CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Net income	$ 83,738	$ 63,723	$ 39,918
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,835	(21,391)	720
Employee benefit plan activity:
Prior service cost arising during period	(819)	(1,179)	0
Net loss arising during period	(17,665)	(16,406)	(5,740)
Amortization arising during period	2,567	3,351	3,618
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(14,082)	(35,625)	(1,402)
Income (tax)/benefit related to items of other comprehensive income	6,200	5,500	700
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(7,882)	(30,125)	(702)
Comprehensive income	75,856	33,598	39,216
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	874	624	1,004
Comprehensive income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc	$ 74,982	$ 32,974	$ 38,212