Sevcon 10-Q 13 May 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	13-May-14
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	'Q2	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	29-Mar-14	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,450	$2,062
Trade receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $48 at March 29, 2014 and $61 at September 30, 2013	6,838	6,746
Other receivables	883	357
Inventories	5,965	5,723
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,085	1,862
Total current assets	17,221	16,750
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:	'	'
Land and improvements	23	23
Buildings and improvements	757	737
Equipment	11,517	10,992
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	12,297	11,752
Less: accumulated depreciation	-10,335	-9,783
Net property, plant and equipment	1,962	1,969
Long-term deferred tax assets	3,374	3,152
Goodwill	1,435	1,435
Other-long term assets	150	54
Total assets	24,142	23,360
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long term debt	49	46
Accounts payable	4,077	3,880
Accrued expenses	1,943	2,087
Accrued and deferred taxes on income	0	47
Total current liabilities	6,069	6,060
Liability for pension benefits	8,255	8,354
Long term debt	1,704	1,728
Total liabilities	16,028	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 3,574,765 shares at March 29, 2014 and 3,474,388 at September 30, 2013	358	347
Premium paid in on common stock	5,751	5,699
Retained earnings	9,241	8,591
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,236	-7,419
Total stockholders' equity	8,114	7,218
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$24,142	$23,360

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2014	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)	3,574,765	3,474,388

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$9,170	$8,017	$18,219	$14,657
Cost of sales	-5,568	-5,010	-10,785	-9,410
Gross profit	3,602	3,007	7,434	5,247
Selling, research and administrative expenses	-3,406	-2,865	-6,528	-6,290
Restructuring charge	0	-605	0	-605
Operating income (loss)	196	-463	906	-1,648
Interest expense	-19	-26	-35	-50
Interest income	1	1	1	1
Foreign currency loss	-39	-88	-124	-289
Income (loss) before income tax	139	-576	748	-1,986
Income tax benefit (provision)	23	638	-98	746
Net income (loss)	$162	$62	$650	($1,240)
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.02	$0.19	($0.37)
Fully diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.02	$0.19	($0.37)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$162	$62	$650	($1,240)
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	30	20	96	121
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'	'	'
Actuarial loss, net of $13 and $26 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively, (2013: net of $18 and $37 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively)	44	50	87	103
Comprehensive income (loss)	$236	$132	$833	($1,016)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'	'	'
Tax benefits on actuarial loss	$13	$18	$26	$37

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Cash flow from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$650	($1,240)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	304	309
Gain on sale of fixed assets	0	-3
Stock-based compensation	127	168
Pension contributions greater than pension expense	-195	-20
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	98	-912
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Trade receivables	18	-300
Other receivables	-526	0
Inventories	-136	115
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-530	54
Accounts payable	99	-52
Accrued expenses	-167	207
Accrued and deferred taxes on income	-83	147
Net cash used by operating activities	-341	-1,527
Cash flow used by investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-249	-307
Proceeds of sale of fixed assets	0	4
Net cash used by investing activities	-249	-303
Cash flow used by financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of long term debt	-23	-21
Purchase and retirement of common stock	-63	-53
Net cash used by financing activities	-86	-74
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	64	83
Net decrease in cash	-612	-1,821
Beginning balance - cash and cash equivalents	2,062	2,823
Ending balance - cash and cash equivalents	1,450	1,002
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	83	3
Cash paid for interest	$35	$50

Basis_of_presentation

Basis of presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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 March 29, 2014 and the results of operations and cash flows for the six months ended March 29, 2014. 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.
	The results of operations for the six month period ended March 29, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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 183,400 shares reserved and available for grant at March 29, 2014.   There were 106,000 shares reserved and available for grant at March 30, 2013.  There were no options granted or exercised in the periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013.
	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 six months ended March 29, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted average Exercise		Weighted average remaining contractual life		Aggregate
		under			Price		(years)		Intrinsic Value
		Option
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		5,000		$	5.4	0.1 years		$	-
	Cancelled		(5,000	)		5.4		-		-
	Outstanding at March 29, 2014		-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable at March 29, 2014		-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable and expected to vest at March 29, 2014		-		$	-		-	$	-
	The aggregate intrinsic value, if any, included in the table above 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 $11.36 and $4.85 closing market price of the Company's common stock at March 29, 2014 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 instalments 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 measured on the date of grant was $354,000, based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of issue. The unvested compensation is being charged to income on a straight line basis over five years. The charge to income for this employee restricted stock in the first six months of 2014 was $35,000 and the subsequent charge will be approximately $18,000 on a quarterly basis.
	In February 2014, the Company granted 28,600 shares of restricted stock to eleven non-employee directors, which will vest on the day before the 2015 annual meeting providing that the grantee remains a director of the Company, or as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. The aggregate fair value of the stock measured on the date of grant was $213,000, based on the closing sale price of the stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is being charged to income on a straight line basis over the twelve month period during which the forfeiture conditions lapse. The charge to income for these restricted stock grants in the first six months of fiscal 2014 was $18,000 and the subsequent charge will be approximately $53,000 on a quarterly basis.
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the six months ended March 29, 2014 is as follows:
		Number of shares of Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2013		103,800		$	5.05
	Granted		108,600		$	5.23
	Vested		(43,800	)	$	4.63
	Non-vested balance as of March 29, 2014		168,600		$	5.27
	Stock-based compensation expense was $68,000 and $127,000 for the three and six month periods ended March 29, 2014 and $97,000 and $168,000 for the three and six month periods ended March 30, 2013. At March 29, 2014, there was $812,000 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 3.1 years.

Cash_dividends

Cash dividends	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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				Six Months ended
		March 29,		March 30,		March 29,		March 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net income (loss)	$	162	$	62	$	650	$	(1,240	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		3,401		3,363		3,388		3,351
	Basic income  (loss) per share	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.19	$	(0.37	)
	Common stock equivalents		90		-		64		2
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		3,491		3,363		3,452		3,353
	Diluted income (loss) per share	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.19	$	(0.37	)
	No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents		-		-		-		-

Segment_information

Segment information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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 those described 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 March 29, 2014
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	8,601			569			-		$	9,170
	Inter-segment revenues		-			2			-			2
	Operating income (loss)		190			104			(98	)		196
	Identifiable assets		22,220			1,341			581			24,142
		Three months ended March 30, 2013
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers		7,581			436			-			8,017
	Inter-segment revenues		-			4			-			4
	Operating loss		(293	)		(7	)		(163	)		(463	)
	Identifiable assets		20,242			1,147			491			21,880
		Six months ended March 29, 2014
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	17,136		$	1,083		$	-		$	18,219
	Inter-segment revenues		-			2			-			2
	Operating income (loss)		839			144			(77	)		906
	Identifiable assets		22,220			1,341			581			24,142
		Six months ended March 30, 2013
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	13,783		$	874		$	-		$	14,657
	Inter-segment revenues		-			6			-			6
	Operating loss		(1,436	)		(21	)		(191	)		(1,648	)
	Identifiable assets		20,242			1,147			491			21,880
	In the electronic controls segment, revenues derive from the following products and services:
	(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended						Six Months ended
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles	$	6,555		$	6,043		$	13,139		$	10,128
	Accessory and aftermarket products and services		2,046			1,538			3,997			3,655
	Total electronic controls segment revenues	$	8,601		$	7,581		$	17,136		$	13,783

Research_and_development

Research and development	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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						Six Months ended
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Research and development expense, net of grants receivable	$	1,083		$	1,004		$	2,013		$	2,087
	Percentage of sales		12	%		13	%		11	%		14	%
	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 $16,000 and $33,000 in the three and six month periods ended March 29, 2014, respectively, associated with research and development expense of $47,000 and $97,000, respectively, in the same periods. The Company recorded grant income of $38,000 and $44,000 in the three and six month periods ended March 30, 2013, respectively, associated with research and development expense of $111,000 and $130,000, respectively, in the same periods.
	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 $2,000 and $3,000 in the three and six month periods ended March 29, 2014, respectively, associated with research and development expense of $7,000 and $10,000, respectively, in the same periods. The Company did not record any grant income or incur any research and development expense in respect of this grant in the first six months 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 from July 2013 to March 2015. The Company recorded grant income from this project of $139,000 and $236,000 in the three and six month periods ended March 29, 2014, respectively, associated with research and development expense of $547,000 and $969,000, respectively, in the same periods.  The Company did not record any grant income or incur any research and development expense in respect of this grant in the first six months of 2013.
	The grant income in the first six months of 2014 and 2013 was recorded as a reduction of research and development expense.

Employee_benefit_plans

Employee benefit plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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 and six month periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013, respectively:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended						Six Months ended
			March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost		$	325		$	313		$	643		$	636
	Expected return on plan assets			(327	)		(297	)		(647	)		(590	)
	Amortization of net loss			57			68			113			140
	Net periodic benefit cost			55			84			109			186
	Net cost of defined contribution plans		$	132		$	121		$	247		$	243
	Net cost of all employee benefit plans		$	187		$	205		$	356		$	429
	The following table sets forth the movement in the liability for pension benefits in the six month periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Six Months ended
			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013
	Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period			8,354			10,264
	Net periodic benefit cost			109			186
	Plan contributions			(304	)		(206	)
	Recognition of net actuarial loss			(113	)		(140	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			209			(586	)
	Balance at end of period			8,255			9,518
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013
	Non-current liabilities		$	8,255		$	9,518
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended						Six Months ended
			March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Actuarial loss, net of $13 and $26 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively, (2013: net of $18 and $37 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively)		$	44			50		$	87			103
			$	44		$	50		$	87		$	103
	Sevcon, Inc. contributed $100,000 to its frozen U.S. defined benefit plan in the six months ended March 29, 2014; it presently anticipates contributing a further $100,000 to fund its U.S. plan in the remainder of fiscal 2014. In addition, employer contributions to the U.K. defined benefit plan were $204,000 in the first six months and are estimated to total $494,000 in 2014.
	The table below presents information about the Company's pension plan assets measured and recorded at fair value as of March 29, 2014 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**			Level 3***
			(Quoted prices in active			(Significant observable inputs)			(Unobservable inputs)
			markets)
	Mutual Funds
	Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies  Fund			7,006			-			-
	Standard Life U.K. Indexed Linked Fund			1,773			-			-
	Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund			1,716			-			-
	CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund			7,106			-			-
	U.S. Equity Funds			327			-			-
	U.S. Mutual Funds and Fixed Income  Funds			2,393			-			-
	Other Types of Investments
	Cash			197			-			-
	Total			20,518			-			-
	*	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 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	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	(9)            Inventories
	Inventories, net of reserve, were comprised of:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		March 29,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	2,255	$	2,201
	Work-in-process		17		11
	Finished goods		3,693		3,511
		$	5,965	$	5,723

Other_receivables

Other receivables	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Other receivables [Abstract]	'
Other receivables	'
	(10)            Other receivables
	Other receivables of $883,000 at March 29, 2014 include $558,000 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. The Company has submitted a claim with the French court appointed administrator for the full amount of the receivable of $558,000 and no resolution is expected for at least another month from the date of this filing. In late April 2014, the Commercial Court in Lyon gave Sevcon the option to recover from SITL the entire inventory of material represented by the receivable of $558,000. The inventory concerned represents current saleable product and, in the opinion of management, could be sold by the Company's French subsidiary to alternative customers in a reasonable timescale. 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 amount recorded at March 29, 2014, of $558,000 less the value of the inventory that would be recovered from SITL should the Company exercise its option to do so.

Fair_value_of_financial_instru

Fair value of financial instruments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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 March 29, 2014 approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company's long term debt at March 29, 2014 approximated $1,753,000 (the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheet at March 29, 2014) based on recent financial market pricing. The long term debt represents a level 2 liability in accordance with the fair value hierarchy described in Note 8.

Accrued_expenses

Accrued expenses	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Accrued expenses [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses	'
	(12)            Accrued expenses
	Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at March 29, 2014 and September 30, 2013, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		March 29,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Accrued compensation and related costs	$	1,074	$	1,015
	Other accrued expenses		869		1,072
		$	1,943	$	2,087

Warranty_reserves

Warranty reserves	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Warranty reserves [Abstract]	'
Warranty reserves	'
	(13)            Warranty reserves
	Warranty reserves are included on the balance sheet within accrued expenses; the movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended						Six Months ended
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$	139		$	106		$	138		$	89
	Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period		(1	)		(7	)		(44	)		(15	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		1			(4	)		2			(1	)
	Net increase (decrease) in warranty reserves for products   sold during the period		1			(5	)		44			17
	Warranty reserves at end of period	$	140		$	90		$	140		$	90

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	(14)            Debt
	At March 29, 2014 the Company had $53,000 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 of $4,000 comprising interest and principal for a five year period commencing in May 2010. Of the total amount outstanding at March 29, 2014, $49,000 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 March 31, 2015. Included in other long term liabilities at March 29, 2014, is $4,000 which represents the principal element of the loan installments payable in fiscal year 2015. The fair market value of the debt at March 29, 2014 was $53,000.
	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 second quarter of 2014, was calculated at a margin of 3.125% 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 March 29, 2014.  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 facilities total $1,495,000 and 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 March 29, 2014.
	Annual principal payments on long term debt at March 29, 2014 are as follows:
	Fiscal year (in thousands of dollars)
	2015	4
	2016	-
	2017	1,700
	Total	1,704

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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. No material subsequent events were identified that require recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.

Stockbased_compensation_plans_

Stock-based compensation plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Stock-based compensation plans [Abstract]	'
Summary of option activity for all plans	'
	A summary of option activity for all plans for the six months ended March 29, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted average Exercise		Weighted average remaining contractual life		Aggregate
		under			Price		(years)		Intrinsic Value
		Option
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		5,000		$	5.4	0.1 years		$	-
	Cancelled		(5,000	)		5.4		-		-
	Outstanding at March 29, 2014		-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable at March 29, 2014		-		$	-		-	$	-
	Exercisable and expected to vest at March 29, 2014		-		$	-		-	$	-
Summary of restricted stock activity	'
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the six months ended March 29, 2014 is as follows:
		Number of shares of Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2013		103,800		$	5.05
	Granted		108,600		$	5.23
	Vested		(43,800	)	$	4.63
	Non-vested balance as of March 29, 2014		168,600		$	5.27

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh1

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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				Six Months ended
		March 29,		March 30,		March 29,		March 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net income (loss)	$	162	$	62	$	650	$	(1,240	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		3,401		3,363		3,388		3,351
	Basic income  (loss) per share	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.19	$	(0.37	)
	Common stock equivalents		90		-		64		2
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		3,491		3,363		3,452		3,353
	Diluted income (loss) per share	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.19	$	(0.37	)
	No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents		-		-		-		-

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Segment information [Abstract]	'
Information concerning operations of business segments	'
	The significant accounting policies of the segments are those described 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 March 29, 2014
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	8,601			569			-		$	9,170
	Inter-segment revenues		-			2			-			2
	Operating income (loss)		190			104			(98	)		196
	Identifiable assets		22,220			1,341			581			24,142
		Three months ended March 30, 2013
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers		7,581			436			-			8,017
	Inter-segment revenues		-			4			-			4
	Operating loss		(293	)		(7	)		(163	)		(463	)
	Identifiable assets		20,242			1,147			491			21,880
		Six months ended March 29, 2014
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	17,136		$	1,083		$	-		$	18,219
	Inter-segment revenues		-			2			-			2
	Operating income (loss)		839			144			(77	)		906
	Identifiable assets		22,220			1,341			581			24,142
		Six months ended March 30, 2013
		Controls			Capacitors			Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers	$	13,783		$	874		$	-		$	14,657
	Inter-segment revenues		-			6			-			6
	Operating loss		(1,436	)		(21	)		(191	)		(1,648	)
	Identifiable assets		20,242			1,147			491			21,880
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						Six Months ended
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles	$	6,555		$	6,043		$	13,139		$	10,128
	Accessory and aftermarket products and services		2,046			1,538			3,997			3,655
	Total electronic controls segment revenues	$	8,601		$	7,581		$	17,136		$	13,783

Research_and_development_Table

Research and development (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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						Six Months ended
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Research and development expense, net of grants receivable	$	1,083		$	1,004		$	2,013		$	2,087
	Percentage of sales		12	%		13	%		11	%		14	%

Employee_benefit_plans_Tables

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
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 and six month periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013, respectively:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended						Six Months ended
			March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost		$	325		$	313		$	643		$	636
	Expected return on plan assets			(327	)		(297	)		(647	)		(590	)
	Amortization of net loss			57			68			113			140
	Net periodic benefit cost			55			84			109			186
	Net cost of defined contribution plans		$	132		$	121		$	247		$	243
	Net cost of all employee benefit plans		$	187		$	205		$	356		$	429
Movement in liability for pension benefits	'
	The following table sets forth the movement in the liability for pension benefits in the six month periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Six Months ended
			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013
	Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period			8,354			10,264
	Net periodic benefit cost			109			186
	Plan contributions			(304	)		(206	)
	Recognition of net actuarial loss			(113	)		(140	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			209			(586	)
	Balance at end of period			8,255			9,518
Amounts recognized in balance sheet	'
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013
	Non-current liabilities		$	8,255		$	9,518
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income	'
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended						Six Months ended
			March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Actuarial loss, net of $13 and $26 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively, (2013: net of $18 and $37 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively)		$	44			50		$	87			103
			$	44		$	50		$	87		$	103
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 March 29, 2014 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**			Level 3***
			(Quoted prices in active			(Significant observable inputs)			(Unobservable inputs)
			markets)
	Mutual Funds
	Standard Life Pension Global Absolute Returns Strategies  Fund			7,006			-			-
	Standard Life U.K. Indexed Linked Fund			1,773			-			-
	Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund			1,716			-			-
	CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund			7,106			-			-
	U.S. Equity Funds			327			-			-
	U.S. Mutual Funds and Fixed Income  Funds			2,393			-			-
	Other Types of Investments
	Cash			197			-			-
	Total			20,518			-			-
	*	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 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)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories, net of reserve, were comprised of:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		March 29,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	2,255	$	2,201
	Work-in-process		17		11
	Finished goods		3,693		3,511
		$	5,965	$	5,723

Accrued_expenses_Tables

Accrued expenses (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Accrued expenses [Abstract]	'
Analysis of other accrued expenses	'
	Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at March 29, 2014 and September 30, 2013, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		March 29,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Accrued compensation and related costs	$	1,074	$	1,015
	Other accrued expenses		869		1,072
		$	1,943	$	2,087

Warranty_reserves_Tables

Warranty reserves (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Warranty reserves [Abstract]	'
Movement in warranty reserves	'
	Warranty reserves are included on the balance sheet within accrued expenses; the movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended						Six Months ended
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$	139		$	106		$	138		$	89
	Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period		(1	)		(7	)		(44	)		(15	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		1			(4	)		2			(1	)
	Net increase (decrease) in warranty reserves for products   sold during the period		1			(5	)		44			17
	Warranty reserves at end of period	$	140		$	90		$	140		$	90

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Annual principal payments on long term debt	'
	Annual principal payments on long term debt at March 29, 2014 are as follows:
	Fiscal year (in thousands of dollars)
	2015	4
	2016	-
	2017	1,700
	Total	1,704

Stockbased_compensation_plans_1

Stock-based compensation plans (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2014

Mar. 30, 2013

Mar. 29, 2014

Mar. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 29, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 29, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Mar. 29, 2014

Mar. 29, 2014

Mar. 30, 2013

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]

Employee

Employee

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares reserved and available for grant (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

183,400

106,000

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)

$11.36

'

$11.36

'

$4.85

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares of Restricted Stock [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-vested balance, beginning of period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,800

103,800

'

'

Granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,600

80,000

108,600

'

'

Vested (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-43,800

'

'

Non-vested balance, end of period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

168,600

'

168,600

'

'

Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-vested balance, beginning of period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5.05

$5.05

'

'

Granted (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5.23

'

'

Vested (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4.63

'

'

Non-vested balance, ending of period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5.27

'

$5.27

'

'

Number of employees and non-employee directors with restricted stock grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11

7

'

'

'

Estimated fair value of stock at date of grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

213,000

354,000

'

'

'

Period for recognition of unearned compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'5 years

'

'

'

Charge to income for restricted stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000

35,000

'

'

'

Quarterly charge to income for restricted stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53,000

18,000

'

'

'

Stock based compensation expense

68,000

97,000

127,000

168,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense

$812,000

'

$812,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average period for unrecognized compensation expense to be recognized

'

'

'3 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh2

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Basic and fully diluted earnings per share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$162	$62	$650	($1,240)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	3,401	3,363	3,388	3,351
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.02	$0.19	($0.37)
Common stock equivalents (in shares)	90	0	64	2
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	3,491	3,363	3,452	3,353
Diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.02	$0.19	($0.37)
No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents (in shares)	0	0	0	0

Segment_information_Details

Segment information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Segment
Segment information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	2	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	$9,170	$8,017	$18,219	$14,657	'
Inter-segment revenues	2	4	2	6	'
Operating income (loss)	196	-463	906	-1,648	'
Identifiable assets	24,142	21,880	24,142	21,880	23,360
Controls [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	8,601	7,581	17,136	13,783	'
Inter-segment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Operating income (loss)	190	-293	839	-1,436	'
Identifiable assets	22,220	20,242	22,220	20,242	'
Capacitors [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	569	436	1,083	874	'
Inter-segment revenues	2	4	2	6	'
Operating income (loss)	104	-7	144	-21	'
Identifiable assets	1,341	1,147	1,341	1,147	'
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	0	0	0	0	'
Inter-segment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Operating income (loss)	-98	-163	-77	-191	'
Identifiable assets	$581	$491	$581	$491	'

Segment_information_Revenues_f

Segment information, Revenues from Electronic Controls Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Electronic controls segment revenues	$8,601	$7,581	$17,136	$13,783
Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Electronic controls segment revenues	6,555	6,043	13,139	10,128
Accessory and aftermarket products and services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Electronic controls segment revenues	$2,046	$1,538	$3,997	$3,655

Research_and_development_Detai

Research and development (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Research and development expense, net of grants receivable	$1,083,000	$1,004,000	$2,013,000	$2,087,000
Percentage of sales (in hundredths)	12.00%	13.00%	11.00%	14.00%
Cummins Generator Technologies and Newcastle University [Member]	'	'	'	'
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Grant income recorded	16,000	38,000	33,000	44,000
Research and development expense on projects	47,000	111,000	97,000	130,000
Technology Strategy Board Project Grant in 2013 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Grant income recorded	2,000	'	3,000	0
Research and development expense on projects	7,000	'	10,000	0
Low Emission Transport Collaborative Projects Fund [Member]	'	'	'	'
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Grant income recorded	139,000	'	236,000	0
Research and development expense on projects	547,000	'	969,000	0
Total grants awarded	'	'	$480,000	'

Employee_benefit_plans_Details

Employee benefit plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014		Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014		Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Components of net pension cost [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Interest cost	$325,000		$313,000	$643,000		$636,000	'
Expected return on plan assets	-327,000		-297,000	-647,000		-590,000	'
Amortization of net loss	57,000		68,000	113,000		140,000	'
Net periodic benefit cost	55,000		84,000	109,000		186,000	'
Net cost of defined contribution plans	132,000		121,000	247,000		243,000	'
Net cost of all employee benefit plans	187,000		205,000	356,000		429,000	'
Movement in liability for pension benefits [Roll forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period	'		'	8,354,000		10,264,000	'
Net periodic benefit cost	55,000		84,000	109,000		186,000	'
Plan contributions	'		'	-304,000		-206,000	'
Recognition of net actuarial loss	'		'	-113,000		-140,000	'
Effect of exchange rate changes	'		'	209,000		-586,000	'
Balance at end of period	8,255,000		9,518,000	8,255,000		9,518,000	'
Amounts recognized in balance sheet [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Non-current liabilities	8,255,000		9,518,000	8,255,000		9,518,000	8,354,000
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Actuarial loss, net of $13 and $26 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively, (2013: net of $18 and $37 tax benefit for the three and six month periods, respectively)	44,000		50,000	87,000		103,000	'
Net income (loss) from defined benefit pension plans	44,000		50,000	87,000		103,000	'
Tax benefits on actuarial loss	13,000		18,000	26,000		37,000	'
Estimated future benefit payments [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
2014	497,000		'	497,000		'	'
2015	618,000		'	618,000		'	'
2016	653,000		'	653,000		'	'
2017	646,000		'	646,000		'	'
2018	646,000		'	646,000		'	'
2019 - 2023	3,296,000		'	3,296,000		'	'
Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	20,518,000	[1]	'	20,518,000	[1]	'	'
Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	0	[2]	'	'
Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	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	7,006,000	[1]	'	7,006,000	[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]	'	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]	'	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	1,773,000	[1]	'	1,773,000	[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]	'	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]	'	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	1,716,000	[1]	'	1,716,000	[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]	'	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]	'	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	7,106,000	[1]	'	7,106,000	[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]	'	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]	'	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	327,000	[1]	'	327,000	[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]	'	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]	'	0	[3]	'	'
U.S. Mutual Funds and Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,393,000	[1]	'	2,393,000	[1]	'	'
U.S. Mutual Funds and Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	0	[2]	'	'
U.S. Mutual Funds and Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	197,000	[1]	'	197,000	[1]	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]	'	0	[2]	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	'
U.S. Defined Benefit Plan [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Employer contributions	'		'	100,000		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year	100,000		'	100,000		'	'
U.K. Defined Benefit Plan [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Employer contributions	'		'	204,000		'	'
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year	$494,000		'	$494,000		'	'
[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 $)	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$2,255	$2,201
Work-in-process	17	11
Finished goods	3,693	3,511
Inventories	$5,965	$5,723

Other_receivables_Details

Other receivables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Other receivables	$883	$357
Other receivables reclassified from trade receivables	$558	'
Administration period (in months)	'6 months	'

Fair_value_of_financial_instru1

Fair value of financial instruments (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Mar. 29, 2014
Level 2 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair value of long term debt	$1,753,000

Accrued_expenses_Details

Accrued expenses (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued compensation and related costs	$1,074	$1,015
Other accrued expenses	869	1,072
Accrued expenses	$1,943	$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		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Movement in warranty reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$139	$106	$138	$89
Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period	-1	-7	-44	-15
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1	-4	2	-1
Net increase (decrease) in warranty reserves for products sold during the period	1	-5	44	17
Warranty reserves at end of period	$140	$90	$140	$90

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,704,000	'
Monthly installments	4,000	'
Current portion of long term debt	49,000	46,000
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	1,495,000	'
Annual principal payments on long term debt [Abstract]	'	'
2015	4,000	'
2016	0	'
2017	1,700,000	'
Total maturities	1,704,000	'
Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	1,700,000	'
RBS Citizens, National Association [Member] | Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	3,500,000	'
Margin interest rate (in hundredths)	3.13%	'
Line of credit facility, expiration date	14-Jun-17	'
U.K. bank loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	53,000	'
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	6.80%	'
Debt instrument, term	'5 years	'
Current portion of long term debt	49,000	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	4,000	'
Fair market value of the debt	53,000	'
Annual principal payments on long term debt [Abstract]	'	'
Total maturities	$53,000	'