CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Income Statement
Net sales	$ 891,345	$ 821,077	$ 713,792
Cost of sales	589,681	548,772	483,595
Gross profit	301,664	272,305	230,197
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	188,486	177,320	160,864
Restructuring (income)/expense	221	1,587	5,334
Operating income	112,957	93,398	63,999
Interest expense	(10,208)	(10,502)	(9,692)
Other income/(expense)	14,901	5,661	(299)
Foreign exchange income/(expense)	(1,662)	(1,422)	967
Income before income taxes	115,988	87,135	54,975
Income taxes	32,250	23,412	15,057
Net income	83,738	63,723	39,918
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(874)	(624)	(1,004)
Net income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 82,864	$ 63,099	$ 38,914
Income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.52	$ 2.71	$ 1.68
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.46	$ 2.65	$ 1.65
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.52
Effect of Future Stock Split [Member]
Income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.76	$ 1.36	$ 0.84
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.73	$ 1.33	$ 0.83