CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income	$ 82,698	$ 83,738	$ 63,723
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(15,987)	1,835	(21,391)
Employee benefit plan activity:
Prior service cost arising during period	0	(819)	(1,179)
Net gain/(loss) arising during period	25,624	(17,665)	(16,406)
Amortization arising during period	4,568	2,567	3,351
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	14,205	(14,082)	(35,625)
Income (tax)/benefit related to items of other comprehensive income	(12,113)	6,200	5,500
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	2,092	(7,882)	(30,125)
Comprehensive income	84,790	75,856	33,598
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	415	874	624
Comprehensive income attributable to Franklin Electric Co., Inc.	$ 84,375	$ 74,982	$ 32,974