Ultralife (ULBI) 10-Q 28 Apr 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Apr. 28, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 27, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ULBI
Entity Registrant Name	ULTRALIFE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	875,657
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,329,423

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,759	$ 14,393
Restricted cash	143	140
Trade accounts receivable, net	15,140	11,430
Inventories, net	26,980	23,814
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,334	1,900
Due from insurance company	177	177
Deferred income taxes	92	92
Total current assets	47,625	51,946
Property, equipment and improvements, net	8,865	9,038
Goodwill	20,584	16,283
Other intangible assets, net	8,475	3,946
Security deposits and other non-current assets	94	309
Total assets	85,643	81,522
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,018	6,494
Accrued compensation and related benefits	1,928	2,377
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,413	1,749
Current portion of debt	1,156
Income taxes payable	373	227
Total current liabilities	13,888	10,847
Deferred income taxes	5,513	4,631
Other non-current liabilities	28	28
Total liabilities	$ 19,429	$ 15,506
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	$ 1,919	$ 1,918
Capital in excess of par value	177,202	177,007
Accumulated deficit	(93,752)	(94,051)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,186)	(907)
Treasury stock, at cost	(17,808)	(17,808)
Total Ultralife Corporation equity	66,375	66,159
Non-controlling interest	(161)	(143)
Total shareholders' equity	66,214	66,016
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 85,643	$ 81,522

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 302	$ 300
Preferred stock - par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock - shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock - shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock - shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock - shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock - shares issued	19,185,899	19,181,815
Common stock - shares outstanding	15,326,239	15,322,155
Treasury stock - shares	3,859,660	3,859,660

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 20,833	$ 19,177
Cost of products sold	14,428	13,170
Gross profit	6,405	6,007
Operating expenses:
Research and development	1,656	1,359
Selling, general and administrative	4,267	3,826
Total operating expenses	5,923	5,185
Operating income	482	822
Other (expense) income:
Interest income		1
Interest and financing expense	(102)	(67)
Miscellaneous	(11)	(122)
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net, Total	(113)	(188)
Income before income taxes	369	634
Income tax provision	(88)	(111)
Net income	281	523
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	18	10
Net income attributable to Ultralife Corporation	299	533
Other comprehensive (loss) income Foreign currency translation adjustments	(279)	22
Comprehensive income attributable to Ultralife Corporation	$ 20	$ 555
Net income per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic:
Total	$ 0.02	$ 0.03
Net income per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - diluted:
Total	$ 0.02	$ 0.03
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	15,323	17,346
Potential common shares	343	8
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	15,666	17,354

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 281	$ 523
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	589	596
Amortization of intangible assets	137	60
Amortization of financing fees	19	18
Stock-based compensation	181	144
Deferred income tax benefit	42	55
Loss on long-lived asset disposals		36
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(2,407)	(392)
Inventories	(1,138)	1,326
Prepaid expenses and other assets	41	(202)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(620)	996
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(2,875)	3,160
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of Accutronics, net of cash acquired	(9,857)
Cash paid for property, equipment and improvements	(69)	(470)
Change in restricted cash		16
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,926)	(454)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid to repurchase treasury stock		(336)
Proceeds from debt borrowings	1,156
Return of security deposit		49
Proceeds from stock option exercise	14	8
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,170	(279)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3)	(5)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(11,634)	2,422
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	14,393	17,711
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 2,759	$ 20,133

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Ultralife Corporation (the “Company”) and subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements have been included. Results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for a full year. Reference should be made to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. Our monthly closing schedule is a 4/4/5 weekly-based cycle for each fiscal quarter, as opposed to a calendar month-based cycle for each fiscal quarter. While the actual dates for the quarter-ends will change slightly each year, we believe that there are not any material differences when making quarterly comparisons.

Acquisition

Acquisition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	2. ACQUISITION On January 13, 2016, Ultralife UK Limited (the “Merger Subsidiary”), a U.K. corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultralife Corporation (the “Company”), completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Accutronics Limited (“Accutronics”), a U.K. corporation based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, U.K., from Intrinsic Equity Limited, Catapult Growth Fund Limited Partnership, MJF Pension Trustees Limited, Robert Andrew Phillips and Michael Allen (collectively, the “Sellers”). There are no material relationships between the Company or Merger Subsidiary and any of the Sellers, other than pertaining to this acquisition. Accutronics is a leading independent designer and manufacturer of smart batteries and charger systems for high-performance, feature-laden portable and handheld electronic devices and will be classified in the Battery & Energy Products segment. The acquisition was completed pursuant to the terms of a Share Purchase Agreement dated January 13, 2016, with an effective date of January 1, 2016 for accounting purposes, by and among the Merger Subsidiary and the Sellers. The Merger Subsidiary paid at the time of closing an aggregate purchase price of £7,575 ($10,976) in cash, and in exchange the Merger Subsidiary received all of the outstanding shares of Accutronics ordinary stock. Monies to fund the purchase price were advanced to the Merger Subsidiary from the Company’s general corporate funds. The purchase price was subject to adjustment based on the difference between actual and estimated amounts of working capital of Accutronics as well as the amount of net cash of Accutronics. The adjustment resulted in a final payment to the Sellers in the amount of £133 on February 24, 2016, bringing the total aggregate purchase price to £7,708 ($11,161). The purchase price allocation was determined in accordance with the accounting treatment of a business combination in the FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations The allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition is presented in the table below (in thousands). Management is responsible for determining the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. Management considered a number of factors, including reference to an analysis performed under FASB ASC Topic 805 solely for the purpose of allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company’s estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. These valuations require the use of management’s assumptions, which would not reflect unanticipated events and circumstances that occur. The resulting purchase price allocation is considered preliminary as it is subject to change due to events in the future and subject to audit by the Company’s independent registered accountants. The final audited purchase price allocation may include (1) changes in allocations to intangible assets such as customer contracts and relationships, trade name and intellectual property as well as goodwill, (2) changes to deferred income taxes and (3) other changes to assets and liabilities. Cash $1,304 Accounts Receivable 1,344 Inventory 2,167 Prepaids and Other Current Assets 290 Property, Plant & Equipment 269 Identifiable Intangible Assets 4,776 Goodwill 4,407 Accounts Payable (1,009) Accrued Expenses (1,133) Income Taxes Payable (111) Non-Current Liabilities (209) Deferred Income Taxes (74) Deferred Income Taxes on Intangible Assets (860) Total Consideration $11,161 The goodwill included in the Company’s purchase price allocation presented above represents the value of Accutronics assembled and trained workforce, the incremental value that Accutronics engineering and technology will bring to the Company and the revenue growth which is expected to occur over time which is attributable to increased market penetration from future new products and customers. The goodwill acquired in connection with the acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes. During the three month period ended March 27, 2016, direct acquisition costs of $251 and increased cost of sales related to purchase accounting adjustments of $91 for inventory acquired were recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. Accutronics contributed revenue of $2,486 and an operating loss of $275 during the three month period ended March 27, 2016 reflecting the purchase accounting adjustments and non-recurring costs directly related to the acquisition. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined results of operations as if the acquisition of Accutronics had been completed on January 1, 2015, the beginning of the comparable prior year three month period. The unaudited pro forma results include purchase accounting adjustments to reflect the restatement of inventory to estimated fair value and the resulting increase in cost of sales for the sale of the inventory during this three month period, direct acquisition costs and the amortization of intangible assets resulting from the purchase price allocation. The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect the realization of any expected cost savings or other synergies from the acquisition of Accutronics as a result of restructuring activities, other cost savings initiatives or sales synergies following the completion of the business combination. Accordingly, these unaudited pro forma results are presented for informational purposes only and not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the combined Company would have been if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the 2015 period presented, nor are they indicative of future results of operations. Set forth below is the unaudited pro forma results of the Company and Accutronics for the three month period ended March 29, 2015 as if the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2015 along with the reported results for the three month period ended March 27, 2016 which includes the consolidation of Accutronics (in thousands, except per share amounts). Three Months Ended March 29, 2015 March 27, 2016 Revenue $22,330 $20,833 Operating Income $ 706 $ 482 Net Income $ 410 $ 281 Earnings Per Share: Basic $ .02 $ .02 Diluted $ .02 $ .02

Share Repurchase Program

Share Repurchase Program	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Share Repurchase Program	3. SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM On April 28, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”) which became effective on May 1, 2014 and under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 1.8 million shares of its outstanding common stock over a period not to exceed twelve months. The Share Repurchase Program has been extended through June 2, 2016, and the maximum number of shares authorized to be repurchased under the program has been increased to 3.4 million shares. Share repurchases under this program are made in accordance with SEC Rule 10b-18 using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and block trades, or any combination of such methods, in compliance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations. With the exception of repurchases made during stock trading black-out periods under 10b5-1 Plans, the timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases are determined at the Company’s discretion. The Share Repurchase Program may be suspended, terminated or modified by the Company at any time and for any reason. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares. There were no shares repurchased during the three month period ended March 27, 2016. During the three month period ended March 29, 2015, the Company repurchased 78,401 shares under this program, for a total cost of $298. From the inception of the Share Repurchase Program on May 1, 2014 through March 27, 2016, the Company has repurchased 2,442,191 shares for an aggregate cost (excluding fees and commissions) of $9,877. The total remaining balance of shares authorized for repurchase under the Share Repurchase Program is 957,809 shares as of March 27, 2016.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	4. INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The composition of inventories was: March 27, December 31, 2016 2015 Raw materials $13,369 $11,602 Work in process 2,363 1,560 Finished goods 11,248 10,652 Total $26,980 $23,814

Property, Equipment and Improve

Property, Equipment and Improvements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Equipment and Improvements	5. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS Major classes of property, equipment and improvements consisted of the following: March 27, December 31, 2016 2015 Land $123 $123 Buildings and leasehold improvements 7,854 7,490 Machinery and equipment 49,521 49,609 Furniture and fixtures 1,993 1,974 Computer hardware and software 4,685 4,585 Construction in process 763 745 64,939 64,526 Less-accumulated depreciation (56,074) (55,488) Net property, equipment and improvements $8,865 $9,038 Depreciation expense for property, equipment and improvements was $589 and $596 for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets	6. GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LONG TERM ASSETS a. Goodwill The following table summarizes the goodwill activity by segment for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015: Battery & Energy Communi- cations Products Systems Total Balance – December 31, 2014 $4,914 $11,493 $16,407 Effect of foreign currency translation 9 - 9 Balance – March 29, 2015 4,923 11,493 16,416 Effect of foreign currency translation -133 - -133 Balance - December 31, 2015 4,790 11,493 16,283 Acquisition of Accutronics 4,407 - 4,407 Effect of foreign currency translation -106 - -106 Balance – March 27, 2016 $9,091 $11,493 $20,584 b. Intangible Assets The composition of intangible assets was: at March 27, 2016 Accumulated Cost Amortization Net Trademarks $3,413 $ 0 $3,413 Patents and technology 5,595 (4,278) 1,317 Customer relationships 7,136 (3,810) 3,326 Distributor relationships 377 (360) 17 Trade Name 412 (10) 402 Total intangible assets $16,933 $(8,458) $8,475 at December 31, 2015 Accumulated Cost Amortization Net Trademarks $ 3,411 $0 $3,411 Patents and technology 4,482 (4,217) 265 Customer relationships 3,971 (3,716) 255 Distributor relationships 370 (355) 15 Total intangible assets $12,234 $(8,288) $3,946 Amortization expense for intangible assets was $137 and $60 for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. Amortization included in research and development expenses was $51 and $32 for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. Amortization included in selling, general and administrative expenses was $86 and $28 for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The change in the cost value of total intangible assets from December 31, 2015 to March 27, 2016 is a result of the acquisition of Accutronics and the effect of foreign currency translations.

Revolving Credit Agreement

Revolving Credit Agreement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving Credit Agreement	7. REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT We have financing through a Revolving Credit, Guaranty and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and related security agreements with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which provides a $20,000 secured asset-based revolving credit facility that includes a $1,000 letter of credit sub-facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Agreement provides that the Credit Facility may be increased with PNC Bank’s concurrence to an amount not to exceed $35,000 prior to the last six months of the term and expires on May 24, 2017. Our available borrowing limit under the Credit Facility is based on a borrowing base formula equal to a percentage of accounts receivable, inventory and eligible foreign in-transit inventory. Interest is payable quarterly and accrues on outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Agreement at either a LIBOR-based rate or an alternate base rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rate was 2.43% at March 27, 2016. We pay a quarterly fee on the Credit Facility’s unused availability at 0.375% per annum. As of March 27, 2016, we had approximately $11,589 of borrowing capacity under our $20,000 Credit Facility with PNC Bank, and we had borrowings of $1,156 under the Credit Facility. At March 29, 2015, the Company had no borrowings or outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	8. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY We recorded non-cash stock compensation expense in each period as follows: Three month periods ended March 27, March 29, Stock options $170 $120 Restricted stock grants: Employee 11 24 Total $181 $144 These are more fully discussed as follows: a. Stock Options We have stock options outstanding from various stock-based employee compensation plans for which we record compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in our financial statements. As of March 27, 2016, there was $509 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.4 years. The following table summarizes stock option activity for the first quarter of 2016: Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at January 1, 2016 2,257,969 $6.30 Granted 75,000 $6.24 Exercised (4,084) 3.51 Forfeited or expired (34,905) 11.38 Outstanding at March 27, 2016 2,293,980 6.22 3.52 $1,225 Vested and expected to vest at March 27, 2016 2,146,741 6.31 3.33 $1,144 Exercisable at March 27, 2016 1,395,423 $4.89 2.85 $891 The following assumptions were used to value stock options granted during the first quarter of 2016: Risk-free interest rate 0.73% Volatility factor 44.7% Dividends 0.00% Weighted average expected life (years) 4.15 FASB’s guidance for share-based payments requires cash flows from excess tax benefits to be classified as a part of cash flows from financing activities. Excess tax benefits are realized tax benefits from tax deductions for exercised stock options in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to stock compensation costs for such stock options. We did not record any excess tax benefits in the first three months of 2016 or 2015. Cash received from stock option exercises under our stock-based compensation plans for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 was $14 and $8, respectively. b. Restricted Stock Awards In September 2014, 49,200 shares of restricted stock were awarded to certain of our employees. These units vest over three years and we estimated their weighted average grant date fair value to be $3.24 per share. There is $38 of unrecognized compensation cost related to these restricted shares at March 27, 2016.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	9. INCOME TAXES We use the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. For the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, we recorded $88 and $111, respectively, in income tax expense, detailed as follows: Three month periods ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Current income tax provision: Foreign $27 $52 Federal 4 - State 15 4 Deferred income tax provision 42 55 Total $88 $111 The deferred income tax provision is primarily due to the recognition of deferred tax liabilities relating to goodwill and certain intangible assets that cannot be predicted to reverse for book purposes during our loss carryforward periods. The current income tax provision is primarily due to the income reported for our China operation and Accutronics (U.K.) and estimated U.S. federal alternative minimum taxes, while the remaining expense is primarily due to state taxes. Our effective consolidated tax rates for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 were: Three month periods ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Income from continuing operations before income taxes (a) $369 $634 Income tax provision (b) 88 111 Effective income tax rate (b/a) 23.8% 17.5% The overall effective tax rate is the result of the combination of income and losses in each of our tax jurisdictions, which is particularly influenced by the fact that we have recorded a full reserve against our deferred tax assets pertaining to cumulative historical losses for our U.S. operations and certain foreign subsidiaries, as management does not believe, at this time, that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of these losses. As of December 31, 2015, we have foreign and domestic net operating loss (“NOL”) and credit carryforwards totaling approximately $86,800 and $1,600 available to reduce future taxable income. Included in our NOL carryforwards are foreign loss carryforwards of approximately $12,400 that can be carried forward indefinitely. The domestic NOL carryforward of $74,400 expires from 2019 through 2034. The domestic NOL carryforward includes approximately $3,000 for which a benefit will be recorded in capital in excess of par value when realized. Our unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions at March 29, 2015 in the amount of $7,296 relate to Federal and various state jurisdictions. We recorded the release of uncertain tax positions in 2015 relating to the conclusion of a federal tax examination, resulting in a $21.4 million increase in the amount of our reported domestic NOL carryforward. The total unrecognized tax benefit balances at March 29, 2015 were comprised of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in a deferred tax asset and a corresponding increase in our valuation allowance. As a result, because the benefit would be offset by an increase in the valuation allowance, there would be no net effect on our effective tax rate or income tax provision. We recorded the release of this unrecognized tax benefit amount during 2015 upon the conclusion of a of a federal tax examination, resulting in a $21.4 million increase in the amount of our reported domestic NOL carryforward. We are not required to accrue interest and penalties as the unrecognized tax benefits have been recorded as a decrease in our NOL. Interest and penalties would begin to accrue in the period in which the NOLs related to the uncertain tax positions are utilized. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next twelve months. As a result of our operations, we file income tax returns in various jurisdictions including U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions. We are routinely subject to examination by taxing authorities in these various jurisdictions. Our U.S. tax matters for the years 2001 through 2015 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) due to our NOL carryforwards. Our U.S. tax matters for the years 2001 through 2015 remain subject to examination by various state and local tax jurisdictions due to our NOL carryforwards. Our tax matters for the years 2009 through 2015 remain subject to examination by the respective foreign tax jurisdiction authorities.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	10. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing earnings attributable to the Company’s common shareholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the dilutive effect of securities, if any, and is calculated using the treasury stock method. For the three-month period ended March 27, 2016, 1,242,230 stock options and 32,800 restricted stock awards were included in the calculation of Diluted EPS as such securities are dilutive. Inclusion of these securities resulted in 342,809 additional shares in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share. For the comparable period ended March 29, 2015, 97,700 stock options, were included in the calculation of Diluted EPS resulting in 8,101 additional shares in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share. There were 1,051,750 and 2,179,756 outstanding stock options for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively, that were not included in EPS as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES a. Purchase Commitments As of March 27, 2016, we have made commitments to purchase approximately $878 of production machinery and equipment. b. Product Warranties We estimate future costs associated with expected product failure rates, material usage and service costs in the development of our warranty obligations. Warranty reserves are based on historical experience of warranty claims and generally will be estimated as a percentage of sales over the warranty period. In the event the actual results of these items differ from the estimates, an adjustment to the warranty obligation would be recorded. Changes in our product warranty liability during the first three months of 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Three month periods ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Accrued warranty obligations – beginning $192 $376 Accruals for warranties issued 10 - Settlements made (22) (1) Accrued warranty obligations – ending $180 $375 c. Contingencies and Legal Matters We are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise from time to time in the normal course of business. We believe that the final disposition of such matters, other than the matters described below, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Dreamliner Litigation In July 2013, an unoccupied Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines was damaged by a fire while parked at London Heathrow Airport. We participated in and provided technical assistance in support of an investigation of this incident conducted by U.K. and U.S. regulatory authorities as well as by the manufacturer of the aircraft, as we are one of many downstream suppliers to that manufacturer. A final report was issued by the Air Accidents Investigative Branch - - UK Civil Aviation regulatory authority, with findings indicating that the fire was primarily caused by circumstances related to the plane’s emergency locator transmitter (“ELT”) manufactured and installed by another company. A component of the ELT is a battery pack which incorporates Ultralife’s industry-standard lithium manganese dioxide non-rechargeable D-cell. Ultralife has had this cell in production since 2001, with millions of units produced and this cell is widely-used for global defense and commercial applications. This battery product has gone through rigorous safety and qualification testing, including United Nations Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, and is authorized for use in aerospace applications under Technical Standard Order C142. On May 4, 2015, we were notified of a lawsuit in which we were named, along with other suppliers to the aircraft manufacturer, concerning that 2013 fire. The suit was filed by Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, London. The suit seeks as damages $42,000 plus other unspecified amounts, including those for loss of use and diminution in value of the aircraft. We maintain liability and products liability insurance through reputable providers, and in accordance with our corporate practices, immediately advised and referred this matter to our insurers. We are working with those insurers and their counsel to respond to and actively defend against this action, which is ongoing. At this time, we believe that there is not a reasonable possibility that this incident will result in a material financial exposure to the Company. Arista Power Litigation Since September 2011, we have been pursuing legal action against Arista Power, Inc. (“Arista”) and our former employee, David Modeen, for, among other things, alleged breach of certain agreements, duties and obligations, including misappropriation of our confidential information and trade secrets, tortious interference, and breach of contract. On January 12, 2016, Arista filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy laws of the United States, without accurately identifying our ongoing lawsuit against them. Although we have not withdrawn our lawsuit, nor has it been dismissed, the Company does not intend to submit a Proof of Claim in connection with Arista’s bankruptcy filing, or otherwise continue pursuing its claims against Arista.

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION	12. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION We report our results in two operating segments: Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. The Battery & Energy Products segment includes: lithium 9-volt, cylindrical and other non-rechargeable batteries, in addition to rechargeable batteries, uninterruptable power supplies, charging systems and accessories. The Communications Systems segment includes: RF amplifiers, power supplies, cable and connector assemblies, amplified speakers, equipment mounts, case equipment, man-portable systems, integrated communication systems for fixed or vehicle applications and communications and electronics systems design. We believe that reporting performance at the gross profit level is the best indicator of segment performance. As such, we report segment performance at the gross profit level and operating expenses as corporate charges. The components of segment performance were as follows: Three-Month Period Ended March 27, 2016: Battery & Energy Products Communi- cations Systems Corporate Total Revenues $16,440 $ 4,393 $ - $20,833 Segment contribution 5,217 1,188 (5,924) 482 Interest, financing and miscellaneous expense, net (113) (113) Tax provision (88) (88) Non-Controlling interest 18 18 Net income attributable to Ultralife 299 Total assets $46,897 $33,720 $5,025 $85,643 Three-Month Period Ended March 29, 2015: Battery & Energy Products Communi- cations Systems Corporate Total Revenues $16,276 $ 2,901 $ - $19,177 Segment contribution 4,784 1,223 (5,185) 822 Interest, financing and miscellaneous expense, net (188) (188) Tax provision (111) (111) Discontinued operations Non-Controlling interest 10 10 Net income attributable to Ultralife 533 Total assets $37,299 $29,062 $22,694 $89,055

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The fair value of financial instruments approximated their carrying values at March 27, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The fair value of cash, trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of debt approximates the carrying value due to short-term nature and the current ability to borrow under similar terms.

FIRE AT MANUFACTURING FACILITY

FIRE AT MANUFACTURING FACILITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]
FIRE AT MANUFACTURING FACILITY	14. FIRE AT MANUFACTURING FACILITY In June 2011, we experienced a fire that damaged certain inventory and machinery and equipment at our facility in China. The total amount of the loss pertaining to assets and the related expenses was approximately $1,589. We have pursued a claim against our insurance policy, with the majority of our insurance claim related to the recovery of damaged inventory. We have received payments in June 2012 and April 2013 totaling approximately $1,286 as a partial payment on our insurance claim, which resulted in no gain or loss being recognized. As of March 27, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we reflect a receivable from the insurance company relating to this claim of $177, which is net of our deductible of approximately $126, and represents additional proceeds expected to be received.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS	15. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This ASU amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of this standard until January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance as well as the available transition methods.

Acquisition (Tables)

Acquisition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	Cash $1,304 Accounts Receivable 1,344 Inventory 2,167 Prepaids and Other Current Assets 290 Property, Plant & Equipment 269 Identifiable Intangible Assets 4,776 Goodwill 4,407 Accounts Payable (1,009) Accrued Expenses (1,133) Income Taxes Payable (111) Non-Current Liabilities (209) Deferred Income Taxes (74) Deferred Income Taxes on Intangible Assets (860) Total Consideration $11,161
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	unaudited pro forma results of the Company and Accutronics for the three month period ended March 29, 2015 as if the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2015 along with the reported results for the three month period ended March 27, 2016 which includes the consolidation of Accutronics (in thousands, except per share amounts). Three Months Ended March 29, 2015 March 27, 2016 Revenue $22,330 $20,833 Operating Income $ 706 $ 482 Net Income $ 410 $ 281 Earnings Per Share: Basic $ .02 $ .02 Diluted $ .02 $ .02

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories Tables	March 27, December 31, 2016 2015 Raw materials $13,369 $11,602 Work in process 2,363 1,560 Finished goods 11,248 10,652 Total $26,980 $23,814

Property, Equipment and Impro23

Property, Equipment and Improvements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Equipment and Improvements Tables	March 27, December 31, 2016 2015 Land $123 $123 Buildings and leasehold improvements 7,854 7,490 Machinery and equipment 49,521 49,609 Furniture and fixtures 1,993 1,974 Computer hardware and software 4,685 4,585 Construction in process 763 745 64,939 64,526 Less-accumulated depreciation (56,074) (55,488) Net property, equipment and improvements $8,865 $9,038

Goodwill, Intangible Assets a24

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill Activity by Segment	Battery & Energy Communi- cations Products Systems Total Balance – December 31, 2014 $4,914 $11,493 $16,407 Effect of foreign currency translation 9 - 9 Balance – March 29, 2015 4,923 11,493 16,416 Effect of foreign currency translation -133 - -133 Balance - December 31, 2015 4,790 11,493 16,283 Acquisition of Accutronics 4,407 - 4,407 Effect of foreign currency translation -106 - -106 Balance – March 27, 2016 $9,091 $11,493 $20,584
Schedule of Intangible Assets	at March 27, 2016 Accumulated Cost Amortization Net Trademarks $3,413 $ 0 $3,413 Patents and technology 5,595 (4,278) 1,317 Customer relationships 7,136 (3,810) 3,326 Distributor relationships 377 (360) 17 Trade Name 412 (10) 402 Total intangible assets $16,933 $(8,458) $8,475 at December 31, 2015 Accumulated Cost Amortization Net Trademarks $ 3,411 $0 $3,411 Patents and technology 4,482 (4,217) 265 Customer relationships 3,971 (3,716) 255 Distributor relationships 370 (355) 15 Total intangible assets $12,234 $(8,288) $3,946

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Stock-based Compensation Expense	Three month periods ended March 27, March 29, Stock options $170 $120 Restricted stock grants: Employee 11 24 Total $181 $144
Stock Option Activity	Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at January 1, 2016 2,257,969 $6.30 Granted 75,000 $6.24 Exercised (4,084) 3.51 Forfeited or expired (34,905) 11.38 Outstanding at March 27, 2016 2,293,980 6.22 3.52 $1,225 Vested and expected to vest at March 27, 2016 2,146,741 6.31 3.33 $1,144 Exercisable at March 27, 2016 1,395,423 $4.89 2.85 $891
Option Assumptions	Risk-free interest rate 0.73% Volatility factor 44.7% Dividends 0.00% Weighted average expected life (years) 4.15

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Tax Provision Components	Three month periods ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Current income tax provision: Foreign $27 $52 Federal 4 - State 15 4 Deferred income tax provision 42 55 Total $88 $111
Schedule of Effective Rates	Our effective consolidated tax rates for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 were: Three month periods ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Income from continuing operations before income taxes (a) $369 $634 Income tax provision (b) 88 111 Effective income tax rate (b/a) 23.8% 17.5%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rollforward of Accrued Warranty Obligations	Changes in our product warranty liability during the first three months of 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Three month periods ended March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Accrued warranty obligations – beginning $192 $376 Accruals for warranties issued 10 - Settlements made (22) (1) Accrued warranty obligations – ending $180 $375

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (T

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment disclosure	The components of segment performance were as follows: Three-Month Period Ended March 27, 2016: Battery & Energy Products Communi- cations Systems Corporate Total Revenues $16,440 $ 4,393 $ - $20,833 Segment contribution 5,217 1,188 (5,924) 482 Interest, financing and miscellaneous expense, net (113) (113) Tax provision (88) (88) Non-Controlling interest 18 18 Net income attributable to Ultralife 299 Total assets $46,897 $33,720 $5,025 $85,643 Three-Month Period Ended March 29, 2015: Battery & Energy Products Communi- cations Systems Corporate Total Revenues $16,276 $ 2,901 $ - $19,177 Segment contribution 4,784 1,223 (5,185) 822 Interest, financing and miscellaneous expense, net (188) (188) Tax provision (111) (111) Discontinued operations Non-Controlling interest 10 10 Net income attributable to Ultralife 533 Total assets $37,299 $29,062 $22,694 $89,055

Note 2 - Acquisitions - (Narrat

Note 2 - Acquisitions - (Narrative) (Detail) - Accutronics Limited £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Feb. 24, 2016USD ($)	Feb. 24, 2016GBP (£)	Jan. 13, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 13, 2016GBP (£)	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date					Jan. 13, 2016
Aggregate purchase price paid for Acquisition			$ 10,976	£ 7,575
Net working capital adjustment | £		£ 133
Total aggregate purchase price	$ 11,161	£ 7,708
Acquisition costs					$ 251
Inventory Adjustments					91
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue					2,486
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)					$ (275)

Note 2 Acquisitions - Schedule

Note 2 Acquisitions - Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Jan. 13, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 20,584		$ 16,283	$ 16,416	$ 16,407
Accutronics Limited
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash		$ 1,304
Accounts Receivable		1,344
Inventory		2,167
Prepaids and Other Current Assets		290
Property, Plant & Equipment		269
Identifiable Intangible Assets		4,776
Goodwill		4,407
Accounts Payable		(1,009)
Accrued Expenses		(1,133)
Income Taxes Payable		(111)
Non-Current Liabilities		(209)
Deferred Income Taxes		(74)
Deferred Income Taxes on Intangible Assets		(860)
Total Consideration		$ 11,161

Note 2 Acquisitions - Unaudited

Note 2 Acquisitions - Unaudited Pro Forma Information (Detail) - Accutronics Limited - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 20,833	$ 22,330
Operating Income	482	706
Net Income	$ 281	$ 410
Earnings Per Share
Basic	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Diluted	$ 0.02	$ 0.02

Note 3 - Share Repurchase Progr

Note 3 - Share Repurchase Program - (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		23 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 27, 2016	May. 01, 2014
Schedule Of Share Repurchase Programs [Line Items]
Shares repurchased	0	78,401	2,442,191
Cost of shares repurchased		$ 298	$ 9,877
Balance - shares authorized to be repurchased	957,809		957,809
Maximum
Schedule Of Share Repurchase Programs [Line Items]
Stock repurchase plan - shares authorized to be repurchased	3,400,000		3,400,000	1,800,000

Note 4 - Inventories (Detail)

Note 4 - Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 13,369	$ 11,602
Work in process	2,363	1,560
Finished products	11,248	10,652
Total	$ 26,980	$ 23,814

Note 5 - Property, Equipment an

Note 5 - Property, Equipment and Improvements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Land	$ 123	$ 123
Buildings and leasehold improvements	7,854	7,490
Machinery and equipment	49,521	49,609
Furniture and fixtures	1,993	1,974
Computer hardware and software	4,685	4,585
Construction in process	763	745
Total	64,939	64,526
Less-Accumulated depreciation	(56,074)	(55,488)
Total	$ 8,865	$ 9,038

Note 5 - Property, Equipment 35

Note 5 - Property, Equipment and Improvements - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 589	$ 596

Note 6 - Goodwill, Intangible A

Note 6 - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets Goodwill Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill - beginning	$ 16,283	$ 16,407	$ 16,416
Acquisition of Accutronics	4,407
Effect of foreign currency translation	(106)	9	(133)
Goodwill - ending	20,584	16,416	16,283
Battery & Energy Products
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill - beginning	4,790	4,914	4,923
Acquisition of Accutronics	4,407
Effect of foreign currency translation	(106)	9	(133)
Goodwill - ending	9,091	4,923	4,790
Communications Systems
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill - beginning	11,493	11,493	11,493
Acquisition of Accutronics	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Goodwill - ending	$ 11,493	$ 11,493	$ 11,493

Note 6 - Goodwill, Intangible37

Note 6 - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 16,933	$ 12,234
Accumulated Amortization	(8,458)	(8,288)
Net	8,475	3,946
Trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	3,413	3,411
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net	3,413	3,411
Patents and Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,595	4,482
Accumulated Amortization	(4,278)	(4,217)
Net	1,317	265
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	7,136	3,971
Accumulated Amortization	(3,810)	(3,716)
Net	3,326	255
Distributor Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	377	370
Accumulated Amortization	(360)	(355)
Net	17	$ 15
Trade Name
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	412
Accumulated Amortization	(10)
Net	$ 402

Note 6 - Goodwill, Intangible38

Note 6 - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets - (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 137	$ 60
Selling, general and administrative
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	86	28
Research and development
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 51	$ 32

Note 7 - Revolving Credit Agree

Note 7 - Revolving Credit Agreement - (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 20,000,000
Letter of credit sub-facility	1,000,000
Line of Credit Maximum Borrowing Capacity may be increased in the last six months of the term	$ 35,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.375%
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	2.43%
Borrowings under credit facility	$ 1,156,000	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 11,589,000

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity (

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock options	$ 170	$ 120
Restricted stock grants: Employee	11	24
Stock compensation expense	$ 181	$ 144

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity -

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity - (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock option compensation cost		$ 509
Weighted average period over which unrecognized stock option compensation cost will be recognized (in years)		3 years 4 months 24 days
Cash received upon the exercise of stock options		$ 14	$ 8
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of restricted stock awarded to certain employees	49,200
Vesting period		3 years
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 3.24
Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards		$ 38

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity42

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity - Stock Option Activity (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Options outstanding | shares	2,257,969
Options granted | shares	75,000
Options exercised | shares	(4,084)
Options forfeited or expired | shares	(34,905)
Options outstanding | shares	2,293,980
Options vested and expected to vest | shares	2,146,741
Options Exercisable | shares	1,395,423
Options outstanding - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	$ 6.30
Options granted - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	6.24
Options exercised - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	3.51
Options forfeited or expired - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	11.38
Options outstanding - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	6.22
Options vested and expected to vest - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	6.31
Options exercisable - weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	$ 4.89
Options outstanding - weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	3 years 6 months 7 days
Options vested and expected to vest - weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	3 years 3 months 29 days
Options exercisable - weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	2 years 10 months 6 days
Options outstanding - aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 1,225
Options vested and expected to vest - aggregate intrinsic value | $	1,144
Options exercisable - aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 891

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity43

Note 8 - Shareholders' Equity - Stock Option Assumptions (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	0.73%
Volatility factor	44.70%
Dividends	0.00%
Weighted average expected life (years)	4 years 1 month 24 days

Note 9 - Income Taxes (Narrativ

Note 9 - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Total income tax provision	$ 88	$ 111
Net operating loss carryforward			$ 86,800
Net operating loss carryforward - domestic			74,400
Net operating loss carryforward - foreign			12,400
Tax credit carryforwards			1,600
Net operating loss carryforward for which a benefit will be recorded in capital when realized			$ 3,000
Unrecognized tax benefits to uncertain tax positions		7,296
Unrecognized tax benefits related to settlement of examinations		$ 21,400

Note 9 - Income Taxes - Provisi

Note 9 - Income Taxes - Provision (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Note 9 - Income Taxes Details
Foreign tax provision	$ 27	$ 52
Federal tax provision	4
State tax provision	15	4
Deferred tax provision	42	55
Total income tax provision	$ 88	$ 111

Note 9 - Income Taxes Effective

Note 9 - Income Taxes Effective Consolidated Tax Rate (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes (a)	$ 369	$ 634
Income tax provision (b)	$ 88	$ 111
Effective income tax rate (b/a)	23.80%	17.50%

Note 10 - Earnings Per Share (D

Note 10 - Earnings Per Share (Details Narrative) - shares (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of Employee stock options included in calculation of diluted earnings per share	1,242,230	97,700
Number of restricted shares included in calculation of diluted earnings per share	32,800
Incremental shares included in EPS denominator due to share based payment arrangements	343	8
Employee stock options excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	1,051,750	2,179,756

Note 11 - Commitments and Conti

Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 04, 2015	Mar. 27, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation		$ 878
Damages and unspecified amounts	$ 42,000

Note 10 - Commitments and Conti

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies Warranty Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Accrued warranty obligations - beginning	$ 192	$ 376
Accruals for warranties issued	10	0
Settlements made	(22)	(1)
Accrued warranty obligations - ending	$ 180	$ 375

Note 12 - Business Segment Info

Note 12 - Business Segment Information - Segment Activity - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016Segments
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Note 12 - Business Segment In51

Note 12 - Business Segment Information - Segment Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 20,833	$ 19,177
Segment contribution	482	822
Interest, financing and miscellaneous expense, net	(113)	(188)
Tax provision	(88)	(111)
Non-Controlling interest	18	10
Net income attributable to Ultralife	299	533
Total assets	85,643	89,055	$ 81,522
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment contribution	(5,924)	(5,185)
Interest, financing and miscellaneous expense, net	(113)	(188)
Tax provision	(88)	(111)
Non-Controlling interest	18	10
Total assets	5,025	22,694
Battery & Energy Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,440	16,276
Segment contribution	5,217	4,784
Total assets	46,897	37,299
Communications Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,393	2,901
Segment contribution	1,188	1,223
Total assets	$ 33,720	$ 29,062

Note 14 - Fire at Manufacturing

Note 14 - Fire at Manufacturing Facility (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 27, 2016
Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]
Business Interruption Loss, Gross		$ 1,589
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities	$ 1,286
Gain on Business Interruption Insurance Recovery	$ 0
Insurance Settlements Receivable			$ 177
Business Interruption, Insurance Deductible			$ 126