Sevcon 10-Q 10 Feb 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Feb. 10, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SEVCON, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000825411	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	3,574,765
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	28-Dec-13	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,159	$2,062
Trade receivables net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $48 at December 28, 2013 and $61 at September 30, 2013	6,292	6,746
Other receivables	833	357
Inventories	5,937	5,723
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,363	1,862
Total current assets	16,584	16,750
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:	'	'
Land and improvements	23	23
Buildings and improvements	745	737
Equipment	11,170	10,992
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	11,938	11,752
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-10,054	-9,783
Net property, plant and equipment	1,884	1,969
Long-term deferred tax assets	3,557	3,152
Goodwill	1,435	1,435
Other-long term assets	57	54
Total assets	23,517	23,360
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long term debt	47	46
Accounts payable	3,631	3,880
Accrued expenses	1,934	2,087
Accrued and deferred taxes on income	48	47
Total current liabilities	5,660	6,060
Liability for pension benefits	8,266	8,354
Long term debt	1,716	1,728
Total liabilities	15,642	16,142
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized - 1,000,000 shares; outstanding - none	0	0
Common stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized - 8,000,000 shares; Outstanding 3,554,388 shares at December 28, 2013 and 3,474,388 shares at September 30, 2013	355	347
Premium paid in on common stock	5,751	5,699
Retained earnings	9,079	8,591
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,310	-7,419
Total stockholders' equity	7,875	7,218
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$23,517	$23,360

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Trade receivables, allowances for doubtful accounts	$48	$61
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	8,000,000	8,000,000
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	3,554,388	3,474,388

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	$9,049	$6,640
Cost of sales	-5,217	-4,400
Gross profit	3,832	2,240
Selling, research and administrative expenses	-3,122	-3,425
Operating income (loss)	710	-1,185
Interest expense	-16	-24
Foreign currency loss	-85	-201
Income (loss) before income tax	609	-1,410
Income tax (provision) benefit	-121	108
Net income (loss)	$488	($1,302)
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	($0.39)
Fully diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	($0.39)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'
Net income (loss)	$488	($1,302)
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	66	101
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'
Actuarial loss net of $13 tax benefit (2013: net of $19 tax benefit)	43	53
Comprehensive income (loss)	$597	($1,148)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'
Tax benefits on actuarial loss	$13	$19

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flow from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$488	($1,302)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash generated by (used by) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	168	146
Gain on sale of fixed assets	0	-3
Stock-based compensation	59	71
Pension contributions (greater than) less than pension expense	-117	42
Deferred tax provision	120	-108
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Trade and other receivables	36	540
Inventories	-169	-62
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1	63
Accounts payable	-290	-641
Accrued expenses	-167	-202
Accrued and deferred taxes on income	-3	-3
Net cash generated by (used by) operating activities	126	-1,459
Cash flow used by investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-64	-145
Proceeds of sale of fixed assets	0	4
Net cash used by investing activities	-64	-141
Cash flow used by financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of long term debt	-11	-10
Net cash used by financing activities	-11	-10
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	46	76
Net increase (decrease) in cash	97	-1,534
Beginning balance - cash and cash equivalents	2,062	2,823
Ending balance - cash and cash equivalents	2,159	1,289
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	3	3
Cash paid for interest	$16	$24

Basis_of_presentation

Basis of presentation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Basis of presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of presentation	'
	-1	Basis of presentation
	Sevcon, Inc. (“Sevcon” or “the Company”) is a Delaware corporation organized on December 22, 1987 to carry on the electronic controls business previously performed by Tech/Ops, Inc. Through wholly-owned subsidiaries located in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea and Japan, the Company designs and sells, under the Sevcon name, microprocessor based controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The controls are used to vary the speed and movement of vehicles, to integrate specialized functions and to prolong the shift life of vehicles’ power source. The Company’s customers are manufacturers of on-road, off-road and industrial vehicles including automobiles, buses, fork lift trucks, aerial lifts, mining vehicles, airport ground support vehicles, utility vehicles, sweepers and other battery powered vehicles. Through another subsidiary located in the United Kingdom, Sevcon, Inc. manufactures special metalized film capacitors that are used as components in the power electronics, signaling and audio equipment markets.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normally recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Sevcon, Inc. as of December 28, 2013 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended December 28, 2013. These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2013 annual consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the 2013 Sevcon, Inc. Annual Report filed on Form 10-K (the “2013 10-K”). Unless otherwise indicated, each reference to a year means the Company’s fiscal year, which ends on September 30.

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'
	-2	Summary of significant accounting policies
	There have been no changes since the end of 2013 to the significant accounting policies followed by Sevcon, Inc.

Stockbased_compensation_plans

Stock-based compensation plans	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Stock-based compensation plans [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation plans	'
	-3	Stock-based compensation plans
	Under the Company’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) there were 62,000 shares reserved and available for grant at December 28, 2013.   There were 122,800 shares reserved and available for grant at December 29, 2012.  There were no options granted or exercised in the quarters ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012.
	Recipients of grants must execute a standard form of non-competition agreement. The plan provides for the grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Options, and Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). SARs may be awarded either separately, or in relation to options granted, and for the grant of bonus shares. Options granted are exercisable at a price not less than fair market value on the date of grant.
	A summary of option activity for all plans for the three months ended December 28, 2013 is as follows:
								Weighted
								average
						Weighted		remaining
			Shares			average		contractual		Aggregate
			under			Exercise		life		Intrinsic
			Option			Price		(years)		Value
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013			5,000		$	5.4	0.1 years		$	-
	Cancelled			(5,000	)		5.4		-		-
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable at December 28, 2013			-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable and expected to vest at December 28, 2013			-		$	-		-	$	-
	The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the options and the market price of the Company’s common stock for the options that had exercise prices that were lower than the $5.27 and $4.85 closing market price of the Company’s common stock at December 28, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
	In December 2013, the Company granted 80,000 shares of restricted stock to seven employees, which will vest in five equal annual installments so long as the employee is then employed by the Company or as determined by the Compensation Committee. The estimated fair value of the stock on the date of grant was $354,000 based on the fair market value of stock on the date of issue. This unvested compensation is being charged to income on a straight line basis over five years. The charge to income for this employee restricted stock will be approximately $18,000 on a quarterly basis.
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended December 28, 2013 is as follows:
						Weighted Average
			Number of shares of			Grant-Date
			Restricted Stock			Fair Value
	Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2013			103,800		$	5.05
	Granted			80,000		$	4.43
	Vested			(27,000	)	$	4.86
	Non-vested balance as of December 28, 2013			156,800		$	4.77
	Stock-based compensation expense was $59,000 and $71,000 for the three month periods ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. At December 28, 2013, there was $667,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock granted under the Plan. The Company expects to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of 4.0 years.

Cash_dividends

Cash dividends	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Cash dividends [Abstract]	'
Cash dividends	'
	-4	Cash dividends
	The Board of Directors suspended dividends to conserve cash during the global recession that began in 2009 and will consider whether to resume paying dividends as conditions and the Company’s operating results improve.

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding [Abstract]	'
Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding	'
	-5	Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding
	Basic and fully diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:
			(in thousands except per share data)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,		December 29,
			2013		2012
	Net income (loss)		$	488	$	(1,302	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic			3,375		3,339
	Basic income (loss) per share		$	0.14	$	(.39	)
	Common stock equivalents			36		18
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted			3,411		3,357
	Diluted income (loss) per share		$	0.14	$	(.39	)
	No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents			-		36

Segment_information

Segment information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Segment information [Abstract]	'
Segment information	'
	-6	Segment information
	The Company has two reportable segments: electronic controls and capacitors. The electronic controls segment produces microprocessor based control systems for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The capacitors segment produces metalized film capacitors for sale to electronic equipment manufacturers. Each segment has its own management team and sales force and the capacitors segment has its own manufacturing facility.
	The significant accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described above and in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2013 10-K. Inter-segment revenues are accounted for at current market prices. The Company evaluates the performance of each segment principally based on operating income. The Company does not allocate income taxes, interest income and expense or foreign currency translation gains and losses to segments. Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three months ended December 28, 2013
			Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers			8,535			514			-			9,049
	Inter-segment revenues			-			-			-			-
	Operating income			649			40			21			710
	Identifiable assets			21,798			1,385			334			23,517
			Three months ended December 29, 2012
			Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers			6,202			438			-			6,640
	Inter-segment revenues			-			2			-			2
	Operating income (loss)			(1,143	)		(14	)		(28	)		(1,185	)
	Identifiable assets			20,027			1,283			407			21,717
	In the electronic controls segment, revenues derive from the following products and services:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles		$	6,584		$	4,085
	Accessory and aftermarket products and services			1,951			2,117
	Total electronic controls segment revenues		$	8,535		$	6,202

Research_and_development

Research and development	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Research and development [Abstract]	'
Research and development	'
	-7	Research and development
	The cost of research and development programs is charged against income as incurred and was as follows:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,		December 29,
			2013		2012
	Research and development expense, net of grants receivable		$	930	$	1,083
	Percentage of sales			10.3		16.3
	In recent years the Company has received several awards of research and development grants by the Technology Strategy Board, a public body established by the U.K. government to stimulate technology-enabled innovation.
	In 2011, the Company was awarded a research and development grant by the Technology Strategy Board to lead a collaborative project with Cummins Generator Technologies and Newcastle University in the U.K. to develop an innovative electric drive system for electric vehicles using advanced switched reluctance motor technology. The Company recorded grant income from this Technology Strategy Board project of $17,000 in the first quarter of 2014 associated with research and development expense of $50,000. The Company recorded grant income of $6,000 associated with research and development expense of $19,000 in respect of this Technology Strategy Board grant in the same period in 2013.
	In 2013, the Company was awarded a research and development grant by the Technology Strategy Board as one of a consortium of organizations in the U.K to research and design ultra-efficient systems for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Company recorded grant income from this Technology Strategy Board project of $1,000 in the first quarter of 2014 associated with research and development expense of $3,000. The Company did not record any grant income or incur any research and development expense in respect of this grant in the first quarter of 2013.
	In July 2013, the Company was awarded a grant of approximately $480,000 by the Low Emission Transport Collaborative Projects Fund, a U.K. government body. The grant is to develop next-generation controls for high-voltage, low-power applications. This grant will defray part of the research and development expense associated with this project over the period to March 2015. The Company recorded grant income from this project in the first quarter of 2014 of $97,000 associated with research and development expense of $422,000. The Company did not record any grant income or incur any research and development expense in respect of this grant in the first quarter of 2013.
	The grant income in the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 was recorded as a reduction of research and development expense.

Employee_benefit_plans

Employee benefit plans	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Employee benefit plans [Abstract]	'
Employee benefit plans	'
	-8	Employee benefit plans
	Sevcon has defined contribution plans covering the majority of its U.S. and U.K. employees in the controls business. There is also a small defined contribution plan covering senior managers in the capacitor business. The Company has frozen U.K. and U.S. defined benefit plans for which no future benefits are being earned by employees.  The following table sets forth the components of the net pension cost for the three month periods ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Interest cost		$	318		$	323
	Expected return on plan assets			(320	)		(293	)
	Amortization of net loss			56			72
	Net periodic benefit cost			54			102
	Net cost of defined contribution plans		$	115		$	122
	The following table sets forth the movement in the liability for pension benefits in the three month periods ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period		$	8,354		$	10,264
	Net periodic benefit cost			54			102
	Plan contributions			(171	)		(60	)
	Amortization of net loss			(56	)		(72	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			85			78
	Balance at end of period		$	8,266		$	10,312
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Non-current liabilities		$	8,266		$	10,312
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Actuarial loss, net of $13,000 tax benefit (2013: net of $19,000 tax benefit)		$	43		$	53
	Sevcon, Inc. contributed $50,000 to its U.S. defined benefit plan in the three months ended December 28, 2013; it presently anticipates contributing $150,000 to fund its U.S. plan in the remainder of fiscal 2014. In addition, employer contributions to the U.K. defined benefit plan were $121,000 in the first three months and are estimated to total $368,000 in 2014.
	The table below presents information about the Company’s pension plan assets measured and recorded at fair value as of December 28, 2013 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by the Company to determine the fair values.
	(in thousands of dollars)
			Level 1*			Level 2**
			(Quoted prices in			(Significant			Level 3***
			active			observable			(Unobservable
			markets)			inputs)			inputs)
	Mutual Funds
	Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies Fund			6,902			-			-
	Standard Life UK Indexed Linked Fund			1,687			-			-
	Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund			1,631			-			-
	CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund			7,070			-			-
	U.S. Equity Funds			285			-			-
	U.S. Fixed Income  Funds			2,328			-			-
	Other Types of Investments
	Cash			212			-			-
	Total			20,115			-			-
	*	Level 1 investments represent mutual funds for which a quoted market price is available on an active market. These investments will primarily hold stocks or bonds, or a combination of stocks and bonds.
	**	The Company currently does not have any Level 2 pension plan financial assets.
	***	The Company currently does not have any Level 3 pension plan financial assets.
	The following estimated benefit payments, which reflect future service, as appropriate, have been or are expected to be paid:
			(in thousands
			of dollars)
	2014		$	497
	2015			618
	2016			653
	2017			646
	2018			646
	2019 – 2023			3,296

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	-9	Inventories
	Inventories were comprised of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			December 28,		September 30,
			2013		2013
	Raw materials		$	2,108	$	2,201
	Work-in-process			7		11
	Finished goods			3,822		3,511
			$	5,937	$	5,723

Other_receivables

Other receivables	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Other receivables [Abstract]	'
Other receivables	'
	-10	Other receivables
	Other receivables of $833,000 at December 28, 2013 include $555,000 of receivables in the Company’s French subsidiary that have been reclassified from trade receivables. In January 2014 management was advised that SITL, a customer of the Company’s French subsidiary and a manufacturer of on-road electric vehicles, had entered administration protection for a minimum period of six months. SITL’s principal activity is the manufacture of domestic appliances; they also have a waste filtration business and a start-up business which manufactures electric vehicles with which the Company trades. The main customer of SITL’s domestic appliances business, Fagor Spain, was placed into administration in late 2013; the impact of this event caused SITL, including its electric vehicle division, to also be placed in administration. The Company has submitted a claim with the French court appointed administrator for the full amount of the receivable of $555,000. The administrator is seeking a buyer for the SITL business and will make an initial report into the administration process to the commercial court in Lyon, France, on March 6, 2014. This is the earliest estimate of when management will have any information upon which to assess the recoverability of this receivable. Due to the high level of uncertainty at this time, management has not assessed a reserve for an uncollectible amount, but any loss incurred may be up to the full amount recorded at December 28, 2013, of $555,000.

Fair_value_of_financial_instru

Fair value of financial instruments	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair value of financial instruments	'
	-11	Fair value of financial instruments
	The Company's financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amount of these financial instruments as of December 28, 2013 approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s long term debt at December 28, 2013 approximated $1,763,000 (the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheet at December 28, 2013) based on recent financial market pricing. The long term debt represented a level 2 liability in accordance with the fair value hierarchy described in Note 8.

Accrued_expenses

Accrued expenses	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Accrued expenses [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses	'
	-12	Accrued expenses
	Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at December 28, 2013 and September 30, 2013, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			December 28,		September 30,
			2013		2013
	Accrued compensation and related costs		$	1,071	$	1,015
	Other accrued expenses			863		1,072
			$	1,934	$	2,087

Warranty_reserves

Warranty reserves	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Warranty reserves [Abstract]	'
Warranty reserves	'
	-13	Warranty reserves
	The movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Warranty reserves at beginning of period		$	138		$	89
	Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period			(43	)		(8	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			1			3
	Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period		$	43		$	22
	Warranty reserves at end of period		$	139		$	106

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	-14	Debt
	At December 28, 2013 the Company had $63,000 outstanding under a U.K. bank loan entered into in April 2010, with a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. The loan, which was entered into by the U.K. metalized film capacitor subsidiary to purchase an item of capital equipment, is denominated in British Pounds. The loan agreement provides for equal monthly installments comprising interest and principal for a five year period commencing in May 2010. Of the total amount outstanding at December 28, 2013, $47,000 is shown in the current liabilities section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under current debt, representing the principal element of the loan installments ending on December 31, 2013. Included in other long term liabilities at December 28, 2013, is $16,000 which represents the principal element of the loan installments payable in the fiscal year 2015. The fair market value of the debt at December 28, 2013 was $63,000.
	The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sevcon USA, Inc., has a $3,500,000 secured revolving credit facility with RBS Citizens, National Association for working capital and general corporate purposes. The loan and security agreement will expire on June 14, 2017 when all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due and payable in full.  The facility may be paid before maturity in whole or in part at the option of Sevcon USA, Inc., without penalty or premium.  Interest on the loan is payable monthly, and in the first quarter of 2014, was calculated at a margin of 3.25% over LIBOR.  Under the facility, Sevcon USA, Inc. must maintain, on a quarterly basis, a debt to tangible net worth ratio of no more than 2.40:1 and a debt service coverage ratio of no less than 1.25:1 for each rolling twelve-month period.  Upon entering into the revolving credit facility, Sevcon USA, Inc. drew down $1,700,000, which was the total amount outstanding at December 28, 2013.  This $1,700,000 is shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under long-term debt. The carrying value of the debt approximated to fair value based on current interest rates.
	In July 2013, the Company’s U.K. bank renewed the overdraft facilities of the Company’s U.K. controls and capacitor subsidiaries. The Company’s U.K. controls and capacitor subsidiaries each have multi-currency overdraft facilities which together total $1,470,000 and which are secured by real estate owned by those companies. In common with bank overdrafts in Europe, the renewal of the facilities is for a twelve month period although in line with normal practice in Europe, they can be withdrawn on demand by the bank. The facilities were unused at December 28, 2013.
	Annual principal payments on long term debt at December 28, 2013 are as follows:
	Fiscal year	(in thousands of dollars)
	2015		$	16
	2016			-
	2017			1,700
	Total		$	1,716

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Subsequent events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent events	'
	-15	Subsequent events
	In preparing these interim consolidated financial statements, the Company has evaluated, for potential recognition or disclosure, events or transactions subsequent to the end of the most recent quarterly period, the issuance date of these financial statements.
	On December 31, 2013 the Company received the required approval of the government authorities in China to enter into a joint-venture agreement with Risenbo Technology Co., Ltd, (Risenbo), based in Hubei Province, China. Operating as Sevcon (Hubei) New Energy Technology Company, Ltd., the new joint venture company will market and sell existing and future Sevcon products for on-road electric and hybrid vehicle applications principally to Tier 1 automotive suppliers in China. Sevcon and Risenbo each will own a 50 percent stake in the joint venture, which will be led by a Sevcon-nominated chair. Subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, the joint-venture agreement is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2014.

Stockbased_compensation_plans_

Stock-based compensation plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Stock-based compensation plans [Abstract]	'
Summary of option activity for all plans	'
	A summary of option activity for all plans for the three months ended December 28, 2013 is as follows:
							Weighted
							average
					Weighted		remaining
		Shares			average		contractual		Aggregate
		under			Exercise		life		Intrinsic
		Option			Price		(years)		Value
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		5,000		$	5.4	0.1 years		$	-
	Cancelled		(5,000	)		5.4		-		-
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable at December 28, 2013		-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable and expected to vest at December 28, 2013		-		$	-		-	$	-
Summary of restricted stock activity	'
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended December 28, 2013 is as follows:
					Weighted Average
		Number of shares of			Grant-Date
		Restricted Stock			Fair Value
	Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2013		103,800		$	5.05
	Granted		80,000		$	4.43
	Vested		(27,000	)	$	4.86
	Non-vested balance as of December 28, 2013		156,800		$	4.77

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh1

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding [Abstract]	'
Basic and fully diluted earnings per share	'
	Basic and fully diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:
		(in thousands except per share data)
		Three Months ended
		December 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Net income (loss)	$	488	$	(1,302	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		3,375		3,339
	Basic income (loss) per share	$	0.14	$	(.39	)
	Common stock equivalents		36		18
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		3,411		3,357
	Diluted income (loss) per share	$	0.14	$	(.39	)
	No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents		-		36

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Segment information [Abstract]	'
Information concerning operations of business segments	'
	The significant accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described above and in Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2013 10-K. Inter-segment revenues are accounted for at current market prices. The Company evaluates the performance of each segment principally based on operating income. The Company does not allocate income taxes, interest income and expense or foreign currency translation gains and losses to segments. Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three months ended December 28, 2013
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers		8,535			514			-			9,049
	Inter-segment revenues		-			-			-			-
	Operating income		649			40			21			710
	Identifiable assets		21,798			1,385			334			23,517
		Three months ended December 29, 2012
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers		6,202			438			-			6,640
	Inter-segment revenues		-			2			-			2
	Operating income (loss)		(1,143	)		(14	)		(28	)		(1,185	)
	Identifiable assets		20,027			1,283			407			21,717
Revenues of electronic controls segment by products and services	'
	In the electronic controls segment, revenues derive from the following products and services:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended
		December 28,			December 29,
		2013			2012
	Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles	$	6,584		$	4,085
	Accessory and aftermarket products and services		1,951			2,117
	Total electronic controls segment revenues	$	8,535		$	6,202

Research_and_development_Table

Research and development (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Research and development [Abstract]	'
Cost of research and development programs charged against income	'
	The cost of research and development programs is charged against income as incurred and was as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended
		December 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Research and development expense, net of grants receivable	$	930	$	1,083
	Percentage of sales		10.3		16.3

Employee_benefit_plans_Tables

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Employee benefit plans [Abstract]	'
Components of the net pension cost	'
	Sevcon has defined contribution plans covering the majority of its U.S. and U.K. employees in the controls business. There is also a small defined contribution plan covering senior managers in the capacitor business. The Company has frozen U.K. and U.S. defined benefit plans for which no future benefits are being earned by employees.  The following table sets forth the components of the net pension cost for the three month periods ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Interest cost		$	318		$	323
	Expected return on plan assets			(320	)		(293	)
	Amortization of net loss			56			72
	Net periodic benefit cost			54			102
	Net cost of defined contribution plans		$	115		$	122
Movement in liability for pension benefits	'
	The following table sets forth the movement in the liability for pension benefits in the three month periods ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period		$	8,354		$	10,264
	Net periodic benefit cost			54			102
	Plan contributions			(171	)		(60	)
	Amortization of net loss			(56	)		(72	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			85			78
	Balance at end of period		$	8,266		$	10,312
Amounts recognized in balance sheet	'
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Non-current liabilities		$	8,266		$	10,312
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income	'
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			December 28,			December 29,
			2013			2012
	Actuarial loss, net of $13,000 tax benefit (2013: net of $19,000 tax benefit)		$	43		$	53
Pension plan assets measured and recorded at fair value	'
	The table below presents information about the Company’s pension plan assets measured and recorded at fair value as of December 28, 2013 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by the Company to determine the fair values.
	(in thousands of dollars)
			Level 1*			Level 2**
			(Quoted prices in			(Significant			Level 3***
			active			observable			(Unobservable
			markets)			inputs)			inputs)
	Mutual Funds
	Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies Fund			6,902			-			-
	Standard Life UK Indexed Linked Fund			1,687			-			-
	Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund			1,631			-			-
	CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund			7,070			-			-
	U.S. Equity Funds			285			-			-
	U.S. Fixed Income  Funds			2,328			-			-
	Other Types of Investments
	Cash			212			-			-
	Total			20,115			-			-
	*	Level 1 investments represent mutual funds for which a quoted market price is available on an active market. These investments will primarily hold stocks or bonds, or a combination of stocks and bonds.
	**	The Company currently does not have any Level 2 pension plan financial assets.
	***	The Company currently does not have any Level 3 pension plan financial assets.
Estimated future benefit payments	'
	The following estimated benefit payments, which reflect future service, as appropriate, have been or are expected to be paid:
			(in thousands
			of dollars)
	2014		$	497
	2015			618
	2016			653
	2017			646
	2018			646
	2019 – 2023			3,296

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories were comprised of:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		December 28,		September 30,
		2013		2013
	Raw materials	$	2,108	$	2,201
	Work-in-process		7		11
	Finished goods		3,822		3,511
		$	5,937	$	5,723

Accrued_expenses_Tables

Accrued expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Accrued expenses [Abstract]	'
Analysis of other accrued expenses	'
	Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at December 28, 2013 and September 30, 2013, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		December 28,		September 30,
		2013		2013
	Accrued compensation and related costs	$	1,071	$	1,015
	Other accrued expenses		863		1,072
		$	1,934	$	2,087

Warranty_reserves_Tables

Warranty reserves (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Warranty reserves [Abstract]	'
Movement in warranty reserves	'
	The movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended
		December 28,			December 29,
		2013			2012
	Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$	138		$	89
	Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period		(43	)		(8	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		1			3
	Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period	$	43		$	22
	Warranty reserves at end of period	$	139		$	106

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'
Annual principal payments on long term debt	'
	Annual principal payments on long term debt at December 28, 2013 are as follows:
	Fiscal year	(in thousands of dollars)
	2015		$	16
	2016			-
	2017			1,700
	Total		$	1,716

Stockbased_compensation_plans_1

Stock-based compensation plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
				Stock Options [Member]	Stock Options [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
						Employee
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares reserved and available for grant (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	62,000	122,800
Shares under Option [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	'	5,000	'	'	'	'
Cancelled (in shares)	'	'	'	-5,000	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	'	'	'	0	5,000	'	'	'
Exercisable, end of period (in shares)	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Exercisable and expected to vest, end of period (in shares)	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Weighted average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$5.40	'	'	'	'
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$5.40	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$0	$5.40	'	'	'
Exercisable, end of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$0	'	'	'	'
Exercisable and expected to vest, end of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$0	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, outstanding, beginning of period	'	'	'	'0 years	'0 years 1 month 6 days	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, outstanding, end of period	'	'	'	'0 years	'0 years 1 month 6 days	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable, end of period	'	'	'	'0 years	'	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life, exercisable and expected to vest, end of period	'	'	'	'0 years	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding, beginning of period	'	'	'	$0	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding, end of period	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable, end of period	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable and expected to vest, end of period	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Closing market price of Company's common stock (in dollars per share)	$5.27	'	$4.85	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares of Restricted Stock [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-vested balance, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	103,800	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	80,000	'	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	-27,000	'	'
Non-vested balance, end of period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	156,800	'	'
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-vested balance, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	$5.05	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	$4.43	'	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	$4.86	'	'
Non-vested balance, ending of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	$4.77	'	'
Number of employees and non-employee directors with restricted stock grant	'	'	'	'	'	7	'	'
Estimated fair value of stock at date of grant	'	'	'	'	'	354,000	'	'
Quarterly charge to income for restricted stock	'	'	'	'	'	18,000	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	59,000	71,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	$667,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average period for unrecognized compensation expense to be recognized	'4 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh2

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Basic and fully diluted earnings per share [Abstract]	'	'
Net income (loss)	$488	($1,302)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	3,375	3,339
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	($0.39)
Common stock equivalents (in shares)	36	18
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	3,411	3,357
Diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	($0.39)
No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents (in shares)	0	36

Segment_information_Details

Segment information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Segment information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	2	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	$9,049	$6,640	'
Inter-segment revenues	0	2	'
Operating income (loss)	710	-1,185	'
Identifiable assets	23,517	21,717	23,360
Controls [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	8,535	6,202	'
Inter-segment revenues	0	0	'
Operating income (loss)	649	-1,143	'
Identifiable assets	21,798	20,027	'
Capacitors [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	514	438	'
Inter-segment revenues	0	2	'
Operating income (loss)	40	-14	'
Identifiable assets	1,385	1,283	'
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	0	0	'
Inter-segment revenues	0	0	'
Operating income (loss)	21	-28	'
Identifiable assets	$334	$407	'

Segment_information_Revenues_f

Segment information, Revenues from Electronic Controls Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Electronic controls segment revenues	$8,535	$6,202
Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Electronic controls segment revenues	6,584	4,085
Accessory and aftermarket products and services [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Electronic controls segment revenues	$1,951	$2,117

Research_and_development_Detai

Research and development (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'
Research and development expense, net of grants receivable	$930	$1,083
Percentage of sales (in hundredths)	10.30%	16.30%
Cummins Generator Technologies and Newcastle University [Member]	'	'
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'
Grant income recorded	17	6
Research and development expense on projects	50	19
Technology Strategy Board Project Grant in 2013 [Member]	'	'
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'
Grant income recorded	1	0
Research and development expense on projects	3	0
Low Emission Transport Collaborative Projects Fund [Member]	'	'
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'
Grant income recorded	97	0
Research and development expense on projects	422	0
Total grants awarded	$480	'

Employee_benefit_plans_Details

Employee benefit plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Components of net pension cost [Abstract]	'		'	'
Interest cost	$318		$323	'
Expected return on plan assets	-320		-293	'
Amortization of net loss	56		72	'
Net periodic benefit cost	54		102	'
Net cost of defined contribution plans	115		122	'
Movement in liability for pension benefits [Roll forward]	'		'	'
Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period	8,354		10,264	'
Net periodic benefit cost	54		102	'
Plan contributions	-171		-60	'
Amortization of net loss	-56		-72	'
Effect of exchange rate changes	85		78	'
Balance at end of period	8,266		10,312	'
Amounts recognized in balance sheet [Abstract]	'		'	'
Non-current liabilities	8,266		10,312	8,354
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) [Abstract]	'		'	'
Actuarial loss, net of tax benefit for the three and nine month periods, respectively	43		53	'
Tax benefits on actuarial loss	13		19	'
Estimated future benefit payments [Abstract]	'		'	'
2013	497		'	'
2014	618		'	'
2015	653		'	'
2016	646		'	'
2017	646		'	'
2018 - 2022	3,296		'	'
Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	20,115	[1]	'	'
Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies Fund [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,902	[1]	'	'
Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies Fund [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies Fund [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
Standard Life U.K. Indexed Linked Fund [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,687	[1]	'	'
Standard Life U.K. Indexed Linked Fund [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
Standard Life U.K. Indexed Linked Fund [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,631	[1]	'	'
Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	7,070	[1]	'	'
CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	285	[1]	'	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
U.S. Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,328	[1]	'	'
U.S. Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
U.S. Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	212	[1]	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	'
U.S. Pension Plans [Member]	'		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions [Abstract]	'		'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	50		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year	150		'	'
U.K. Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions [Abstract]	'		'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	121		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year	$368		'	'
[1]	Level 1 investments represent mutual funds for which a quoted market price is available on an active market. These investments will primarily hold stocks or bonds, or a combination of stocks and bonds.
[2]	The Company currently does not have any Level 2 pension plan financial assets.
[3]	The Company currently does not have any Level 3 pension plan financial assets.

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$2,108	$2,201
Work-in-process	7	11
Finished goods	3,822	3,511
Inventories	$5,937	$5,723

Other_receivables_Details

Other receivables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Other receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Other receivables	$833	$357
Other receivables reclassified from trade receivables	$555	'
Administration period	'6 months	'

Fair_value_of_financial_instru1

Fair value of financial instruments (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 2 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair value of long term debt	$1,763

Accrued_expenses_Details

Accrued expenses (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued compensation and related costs	$1,071	$1,015
Other accrued expenses	863	1,072
Accrued expenses	$1,934	$2,087
Percentage of total current liabilities used to analyze accrued expenses (in hundredths)	5.00%	5.00%

Warranty_reserves_Details

Warranty reserves (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Movement in warranty reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'
Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$138	$89
Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period	-43	-8
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1	3
Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period	43	22
Warranty reserves at end of period	$139	$106

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,716	'
Current portion of long term debt	47	46
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Debt covenant description	'Under the facility, Sevcon USA, Inc. must maintain, on a quarterly basis, a debt to tangible net worth ratio of no more than 2.40:1 and a debt service coverage ratio of no less than 1.25:1 for each rolling twelve-month period.	'
Total overdraft facility	1,470	'
Annual principal payments on long term debt [Abstract]	'	'
2015	16	'
2016	0	'
2017	1,700	'
Total maturities	1,716	'
Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	1,700	'
RBS Citizens, National Association [Member] | Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	3,500	'
Margin interest rate (in hundredths)	3.25%	'
Line of credit facility, expiration date	14-Jun-17	'
U.K. bank loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	63	'
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	6.80%	'
Debt instrument, term	'5 years	'
Current portion of long term debt	47	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	16	'
Fair market value of the debt	63	'
Annual principal payments on long term debt [Abstract]	'	'
Total maturities	$63	'

Subsequent_events_Details

Subsequent events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member])	Feb. 14, 2014
Risenbo [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Stake in joint venture (in hundredths)	50.00%
Sevcon [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Stake in joint venture (in hundredths)	50.00%