Acquisitions and Divestitures	6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Divestitures	Acquisitions and Divestitures General Cable actively seeks to identify key global macroeconomic and geopolitical trends in order to capitalize on expanding markets and new niche markets or exit declining or non-strategic markets in order to achieve better returns. The Company also sets aggressive performance targets for its business and intends to refocus or divest those activities which fail to meet targets or do not fit the Company's long-term strategies. On May18, 2012, General Cable entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Alcan Cable, the wire and cable business of Rio Tinto plc ("Rio Tinto"). The purchase price is $185 million, subject to adjustments primarily related to working capital levels at closing as provided in the purchase agreement. The closing of the acquisition of the North America business is conditioned upon receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, which have been received. The Company has made the necessary regulatory filings in the People's Republic of China and that review process is ongoing. General Cable expects to use its recently amended revolving credit facility to principally fund the transaction (see Footnote 22 "Subsequent Events"). On July 4, 2012, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a majority interest (60%) in Procables S.A. for total consideration of $45 million, subject to adjustments primarily related to working capital levels at closing as provided in the purchase agreement. The acquisition is subject to receipt of regulatory approval, which has been received.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

General Cable actively seeks to identify key global macroeconomic and geopolitical trends in order to capitalize on expanding markets and new niche markets or exit declining or non-strategic markets in order to achieve better returns. The Company also sets aggressive performance targets for its business and intends to refocus or divest those activities which fail to meet targets or do not fit the Company's long-term strategies. On May18, 2012, General Cable entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Alcan Cable, the wire and cable business of Rio Tinto plc ("Rio Tinto"). The purchase price is $185 million, subject to adjustments primarily related to working capital levels at closing as provided in the purchase agreement. The closing of the acquisition of the North America business is conditioned upon receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, which have been received. The Company has made the necessary regulatory filings in the People's Republic of China and that review process is ongoing. General Cable expects to use its recently amended revolving credit facility to principally fund the transaction (see Footnote 22 "Subsequent Events"). On July 4, 2012, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a majority interest (60%) in Procables S.A. for total consideration of $45 million, subject to adjustments primarily related to working capital levels at closing as provided in the purchase agreement. The acquisition is subject to receipt of regulatory approval, which has been received.