'
Compensation expenses	'	100,000	100,000
Stock Options [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and expire	'5 years	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common shares reserved for awards	800,000	'	'
Shares remaining to be issued	429,873	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation arrangement share based payment award vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Time-Based Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation expenses	300,000	300,000	300,000
Compensation cost expected to be recognized over period	400,000	'	'
Weighted-average period	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'	'
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common shares reserved for awards	900,000	'	'
LTIP expiry date	17-Apr-18	'	'
Long Term Incentive Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common shares reserved for awards	100,000	'	'
Shares remaining to be issued	57,000	'	'
Long Term Incentive Stock Option [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and expire	'10 years	'	'
Long Term Incentive Stock Option [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and expire	'5 years	'	'
Performance-Based Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation cost expected to be recognized over period	3,300,000	'	'
Weighted-average period	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'	'
Performance-based compensation expense	2,700,000	2,500,000	2,400,000
Excess tax benefits from restricted share awards	100,000	100,000	100,000
Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of deferrals	2	'	'
Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option issued under plan vest	50.00%	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and granted after 2 years	75.00%	'	'
Option issued under plan vest and granted after 3 years	100.00%	'	'
Estimated Forfeitures	0	'	'
Stock options exercised	14,250	1,250	3,000
Total intrinsic value of stock options	400,000	'	'
Cash received for exercise of stock options awards	600,000	100,000	'
Compensation expenses	100,000	300,000	100,000
Excess tax benefits	'	0	'
Weighted-average period	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	0	8,000	14,500
Weighted average grant date fair value options granted	'	$21.76	$19.92
Expected compensation cost related to unvested awards not yet recognized	100,000	'	'
Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of stock options	'	100,000	'
Excess tax benefits	$100,000	'	$100,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Activi

Share-Based Compensation - Activity in Company's Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2013, Number of Shares	32,150
Exercised, Number of Shares	-19,150
Outstanding (exercisable and vested) at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	13,000
Exercisable at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	13,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$40.93
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$41.59
Outstanding (exercisable and vested) at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$39.95
Exercisable at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$39.95
Outstanding (exercisable and vested), Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 7 months 6 days
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 7 months 6 days
Outstanding (exercisable and vested), Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$432
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$432

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Share Awards (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Nonvested as of January 1, 2013	114,584
Granted	53,446
Vested	-68,369
Nonvested as of December 31, 2013	99,661
Nonvested as of January 1, 2013, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$48.33
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	$70.27
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested	$39.92
Nonvested as of December 31, 2013, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$65.86
Performance Required [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Nonvested as of January 1, 2013	103,221
Granted	47,832
Vested	-61,594
Nonvested as of December 31, 2013	89,459
Service Required [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Nonvested as of January 1, 2013	11,363
Granted	5,614
Vested	-6,775
Nonvested as of December 31, 2013	10,202

ShareBased_Compensation_Weight

Share-Based Compensation - Weighted-Average Assumptions for Estimating Fair Values (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%	1.40%
Dividend yield	1.90%	1.90%
Expected life (years)	'6 years	'6 years
Expected volatility	47.00%	47.10%

ShareBased_Compensation_Activi1

Share-Based Compensation - Activity in Company's Plan - Long Term Incentive Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2013, Number of Shares	32,150	'	'
Exercised, Number of Shares	-19,150	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	13,000	'	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$40.93	'	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$41.59	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$39.95	'	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 7 months 6 days	'	'
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$432	'	'
Long Term Incentive Plan Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2013, Number of Shares	33,750	'	'
Exercised, Number of Shares	-14,250	-1,250	-3,000
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-2,500	'	'
Outstanding (vested and expected to vest) at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	17,000	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2013, Number of Shares	10,625	'	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$50.21	'	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$45.11	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$52.21	'	'
Outstanding (vested and expected to vest) at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$54.20	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$53.49	'	'
Outstanding (vested and expected to vest), Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'8 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'7 years 10 months 24 days	'	'
Outstanding (vested and expected to vest), Aggregate Intrinsic Value	322	'	'
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$209	'	'

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh2

Computation of Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$20,587	$29,286	$30,984
Determination of shares (in thousands)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,361	5,324	5,259
Dilutive effect - share-based awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	106	47	99
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,467	5,371	5,358
Earnings per common share attributable to PLPC shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.59	$1.14	$1.19	$0.92	$0.99	$1.75	$1.24	$1.52	$3.84	$5.50	$5.89
Diluted	$0.58	$1.12	$1.17	$0.91	$0.98	$1.71	$1.21	$1.50	$3.77	$5.45	$5.78

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh3

Computation of Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restricted shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	1,500	17,750	4,500
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restricted shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	0	37,985	0

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$21,256	$22,045	'
Accumulated Amortization	-9,469	-8,007	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Goodwill	13,873	15,537	12,199
Patents [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	4,824	4,819	'
Accumulated Amortization	-4,434	-4,135	'
Land Use Rights [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,380	1,322	'
Accumulated Amortization	-153	-125	'
Trademark [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,590	1,674	'
Accumulated Amortization	-680	-529	'
Customer Backlog [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	578	578	'
Accumulated Amortization	-578	-578	'
Technology [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	2,751	2,924	'
Accumulated Amortization	-538	-361	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	10,133	10,728	'
Accumulated Amortization	($3,086)	($2,279)	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Patents [Member]

Land Use Rights [Member]

Trademark [Member]

Technology [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Asia-Pacific [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Actual [Member]

Goodwill and Intangible Asset [Abstract]

Increase(decrease) in goodwill impairment adjustments due

$862,000

$900,000

$862,000

Increase (decrease) in goodwill

-1,700,000

3,300,000

Total purchase price of acquired business

8,900,000

Decrease in goodwill related to foreign currency translation

-802,000

374,000

-737,000

437,000

Amortization period of intangible assets

'1 year

'4 years

'20 years

'82 years

Amortization of Intangible Assets

1,500,000

1,200,000

2014

1,300,000

2015

1,100,000

2016

900,000

2017

900,000

2018

$800,000

Remaining amortization period

'24 years

'1 year 8 months 12 days

'63 years

'12 years 3 months 18 days

'17 years

'14 years 1 month 6 days

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles4

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill, by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	The Americas [Member]	The Americas [Member]	EMEA [Member]	EMEA [Member]	Asia-Pacific [Member]	Asia-Pacific [Member]	Asia-Pacific [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$15,537	$12,199	'	$3,078	$3,078	$1,819	$1,029	'	$10,640	$8,092
Impairment	-862	0	0	0	'	0	'	-900	-862	'
Additions	'	2,964	'	'	0	'	853	'	'	2,111
Currency translation	-802	374	'	0	0	-65	-63	'	-737	437
Ending Balance	$13,873	$15,537	$12,199	$3,078	$3,078	$1,754	$1,819	$9,041	$9,041	$10,640

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets2

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Australian Electricity Systems PTY Ltd [Member]	Forma Line Industries CC [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair value liabilities Level 2	$0	'	'	'
Additional earn-out consideration payment	'	1,200,000	'	'
Accrued liability additional earn out consideration payment	'	'	$400,000	$100,000
Period of earn-out contingent consideration	'	'	'	'1 year

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Assets3

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Fair Value and Carrying Value of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt and related current maturities, Fair Value	$13,279	$9,573
Long-term debt and related current maturities, Carrying Value	$13,249	$9,573

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Customer
	Segment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segment	4	'	'
Number of major customers accounted for revenue	0	'	'
Net sales	$409,776	$439,192	$424,404
U S [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net sales	163,000	179,400	171,500
Long-lived assets	$38,400	$28,900	'

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information - Summary of Company's Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$409,776	$439,192	$424,404
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	618	648	575
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-450	-597	-827
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,207	15,541	15,010
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	3,132	6,104	6,386	4,965	5,273	9,284	6,596	8,133	20,587	29,286	30,984
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,034	21,043	18,912
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,088	11,564	10,525
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	332,406	'	'	'	333,064	'	'	'	332,406	333,064	'
Operating Segments [Member] \| PLP-USA [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	144,054	162,027	146,146
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	3	0
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-305	-437	-270
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,286	9,581	6,708
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,875	13,290	10,413
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,262	6,702	3,798
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,793	3,520	3,438
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	90,414	'	'	'	84,192	'	'	'	90,414	84,192	'
Long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	36,888	'	'	'	27,353	'	'	'	36,888	27,353	'
Operating Segments [Member] \| The Americas [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	91,497	92,584	100,144
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	290	283	160
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-41	-58	-295
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,585	2,722	3,864
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,896	6,763	8,159
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,107	2,781	7,114
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,444	2,565	2,244
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	73,200	'	'	'	67,745	'	'	'	73,200	67,745	'
Long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	19,168	'	'	'	20,069	'	'	'	19,168	20,069	'
Operating Segments [Member] \| EMEA [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,543	66,272	61,430
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	215	209	155
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-68	-50	-47
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,052	2,769	1,637
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,047	6,840	5,519
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,573	2,816	2,427
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,792	1,714	1,818
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	51,345	'	'	'	51,370	'	'	'	51,345	51,370	'
Long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	14,467	'	'	'	13,263	'	'	'	14,467	13,263	'
Operating Segments [Member] \| Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	112,682	118,309	116,684
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	113	153	260
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-36	-52	-215
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	284	469	2,801
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,231	2,393	6,893
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,092	8,744	5,573
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,059	3,765	3,025
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	117,129	'	'	'	129,437	'	'	'	117,129	129,437	'
Long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	29,938	'	'	'	32,641	'	'	'	29,938	32,641	'
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	409,776	439,192	424,404
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	618	648	575
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-450	-597	-827
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,207	15,541	15,010
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,587	29,286	30,984
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditure for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,034	21,043	18,912
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,088	11,564	10,525
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	332,088	'	'	'	332,744	'	'	'	332,088	332,744	'
Long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	100,461	'	'	'	93,326	'	'	'	100,461	93,326	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31,714	35,386	30,106
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| PLP-USA [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,939	8,537	9,095
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| The Americas [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,204	7,501	7,048
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| EMEA [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,080	4,582	1,968
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,491	14,766	11,995
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Identifiable assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$318	'	'	'	$320	'	'	'	$318	$320	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

31-May-11

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

9-May-13

Nov. 12, 2013

8-May-13

Nov. 12, 2013

8-May-13

Lease

Trust [Member]

Mckenna [Member]

Haag [Member]

Ruhlman [Member]

Robert G Ruhlman [Member]

Dennis F Mckenna [Member]

J Cecil Curlee [Member]

Caroline S Vaccariello [Member]

Ryan Ruhlman [Member]

David C Sunkle [Member]

Property

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

Purchase of common shares

29,842

89,807

50,334

52,392

12,000

30,410

4,100

7,408

9,757

25,000

2,750

2,500

1,750

3,200

2,500

1,000

3,000

Common shares price per share

$69.21

$63.72

$54.92

$55.91

$54.71

$76.87

$78.91

$76.98

$78.91

$76.98

Number of trading days to be considered for average price of stock repurchased

'30 days

Service expense

$700,000

$500,000

Compensation payment received

184,608

Ryan Ruhlman employee years of service

'6 years

Compensation attributable to stock option

99,600

Related party transactions number of property leased

Related party transaction lease expenses

300,000

Related party transactions number of property rented

Rent Expenses

300,000

Labor expense

300,000

700,000

Ownership percentage owned by related party

50.00%

Maintenance and building expenses

$200,000

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (Australian Electricity [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Australian Electricity [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquisition of outstanding equity	'	$6.30	'
Business combination working capital adjustment	'	0.5	'
Cost of Acquisition of subsidiaries and other assets	'	1.8	'
Additional earn-out consideration payment as of purchase price	'	'	1.1
liability additional contingent consideration paid	$0.40	$0.40	'

Product_Warranty_Reserve_Addit

Product Warranty Reserve - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Warranty reserve	$1.80

Product_Warranty_Reserve_Roll_

Product Warranty Reserve - Roll Forward of Product Warranty Reserve (Detail) (Warranty Reserves [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Warranty Reserves [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of period	$1,229	$824	$536
Additions charged to income	443	1,384	1,968
Warranty usage	-475	-983	-1,467
Currency translation	-57	4	-213
End of period balance	$1,140	$1,229	$824

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information - Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$98,543	$100,828	$111,716	$98,689	$104,200	$114,206	$111,940	$108,846	'	'	'
Gross profit	30,393	31,660	37,549	31,299	32,953	38,507	36,966	36,012	130,901	144,438	140,849
Income before income taxes	5,653	8,544	10,680	6,917	9,313	13,410	9,913	12,191	31,794	44,827	45,994
Net income	$3,132	$6,104	$6,386	$4,965	$5,273	$9,284	$6,596	$8,133	$20,587	$29,286	$30,984
Net income, basic	$0.59	$1.14	$1.19	$0.92	$0.99	$1.75	$1.24	$1.52	$3.84	$5.50	$5.89
Net income, diluted	$0.58	$1.12	$1.17	$0.91	$0.98	$1.71	$1.21	$1.50	$3.77	$5.45	$5.78

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$1,395	$1,258	$875
Additions charged to costs and expenses	419	774	925
Deductions	-368	-651	-512
Other additions or deductions	-5	14	-30
Balance at end of period	1,441	1,395	1,258
Reserve for Credit Memos [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	644	369	338
Additions charged to costs and expenses	418	642	367
Deductions	-390	-367	-336
Other additions or deductions	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	672	644	369
Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventory Reserve [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	6,773	5,875	5,607
Additions charged to costs and expenses	2,672	1,981	1,480
Deductions	-1,006	-828	-1,132
Other additions or deductions	-439	-255	-80
Balance at end of period	8,000	6,773	5,875
Accrued Product Warranty [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	1,229	824	536
Additions charged to costs and expenses	443	1,384	1,968
Deductions	-475	-983	-1,467
Other additions or deductions	-57	4	-213
Balance at end of period	1,140	1,229	824
U.S.Tax Capital Loss [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	2,034	2,053	2,056
Additions charged to costs and expenses	0	0	0
Deductions	-49	-19	-3
Other additions or deductions	-1,985	0	0
Balance at end of period	0	2,034	2,053
Foreign Net Operating Loss Tax Carryforwards [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	295	1,062	937
Additions charged to costs and expenses	1,096	0	269
Deductions	-115	-760	-165
Other additions or deductions	-70	-7	21
Balance at end of period	$1,206	$295	$1,062