Advanced Energy Industries (AEIS) 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

DEI_Parenthetical

DEI Parenthetical	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Document Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000927003	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	39,934,085

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$117,549	$138,125
Marketable securities	12,633	11,568
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4,236 and $2,920, respectively	121,262	125,782
Inventories, net of reserves of $20,566 and $15,349, respectively	118,187	109,771
Deferred income tax assets	10,755	10,746
Income taxes receivable	4,760	10,027
Other current assets	13,084	10,950
Total current assets	398,230	416,969
Property and equipment, net	32,821	34,888
OTHER ASSETS:	'	'
Deposits and other	2,478	2,421
Goodwill	206,863	157,800
Other intangible assets, net	44,755	19,411
Deferred income tax assets	19,000	21,488
Total assets	704,147	652,977
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	72,210	55,623
Income taxes payable	1,299	2,324
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	9,321	12,892
Accrued warranty expense	18,545	10,198
Other accrued expenses	25,542	20,704
Customer deposits	8,131	6,955
Notes Payable, Current	4,647	13,661
Total current liabilities	139,695	122,357
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:	'	'
Deferred income tax liabilities	3,956	1,500
Uncertain tax positions	6,376	5,781
Accrued warranty expense	19,045	11,869
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	45,722	43,171
Other long-term liabilities	24,391	3,837
Total liabilities	239,185	188,515
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 70,000 shares authorized; 39,888 and 40,503 issued and outstanding, respectively	40	41
Additional paid-in capital	228,350	251,550
Retained earnings	204,775	179,414
Accumulated other comprehensive income	31,797	33,457
Total stockholders' equity	464,962	464,462
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$704,147	$652,977

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts receivable, allowances	$4,236,000	$2,920,000
Inventory, reserves	$20,566,000	$15,349,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	70,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	39,888,000	40,503,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	39,888,000	40,503,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
SALES	$146,285	$139,711	$287,233	$251,525
COST OF SALES	93,739	86,452	182,026	156,427
GROSS PROFIT	52,546	53,259	105,207	95,098
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	15,736	15,740	29,878	29,993
Selling, general and administrative	22,828	22,910	42,559	40,564
Amortization of intangible assets	2,226	1,975	4,101	4,188
Restructuring charges	244	24,206	244	24,206
Total operating expenses	41,034	64,831	76,782	98,951
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	11,512	-11,572	28,425	-3,853
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET	25	-330	-71	-533
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	11,537	-11,902	28,354	-4,386
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	891	-2,120	2,993	-1,430
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$10,646	($9,782)	$25,361	($2,956)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	40,540	39,453	40,677	39,114
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	41,147	40,150	41,419	39,899
EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$0.26	($0.25)	$0.62	($0.08)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	$0.26	($0.24)	$0.61	($0.07)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net income (loss)	$10,646	($9,782)	$25,361	($2,956)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3	-690	-1,661	-3,524
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	-1	0	1	-7
Comprehensive income (loss)	$10,648	($10,472)	$23,701	($6,487)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$25,361	($2,956)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	10,326	10,592
Stock-based compensation expense	3,259	5,204
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	2,481	4,117
Restructuring charges	0	24,206
Net gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets	873	312
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	7,577	-39,601
Inventories	-3,374	-3,561
Other current assets	3,189	66
Accounts payable	13,063	8,243
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses	-20,451	-2,224
Income taxes	4,769	-14,410
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	47,073	-10,012
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of marketable securities	-5,402	-13,056
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	4,315	26,613
Purchase of property and equipment	-3,453	-3,825
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	26,938	77,211
Net cash used in investing activities	-31,478	-67,479
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	-9,044	1,555
Cash Settlement of Performance Stock Units	-11,198	0
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	25,000	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	8,920	16,937
Excess tax from stock-based compensation deduction	818	-678
Other financing activities	-5	-52
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-35,509	17,762
EFFECT OF CURRENCY TRANSLATION ON CASH	-662	227
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-20,576	-59,502
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	138,125	146,564
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	117,549	87,062
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	102	26
Cash paid for income taxes	948	13,895
Cash received for refunds of income taxes	5,034	2,929
Cash held in banks outside the United States of America	$53,531	$30,739

Operations_and_Summary_of_Sign

Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Advanced Energy Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ("we," "us," "our," "Advanced Energy," or the "Company") design, manufacture, sell, and support power conversion and control products that transform power into various usable forms. Our products enable manufacturing processes that use thin film deposition for various products, such as semiconductor devices, flat panel displays, thin film renewables, and architectural glass. We also supply thermal instrumentation products for advanced temperature control in the thin film process for these same markets. Our power control modules provide power control solutions for industrial applications where heat treatment and processing are used such as glass manufacturing, metal fabrication and treatment, material and chemical processing. Our solar inverter products support renewable power generation solutions primarily for commercial, and utility-scale solar projects and installations. Our network of global service support centers provides a recurring revenue opportunity as we offer repair services, conversions, upgrades, and refurbishments to companies using our products. We also offer a wide variety of operations and maintenance service plans that can be tailored for photovoltaic ("PV") sites of all sizes.
	We are organized into two strategic business units based on the products and services provided.
	•	Precision Power Products strategic business unit ("Precision Power Products") offers products for direct current ("DC"), pulsed DC mid-frequency, high voltage, and radio frequency ("RF") power supplies, matching networks and RF instrumentation as well as thermal instrumentation and digital power controller products.
	•	Inverters strategic business unit ("Inverters SBU") offers both a transformer-based or transformerless advanced grid-tied PV inverter solution for commercial and utility-scale system installations. Our PV inverters are designed to convert renewable solar power, drawn from large and small scale solar arrays, into high quality, reliable electrical power.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at June 30, 2014, and the results of our operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and other financial information filed with the SEC.
	ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
	The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the significant estimates, assumptions, and judgments when accounting for items and matters such as allowances for doubtful accounts, excess and obsolete inventory, warranty reserves, acquisitions, asset valuations, goodwill, asset life, depreciation, amortization, recoverability of assets, impairments, deferred revenue, stock option and restricted stock grants, taxes, and other provisions are reasonable, based upon information available at the time they are made. Actual results may differ from these estimates, making it possible that a change in these estimates could occur in the near term.
	CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Our accounting policies are described in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") or other standards setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU"). Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued guidance, whether adopted or to be adopted in the future, is not expected to have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements upon adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which implements a five step process of how an entity should recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2017, and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing reporting.

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo

Business Acquisition and Disposition (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
BUSINESS ACQUISITION & DISPOSITION	'
	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
	Acquisitions
	Refusol Holding
	On April 8, 2013, we acquired all the outstanding shares of Refusol Holding GmbH pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") between AEI Holdings, GmbH (formerly Blitz S13-103, GmbH) ("AEI Holdings"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.; Jolaos Verwaltungs GmbH ("Jolaos") and Prettl Beteilgungs Holding GmbH. Refusol Holding GmbH ("Refusol Holding") owns all of the shares of Refusol GmbH and its subsidiaries (collectively and together with Refusol Holding, "Refusol"). Refusol develops, manufactures, distributes and services photovoltaic inverters. The acquisition of Refusol is intended to broaden our portfolio and extend our geographic distribution.
	Consideration paid totaled approximately $87.2 million, consisting of a cash payment of $75.4 million, net of cash acquired and a working capital reduction and assumption of debt totaling $11.9 million. The agreement called for additional cash consideration if certain stretch financial targets were met by our Inverters business unit and Refusol, on a combined basis, at the end of the twelve (12) calendar months following April 1, 2013. These financial targets were not met.
	The preliminary base price is subject to a post-closing adjustment based on confirmation of the financial statements of Refusol effective as of the closing date. AEI Holdings and Jolaos are in disagreement on various accounting adjustments to the closing date financial statements of Refusol. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to have Jolaos submit the dispute to an independent German accounting firm as required under the Agreement, AEI Holdings petitioned the designated court in Stuttgart, Germany to review the dispute.
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the Refusol acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
	Cash paid to owners	$	79,550
	Debt assumed	11,873
	Working capital adjustment	(2,340		)
	Cash acquired	(1,836		)
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 8, 2013 (in thousands):
	Accounts receivable	$	8,868
	Inventories	13,610
	Other current assets	6,769
	Property and equipment	4,708
	Other long-term assets	130
	Deferred tax assets	(3,156		)
	Current liabilities	(33,397		)
	Long-term liabilities	(41,646		)
		(44,114		)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Trademarks	1,300
	Technology	5,700
	Customer relationships	3,500
	Total amortizable intangible assets	10,500
	Total identifiable net assets	(33,614		)
	Goodwill	120,861
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
	A summary of the intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives as of April 8, 2013 follows (in thousands, except useful life):
			Amount			Amortization Method		Useful Life
	Trademarks		$	1,300		Straight-line		1.5
	Technology		5,700			Straight-line		5
	Customer relationships		3,500			Straight-line		5
			$	10,500
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 we made purchase price accounting adjustments to Goodwill of $29.4 million, primarily consisting of adjustments to the opening balance of accrued warranty and other accrued expenses. Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded in the functional currency of the entity and are subject to changes due to translation at each balance sheet date. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is the result of expected synergies and expansion of the technology into additional markets that we already serve.
	Pro Forma Results for Refusol Acquisition
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Advanced Energy and Refusol as if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2013. The pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 includes the historical results of Advanced Energy for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and the historical results of Refusol for the same period.
	The unaudited pro forma results for all periods presented include amortization charges for acquired intangible assets and related tax effects. The unaudited pro forma results follow (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013				2014		2013
	Sales	$	146,285		$	140,154			$	287,233	$	271,608
	Net income (loss)	10,646			(10,414		)		25,361		(7,662		)
	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.26		$	(0.26	)		$	0.62	$	(0.20	)
	Diluted	$	0.26		$	(0.26	)		$	0.61	$	(0.19	)
	Power Control Module
	On January 27, 2014, we acquired the intellectual property related to AEG Power Solutions' Power Control Modules ("PCM"). PCM is comprised of the Thyro-Family of products and accessories and serves numerous power control applications in different industries ranging from materials thermal processing through chemical processing, glass manufacturing and numerous other general industrial power applications. This acquisition is expected to broaden our product offerings and will be added to our Precision Power Products SBU. We paid total consideration of $31.1 million including contingent consideration, of which $16.4 million is included in Intangibles, $14.6 million in Goodwill, and $0.1 million in Property, plant, and equipment. Included in Goodwill is $1.0 million of contingent consideration payable if certain milestone targets are met. Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded in the functional currency of the entity and are subject to changes due to translation at each balance sheet date. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is the result of expected synergies and expansion of our product offerings into new markets. Advanced Energy is in the process of finalizing valuations of the intangibles associated with the acquisition.
	HiTek Power Group
	On April 12, 2014, Advanced Energy acquired all outstanding common stock of HiTek Power Group ("HiTek"), a privately-held provider of high voltage power solutions. Based in the United Kingdom, HiTek offers a comprehensive portfolio of high voltage and custom built power conversion products, ranging from 100V to 500kV, designed to meet the demanding requirements of OEMs worldwide. These products target applications including semiconductor wafer processing and metrology, scientific instrumentation, mass spectrometry, industrial printing, and analytical x-ray systems for industrial and analytical applications. HiTek's unique product architecture, encapsulation technology and control algorithms, combined with deep knowledge of its customer-specific applications, have made it a leading provider of critical, high-end, high voltage power solutions. We acquired HiTek to expand our product offerings in our Precision Power Products portfolio.
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the HiTek acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
	Cash paid to owners	$	3,525
	Cash acquired	(6,889		)
	Total fair value of consideration received	$	(3,364	)
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 12, 2014 (in thousands):
	Accounts receivable	$	2,867
	Inventories	4,980
	Other current assets	415
	Property and equipment	1,291
	Current liabilities	(3,836		)
	Long-term liabilities	(22,725		)
		(17,008		)
Amortizable intangible assets:
Tradename	336
Technology	4,029
Customer relationships	8,225
Total amortizable intangible assets	12,590
Total identifiable net assets	(4,418		)
Goodwill	1,054
Total fair value of consideration received	$	(3,364	)
Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded in the functional currency of the entity and are subject to changes due to translation at each balance sheet date. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is the result of expected synergies and expansion of the technology into additional markets that we already serve. Advanced Energy is in the process of finalizing the valuations of the accounts receivable, inventories, property, plant and equipment, intangibles, deferred taxes, and pension liability associated with the acquisition.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The following table sets out the tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	11,537		$	(11,902	)	$	28,354		$	(4,386	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	891			(2,120		)	2,993			(1,430		)
	Effective tax rate	7.7		%	17.8		%	10.6		%	32.6		%
	The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the benefit of earnings in foreign jurisdictions which are subject to lower tax rates. The effective tax rate is also impacted by discrete items recorded in the period. The effective tax rate for the period does not reflect the benefit for the US research and development tax credit which expired December 31, 2013. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the effective tax rate reflected benefits attributable to restructuring expenses and the January 2, 2013 reinstatement of the 2012 US research and development tax credit.
	Our policy is to classify accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax provision. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the amount of interest and penalties accrued related to our unrecognized tax benefits was not significant.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the numerator is increased to exclude charges that would not have been incurred, and the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding (using the if-converted and treasury stock methods), if securities containing potentially dilutive common shares (e.g., stock options and restricted stock units) had been converted to common shares, and if such assumed conversion is dilutive.
	The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Net Income (loss)	$	10,646		$	(9,782	)	$	25,361	$	(2,956	)
	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	40,540			39,453			40,677		39,114
	Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	607			697			742		785
	Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	41,147			40,150			41,419		39,899
	Net Income (loss):
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.26		$	(0.25	)	$	0.62	$	(0.08	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.26		$	(0.24	)	$	0.61	$	(0.07	)
	The following stock options were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Stock options	79		695			52		780
	Stock Buyback
	In May 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $25.0 million of our stock over a twelve-month period. Under this program, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, we repurchased and retired 1.4 million shares of our common stock for a total of $25.0 million. As of June 30, 2014 we have completed the share repurchase program.
	All shares repurchased were executed in the open market and no shares were repurchased from related parties. Repurchased shares were retired and assumed the status of authorized and unissued shares.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	Our investments with original maturities of more than three months at time of purchase are considered marketable securities available for sale.
	Our marketable securities consist entirely of certificates of deposit as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,					December 31,
		2014					2013
		Cost			Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
	Total marketable securities	$	12,633		$	12,633	$	11,568	$	11,568
	The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale as of June 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Earliest			Latest
	Certificates of deposit	7/29/14		to	6/13/16
	The value and liquidity of the marketable securities we hold are affected by market conditions, as well as the ability of the issuers of such securities to make principal and interest payments when due, and the functioning of the markets in which these securities are traded. Our current investments in marketable securities are expected to be liquidated during the next twelve months.
	As of June 30, 2014, we do not believe any of the underlying issuers of our marketable securities are presently at risk of default.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	We are impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We attempt to mitigate these risks through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily forward contracts. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we entered into foreign currency exchange forward contracts to attempt to mitigate the exchange rate risk associated with intercompany debt denominated in nonfunctional currencies. These derivative instruments are not designated as hedges; however, they tend to offset the fluctuations of our intercompany debt due to foreign exchange rate changes. These forward contracts are typically for one month periods. At June 30, 2014 we had outstanding Euro forward contracts. At December 31, 2013 we had outstanding Euro, Swiss Franc, and Canadian Dollar forward contracts.
	The notional amount of foreign currency exchange contracts at June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $11.6 million and $39.0 million, and the difference between the fair value and the notional value of these contracts was not significant. During the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized an insignificant loss and gain, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized a loss of $1.4 million and a gain of $0.6 million, respectively, on our foreign currency exchange contracts. These losses were offset by corresponding gains on the related intercompany debt and both are included as a component of Other income (expense), net, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE	'
	ASSETS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE
	The following tables present information about our financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013. The tables indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. We did not have any financial liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013.
	June 30, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Total marketable securities	$	—	$	12,633	$	—	$	12,633
	December 31, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Total marketable securities	$	—	$	11,568	$	—	$	11,568
	There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 fair value measurements during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES	'
	INVENTORIES
	Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and computed on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Components of Inventories, net of reserves, are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Parts and raw materials	$	81,137	$	75,815
	Work in process	9,853		3,507
	Finished goods	27,197		30,449
	Inventories, net of reserves	$	118,187	$	109,771

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	'
	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
	Details of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Buildings and land	$	1,885		$	1,807
	Machinery and equipment	47,769			41,451
	Computer and communication equipment	24,083			23,117
	Furniture and fixtures	4,575			4,028
	Vehicles	312			367
	Leasehold improvements	27,537			24,369
	Construction in process	1,525			5,426
		107,686			100,565
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(74,865		)	(65,677		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	32,821		$	34,888
	Depreciation expense, recorded in general and administrative expenses and cost of goods sold, is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Depreciation expense	$	3,229		$	3,331		$	6,225	$	6,404

Goodwill

Goodwill	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL	'
	GOODWILL
	The following summarizes the changes in goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Gross carrying amount, beginning of period	$	157,800
	Additions (see Note 2)	45,073
	Translation adjustments	3,990
	Gross carrying amount, end of period	$	206,863

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2014 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount			Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
		(net of impairment)
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	33,508	$	499	$	(16,455	)	$	17,552		7
	Trademarks and other	32,633		773		(6,203		)	27,203			10
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	66,141	$	1,272	$	(22,658	)	$	44,755
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Impairment			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	50,368	$	441	$	(26,168	)	$	(14,712	)	$	9,929	4
	Trademarks and other	18,515		514		(5,705		)	(3,842		)	9,482		7
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	68,883	$	955	$	(31,873	)	$	(18,554	)	$	19,411
	Amortization expense relating to other intangible assets included in our income (loss) is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
	Amortization expense	$	2,226	$	1,975	$	4,101		$	4,188
	Amortization expense related to intangibles for each of the five years 2014 (remaining) through 2018 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,
	2014 (remaining)	$	3,858
	2015	6,960
	2016	5,691
	2017	5,509
	2018	4,039
	Thereafter	18,698
		$	44,755

Accrued_Liabilities_Notes

Accrued Liabilities (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES	'
	OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Other accrued expenses:
	Current deferred tax liability	$	7,910	$	4,519
	Accrued restructuring costs (See Note 13)	1,079		3,280
	Current contingent consideration	1,444		933
	Accrued sales and use tax	3,476		2,415
	Goods received not yet invoiced	1,308		—
	Other*	10,325		9,557
	Total Other accrued expenses	$	25,542	$	20,704
	*Other accrued expenses consists of items that are individually less than 5% of total current liabilities.

Restructuring_Costs_Notes

Restructuring Costs (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
RESTRUCTURING COSTS	'
	RESTRUCTURING COSTS
	In April 2014, we committed to a restructuring plan to take advantage of additional cost savings opportunities in connection with our acquisitions and realignment to a single organizational structure based on product line. The plan calls for consolidating certain facilities and rebranding of products which will allow us to use our resources more efficiently. Over the next six months, we plan to incur additional charges of approximately $2.0 million. Accrued restructuring costs are included in Other accrued liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	The following table summarizes the components of our restructuring costs incurred under the 2014 plan (in thousands):
		Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014
	Severance and related costs	$	237
	Facility closure costs	7
	Total restructuring charges	$	244
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under the 2014 plan (in thousands):
			Balances at December 31, 2013		Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates		Balances at June 30, 2014
	Severance and related costs		$	—	$	237	$	(187	)	$	—	$	50
	Facility closure costs		—		7		—			—		7
	Total restructuring liabilities		$	—	$	244	$	(187	)	$	—	$	57
	In April 2013, we committed to a restructuring plan to take advantage of additional cost saving opportunities in connection with our acquisition of Refusol. The plan called for consolidating certain facilities, further centralizing our manufacturing and rationalizing certain products to most effectively meet customer needs. Collectively, these steps will enable us to more efficiently use our resources to achieve strategic goals. All activities under this restructuring plan were completed prior to December 31, 2013.
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under the 2013 plan (in thousands):
			Balances at December 31, 2013		Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates		Balances at June 30, 2014
	Severance and related costs		$	2,078	$	—	$	(1,815	)	$	4	$	267
	Facility closure costs		571		—		(379		)	—		192
	Total restructuring liabilities		$	2,649	$	—	$	(2,194	)	$	4	$	459
	In September 2011, we approved and committed to several initiatives over the following 16 months to realign our manufacturing and research and development activities in order to foster growth and enhance profitability. These initiatives are designed to align research and development activities with the location of our customers and reduce production costs. Under this plan, we reduced our global headcount, consolidated our facilities by terminating or exiting several leases, and recorded impairments for assets no longer in use due to the restructuring of our business. All activities under this restructuring plan were completed prior to December 31, 2012.
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under this plan (in thousands):
			Balances at December 31, 2013		Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates		Balances at June 30, 2014
	Severance and related costs		$	217	$	—	$	(11	)	$	—	$	206
	Facility closure costs		414		—		(57		)	—		357
	Total restructuring liabilities		$	631	$	—	$	(68	)	$	—	$	563

Warranties

Warranties	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
WARRANTIES	'
	WARRANTIES
	Provisions of our sales agreements include product warranties customary to these types of agreements, ranging from 18 months to 24 months following installation for Precision Power products and 3 years to 10 years following installation for Inverter products. Our provision for the estimated cost of warranties is recorded when revenue is recognized. The warranty provision is based on historical experience by product, configuration and geographic region.
	We establish accruals for warranty issues that are probable to result in future costs. Changes in product warranty accruals are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balances at beginning of period	$	20,650		$	13,739		$	22,067		$	14,797
	Warranty liabilities acquired	19,684			10,678			19,684			10,678
	Increases to accruals related to sales during the period	1,857			3,703			3,425			5,704
	Warranty expenditures	(4,601		)	(7,701		)	(7,586		)	(10,760		)
	Balances at end of period	$	37,590		$	20,419		$	37,590		$	20,419

Pension_Liability_Notes

Pension Liability (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	NOTE 15.	PENSION LIABILITY
	In connection with the HiTek acquisition discussed in Note 2. Business Acquisitions, we acquired the HiTek Power Limited Pension Scheme ("HPLPS"). The HPLPS has been closed to new participants and additional accruals since 2006. In order to measure the expense and related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on historical experience as well as facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and liability associated with pension benefits. The net amount of the pension liability on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2014 was $20.4 million.
	The components of the net periodic pension expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
			Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
			2014
	Net periodic benefit expense:
	Interest cost		$	(181	)
	Expected return on plan assets		361
	Net periodic benefit expense		$	180

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	We recognize stock-based compensation expense in Selling, general & administrative expenses based on the fair value of the awards issued. Stock-based compensation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	1,495	$	3,170	$	3,259	$	5,204
	Stock Options
	Stock option awards, other than awards under our 2012-2014 Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTI Plan"), are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock at the date of grant, a four-year vesting schedule, and a term of 10 years.
	Under the LTI Plan, we made grants of performance based options and awards during the first quarter of 2014, which will vest in one year based on the Company's achievement of return on net assets targets established by our Board of Directors at the beginning of each year. These awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock at the date of grant and have a term of 10 years. The fair value of each grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model utilizing an expected volatility of 53.3%, a risk-free rate of 1.7%, a dividend yield of zero, and an expected term of 5.4 years. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the options is $13.09 per share.
	A summary of our time based stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	1,573
	Options granted	—
	Options exercised	(493	)
	Options forfeited	(53	)
	Options expired	(3	)
	Options outstanding at end of period	1,024
	Changes in outstanding performance based stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	1,239
	Options granted	51
	Options exercised	(159	)
	Options forfeited	(230	)
	Options expired	(1	)
	Options outstanding at end of period	900
	Restricted Stock Units
	Restricted Stock Units ("RSU") are generally granted with a four-year vesting schedule.
	A summary of our time-based unvested RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Balance at beginning of period	230
	RSUs granted	76
	RSUs vested	(102	)
	RSUs forfeited	(20	)
	Balance at end of period	184
	Changes in the unvested performance based RSUs during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Balance at beginning of period	1,344
	RSUs granted	59
	RSUs vested	—
	RSUs settled in cash	(418	)
	RSUs forfeited	(524	)
	Balance at end of period	461
	During the first quarter of 2014, Performance Stock Options (“PSOs”) and Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) vested in accordance with performance targets for fiscal 2013. At that time, the Board of Directors authorized the settlement of the PSUs in cash at a value equal to the fair market value of the equity instrument on the vest date. Due to the settlement, $11.2 million was deducted from Additional paid-in capital and paid in cash in lieu of the issuance of shares. Our statement of cash flows represents this transaction as “Settlement of performance stock units.” All compensation expense related to these awards was recognized during the performance period ending December 31, 2013.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Adjustments			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balances at December 31, 2013	$	33,463		$	(6	)	$	33,457
	Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,661		)	1			(1,660		)
	Balances at June 30, 2014	$	31,802		$	(5	)	$	31,797

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	We have firm purchase commitments and agreements with various suppliers to ensure the availability of components. The obligation as of June 30, 2014 is approximately $68.6 million. Our policy with respect to all purchase commitments, is to record losses, if any, when they are probable and reasonably estimable. We continuously monitor these commitments for exposure to potential losses and will record a provision for losses when it is deemed necessary.
	We are involved in disputes and legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. There have been no material developments in legal proceedings in which we are involved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we engaged in the following transactions with companies related to members of our Board of Directors, as described below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Sales to related parties	$	101	$	584	$	228	$	615
	Rent expense to related parties	472		468		907		943
	Sales - Related Parties
	Members of our Board of Directors hold various executive positions and serve as directors at other companies, including companies that are our customers. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, we had sales to one customer as noted above and accounts receivable from one such customer that totaled $157,184 at June 30, 2014. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we had sales to one customer as noted above and no aggregate accounts receivable from this customer at December 31, 2013.
	Rent Expense - Related Parties
	We lease our executive offices, research and development, and manufacturing facilities in Fort Collins, Colorado from a limited liability partnership in which Douglas Schatz, our former Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer, holds an interest. The leases relating to these spaces expire during 2021 and obligate us to total annual payments of approximately $1.8 million, which includes facilities rent and common area maintenance costs.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Precision Power Products offers power conversion products for direct current, pulsed DC mid-frequency, high voltage, and radio frequency power supplies, matching networks, RF instrumentation, and Power Control Modules ("PCM") as well as thermal instrumentation products. Our power conversion systems refine, modify, and control the raw electrical power from a utility and convert it into power that may be customized and is predictable and repeatable. Our thermal instrumentation products provide temperature measurement solutions for applications in which time-temperature cycles affect material properties, productivity, and yield. These products are used in rapid thermal processing, chemical vapor deposition, and other semiconductor and solar applications requiring non-contact temperature measurement. Our network of global service support centers offer repair services, conversions, upgrades, and refurbishments to companies using our products. Precision Power Products principally serves original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and end customers in the semiconductor, flat panel display, solar panel, and other capital equipment and industrial markets.
	Our Inverters SBU offers both a transformer-based and a transformerless advanced grid-tied PV inverter solution primarily for commercial and utility-scale system installations. Our PV inverters are designed to convert renewable solar power, drawn from large and small scale solar arrays, into high quality, reliable electrical power. Our Inverters SBU focuses on commercial and utility-scale solar projects and installations, selling primarily to distributors, engineering, procurement, and construction contractors, developers, and utility companies. Our Inverters revenue has seasonal variations. Installations of inverters are normally lowest during the first quarter as a result of typically poor weather and as a result, reduced installation scheduling by our customers.
	Our chief operating decision maker, who is our Chief Executive Officer, and other management personnel regularly review our performance and make resource allocation decisions by reviewing the results of our two business segments separately. Revenue and operating profit is reviewed by our chief operating decision maker. We have also divided inventory and property and equipment based on business segment.
	Sales with respect to our operating segments is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Precision Power Products	$	81,832		$	71,702		$	164,704		$	133,479
	Inverters	64,453			68,009			122,529			118,046
	Total	$	146,285		$	139,711		$	287,233		$	251,525
	Income (loss) before income taxes by operating segment is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Precision Power Products	$	18,362		$	14,406		$	41,573		$	21,917
	Inverters	(6,606		)	(1,772		)	(12,904		)	(1,564		)
	Total segment operating income	11,756			12,634			28,669			20,353
	Restructuring charges	(244		)	(24,206		)	(244		)	(24,206		)
	Other income (expense), net	25			(330		)	(71		)	(533		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	11,537		$	(11,902	)	$	28,354		$	(4,386	)
	Beginning in 2014, certain support functions such as human resources, information technology, accounting and finance, and legal, are now allocated to the business units based on corporate activities in each product area. This change was implemented in an effort to provide investors with a clearer understanding of the business unit's operating performance.
	Segment assets consist of inventories, net and property and equipment, net. A summary of consolidated total assets by segment follows (in thousands):
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Precision Power Products	$	50,492		$	39,450
	Inverters	99,428			104,227
	Total segment assets	149,920			143,677
	Unallocated corporate property and equipment	1,088			982
	Unallocated corporate assets	553,139			508,318
	Consolidated total assets	$	704,147		$	652,977
	"Corporate" is a non-operating business segment with the main purpose of supporting operations. Unallocated corporate assets include accounts receivable, deferred income taxes, other current assets and intangible assets.
	During the three months ended June 30, 2014, we had two customers which individually accounted for 10% or more of our sales. Sales to Applied Materials, Inc. and LAM Research were $21.2 million and $15.0 million or 14.5% and 10.3%, respectively, of total sales for the three month period. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we had three customers which individually accounted for 10% or more of our sales. Sales to Applied Materials, Inc., LAM Research, and AMEC were $48.2 million, $32.8 million, and $31.9 million. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we had one customer individually accounting for 10% or more of our sales. Sales to Applied Materials, Inc. were $22.9 million or 16.4% of total sales during the three month period and $41.6 million or 16.8% for the six month period. Our sales to Applied Materials, Inc. and LAM Research include precision power products used in semiconductor processing and solar, flat panel display, and architectural glass applications. Our sales to AMEC include solar inverters. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our sales during these periods.

Subsequent_Event_Notes

Subsequent Event (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	NOTE 22.	SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On August 4, 2014, Advanced Energy acquired UltraVolt, Inc., a privately-held provider of high voltage power solutions. Based in Ronkonkoma, New York, UltraVolt has a comprehensive portfolio of high voltage power supplies and modules ranging from benchtop and rack mount systems to microsize PCB-mount modules. Its standard DC-to-DC product line consists of over 1,500 models, which can be combined with accessories and options to create thousands of product configurations. Serving over 100 markets, UltraVolt’s fixed-frequency, high-voltage topology provides wide input and output operating ranges while retaining excellent stability and efficiencies. We acquired UltraVolt to expand our product offerings in our Precision Power Products portfolio.
	Under the agreement, Advanced Energy has acquired UltraVolt for a purchase price of $30.2 million in cash. The preliminary base price is subject to a post-closing adjustment based on confirmation of the financial statements of UltraVolt effective as of the closing date.

Credit_Facility_Notes

Credit Facility (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	CREDIT FACILITIES
	In October 2012, we, along with two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, AE Solar Energy, Inc. and Sekidenko, Inc., entered into a Credit Agreement, subsequently amended in November 2012 and August 2013, (the "Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), as agent for and on behalf of certain lenders (each a "Lender"), which provides for a new secured revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million (the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility provides us with the ability to borrow up to $50.0 million, although the amount of the Credit Facility may be increased by an additional $25.0 million up to a total of $75.0 million subject to receipt of lender commitments and other conditions. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base based upon our domestic accounts receivable and inventory and are available for various corporate purposes, including general working capital, capital expenditures, and certain permitted acquisitions. The Credit Agreement also permits us to issue letters of credit which reduce availability under the Credit Agreement. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is October 12, 2017.
	At our election, the loans comprising each borrowing will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to either: (a) a "base rate" plus between one-half (0.5%) and one (1.0%) full percentage point depending on the amount available for additional draws under the Credit Facility ("Base Rate Loan"); or (b) the LIBOR rate then in effect plus between one and one-half (1.5%) and two (2%) percentage points depending on the amount available for additional draws under the Credit Facility. The "base rate" for any Base Rate Loan will be the greatest of the federal funds rate plus one-half (0.5%) percentage point; the one-month LIBOR rate plus one (1.0%) percentage point; and Wells Fargo's "prime rate" then in effect. As of June 30, 2014, the rate in effect was 3.75%.
	The Credit Agreement requires us to pay certain fees to the Lenders and contains affirmative and negative covenants, which, among other things, require us to deliver to the Lenders specified quarterly and annual financial information, and limit us and our Guarantors (as defined below), subject to various exceptions and thresholds, from, among other things: (i) creating liens on our assets; (ii) merging with other companies or engaging in other extraordinary corporate transactions; (iii) selling certain assets or properties; (iv) entering into transactions with affiliates; (v) making certain types of investments; (vi) changing the nature of our business; and (vii) paying certain distributions or certain other payments to affiliates. Additionally, there are the following financial covenants: (i) during any period in which $12.5 million or less is available to us under the Credit Facility and for sixty (60) days thereafter, the Credit Agreement requires the maintenance of a defined consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio; and (ii) if there is any indebtedness under any issued and outstanding convertible notes, we are required to maintain a specified level of liquidity.
	The Credit Agreement requires us to pay certain fees to the Lenders, including a $2,500 collateral management fee for each month that the Credit Facility is in place, and a fee based on the unused amount of the Credit Facility. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we expensed $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in interest and fees related to unused line of credit fees and amortization of debt issuance costs. We did not borrow against the Credit Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
	Pursuant to a Guaranty and Security Agreement (the "GS Agreement"), borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by our wholly-owned subsidiaries Aera Corporation and AEI US Subsidiary, Inc., (collectively the " Guarantors"). Under the GS Agreement, we and the Guarantors granted the Lenders a security interest in certain, but not all, of our and the Guarantors' assets.
	As part of the acquisition of Refusol described in Note 2. Business Acquisitions, we assumed the outstanding debt of Refusol as of the acquisition date. There were three outstanding loans with banks related to this debt, of which one was repaid and cancelled during the third quarter of 2013.
	Refusol, GmbH had an outstanding loan agreement with Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft ("Commerzbank") for up to 8.0 million Euros ("Commerzbank Loan Agreement"). The agreement allowed Refusol to borrow up to 8.0 million Euros through various types of instruments including an overdraft (revolving) facilities, money market (term) loans, surety loans, or guarantees. There was no maturity date. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bore interest at 5.32%. Surety and guarantee loans bore interest at 1.5%. The Commerzbank Loan Agreement required the payment of a credit commission of 0.5% of the total loan amount. The agreement contains various covenants including a financial covenant requiring a specified level of equity. This line of credit was repaid and cancelled in the second quarter of 2014.
	Refusol, GmbH also had an outstanding loan agreement with Bayerische Landesbank ("Bayern") which allowed it to borrow up to 4.0 million Euros either as overdraft facilities, term loans, or guarantees with repayment occurring one lump sum at the maturity date of the individual transaction with respect to term loans, or maturity of the loan agreement which was July 31, 2013 (the "Bayern Loan Agreement"). The overdraft facility bore interest at 4.5%. Term loans bore interest at the money market rate established by Bayern at the time of the loan plus a margin of 1.9%. Guarantees bore interest at 1.25% and had an issuing fee per guarantee. Loan commitment fees were 0.25% on the unused portion of the total loan amount. The Bayern Loan Agreement contained certain reporting requirements and a financial covenant requiring a specified level of equity.
	Upon expiration of this agreement, Refusol, GmbH entered into a new loan agreement with Bayerische Landesbank ("Bayern") under which it has the ability to borrow up to 4.0 million Euros (equal to $5.5 million on June 30, 2014) as either bank overdrafts, term loans, guarantees, or letters of credit. The overdraft facility bears interest at 3.9%, guarantees bears a rate of 1.64% and interest on term loans is a fixed rate set for each term loan period based on money market rates. Loan commitment fees are 0.25%. The loan matures on July 31, 2014. At June 30, 2014 $4.6 million was outstanding on this line of credit and the Company is in discussions with Bayern related to the possibility of renewing the loan agreement.
	Refusol, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refusol, GmbH located in the United States, had a revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo with an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 million and a maturity date of July 1, 2013. Borrowings under the line of credit were secured by all of Refusol, Inc.'s accounts receivable, inventory, and property, plant, and equipment and a letter of credit issued under the Commerzbank Loan Agreement. The line of credit bore interest at either (a) a fluctuating rate per annum one quarter of one percent (0.25%) above the Prime Rate or (b) the LIBOR rate then in effect plus two percent (2.0%). Refusol, Inc. had the option to select the method of interest each month. A commitment fee of 0.125% was payable by Refusol, Inc. on the unused portion of the line of credit. The line of credit contained certain affirmative and negative covenants limiting Refusol, Inc.'s ability to borrow additional funds or guarantee the debt of others. This line of credit was paid down and cancelled on its maturity date of July 1, 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Our policy with respect to all purchase commitments, is to record losses, if any, when they are probable and reasonably estimable.

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo1

Business Acquisition and Disposition (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
HiTek [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of components of fair value of consideration transferred	'
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the HiTek acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
	Cash paid to owners	$	3,525
	Cash acquired	(6,889		)
	Total fair value of consideration received	$	(3,364	)
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 12, 2014 (in thousands):
	Accounts receivable	$	2,867
	Inventories	4,980
	Other current assets	415
	Property and equipment	1,291
	Current liabilities	(3,836		)
	Long-term liabilities	(22,725		)
		(17,008		)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Tradename	336
	Technology	4,029
	Customer relationships	8,225
	Total amortizable intangible assets	12,590
	Total identifiable net assets	(4,418		)
	Goodwill	1,054
	Total fair value of consideration received	$	(3,364	)
Refusol [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of components of fair value of consideration transferred	'
	The components of the fair value of the total consideration transferred for the Refusol acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
	Cash paid to owners	$	79,550
	Debt assumed	11,873
	Working capital adjustment	(2,340		)
	Cash acquired	(1,836		)
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 8, 2013 (in thousands):
	Accounts receivable	$	8,868
	Inventories	13,610
	Other current assets	6,769
	Property and equipment	4,708
	Other long-term assets	130
	Deferred tax assets	(3,156		)
	Current liabilities	(33,397		)
	Long-term liabilities	(41,646		)
		(44,114		)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Trademarks	1,300
	Technology	5,700
	Customer relationships	3,500
	Total amortizable intangible assets	10,500
	Total identifiable net assets	(33,614		)
	Goodwill	120,861
	Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	87,247
Schedule of intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives	'
	A summary of the intangible assets acquired, amortization method and estimated useful lives as of April 8, 2013 follows (in thousands, except useful life):
			Amount			Amortization Method		Useful Life
	Trademarks		$	1,300		Straight-line		1.5
	Technology		5,700			Straight-line		5
	Customer relationships		3,500			Straight-line		5
			$	10,500
Schedule of pro forma results	'
	The unaudited pro forma results follow (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013				2014		2013
	Sales	$	146,285		$	140,154			$	287,233	$	271,608
	Net income (loss)	10,646			(10,414		)		25,361		(7,662		)
	Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.26		$	(0.26	)		$	0.62	$	(0.20	)
	Diluted	$	0.26		$	(0.26	)		$	0.61	$	(0.19	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations	'
	The following table sets out the tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	11,537		$	(11,902	)	$	28,354		$	(4,386	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	891			(2,120		)	2,993			(1,430		)
	Effective tax rate	7.7		%	17.8		%	10.6		%	32.6		%

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Net Income (loss)	$	10,646		$	(9,782	)	$	25,361	$	(2,956	)
	Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	40,540			39,453			40,677		39,114
	Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	607			697			742		785
	Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	41,147			40,150			41,419		39,899
	Net Income (loss):
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.26		$	(0.25	)	$	0.62	$	(0.08	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.26		$	(0.24	)	$	0.61	$	(0.07	)
Schedule of stock options and restricted units were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive	'
	The following stock options were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Stock options	79		695			52		780

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
The composition of our marketable securities	'
	marketable securities consist entirely of certificates of deposit as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,					December 31,
		2014					2013
		Cost			Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
	Total marketable securities	$	12,633		$	12,633	$	11,568	$	11,568
The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale	'
	The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale as of June 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Earliest			Latest
	Certificates of deposit	7/29/14		to	6/13/16

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure1

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis	'
	The following tables present information about our financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013. The tables indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. We did not have any financial liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013.
	June 30, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Total marketable securities	$	—	$	12,633	$	—	$	12,633
	December 31, 2013	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Total marketable securities	$	—	$	11,568	$	—	$	11,568

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of inventories	'
	Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and computed on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Components of Inventories, net of reserves, are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Parts and raw materials	$	81,137	$	75,815
	Work in process	9,853		3,507
	Finished goods	27,197		30,449
	Inventories, net of reserves	$	118,187	$	109,771

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Details of property and equipment	'
	Details of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Buildings and land	$	1,885		$	1,807
	Machinery and equipment	47,769			41,451
	Computer and communication equipment	24,083			23,117
	Furniture and fixtures	4,575			4,028
	Vehicles	312			367
	Leasehold improvements	27,537			24,369
	Construction in process	1,525			5,426
		107,686			100,565
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(74,865		)	(65,677		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	32,821		$	34,888
Depreciation expense recorded in continuing operations	'
	Depreciation expense, recorded in general and administrative expenses and cost of goods sold, is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Depreciation expense	$	3,229		$	3,331		$	6,225	$	6,404

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of the changes in goodwill	'
	The following summarizes the changes in goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Gross carrying amount, beginning of period	$	157,800
	Additions (see Note 2)	45,073
	Translation adjustments	3,990
	Gross carrying amount, end of period	$	206,863

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of other intangible assets	'
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2014 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount			Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
		(net of impairment)
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	33,508	$	499	$	(16,455	)	$	17,552		7
	Trademarks and other	32,633		773		(6,203		)	27,203			10
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	66,141	$	1,272	$	(22,658	)	$	44,755
	Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Effect of Changes in Exchange Rates		Impairment			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Technology-based	$	50,368	$	441	$	(26,168	)	$	(14,712	)	$	9,929	4
	Trademarks and other	18,515		514		(5,705		)	(3,842		)	9,482		7
	Total amortizable intangibles	$	68,883	$	955	$	(31,873	)	$	(18,554	)	$	19,411
Schedule of amortization expense relating to other intangible assets	'
	Amortization expense relating to other intangible assets included in our income (loss) is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
	Amortization expense	$	2,226	$	1,975	$	4,101		$	4,188
Schedule of expected future amortization expense	'
	Amortization expense related to intangibles for each of the five years 2014 (remaining) through 2018 and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,
	2014 (remaining)	$	3,858
	2015	6,960
	2016	5,691
	2017	5,509
	2018	4,039
	Thereafter	18,698
		$	44,755

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	'
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Other accrued expenses:
	Current deferred tax liability	$	7,910	$	4,519
	Accrued restructuring costs (See Note 13)	1,079		3,280
	Current contingent consideration	1,444		933
	Accrued sales and use tax	3,476		2,415
	Goods received not yet invoiced	1,308		—
	Other*	10,325		9,557
	Total Other accrued expenses	$	25,542	$	20,704
	*Other accrued expenses consists of items that are individually less than 5% of total current liabilities.

Restructuring_Costs_Tables

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the components of our restructuring costs incurred under the 2014 plan (in thousands):
		Three and Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014
	Severance and related costs	$	237
	Facility closure costs	7
	Total restructuring charges	$	244
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under the 2014 plan (in thousands):
			Balances at December 31, 2013		Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates		Balances at June 30, 2014
	Severance and related costs		$	—	$	237	$	(187	)	$	—	$	50
	Facility closure costs		—		7		—			—		7
	Total restructuring liabilities		$	—	$	244	$	(187	)	$	—	$	57
2013 Plan	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under the 2013 plan (in thousands):
			Balances at December 31, 2013		Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates		Balances at June 30, 2014
	Severance and related costs		$	2,078	$	—	$	(1,815	)	$	4	$	267
	Facility closure costs		571		—		(379		)	—		192
	Total restructuring liabilities		$	2,649	$	—	$	(2,194	)	$	4	$	459
2011 Plan	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	'
	The following table summarizes our restructuring liabilities under this plan (in thousands):
			Balances at December 31, 2013		Costs incurred and charged to expense		Cost paid or otherwise settled			Effect of change in exchange rates		Balances at June 30, 2014
	Severance and related costs		$	217	$	—	$	(11	)	$	—	$	206
	Facility closure costs		414		—		(57		)	—		357
	Total restructuring liabilities		$	631	$	—	$	(68	)	$	—	$	563

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Changes in accrued product warranties	'
	Changes in product warranty accruals are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Balances at beginning of period	$	20,650		$	13,739		$	22,067		$	14,797
	Warranty liabilities acquired	19,684			10,678			19,684			10,678
	Increases to accruals related to sales during the period	1,857			3,703			3,425			5,704
	Warranty expenditures	(4,601		)	(7,701		)	(7,586		)	(10,760		)
	Balances at end of period	$	37,590		$	20,419		$	37,590		$	20,419

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of stock-based compensation	'
	Stock-based compensation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	1,495	$	3,170	$	3,259	$	5,204
Summary of stock option activity	'
	A summary of our time based stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	1,573
	Options granted	—
	Options exercised	(493	)
	Options forfeited	(53	)
	Options expired	(3	)
	Options outstanding at end of period	1,024
	Changes in outstanding performance based stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	1,239
	Options granted	51
	Options exercised	(159	)
	Options forfeited	(230	)
	Options expired	(1	)
	Options outstanding at end of period	900
Summary of non-vested Restricted Stock Units activity	'
	A summary of our time-based unvested RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Balance at beginning of period	230
	RSUs granted	76
	RSUs vested	(102	)
	RSUs forfeited	(20	)
	Balance at end of period	184
	Changes in the unvested performance based RSUs during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Shares
	Balance at beginning of period	1,344
	RSUs granted	59
	RSUs vested	—
	RSUs settled in cash	(418	)
	RSUs forfeited	(524	)
	Balance at end of period	461
	During the first quarter of 2014, Performance Stock Options (“PSOs”) and Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) vested in accordance with performance targets for fiscal 2013. At that time, the Board of Directors authorized the settlement of the PSUs in cash at a value equal to the fair market value of the equity instrument on the vest date. Due to the settlement, $11.2 million was deducted from Additional paid-in capital and paid in cash in lieu of the issuance of shares. Our statement of cash flows represents this transaction as “Settlement of performance stock units.” All compensation expense related to these awards was recognized during the performance period ending December 31, 2013.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Adjustments			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balances at December 31, 2013	$	33,463		$	(6	)	$	33,457
	Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,661		)	1			(1,660		)
	Balances at June 30, 2014	$	31,802		$	(5	)	$	31,797

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of related party transactions	'
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we engaged in the following transactions with companies related to members of our Board of Directors, as described below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Sales to related parties	$	101	$	584	$	228	$	615
	Rent expense to related parties	472		468		907		943

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated	'
	Sales with respect to our operating segments is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Precision Power Products	$	81,832		$	71,702		$	164,704		$	133,479
	Inverters	64,453			68,009			122,529			118,046
	Total	$	146,285		$	139,711		$	287,233		$	251,525
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Income (loss) before income taxes by operating segment is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Precision Power Products	$	18,362		$	14,406		$	41,573		$	21,917
	Inverters	(6,606		)	(1,772		)	(12,904		)	(1,564		)
	Total segment operating income	11,756			12,634			28,669			20,353
	Restructuring charges	(244		)	(24,206		)	(244		)	(24,206		)
	Other income (expense), net	25			(330		)	(71		)	(533		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	11,537		$	(11,902	)	$	28,354		$	(4,386	)
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	'
	Segment assets consist of inventories, net and property and equipment, net. A summary of consolidated total assets by segment follows (in thousands):
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Precision Power Products	$	50,492		$	39,450
	Inverters	99,428			104,227
	Total segment assets	149,920			143,677
	Unallocated corporate property and equipment	1,088			982
	Unallocated corporate assets	553,139			508,318
	Consolidated total assets	$	704,147		$	652,977

Basis_of_Presentation_Narrativ

Basis of Presentation Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	StrategicBusinessUnits
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	2

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo2

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Components of total consideration transferred (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 12, 2014	Apr. 08, 2013
	HiTek [Member]	Refusol [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$3,525,000	$79,550,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	'	11,873,000
Purchase Price Working Capital Reduction	'	-2,340,000
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	6,889,000	1,836,000
Business Acquistion, Cost of Acquired Entity, Contract Price	($3,364,000)	$87,247,000

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo3

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Summary of intangible assets acquired, amortization method and useful lives (Details) (Refusol [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 08, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	$10,500,000
Trademarks [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	1,300,000
Amortization method	'Straight-line
Useful life	'1 year 6 months
Patented Technology [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	5,700,000
Amortization method	'Straight-line
Useful life	'5 years 0 months
Customer Relationships - Other [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	3,500,000
Amortization method	'Straight-line
Useful life	'5 years 0 months
Customer Relationships - Design [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	$10,500,000

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo4

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Summary of pro forma results (Details) (Refusol [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Refusol [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	$146,285	$140,154	$287,233	$271,608
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net income	$10,646	($10,414)	$25,361	($7,662)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.26	($0.26)	$0.62	($0.20)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.26	($0.26)	$0.61	($0.19)

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo5

Business Acquisition and Disposition - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 08, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 27, 2014
				Refusol [Member]	Refusol [Member]	Power Control Modules [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	'	'	'	'	$29,400,000	'
Business Acquistion, Cost of Acquired Entity, Contract Price	'	'	'	87,247,000	'	31,105,155
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	26,938,000	77,211,000	'	75,400,000	'	'
Contingent consideration	1,444,000	'	933,000	'	'	1,020,155
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	'	'	'	10,500,000	'	16,437,350
Goodwill	206,863,000	'	157,800,000	120,861,000	'	14,632,250
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	'	'	$4,708,000	'	$50,000

Business_Acquisition_and_Dispo6

Business Acquisition and Disposition Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 12, 2014	Apr. 08, 2013	Apr. 12, 2014	Apr. 08, 2013	Apr. 12, 2014	Apr. 08, 2013	Apr. 12, 2014	Apr. 08, 2013
			HiTek [Member]	Refusol [Member]	Trade Names [Member]	Trademarks [Member]	Patented Technology [Member]	Patented Technology [Member]	Customer Relationships [Member]	Customer Relationships [Member]
					HiTek [Member]	Refusol [Member]	HiTek [Member]	Refusol [Member]	HiTek [Member]	Refusol [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables	'	'	$2,867,000	$8,868,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory	'	'	4,980,000	13,610,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Other Current Assets	'	'	415,000	6,769,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	'	1,291,000	4,708,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets	'	'	'	130,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets	'	'	'	-3,156,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other	'	'	-3,836,000	-33,397,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent	'	'	22,725,000	41,646,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Tangible Assets	'	'	-17,008,000	-44,114,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	'	'	12,590,000	10,500,000	336,000	1,300,000	4,029,000	5,700,000	8,225,000	3,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	'	'	-4,418,000	-33,614,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	206,863,000	157,800,000	1,054,000	120,861,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquistion, Cost of Acquired Entity, Contract Price	'	'	($3,364,000)	$87,247,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_tax_e

Income Taxes Schedule of tax expense and the effective tax rate for our income from continuing operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$11,537	($11,902)	$28,354	($4,386)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$891	($2,120)	$2,993	($1,430)
Effective tax rate	7.70%	17.80%	10.60%	32.60%

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	8-May-14
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$25
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	1.4
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$25

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share Reconciliation of the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	$10,646	($9,782)	$25,361	($2,956)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	40,540	39,453	40,677	39,114
Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	607	697	742	785
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	41,147	40,150	41,419	39,899
Income from Continuing Operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$0.26	($0.25)	$0.62	($0.08)
Diluted earnings per share	$0.26	($0.24)	$0.61	($0.07)

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share Schedule of stock options and restricted units were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive (Details) (Stock options)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options and restricted units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive	79	695	52	780

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	$12,633	$11,568
Cost	$12,633	$11,568

Marketable_Securities_The_matu

Marketable Securities The maturities of our marketable securities available for sale (Details) (Certificates of Deposit [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Minimum [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Maturities of marketable securites, by date	29-Jul-14
Maximum [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Maturities of marketable securites, by date	13-Jun-16

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$11.60	$39
Foreign Exchange [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (Loss) recognized during the period	($1.40)	$0.60

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure2

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Schedule of financial assets measured at fair value, on a recurring basis (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	$12,633	$11,568
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	0	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	12,633	11,568
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of recurring assets	$0	$0

Inventories_Components_of_inve

Inventories Components of inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Parts and raw materials	$81,137,000	$75,815,000
Work in process	9,853,000	3,507,000
Finished goods	27,197,000	30,449,000
Inventory, Net	$118,187,000	$109,771,000

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment Details of property and equipment (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$107,686	$100,565
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-74,865	-65,677
Property and equipment, net	32,821	34,888
Buildings and Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,885	1,807
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	47,769	41,451
Computer and Communication Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	24,083	23,117
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,575	4,028
Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	312	367
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	27,537	24,369
Construction in Process [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$1,525	$5,426

Property_and_Equipment_Depreci

Property and Equipment Depreciation expense recorded in continuing operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$3,229	$3,331	$6,225	$6,404

Goodwill_Schedule_of_the_chang

Goodwill Schedule of the changes in goodwill (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$45,073
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Gross carrying amount, beginning of period	157,800
Translation adjustments	3,990
Gross carrying amount, end of period	$206,863

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_

Intangible Assets Schedule of other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$66,141	$68,883
Effects of changes in exchange rates	1,272	955
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	-31,873
Accumulated amortization	-22,658	-18,554
Net carrying amount	44,755	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	44,755	19,411
Technology-based [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	33,508	50,368
Effects of changes in exchange rates	499	441
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	-26,168
Accumulated amortization	-16,455	-14,712
Net carrying amount	17,552	9,929
Weighted-average useful life, in years	'7 years 0 months	'4 years 0 months
Trademarks and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	32,633	18,515
Effects of changes in exchange rates	773	514
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	'	-5,705
Accumulated amortization	-6,203	-3,842
Net carrying amount	$27,203	$9,482
Weighted-average useful life, in years	'10 years 0 months	'7 years 0 months

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_1

Intangible Assets Schedule of amortization expense relating to other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$2,226	$1,975	$4,101	$4,188

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_2

Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014 (remaining)	$3,858
2015	6,960
2016	5,691
2017	5,509
2018	4,039
Thereafter	18,698
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$44,755

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'
Current deferred tax liability	$7,910		$4,519
Accrued restructuring costs (See Note 13)	1,079		3,280
Contingent consideration	1,444		933
Accrued sales and use tax	3,476		2,415
Goods Received Not Yet Invoiced	1,308		0
Other	10,325	[1]	9,557	[1]
Total Other accrued expenses	$25,542		$20,704
[1]	Other accrued expenses consists of items that are individually less than 5% of total current liabilities.

Restructuring_Costs_Restructur

Restructuring Costs Restructuring Costs Incurred (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	$244	$24,206	$244	$24,206
April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	244	'
Employee Severance [Member] | April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	237	'
Facility Closing [Member] | April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	$7	'

Restructuring_Costs_Restructur1

Restructuring Costs Restructuring Liability Rollforward (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

2011 Plan

2011 Plan

2013 Plan

2013 Plan

April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]

April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

Facility Closing [Member]

2011 Plan

2011 Plan

2013 Plan

2013 Plan

April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]

April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]

2011 Plan

2011 Plan

2013 Plan

2013 Plan

April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]

April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

'

'

'

$563

$631

$459

$2,649

$57

$0

$206

$217

$267

$2,078

$50

$0

$357

$414

$192

$571

$7

$0

Restructuring Charges

244

24,206

244

24,206

0

'

0

'

244

'

0

'

0

'

237

'

0

'

0

'

7

'

Payments for Restructuring

'

'

'

'

68

'

2,194

'

187

'

11

'

1,815

'

187

'

57

'

379

'

0

'

Restructuring Reserve, Translation Adjustment

'

'

'

'

$0

'

$4

'

$0

'

$0

'

$4

'

$0

'

$0

'

$0

'

$0

'

Restructuring_Costs_Narrative_

Restructuring Costs Narrative (Details) (April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
April Two Thousand Fourteen Restructuring Plan [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$2

Warranties_Narrative_Details

Warranties Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Thin Films [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'
Standard Product Warranty Term	'18 months
Thin Films [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'
Standard Product Warranty Term	'24 months
Solar Energy [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'
Standard Product Warranty Term	'3 years
Solar Energy [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]	'
Standard Product Warranty Term	'10 years

Warranties_Changes_in_accrued_

Warranties Changes in accrued product warranties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Product Warranty Accrual, Additions from Business Acquisition	$19,684	$10,678	$19,684	$10,678
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balances at beginning of period	20,650	13,739	22,067	14,797
Increases to accruals related to sales during the period	1,857	3,703	3,425	5,704
Warranty expenditures	-4,601	-7,701	-7,586	-10,760
Balances at end of period	$37,590	$20,419	$37,590	$20,419

Pension_Liability_Details

Pension Liability (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities	$20,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	-181,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	361,000
Pension Expense	$180,000

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Risk-free rate	1.70%
Option contractual term	'10 years 0 months
Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vesting term, in years	'4 years 0 months
LTI Plan [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Expected volatility rate	53.30%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected term, in years	'5 years 5 months
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options, in dollars per share	13.09

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation Schedule of stock-based compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,495	$3,170	$3,259	$5,204

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of stock option activity (Details)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Performance Based [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	900	1,239
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	51	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	159	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	230	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	1	'
Time Based [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,024	1,573
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	493	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	53	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	3	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of non-vested Restricted Stock Units activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Time Based [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	184	230
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	76	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	102	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	20	'
Performance Based [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	461	1,344
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	59	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	0	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Settled in Cash	-418	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	524	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	$33,457
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,660
Balance at June 30. 2014	31,797
Foreign Currency Adjustments [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	33,463
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,661
Balance at June 30. 2014	31,802
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	-6
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1
Balance at June 30. 2014	($5)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Firm purchase commitments and agreements	$68.60

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Management [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	Companies	Companies
	NumberCustomers
Management [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Related party transactions, number of companies	1	1
Accounts receivable, related pary transactions, number of companys	1	'
Accounts receivable, related parties, current	$157,184	'
Rent due to related parties	$1,800,000	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Sch

Related Party Transactions Schedule of related party transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Sales - related parties	$101	$584	$228	$615
Rent expense - related parties	$472	$468	$907	$943

Segment_Information_Sales_with

Segment Information Sales with respect to operating segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales	$146,285	$139,711	$287,233	$251,525
Thin Films [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales	81,832	71,702	164,704	133,479
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales	$64,453	$68,009	$122,529	$118,046

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information Schedule of income from continuing operations before income taxes by operating segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	$11,512	($11,572)	$28,425	($3,853)
Operating Expenses	-41,034	-64,831	-76,782	-98,951
Restructuring charges	-244	-24,206	-244	-24,206
Other income (expense), net	25	-330	-71	-533
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	11,537	-11,902	28,354	-4,386
Thin Films [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	18,362	14,406	41,573	21,917
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	-6,606	-1,772	-12,904	-1,564
Thin Films and Solar Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating income	$11,756	$12,634	$28,669	$20,353

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information Summary of consolidated total assets by segment (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$704,147	$652,977
Thin Films [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	50,492	39,450
Solar Energy [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	99,428	104,227
Unallocated Corporate Propert and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	1,088	982
Unallocated Corporate Assets [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	553,139	508,318
Inventories and Property and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$149,920	$143,677

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information Narrative (Details) (Customer Concentration Risk [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | Applied Materials, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	$21.20	$22.90	$48.20	$41.60
Concentration Risk, Percentage	14.50%	16.40%	'	16.80%
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | AMEC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	'	'	31.9	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | Lam Research and Novellus Systems, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	$15	'	$32.80	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.30%	'	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.00%	'	'	'

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details) (UltraVolt [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 05, 2014
UltraVolt [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$30,200

Credit_Facility_Details

Credit Facility (Details)

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Bayerische Landesbank [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank [Member]

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft [Member]

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank_2013 [Member] [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank_2013 [Member] [Member]

Bayerische Landesbank_2013 [Member] [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank_Refusol Credit Facility [Member]

LIBOR Rate [Domain]

Federal Funds Rate [Domain]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Term Loan [Member]

Bank Overdrafts [Member]

Surety Product Line [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Federal Funds Rate [Domain]

USD ($)

Surety Product Line [Member]

USD ($)

Bank Overdrafts [Member]

Surety Product Line [Member]

USD ($)

Wells Fargo Bank_Refusol Credit Facility [Member]

Wells Fargo Bank_Refusol Credit Facility [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

'

$5,500,000

€ 4,000,000

'

'

'

$50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8,000,000

'

'

'

'

$1,500,000

'

'

LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

12-Oct-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

0.50%

1.50%

1.00%

2.00%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

0.25%

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

1.90%

4.50%

1.25%

3.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.32%

1.50%

'

3.90%

1.64%

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit, Credit Commission

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Collateral Fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000

$200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.13%

'

'