Sevcon 10-Q 17 Feb 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Feb. 17, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SEVCON, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	825411
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
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		3,650,958
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	3-Jan-15

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,111	$11,238
Trade receivables net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $39 at January 3, 2015 and $40 at September 30, 2014	7,009	6,694
Other receivables	237	183
Inventories	6,289	6,258
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,741	1,747
Total current assets	23,387	26,120
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and improvements	22	23
Buildings and improvements	703	741
Equipment	10,665	10,918
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	11,390	11,682
Less: accumulated depreciation	-9,259	-9,577
Net property, plant and equipment	2,131	2,105
Long-term deferred tax assets	3,717	3,910
Goodwill	1,435	1,435
Other long-term assets	400	397
Total assets	31,070
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long term debt	15	28
Accounts payable	3,573	4,405
Accrued expenses	1,849	1,836
Accrued and deferred taxes on income	0	7
Total current liabilities	5,437	6,276
Liability for pension benefits	8,929	9,529
Long term debt	0	1,700
Total liabilities	14,366	17,505
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized - 1,000,000 shares; Outstanding - 460,769 shares at January 3, 2015 and September 30, 2014	46	46
Common stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized - 20,000,000 shares at January 3, 2015 and 8,000,000 at September 30, 2014; Outstanding 3,650,958 shares at January 3, 2015 and 3,588,958 shares at September 30, 2014	365	359
Premium paid in on common stock	6,147	6,040
Premium paid in on preferred stock	9,231	9,231
Retained earnings	9,735	9,495
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,923	-8,829
Total Sevcon, Inc. and subsidiaries stockholders' equity	16,601	16,342
Noncontrolling interests	103	120
Total stockholders' equity	16,704	16,462
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$31,070	$33,967

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Trade receivables, allowances for doubtful accounts	$39	$40
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)	460,769	460,769
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	8,000,000
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	3,650,958	3,588,958

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$9,933	$9,049
Cost of sales	-5,924	-5,217
Gross profit	4,009	3,832
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-2,493	-2,192
Research and development expenses	-1,234	-930
Operating income	282	710
Interest expense	-26	-16
Interest income	5	0
Foreign currency gain (loss)	44	-85
Income before income tax	305	609
Income tax provision	-40	-121
Net income	265	488
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	17	0
Net income attributable to Sevcon, Inc. and subsidiaries	282	488
Preference share dividends	-111	0
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$171	$488
Net income per ordinary share - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.14
Net income per ordinary share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.14
Weighted average shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	3,427	3,375
Diluted (in shares)	3,513	3,411

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Sevcon, Inc. and subsidiaries	$282	$488
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-144	66
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial loss net of $14 tax benefit (2013:Actuarial loss net of $13 tax benefit)	50	43
Comprehensive income	$188	$597

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Defined benefit pension plans:
Actuarial loss tax benefit	$14	$13

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$265	$488
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used by) generated from operating activities:
Depreciation	157	168
Stock-based compensation	113	59
Pension contributions greater than pension expense	-52	-117
Deferred tax provision	39	120
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	-498	-48
Other receivables	-82	84
Inventories	-242	-169
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-49	1
Accounts payable	-680	-290
Accrued expenses	85	-167
Accrued and deferred taxes on income	-50	-3
Net cash (used by) generated from operating activities	-994	126
Cash flow used by investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-293	-64
Net cash used by investing activities	-293	-64
Cash flow used by financing activities:
Repayments of long term debt	-1,713	-11
Dividends paid	-42	0
Net cash used by financing activities	-1,755	-11
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-85	46
Net (decrease) increase in cash	-3,127	97
Beginning balance - cash and cash equivalents	11,238	2,062
Ending balance - cash and cash equivalents	8,111	2,159
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	50	3
Cash paid for interest	$26	$16

Basis_of_presentation

Basis of presentation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
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, 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.
	Certain prior period balances in the consolidated statement of income have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.
	Accounting for wholly-owned subsidiaries
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries; Sevcon USA, Inc., Sevcon Ltd., Industrial Capacitors (Wrexham) Ltd., Sevcon SAS, Sevcon Asia Limited and Sevcon Japan KK, in accordance with the provisions required by the Consolidation Topic 810 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).  All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Accounting for joint-venture subsidiary
	For the Company's less than wholly owned subsidiary, Sevcon New Energy Technology (Hubei) Company Limited, the Company first analyzes whether this joint venture subsidiary is a variable interest entity (a “VIE”) in accordance with ASC 810 and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. A VIE is an entity that has (i) insufficient equity to permit it to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) equity holders that lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. VIEs are consolidated by the primary beneficiary, which is the entity that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that potentially could be significant to the entity. Variable interests in a VIE are contractual, ownership, or other financial interests in a VIE that change with changes in the fair value of the VIE’s net assets. The Company continuously re-assesses (i) whether the entity is a VIE, and (ii) if the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the entity in which the Company holds its interest qualifies as a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary, it is consolidated.
	Based on the Company's analysis for its 50% owned joint venture, the Company has determined that it is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. While the Company owns 50% of the equity interest in this subsidiary, the other 50% is owned by a local unrelated third party, and the joint venture agreement with that third party provides the Company with greater voting rights. Accordingly, the Company consolidates its joint venture under the VIE rules and reflects the third party’s 50% interest in the consolidated financial statements as a non-controlling interest. The Company records this non-controlling interest at its initial fair value, adjusting the basis prospectively for their share of the respective consolidated investments’ net income or loss or equity contributions and distributions. This non-controlling interest is not redeemable by the equity holders and is presented as part of permanent equity. Income and losses are allocated to the non-controlling interest holder based on its economic ownership percentage.
	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 January 3, 2015 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended January 3, 2015. These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2014 annual consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the 2014 Sevcon, Inc. Annual Report filed on Form 10-K (the “2014 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 three month period ended January 3, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
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 2014 to the significant accounting policies followed by Sevcon, Inc.

Stockbased_compensation_plans

Stock-based compensation plans	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
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 157,557 shares reserved and available for grant at January 3, 2015.   There were 62,000 shares reserved and available for grant at December 28, 2013.  There were no options granted or exercised in the quarters ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 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.
	There were no options outstanding or exercisable at January 3, 2015 or December 28, 2013
	In December 2014, the Company granted 42,000 shares of restricted stock to eight employees, which will vest in two 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 $330,000 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 two years. The charge to income for this employee restricted stock grant will be approximately $41,000 on a quarterly basis.
	In December 2014, the Company granted 20,000 shares of restricted stock to three 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 $139,000 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 grant will be approximately $7,000 on a quarterly basis.
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended January 3, 2015 is as follows:
			Number of shares of Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2014			168,600		$	5.27
	Granted			62,000		$	7.85
	Vested			(36,000	)	$	5.42
	Non-vested balance as of January 3, 2015			194,600		$	6.07
	Stock-based compensation expense was $113,000 and $59,000 for the three month periods ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. At January 3, 2015, there was $992,000 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 2.9 years.

Cash_dividends

Cash dividends	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Cash dividends [Abstract]
Cash dividends	-4	Cash dividends
	Common stock dividends
	The Board of Directors suspended common stock dividends to conserve cash during the global recession that began in 2009 and will consider whether to resume paying common stock dividends as conditions and the Company’s operating results improve.
	Preferred Stock dividends
	At January 3, 2015 there were 460,769 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The preferred stock, which has a stated value of $24 per share, pays a 4% cumulative annual dividend semi-annually on October 15 and April 15 each year. The annual dividend payable is $442,338 and the next semi-annual dividend will be paid on April 15, 2015.

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
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 earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income or loss for the period attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the numerator of net income attributable to common stockholders is adjusted by the effect of dilutive securities, including convertible preferred stock using the treasury stock method.  The denominator is increased for the assumed exercise of dilutive options and other potentially dilutive securities, including convertible preferred stock, using the treasury stock method, unless the effect is anti-dilutive.
	Basic and diluted net income per common share for the three month periods ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 were calculated as follows:
			(in thousands except per share data)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,		December 28,
			2015		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to common stockholders for computing net income per ordinary share - basic		$	171	$	488
	Dividend eliminated upon assumed conversion of convertible preference shares			-		-
	Net income attributable to common stockholders for computing net income per ordinary share - diluted		$	171	$	488
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share – basic			3,427		3,375
	Adjustment for assumed conversion of convertible preference shares			-		-
	Adjustment for shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock			86		36
	Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share - diluted			3,513		3,411
	Net income per ordinary share - basic		$	0.05	$	0.14
	Net income per ordinary share - diluted		$	0.05	$	0.14
	No. of shares of convertible preference stock that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents			1,382		-

Segment_information

Segment information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment information [Abstract]
Segment information	-6	Segment information
	The Company has two reportable segments: electronic controls and capacitors. The electronic controls segment produces 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 2014 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 January 3, 2015
			Controls		Capacitors		Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers			9,419		514		-			9,933
	Inter-segment revenues			-		2		-			2
	Operating income (loss)			348		36		(102	)		282
	Identifiable assets			21,376		1,142		7,117			29,635
			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			20,363		1,385		334			22,082
	In the electronic controls segment, revenues derive from the following products and services:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,		December 28,
			2015		2013
	Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles		$	6,064	$	6,584
	Accessory and aftermarket products and services and engineering contracts			3,355		1,951
	Total electronic controls segment revenues		$	9,419	$	8,535

Research_and_development

Research and development	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Research and development [Abstract]
Research and development	-7	Research and development
	The cost of research and development programs is charged against income in each period.
	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 $8,000 in the first quarter of 2015 associated with research and development expense of $23,000. The Company recorded grant income of $17,000 associated with research and development expense of $50,000 in respect of this Technology Strategy Board grant in the first quarter of 2014.
	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 2015 of $16,000 associated with research and development expense of $66,000. 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 grant income in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014 was recorded as a reduction of research and development expense.

Employee_benefit_plans

Employee benefit plans	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
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 the U.K. and U.S. defined benefit plans for which no future benefits are being earned by employees. The Company uses a September 30 measurement date for its defined benefit pension plans.
	The Company’s French subsidiary, Sevcon S.A.S., has a liability to pay its employees a service and salary based award when they reach retirement age and leave the Company’s employment. This liability, which is unfunded, is recognized in accrued expenses and was $165,000 and $160,000 at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The obligation to pay this award is a French legal requirement and is only payable if the employee is employed by the Company when they retire; if they leave the Company prior to that time the award is no longer payable.
	The following table sets forth the components of the net pension cost for the three month periods ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Interest cost		$	316		$	318
	Expected return on plan assets			(313	)		(320	)
	Amortization of net loss			64			56
	Net periodic benefit cost			67			54
	Net cost of defined contribution plans		$	147		$	115
	The following table sets forth the movement in the liability for pension benefits in the three month periods ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period		$	9,529		$	8,354
	Net periodic benefit cost			67			54
	Plan contributions			(119	)		(171	)
	Amortization of actuarial loss			(64	)		(56	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			(484	)		85
	Balance at end of period		$	8,929		$	8,266
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Non-current liabilities		$	8,929		$	8,266
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Actuarial loss, net of $14,000 tax benefit (2013: net of $13,000 tax benefit)		$	50		$	43
	Sevcon, Inc. did not contribute to its U.S. defined benefit plan in the three months ended January 3, 2015; it presently anticipates contributing $200,000 to fund its U.S. plan in the remainder of fiscal 2015. In addition, employer contributions to the U.K. defined benefit plan were $119,000 in the first three months and are estimated to total $464,000 in 2015.
	The table below presents information about the Company’s pension plan assets measured and recorded at fair value as of January 3, 2015 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			6,886			-			-
	Standard Life UK Indexed Linked Fund			1,924			-			-
	Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund			1,782			-			-
	CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund			7,061			-			-
	U.S. Mutual Funds			2,449			-			-
	U.S. Exchange Traded Funds			364			-			-
	Other Types of Investments
	Cash			310			-			-
	Total			20,776			-			-
	*	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)
	2015		$	668
	2016			707
	2017			697
	2018			695
	2019			671
	2020 – 2024			3,658

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	-9	Inventories
	Inventories, net of reserve, were comprised of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			January 3,		September 30,
			2015		2014
	Raw materials		$	1,869	$	2,095
	Work-in-process			103		102
	Finished goods			4,317		4,061
			$	6,289	$	6,258

Fair_value_of_financial_instru

Fair value of financial instruments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Fair value of financial instruments	-10	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 January 3, 2015 approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s long term debt at January 3, 2015 approximated $15,000 (the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheet at January 3, 2015) 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
	Jan. 03, 2015
Accrued expenses [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	-11	Accrued expenses
	Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at January 3, 2015 and September 30, 2014, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			January 3,		September 30,
			2015		2014
	Accrued compensation and related costs		$	1,013	$	1,062
	Other accrued expenses			836		774
			$	1,849	$	1,836

Warranty_reserves

Warranty reserves	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Warranty reserves [Abstract]
Warranty reserves	-12	Warranty reserves
	The movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Warranty reserves at beginning of period		$	153		$	138
	Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period			-			(43	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(5	)		1
	Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period		$	3		$	43
	Warranty reserves at end of period		$	151		$	139

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Debt	-13	Debt
	At January 3, 2015 the Company had $15,000 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. The amount outstanding at January 3, 2015, $15,000, is shown in the current liabilities section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under current debt, representing the principal element of the loan installments in the year ending September 30, 2015. The fair market value of the debt at January 3, 2015 was $15,000.
	The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sevcon USA, Inc., has a $3,500,000 secured revolving credit facility with Citizens Bank, for working capital and general corporate purposes. The loan and security agreement will expire on June 14, 2017 when any outstanding principal and unpaid interest at that time 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. 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. Interest on the loan is payable monthly, and is calculated at a margin of 3.125% over LIBOR.  The total amount outstanding under this credit facility at January 3, 2105 was $0 and at September 30, 2014 was $1,700,000.
	In July 2014, 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 $1,380,000 and which are secured by real estate owned by those companies. The renewal of the facilities is for a twelve month period although they can be withdrawn on demand by the bank. The facilities were unused at January 3, 2015 and at September 30, 2014.
	Annual principal payments on long term debt at January 3, 2015 are as follows:
			(in thousands of dollars)
	2015		$	15
	Total		$	15

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	-14	Commitments and Contingencies
	Sevcon, Inc. is involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business but believes that it is remote that the outcome will be material to operations.
	The Company maintains a directors' retirement plan which provides for certain retirement benefits to non-employee directors. Effective January 1997 the plan was frozen and no further benefits are being accrued. While the cost of the plan has been fully charged to expense, the plan is not separately funded. The estimated maximum liability which has been recorded based on the cost of buying deferred annuities at January 3, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was $161,000 and $162,000, respectively.
	Minimum rental commitments under all non-cancelable leases are as follows for the years ended September 30,  2015 - $213,000; 2016 - $205,000; 2017 - $205,000; 2018 - $208,000; 2019 - $194,000 and $3,405,000 thereafter.
	The U.K. subsidiaries of the Company have given to a bank a security interest in certain leasehold and freehold property assets as security for overdraft facilities of $1,380,000. There were no amounts outstanding on the overdraft facilities at January 3, 2015 and at September 30, 2014. The obligations under a secured revolving credit facility entered into in 2011 by the U.S. subsidiary of the Company, are guaranteed by the Company and are secured by all of the assets and a pledge of all of the capital stock, of Sevcon USA, Inc. The total amount outstanding under this revolving credit facility was $0 at January 3, 2015 and $1,700,000 at September 30, 2014.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
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)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Stock-based compensation plans [Abstract]
Summary of restricted stock activity	A summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended January 3, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of shares of Restricted Stock			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2014		168,600		$	5.27
	Granted		62,000		$	7.85
	Vested		(36,000	)	$	5.42
	Non-vested balance as of January 3, 2015		194,600		$	6.07

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh1

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding [Abstract]
Basic and fully diluted earnings per share	Basic and diluted net income per common share for the three month periods ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 were calculated as follows:
		(in thousands except per share data)
		Three Months ended
		January 3,		December 28,
		2015		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to common stockholders for computing net income per ordinary share - basic	$	171	$	488
	Dividend eliminated upon assumed conversion of convertible preference shares		-		-
	Net income attributable to common stockholders for computing net income per ordinary share - diluted	$	171	$	488
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share – basic		3,427		3,375
	Adjustment for assumed conversion of convertible preference shares		-		-
	Adjustment for shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock		86		36
	Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share - diluted		3,513		3,411
	Net income per ordinary share - basic	$	0.05	$	0.14
	Net income per ordinary share - diluted	$	0.05	$	0.14
	No. of shares of convertible preference stock that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents		1,382		-

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment information [Abstract]
Information concerning operations of business segments	Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three months ended January 3, 2015
		Controls		Capacitors		Corporate			Total
	Sales to external customers		9,419		514		-			9,933
	Inter-segment revenues		-		2		-			2
	Operating income (loss)		348		36		(102	)		282
	Identifiable assets		21,376		1,142		7,117			29,635
		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		20,363		1,385		334			22,082
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
		January 3,		December 28,
		2015		2013
	Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles	$	6,064	$	6,584
	Accessory and aftermarket products and services and engineering contracts		3,355		1,951
	Total electronic controls segment revenues	$	9,419	$	8,535

Employee_benefit_plans_Tables

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Employee benefit plans [Abstract]
Components of the net pension cost	The following table sets forth the components of the net pension cost for the three month periods ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Interest cost		$	316		$	318
	Expected return on plan assets			(313	)		(320	)
	Amortization of net loss			64			56
	Net periodic benefit cost			67			54
	Net cost of defined contribution plans		$	147		$	115
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 January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			Three Months ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period		$	9,529		$	8,354
	Net periodic benefit cost			67			54
	Plan contributions			(119	)		(171	)
	Amortization of actuarial loss			(64	)		(56	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			(484	)		85
	Balance at end of period		$	8,929		$	8,266
Amounts recognized in balance sheet	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Non-current liabilities		$	8,929		$	8,266
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
			(in thousands of dollars)
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Actuarial loss, net of $14,000 tax benefit (2013: net of $13,000 tax benefit)		$	50		$	43
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 January 3, 2015 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			6,886			-			-
	Standard Life UK Indexed Linked Fund			1,924			-			-
	Standard Life Long Corporate Bond Fund			1,782			-			-
	CF Ruffer Absolute Return Fund			7,061			-			-
	U.S. Mutual Funds			2,449			-			-
	U.S. Exchange Traded Funds			364			-			-
	Other Types of Investments
	Cash			310			-			-
	Total			20,776			-			-
	*	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)
	2015		$	668
	2016			707
	2017			697
	2018			695
	2019			671
	2020 – 2024			3,658

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories, net of reserve, were comprised of:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		January 3,		September 30,
		2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	1,869	$	2,095
	Work-in-process		103		102
	Finished goods		4,317		4,061
		$	6,289	$	6,258

Accrued_expenses_Tables

Accrued expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Accrued expenses [Abstract]
Analysis of other accrued expenses	Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at January 3, 2015 and September 30, 2014, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		January 3,		September 30,
		2015		2014
	Accrued compensation and related costs	$	1,013	$	1,062
	Other accrued expenses		836		774
		$	1,849	$	1,836

Warranty_reserves_Tables

Warranty reserves (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Warranty reserves [Abstract]
Movement in warranty reserves	The movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
		Three Months ended
		January 3,			December 28,
		2015			2013
	Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$	153		$	138
	Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period		-			(43	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		(5	)		1
	Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period	$	3		$	43
	Warranty reserves at end of period	$	151		$	139

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Annual principal payments on long term debt	Annual principal payments on long term debt at January 3, 2015 are as follows:
		(in thousands of dollars)
	2015	$	15
	Total	$	15

Basis_of_presentation_Details

Basis of presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Basis of presentation [Abstract]
Equity interest ownership (in hundredths)	50.00%
Joint venture ownership (in hundredths)	50.00%
Third party's equity interest ownership (in hundredths)	50.00%

Stockbased_compensation_plans_1

Stock-based compensation plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
			Employee
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Options exercisable (in shares)	0	0
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Stock based compensation expense	$113	$59
Unrecognized compensation expense	992
Weighted average period for unrecognized compensation expense to be recognized	2 years 10 months 24 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Number of shares of Restricted Stock [Roll Forward]
Non-vested balance, beginning of period (in shares)	168,600
Granted (in shares)	62,000
Vested (in shares)	-36,000
Non-vested balance, end of period (in shares)	194,600
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Non-vested balance, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$5.27
Granted (in dollars per share)	$7.85
Vested (in dollars per share)	$5.42
Non-vested balance, ending of period (in dollars per share)	$6.07
Restricted Stock [Member] | Eight Employees [Member]
Number of shares of Restricted Stock [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)			42,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Number of employees directors with restricted stock grant			8
Estimated fair value of stock at date of grant			330
Period for recognition of unearned compensation			2 years
Quarterly charge to income for restricted stock			41
Restricted Stock [Member] | Three Employees [Member]
Number of shares of Restricted Stock [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)			20,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Number of employees directors with restricted stock grant			3
Estimated fair value of stock at date of grant			139
Period for recognition of unearned compensation			5 years
Quarterly charge to income for restricted stock			$7
1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved and available for grant (in shares)	157,557	62,000
Options grants (in shares)	0	0
Options exercised (in shares)	0	0

Cash_dividends_Details

Cash dividends (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Preference share dividends [Abstract]
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, stated value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Preference share dividends [Abstract]
Maximum shares to be issued (in shares)	460,769
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, stated value (in dollars per share)	$24
Percentage of cumulative annual dividend, Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (in hundredths)	4.00%
Maximum annual dividend	$442,338
Dividend payable	15-Apr-15

Calculation_of_earnings_per_sh2

Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders for computing net income per ordinary share - basic	$171	$488
Dividend eliminated upon assumed conversion of convertible preference shares	111	0
Net income attributable to common stockholders for computing net income per ordinary share - diluted	$171	$488
Denominator :
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share - basic (in shares)	3,427,000	3,375,000
Adjustment for assumed conversion of convertible preference shares (in shares)	0	0
Adjustment for shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock (in shares)	86,000	36,000
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share - diluted (in shares)	3,513,000	3,411,000
Net income per ordinary share - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.14
Net income per ordinary share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.14
Number of shares of convertible preference stock that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents (in shares)	1,382	0

Segment_information_Details

Segment information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
	Segment
Segment information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	$9,933	$9,049
Operating income (loss)	282	710
Identifiable assets	29,635	22,082
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	9,419	8,535
Operating income (loss)	348	649
Identifiable assets	21,376	20,363
Reportable Segments [Member] | Capacitors [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	514	514
Operating income (loss)	36	40
Identifiable assets	1,142	1,385
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	2	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Controls [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Capacitors [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	2	0
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Sales to external customers	0	0
Operating income (loss)	-102	21
Identifiable assets	$7,117	$334

Segment_information_Revenues_f

Segment information, Revenues from Electronic Controls Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from external customer	$9,933	$9,049
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from external customer	9,419	8,535
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member] | Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from external customer	6,064	6,584
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member] | Accessory and aftermarket products and services and engineering contracts [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from external customer	$3,355	$1,951

Research_and_development_Detai

Research and development (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Research and development expense, net of grants receivable		$1,234	$930
Percentage of sales (in hundredths)		12.40%	10.30%
Cummins Generator Technologies and Newcastle University [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Grant income recorded		8	17
Research and development expense on projects		23	50
Low Emission Transport Collaborative Projects Fund [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Grant income recorded		16	97
Research and development expense on projects		66	422
Total grants awarded	$480

Employee_benefit_plans_Details

Employee benefit plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unfunded liability recognized in accrued expenses	$165		$160
Components of net pension cost [Abstract]
Interest cost	316		318
Expected return on plan assets	-313		-320
Amortization of net loss	64		56
Net periodic benefit cost	67		54
Net cost of defined contribution plans	147		115
Movement in liability for pension benefits [Roll forward]
Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period	9,529		8,354
Net periodic benefit cost	67		54
Plan contributions	-119		-171
Amortization of net loss	-64		-56
Effect of exchange rate changes	-484		85
Balance at end of period	8,929		8,266
Amounts recognized in balance sheet [Abstract]
Non-current liabilities	8,929		8,266	9,529
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
Actuarial loss, net of $14,000 tax benefit (2013: net of $13,000 tax benefit)	50		43
Actuarial loss	14		13
Estimated future benefit payments [Abstract]
2015	668
2016	707
2017	697
2018	695
2019	671
2020 - 2024	3,658
Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	20,776	[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	6,886	[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	1,924	[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	1,782	[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	7,061	[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. Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	2,449	[1]
U.S. Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]
U.S. Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 3 (Unobservable inputs) [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[3]
U.S. Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Level 1 (Quoted prices in active markets) [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	364	[1]
U.S. Exchange Traded Funds [Member] | Level 2 (Significant observable inputs) [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	0	[2]
U.S. Exchange Traded 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	310	[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. Defined Benefit Plan [Member]
Estimated future employer contributions [Abstract]
Employer contributions	0
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year	200
U.K. Defined Benefit Plan [Member]
Estimated future employer contributions [Abstract]
Employer contributions	119
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year	$464
[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 $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	$1,869	$2,095
Work-in-process	103	102
Finished goods	4,317	4,061
Inventories	$6,289	$6,258

Fair_value_of_financial_instru1

Fair value of financial instruments (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
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	$15

Accrued_expenses_Details

Accrued expenses (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued expenses [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and related costs	$1,013	$1,062
Other accrued expenses	836	774
Accrued expenses	$1,849	$1,836
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	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Movement in warranty reserves [Roll Forward]
Warranty reserves at beginning of period	$153	$138
Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period	0	-43
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-5	1
Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period	3	43
Warranty reserves at end of period	$151	$139

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$15
Current portion of long term debt	15	28
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	1,380
Annual principal payments on long term debt [Abstract]
2015	15
Total maturities	15
Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	0	1,700
Citizens Bank [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)	3.13%
Line of credit facility, expiration date	14-Jun-17
U.K. bank loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	15
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate (in hundredths)	6.80%
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Current portion of long term debt	15
Fair market value of the debt	15
Annual principal payments on long term debt [Abstract]
Total maturities	$15

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Maximum recorded liability of deferred annuities	$161	$162
Minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases [Abstract]
2015	213
2016	205
2017	205
2018	208
2019	194
Thereafter	3,405
Total overdraft facility	1,380
Revolving credit facility	$0	$1,700