form10q2q2011.htm

December 25, 2010

Fair value

(In thousands)

Commodity contracts

Other current assets:

Gain positions

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 2, 2011

Commission file number 1–6770

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	25-0790410
(State or other jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

8285 Tournament Drive, Suite 150
Memphis, Tennessee	38125
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(901) 753-3200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x Noo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of July 26, 2011, was 37,901,415.

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended July 2, 2011

__________________________

As used in this report, the terms “Company,” “Mueller,” and “Registrant” mean Mueller Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole, unless the context indicates otherwise.

__________________________

INDEX

		Page Number
Part I. Financial Information

	Item 1. – Financial Statements (Unaudited)

	a.) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	3

	b.) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	4

	c.) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5

	d.) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6

	Item 2. – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16

	Item 3. – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	23

	Item 4. – Controls and Procedures	24

Part II. Other Information

	Item 1. – Legal Proceedings	25

	Item 1A – Risk Factors	28

	Item 2. – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	28

	Item 6. – Exhibits	29

Signatures		30

Index

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

	For the Quarter Ended						For the Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010			July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010
(In thousands, except per share data)

Net sales	$	652,923		$	540,388		$	1,340,604		$	1,025,656

Cost of goods sold		573,877			466,645			1,163,751			879,693
Depreciation and amortization		9,166			10,090			18,865			20,438
Selling, general, and administrative expense		33,330			33,468			68,699			70,791
Insurance settlement		—			1,210			—			(21,296	)
Litigation settlement		—			—			(10,500	)		—

Operating income		36,550			28,975			99,789			76,030

Interest expense		(2,834	)		(2,964	)		(6,182	)		(5,496	)
Other income (expense), net		264			(2,518	)		1,323			(2,378	)

Income before income taxes		33,980			23,493			94,930			68,156

Income tax expense		(11,249	)		(7,456	)		(31,657	)		(17,320	)

Consolidated net income		22,731			16,037			63,273			50,836

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(400	)		(479	)		(355	)		(1,320	)

Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$	22,331		$	15,558		$	62,918		$	49,516

Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share		37,737			37,674			37,730			37,631
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards		356			43			309			69

Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share		38,093			37,717			38,039			37,700

Basic earnings per share	$	0.59		$	0.41		$	1.67		$	1.32

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.59		$	0.41		$	1.65		$	1.31

Dividends per share	$	0.10		$	0.10		$	0.20		$	0.20

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Index

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)	July 2, 2011			December 25, 2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	345,039		$	394,139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,447 in 2011 and $5,447 in 2010		327,381			269,258
Inventories		296,999			209,892
Current deferred income taxes		19,300			19,227
Other current assets		27,844			19,798

Total current assets		1,016,563			912,314

Property, plant, and equipment, net		223,234			229,498
Goodwill		102,250			102,250
Other assets		16,497			14,934

Total Assets	$	1,358,544		$	1,258,996

Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	$	50,582		$	32,020
Accounts payable		86,574			67,849
Accrued wages and other employee costs		32,206			33,338
Other current liabilities		62,290			61,920

Total current liabilities		231,652			195,127

Long-term debt, less current portion		156,976			158,226
Pension liabilities		17,476			18,249
Postretirement benefits other than pensions		23,082			22,690
Environmental reserves		23,232			23,902
Deferred income taxes		21,813			24,081
Other noncurrent liabilities		1,877			824

Total liabilities		476,108			443,099

Equity
Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $1.00 par value; shares authorized 5,000,000; none outstanding		—			—
Common stock - $.01 par value; shares authorized 100,000,000; issued 40,091,502; outstanding 37,891,366 in 2011 and 37,854,760 in 2010		401			401
Additional paid-in capital		265,135			263,233
Retained earnings		666,623			611,279
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(29,214	)		(37,046	)
Treasury common stock, at cost		(48,640	)		(49,131	)

Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity		854,305			788,736
Noncontrolling interest		28,131			27,161

Total equity		882,436			815,897

Commitments and contingencies		—			—

Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,358,544		$	1,258,996

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Index

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	For the Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010
(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$	63,273		$	50,836
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		18,999			20,554
Stock-based compensation expense		1,712			1,435
Insurance settlement		—			(21,296	)
Insurance proceeds – noncapital related		—			5,561
Gain (loss) on disposal of properties		(275	)		164
Deferred income taxes		(2,549	)		(4,370	)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options		(90	)		(88	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables		(55,010	)		(60,819	)
Inventories		(78,966	)		4,796
Other assets		(4,398	)		6,979
Current liabilities		17,199			26,129
Other liabilities		768			2,870
Other, net		433			(363	)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(38,904	)		32,388

Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(8,743	)		(9,286	)
Acquisition of business		(6,882	)		—
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment		—			17,703
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances		(3,877	)		11
Proceeds from sales of properties		151			23

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(19,351	)		8,451

Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.		(7,546	)		(7,529	)
Debt issuance cost		(1,942	)		—
Issuance of debt by joint venture, net		16,498			16,431
Acquisition of treasury stock		(743	)		(75	)
Issuance of shares under stock-based incentive plans from treasury		1,335			2,465
Repayments of long-term debt		(250	)		—
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options		90			88

Net cash provided by financing activities		7,442			11,380

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		1,713			(1,065	)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(49,100	)		51,154
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period		394,139			346,001

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	345,039		$	397,155

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Index

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

General

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the annual financial statements incorporated therein.

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

Note 1 – Earnings per Common Share

Basic per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted per share amounts reflect the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, computed using the treasury stock method. Approximately 244 thousand stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended July 2, 2011, since the options’ exercise prices were higher than the average market price of the Company’s stock.

Note 2 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company may also realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to environmental standards imposed by federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations. Environmental costs related to non-operating properties are classified as a component of other income (expense), net and costs related to operating properties are classified as cost of goods sold. Environmental reserves totaled $23.2 million at July 2, 2011, and $23.9 million at December 25, 2010.

Operating properties:

Belding, Michigan Lead Matters

On April 25, 2011, the Company received approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality notifying it that the actions contained in the Company’s proposed Conceptual Interim Response Plan dated April 4, 2011, in respect of the soil remediation at the Belding site, are acceptable for immediate implementation. Soil sampling of 47 residential properties near that plant has identified 12 properties with lead levels above the Michigan clean-up residential standards. The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as a result of this remediation.

Index

United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review

On December 24, 2008, the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico to determine the final antidumping duties owed on U.S. imports during the period November 1, 2007, through October 31, 2008, by certain subsidiaries of the Company. On April 19, 2010, the DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mueller Comercial) an antidumping duty rate of 48.3 percent. The Company has appealed the final determination to the U.S. Court of International Trade. The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries will incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve of approximately $4.2 million for this matter.

On December 23, 2009, the DOC initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico for the November 1, 2008, through October 31, 2009, period of review. The DOC selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent for this period of review. On June 21, 2011, the DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial an antidumping duty rate of 19.8 percent. On July 8, 2011, the Company filed a notice of intent to seek judicial review of the final results. The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries will incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve of approximately $1.0 million for this matter.

On December 28, 2010, the DOC initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico for the November 1, 2009, through October 31, 2010, period of review. The DOC has selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent for this period of review. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that this matter will have on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Other

Guarantees, in the form of letters of credit, are issued by the Company generally to assure the payment of insurance deductibles and certain retiree health benefits. The terms of the Company’s guarantees are generally one year but are renewable annually as required. These letters are primarily backed by the Company’s line of credit facility. The maximum payments that the Company could have been required to make under its guarantees at July 2, 2011, was $10.7 million.

Note 3 – Insurance Settlement

In November 2008 the Company’s copper tube facility in Bilston, Great Britain, was damaged by fire. Certain production equipment and portions of building structures were extensively damaged. These losses were covered by property and business interruption insurance. During 2010, the Company settled the claim with its insurer for total proceeds of $35.3 million, net of the deductible of $0.5 million. As a result of the settlement with its insurer, all proceeds received and all costs previously deferred were recognized, resulting in a net pre-tax gain of $21.3 million.

The Company received cash advances of $4.7 million in 2008 and $7.3 million in 2009 from its insurer, and received $23.3 million of proceeds in the first quarter of 2010 with the final settlement. Of the $23.3 million proceeds received in 2010, $17.7 million was classified as investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows representing the estimated amount of proceeds received for damaged building structures and equipment. All other receipts were classified as operating activities as they reflect the estimated amounts received for business interruption insurance and reimbursement of incremental cleaning and other noncapital costs.

Index

Note 4 – Inventories

	July 2, 2011			December 25, 2010
(In thousands)

Raw materials and supplies	$	57,532		$	47,737
Work-in-process		64,607			34,784
Finished goods		179,820			131,921
Valuation reserves		(4,960	)		(4,550	)

Inventories	$	296,999		$	209,892

Note 5 – Industry Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are Plumbing & Refrigeration and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). For disclosure purposes, as permitted under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280, Segment Reporting, certain operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment is composed of Standard Products (SPD), European Operations, and Mexican Operations. The OEM segment is composed of Industrial Products (IPD), Engineered Products (EPD), and Mueller-Xingrong. These segments are classified primarily by the markets for their products. Performance of segments is generally evaluated by their operating income. Intersegment transactions are generally conducted on an arms-length basis.

SPD manufactures copper tube and fittings, plastic fittings, plastic pipe, and line sets. These products are manufactured in the U.S. Outside the U.S., the Company’s European Operations manufacture copper tube, which is sold in Europe and the Middle East. SPD also imports and resells brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products. Mexican Operations consist of pipe nipple manufacturing and import distribution businesses including product lines of malleable iron fittings and other plumbing specialties. The European Operations consist of copper tube manufacturing and the import distribution of fittings, valves, and plumbing specialties primarily in the U.K. and Ireland. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment’s products are sold primarily to plumbing, refrigeration, and air-conditioning wholesalers, hardware wholesalers and co-ops, and building product retailers.

IPD manufactures brass rod, impact extrusions, and forgings which are used in a wide variety of end products including plumbing brass, automotive components, valves, and fittings. EPD manufactures and fabricates valves and assemblies for the refrigeration, air-conditioning, gas appliance, and barbecue grill markets and specialty copper, copper-alloy, and aluminum tubing. Mueller-Xingrong manufactures engineered copper tube primarily for air-conditioning applications. These products are sold primarily to OEM customers.

Index

Summarized segment information is as follows:

	For the Quarter Ended July 2, 2011
	Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment		OEM Segment		Corporate and Eliminations			Total
(In thousands)

Net sales	$	347,069	$	314,086	$	(8,232	)	$	652,923

Cost of goods sold		296,033		285,944		(8,100	)		573,877
Depreciation and amortization		5,349		3,479		338			9,166
Selling, general, and administrative expense		20,897		5,847		6,586			33,330

Operating income		24,790		18,816		(7,056	)		36,550

Interest expense									(2,834	)
Other income, net									264

Income before income taxes								$	33,980

	For the Quarter Ended June 26, 2010
	Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment		OEM Segment		Corporate and Eliminations			Total
(In thousands)

Net sales	$	285,717	$	257,780	$	(3,109	)	$	540,388

Cost of goods sold		238,105		231,482		(2,942	)		466,645
Depreciation and amortization		6,300		3,535		255			10,090
Selling, general, and administrative expense		20,362		5,831		7,275			33,468
Insurance settlement		1,210		—		—			1,210

Operating income		19,740		16,932		(7,697	)		28,975

Interest expense									(2,964	)
Other expense, net									(2,518	)

Income before income taxes								$	23,493

Index

Segment information (continued):

	For the Six Months Ended July 2, 2011
	Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment		OEM Segment		Corporate and Eliminations			Total
(In thousands)

Net sales	$	727,658	$	633,422	$	(20,476	)	$	1,340,604

Cost of goods sold		619,228		564,736		(20,213	)		1,163,751
Depreciation and amortization		11,183		7,071		611			18,865
Selling, general, and administrative expense		42,774		13,153		12,772			68,699
Litigation settlement		—		—		(10,500	)		(10,500	)

Operating income		54,473		48,462		(3,146	)		99,789

Interest expense									(6,182	)
Other income, net									1,323

Income before income taxes								$	94,930

	For the Six Months Ended June 26, 2010
	Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment			OEM Segment		Corporate and Eliminations			Total
(In thousands)

Net sales	$	542,379		$	489,984	$	(6,707	)	$	1,025,656

Cost of goods sold		450,974			435,094		(6,375	)		879,693
Depreciation and amortization		12,813			7,106		519			20,438
Selling, general, and administrative expense		39,689			14,721		16,381			70,791
Insurance settlement		(21,296	)		—		—			(21,296	)

Operating income		60,199			33,063		(17,232	)		76,030

Interest expense										(5,496	)
Other expense, net										(2,378	)

Income before income taxes									$	68,156

Index

Note 6 – Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is as follows:

	For the Quarter Ended						For the Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010			July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010
(In thousands)

Consolidated net income	$	22,731		$	16,037		$	63,273		$	50,836

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation		1,256			356			8,248			(5,234	)
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities		544			(467	)		(233	)		(190	)
Other, net		395			362			432			1,762

Total other comprehensive income (loss)		2,195			251			8,447			(3,662	)

Comprehensive income		24,926			16,288			71,720			47,174
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(755	)		(366	)		(970	)		(1,275	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$	24,171		$	15,922		$	70,750		$	45,899

Note 7 – Debt

On March 7, 2011, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (Credit Facility) with a syndicate of banks establishing a $350 million revolving credit facility, which matures March 7, 2016. The Credit Facility contains similar provisions and replaces the Company’s prior credit agreement dated December 1, 2006.

Mueller–Xingrong is negotiating with a syndicate of banks to renew its JV Credit Agreement which expired July 16, 2011. Borrowings under the JV Credit Agreement remain outstanding during the negotiations. The Company expects Mueller–Xingrong will enter into a new JV Credit Agreement under terms similar to the expired JV Credit Agreement during the third quarter of 2011.

Index

Note 8 – Employee Benefits

The Company sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

	For the Quarter Ended						For the Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010			July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010
(In thousands)

Pension benefits:
Service cost	$	207		$	199		$	461		$	298
Interest cost		2,530			2,196			4,685			4,411
Expected return on plan assets		(2,919	)		(2,592	)		(5,571	)		(5,413	)
Amortization of prior service cost		1			73			1			147
Amortization of net loss		599			506			1,173			905

Net periodic benefit cost	$	418		$	382		$	749		$	348

Other benefits:
Service cost	$	82		$	69		$	151		$	134
Interest cost		301			329			619			635
Amortization of prior service cost		(2	)		—			(1	)		1
Amortization of net loss		(31	)		40			(6	)		78

Net periodic benefit cost	$	350		$	438		$	763		$	848

The Company anticipates contributing to its pension plans approximately $1.5 million for 2011. During the first half of 2011, the Company made contributions of approximately $0.8 million to certain pension plans.

Note 9 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2011 was 33 percent compared with 32 percent for the same period last year. Factors that explain the difference between the effective tax rate and what would be computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the second quarter of 2011 were: (i) the U.S. production activities deduction of $0.9 million and (ii) decreases in tax contingencies of $0.9 million. These items were partially offset by the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $1.1 million.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first half of 2011 was 33 percent compared with 25 percent for the same period last year. Factors that explain the difference between the effective tax rate and what would be computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the first half were reductions related to: (i) the effect of foreign tax rates lower than statutory tax rates and other foreign items of $0.8 million; (ii) decreases in unrecognized tax benefits of $1.7 million; and (iii) the U.S. production activities deduction of $2.3 million. These items were partially offset by the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $3.0 million.

Due to ongoing federal and state income tax audits and potential lapses of the statutes of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease in the next twelve months by up to $4.1 million. Total unrecognized tax benefits including derecognized deferred tax assets at the end of the second quarter were $7.6 million, without consideration of any applicable federal benefit, including $0.7 million of accrued interest and penalties. Of the $7.6 million, up to $4.8 million could impact the effective tax rate, if recognized.

Index

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and numerous consolidated and separate-company income tax returns in many state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations is open for the Company’s federal tax return and most state income tax returns for 2007 and all subsequent years. The statutes of limitations for certain state and foreign returns are open for earlier tax years due to ongoing audits and differing statute periods. While the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for possible future audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined with certainty and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.

Note 10 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Cash Flow Hedges

Copper and brass represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production. The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control. The Company occasionally enters into forward fixed-price arrangements with certain customers; the risk of these arrangements is generally managed with commodity futures contracts. The Company accounts for these futures contracts in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). These futures contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. The fair value of open futures contracts are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the position is closed which corresponds to the period when the related hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. Should these contracts no longer meet hedge criteria in accordance with ASC 815, either through lack of effectiveness or because the hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring, all deferred gains and losses related to the hedge would be immediately reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings. In the next twelve months, the Company will reclassify into earnings realized gains or losses of cash flow hedges; at July 2, 2011, the net fair value of these contracts was a $490 thousand gain position.

At July 2, 2011, the Company held open futures contracts to purchase approximately $19.2 million of copper over the next nine months related to fixed price sales orders. The fair value of those futures contracts was a $538 thousand gain position, which was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (Level 1 hierarchy as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820)).

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815 are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as follows:

	July 2, 2011
	Location		Fair value
(In thousands)

Commodity contracts	Other current assets:	Gain positions	$	644
	Other current assets:	Loss positions	$	(106	)

Index

The following tables summarize activities related to the Company’s derivative instruments, classified as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815:

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated OCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
	For the Quarter Ended				For the Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2011		June 26, 2010		July 2, 2011		June 26, 2010
(In thousands)

Commodity contracts (1)	$	961	$	82	$	793	$	468

(1) Includes $88 thousand attributable to noncontrolling interest for the six months ended June 26, 2010.

	(Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
	For the Quarter Ended						For the Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010			July 2, 2011			June 26, 2010
(In thousands)

Commodity contracts:
Cost of goods sold	$	(417	)	$	(549	)	$	(1,026	)	$	(658	)

Fair Value Hedges

The value of the Company’s copper inventory is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control. The Company occasionally enters into futures contracts in order to protect the value of inventory against market fluctuations. The Company accounts for these futures contracts in accordance with ASC 815. These futures contracts have been designated as fair value hedges. For fair value hedges, the changes in value of the hedging derivative, as well as the changes in value of the related hedged item due to the risk being hedged, are reflected in current earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness is reflected in current earnings in the period in which it occurs.

At July 2, 2011, the Company held open futures contracts to sell approximately $67.3 million of copper over the next three months. The fair value of those futures contracts was a $3.4 million loss position and is recorded as an other current liability. The fair value was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (Level 1 hierarchy as defined by ASC 820).

Index

The following table summarizes the gains (losses) on the Company's fair value hedges for the three months ended July 2, 2011:

	Gains (losses) on fair value hedges for the Three months ended July 2, 2011
	Location	Amount
(In thousands)

(Loss) on the derivatives in designated and qualifying fair value hedges:
Commodity Contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	(3,406	)

Gain on the hedged item in designated and qualifying fair value hedges:
Inventory	Cost of goods sold	$	3,077

The Company enters into futures contracts that closely match the terms of the underlying transactions. As a result, the ineffective portion of the open cash flow and fair value hedge contracts through July 2, 2011, was not material to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company does not offset fair value of amounts for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral. At July 2, 2011, the Company had recorded restricted cash of $4.9 million related to open futures contracts.

Note 11 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Primarily using market yields, the fair value of the Company’s debt instruments were estimated to be $207.2 million and $189.9 million at July 2, 2011, and December 25, 2010, respectively. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instrument (Level 2 hierarchy as defined by ASC 820).

Note 12 – Acquisition

On December 28, 2010, the Company purchased certain assets of Tube Forming, L.P. (TFI). TFI primarily serves the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning market in North America. The acquired assets include inventories, production equipment as well as factory leaseholds. TFI has operations in Carrollton, Texas, and Guadalupe, Mexico, where it produces precision copper return bends and crossovers, and custom-made tube components and brazed assemblies, including manifolds and headers. TFI's estimated net sales for 2010 were approximately $35 million. Mueller paid approximately $6.9 million for the assets, which was funded with existing cash on hand. The acquisition of TFI extends the Company’s product offering within the OEM segment.

The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Therefore, the results of operations of the acquired business were included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition.

Index

Note 13 – Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the form of accounting standards updates (ASU’s) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU’s. ASU’s not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2011 the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for common fair value measurement. These amendments, effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited), result in common definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. Consequently, the amendments change some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011 the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance, effective retrospectively for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is permitted), requires presentation of total comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General Overview

The Company is a leading manufacturer of copper, brass, plastic, and aluminum products. The range of these products is broad: copper tube and fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic pipe, fittings and valves; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabricated tubular products; and steel nipples. The Company also resells imported brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets and plumbing specialty products. Mueller's operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and China.

The Company's businesses are aggregated into two reportable segments: the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) segment. For disclosure purposes, as permitted under Accounting Standards Codification 280, Segment Reporting, certain operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment is composed of the Standard Products Division (SPD), European Operations, and Mexican Operations. The OEM segment is composed of the Industrial Products Division (IPD), Engineered Products Division (EPD), and Jiangsu Mueller–Xingrong Copper Industries Limited (Mueller-Xingrong), the Company’s Chinese joint venture. Certain administrative expenses and expenses related primarily to retiree benefits at inactive operations are combined into the Corporate and Eliminations classification. These reportable segments are described in more detail below.

SPD manufactures and sells copper tube, copper and plastic fittings, plastic pipe, and valves in North America and sources products for import distribution in North America. European Operations manufacture copper tube in Europe, which is sold in Europe and the Middle East; activities also include import distribution in the U.K. and Ireland. Mexican Operations consist of pipe nipple manufacturing and import distribution businesses including product lines of malleable iron fittings and other plumbing specialties. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment sells products to wholesalers in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning), plumbing, and refrigeration markets, to distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries, and to building material retailers.

Index

The OEM segment manufactures and sells brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabricated tubular products; and gas valves and assemblies. Mueller-Xingrong manufactures engineered copper tube primarily for air-conditioning applications; these products are sold primarily to original equipment manufacturers located in China. The OEM segment sells its products primarily to original equipment manufacturers, many of which are in the HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration markets.

New housing starts and commercial construction are important determinants of the Company’s sales to the HVAC, refrigeration, and plumbing markets because the principal end use of a significant portion of the Company’s products is in the construction of single and multi-family housing and commercial buildings. Repairs and remodeling projects are also important drivers of underlying demand for these products.

The majority of the Company’s manufacturing facilities operated below capacity during 2010 and the first half of 2011 due to the reduced demand for the Company’s products arising from the general economic conditions in the U.S. and foreign markets that the Company serves. The U.S. housing and residential construction market has been adversely affected during the recent economic downturn. Per the U.S. Census Bureau, actual housing starts in the U.S. were 291 thousand for the first half of 2011 compared to 306 thousand for the first half of 2010. The June 2011 seasonally adjusted annual rate of new housing starts was 629 thousand, which is an increase of 14.6 percent above the June 2010 rate of 549 thousand. Mortgage rates have remained at low levels during 2011 and 2010, as the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 4.76 percent for the first six months of 2011 and 5.08 percent for the twelve months ended December 2010. Commercial construction has also remained at historically low levels. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the seasonally adjusted annual value of private nonresidential construction put in place was $248.3 billion in May 2011, significantly less than the activity levels during 2007 and 2008. Business conditions in the U.S. automotive industry have also been difficult in the economic downturn, which affected the demand for various products in the Company’s OEM segment; however, some improvements have recently occurred. All of these conditions have significantly affected the demand for virtually all of the Company’s core products.

Residential construction activity is still at historical lows and recovery is expected to be modest due to continuing high rates of unemployment, the impact of mounting foreclosures, and the tightening of lending terms. The private non-residential construction sector, which includes offices, industrial and retail projects, continues to experience high vacancy rates.

Profitability of certain of the Company’s product lines depends upon the “spreads” between the cost of raw material and the selling prices of its products. The open market prices for copper cathode and scrap, for example, influence the selling price of copper tubing, a principal product manufactured by the Company. The Company attempts to minimize the effects on profitability from fluctuations in material costs by passing through these costs to its customers. The Company’s earnings and cash flow are dependent upon these spreads that fluctuate based upon market conditions.

Earnings and profitability are also impacted by unit volumes that are subject to market trends, such as substitute products and imports, and market share. In core product lines, the Company intensively manages its pricing structure while attempting to maximize its profitability. From time-to-time, this practice results in lost sales opportunities and lower volume. Plastic plumbing systems are the primary substitute product; these products represent an increasing share of consumption. U.S. consumption of copper tubing is predominantly supplied by U.S. manufacturers, although imports have been a significant factor. In recent years, brass rod consumption in the U.S. has declined due to the outsourcing of many manufactured products to offshore regions.

On December 28, 2010, the Company purchased certain assets of Tube Forming, L.P. (TFI). TFI primarily serves the HVAC market in North America. The acquired assets include inventories, production equipment as well as factory leaseholds. TFI has operations in Carrollton, Texas, and Guadalupe, Mexico, where it produces precision copper return bends and crossovers, and custom-made tube components and brazed assemblies, including manifolds and headers.

Index

Results of Operations

Second Quarter 2011 compared with Second Quarter 2010

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company’s net sales were $652.9 million, which compares with net sales of $540.4 million over the same period of 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to increased selling prices, which are a result of the increase in base metal prices, primarily copper and slightly higher unit sales volume. Of the $112.4 million increase in net sales, approximately $90.4 million was due to higher net selling prices in the Company’s core product lines and approximately $3.1 million was attributable to higher unit volume in the Company’s core product lines. Net selling prices generally fluctuate with changes in raw material costs. Changes in raw material costs are generally passed through to customers by adjustments to selling prices. The Comex average copper price in the second quarter of 2011 was approximately $4.16 per pound, or 30 percent higher than the 2010 average of $3.19 per pound.

Cost of goods sold was $573.9 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared with $466.6 million in the same period of 2010. This increase was due primarily to the increase in the price of copper, the Company’s principal raw material.

Depreciation and amortization declined from $10.0 million in 2010 to $9.2 million in 2011. The reduction is due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to $33.3 million in the second quarter of 2011; this $0.2 million decrease was primarily due to decreased professional fees of $2.4 million, decreased bad debt expense of $1.0 million and decreased foreign currency transaction losses of $0.4 million partially offset by increased employment costs including incentive compensation of $3.5 million.

In the second quarter of 2010, the Company incurred costs of $1.2 million for continued rehabilitation of the U.K. copper tube facility fire damage while no such costs were incurred in 2011. The related insurance claim was settled in the first quarter of 2010.

Interest expense decreased to $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2011 from $3.0 million for the same period in 2010. This decrease was related to Mueller–Xingrong. Other income (expense), net was income of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared with expense of $2.5 million for the same period in 2010. This fluctuation was primarily due to provision for environmental reserves in 2010 that pertain to non-operating properties.

Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment

Second quarter net sales by the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment increased 21.5 percent to $347.1 million in 2011 from $285.7 million in 2010. This increase was due to higher selling prices resulting from higher average prices of raw materials. Of the $61.4 million increase in net sales, approximately $52.1 million was due to higher net selling prices in the segment’s core product lines consisting primarily of copper tube, line sets, and fittings and approximately $2.4 million was attributable to product mix. Unit volume change was flat for the second quarter. Cost of goods sold increased from $238.1 million in the second quarter of 2010 to $296.0 million in the same period of 2011, which was also due to higher raw material prices, primarily copper. Depreciation and amortization in the second quarter decreased from $6.3 million in 2010 to $5.3 million in 2011 resulting from certain assets being fully depreciated. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased from $20.4 million in the second quarter of 2010 to $20.9 million in the second quarter of 2011. The $0.5 million increase is primarily due to increased employment costs including incentive compensation of $0.8 million partially offset by decreased bad debt expense of $0.2 million and foreign currency transaction gains of $0.3 million. Operating income for the segment increased $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2011 over the second quarter of 2010. This increase was due primarily to increased spreads for 2011 in core products especially copper tube and the rehabilitation costs incurred in 2010.

Index

OEM Segment

The OEM segment’s second quarter net sales were $314.1 million in 2011 compared with $257.8 million in 2010. The increase was due primarily to higher net selling prices resulting from higher average cost of raw materials. Of the $56.3 million increase in net sales, approximately $38.3 million was attributable higher net selling prices in the segment’s core product lines of brass rod, forgings, impacts, and commercial tube. Unit volume change was flat for the second quarter. Cost of goods sold increased to $285.9 million in the second quarter of 2011 from $231.5 million in the same period of 2010, which was primarily due to the increase in cost of raw materials. Depreciation and amortization remained relatively consistent at $3.5 million for both quarters. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2010. Operating income increased from $16.9 million in the second quarter of 2010 to $18.8 million in the same period of 2011, due primarily to improved unit spreads across the majority of the segment’s product lines and the contribution of TFI which was acquired at the beginning of 2011.

Six Months Ended July 2, 2011, compared with Six Months Ended June 26, 2010

During the six months ended July 2, 2011, the Company’s net sales were $1.34 billion, which compares with net sales of $1.03 billion over the same period of 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to increased selling prices, which are a result of the increase in base metal prices, primarily copper and higher unit sales volume in most of the Company’s core product lines. Of the $310 million increase in net sales, approximately $189 million was due to higher net selling prices in the Company’s core product lines and approximately $78 million was attributable to higher unit volume in the Company’s core product lines. The Comex average copper price in the first half of 2011 was approximately $4.27 per pound, or 32 percent higher than the 2010 average of $3.24 per pound.

Cost of goods sold was $1.16 billion in the first half of 2011 compared with $879.7 million in the same period of 2010. The year-over-year increase was due primarily to the increase in the price of copper, the Company’s principal raw material, and increased sales volume in core product lines.

Depreciation and amortization declined from $20.4 million in the first half of 2010 to $18.9 million in 2011. This reduction is due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to $68.7 million in the first half of 2011 from $70.8 million in 2010; this $2.1 million decrease was primarily due to decreased bad debt expense of $3.8 million, decreased professional fees of $3.3 million and foreign currency transaction gains of $2.6 million partially offset by increased compensation expense including incentive compensation of $5.1 million.

During the six months ended July 2, 2011, the Company recorded a gain of $10.5 million upon receipt of payment related to the December 10, 2010, settlement of a lawsuit against Peter D. Berkman, Jeffrey A. Berkman, and Homewerks Worldwide LLC. During the six months ended June 26, 2010, the Company settled the insurance claim related to a fire at the U.K. copper tube facility, resulting in a cumulative net gain of $21.3 million. The claim was settled with the insurer in the first quarter of 2010; however, the Company incurred additional expenses totaling $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2010 to continue the rehabilitation of the facility.

Interest expense increased to $6.2 million for the six months ended July 2, 2011, from $5.5 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was due to increased borrowings by Mueller–Xingrong to fund operations. Other income (expense), net was income of $1.3 million in the first half quarter of 2011 compared with expense of $2.4 million for the same period in 2010. This fluctuation was primarily due to provisions for environmental reserves in the first half of 2010 that pertain to non-operating properties.

Index

Plumbing & Refrigeration Segment

Net sales by the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment increased 34 percent to $727.7 million in the six months ended July 2, 2011, from $542.4 million in 2010. This increase was due to higher selling prices resulting from higher average prices of raw materials and from higher unit sales volume resulting from increased demand in the majority of the segment’s core product lines. Of the $185.3 million increase in net sales, approximately $116.4 million was due to higher net selling prices in the segment’s core product lines consisting primarily of copper tube, line sets, and fittings and approximately $46.8 million was attributable to higher unit volume. Cost of goods sold increased from $451.0 million in the first half of 2010 to $619.2 million in the same period of 2011, which was also due to increasing raw material prices, primarily copper and to higher sales volume. Depreciation and amortization in the first half of 2011 decreased from $12.8 million in 2010 to $11.2 million in 2011 resulting from certain assets being fully depreciated. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased from $39.7 million in the first half of 2010 to $42.8 million in the first half of 2011. The $3.1 million increase is primarily due to increased compensation including incentive compensation of $2.2 million. Operating income for the segment decreased to $54.5 million in the first half of 2011 from $60.2 million in the first half of 2010. This decrease was due to the insurance settlement recognized in 2010 partially offset by higher sales volume in the segment’s core product lines, increased spreads in core products especially in copper tube and fittings, and improved per unit conversion costs in a majority of the segment’s product lines resulting primarily from increased production activities.

OEM Segment

The OEM segment’s net sales were $633.4 million in the six months ended July 2, 2011, compared with $490.0 million in 2010. The increase was due primarily to higher net selling prices resulting from higher average cost of raw materials and higher sales volume. Of the $143.4 million increase in net sales, approximately $72.9 million was attributable to higher net selling prices in the segment’s core product lines of brass rod, forgings, impacts, and commercial tube and approximately $31.7 million was due to higher unit volume. Cost of goods sold increased to $564.7 million in the first half of 2011 from $435.1 million in the same period of 2010, which was also due to the increase in average costs of raw materials and increases in sales volume. Depreciation and amortization remained relatively consistent at $7.1 million. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $13.2 million in the first half of 2011 compared with $14.7 million in the first half of 2010. The $1.5 million decrease was due primarily to decreased bad debt expense of $3.6 million partially offset by increased compensation and related employment costs of $1.4 million. Operating income increased from $33.1 million in the first half of 2010 to $48.5 million in the same period of 2011, due primarily to improved unit spreads and lower per unit conversion costs in certain product lines, higher sales volume, lower selling, general, and administrative expenses, and the contribution of TFI, which was acquired at the beginning of 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash used in operating activities during the six months ended July 2, 2011, totaled $38.9 million, which was primarily attributable to increased receivables of $55.0 million and increased inventories of $79.0 million partially offset by net income of $63.3 million plus depreciation and amortization of $19.0 million and a $17.2 million increase in current liabilities. The increases in receivables, inventories, and current liabilities primarily resulted from the increased cost of raw materials and moderate unit sales increases in certain businesses during the first half of 2011. In preparation for a major maintenance program at our Fulton, Mississippi, copper tube mill, the Company increased inventory by more than 15 million pounds to ensure uninterrupted supply for its customers; accordingly, the Company used in excess of $60 million cash to fund this temporary bulge in inventory quantities. Fluctuations in the cost of copper and other raw materials affect the Company’s liquidity. Changes in material costs directly impact components of working capital, primarily inventories and accounts receivable. During the first six months of 2011, the average Comex copper price was approximately $4.27 per pound, which represents a 32 percent increase over the average price during the first six months of 2010. This increase in the price of cathode has also resulted in sharp increases in the open market price for copper scrap and, to a lesser extent, the price of brass scrap.

During the first six months of 2011, cash used in investing activities totaled $19.4 million. The major components of net cash used in investing activities included $8.7 million used for capital expenditures and $6.9 million used for the acquisition of TFI.

Index

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $7.4 million, which consists primarily of $16.5 million received from the issuance of debt by Mueller-Xingrong, partially offset by $1.9 million debt issuance costs and $7.5 million used for payment of regular quarterly dividends to stockholders of the Company.

The Company has significant environmental remediation obligations. The performance of these obligations is expected to occur over a minimum of 20 years. Cash used for environmental remediation activities was approximately $490 thousand during the first half of 2011. In addition, the Company paid the remaining $2.25 million of a $2.5 million settlement during the first half of 2011 related the Eureka Mills Site. The Company expects to spend approximately $1.2 million for the remainder of 2011 for ongoing environmental remediation activities. The timing of a potential payment for a $9.5 million settlement offer has not yet been determined.

On March 7, 2011, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement, which provides for an unsecured $350 million revolving line of credit (Credit Facility) maturing on March 7, 2016. The Credit Facility contains similar provisions and replaces the Company’s prior credit agreement dated December 1, 2006. The Credit Facility backed approximately $10.7 million in letters of credit at the end of the quarter. In addition, Mueller–Xingrong is negotiating with a syndicate of banks to renew its JV Credit Agreement which expired July 16, 2011. Borrowings under the JV Credit Agreement remain outstanding during the negotiations. The Company expects Mueller–Xingrong will enter into a new JV Credit Agreement under terms similar to the expired JV Credit Agreement during the third quarter of 2011. As of July 2, 2011, the Company’s total debt was $207.6 million or 19 percent of its total capitalization.

Covenants contained in the Company’s financing obligations require, among other things, the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth and the satisfaction of certain minimum financial ratios. As of July 2, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

The Company declared and paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of ten cents per common share in the second quarter of 2011. Payment of dividends in the future is dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, cash flows, capital requirements, earnings, and other factors. On November 1, 2011, the Company will pay approximately $4.4 million in interest on the Debentures that remain outstanding.

Management believes that cash provided by operations and currently available cash of $345.0 million will be adequate to meet the Company’s normal future capital expenditures and operational needs. The Company’s current ratio was 4.4 to 1 at July 2, 2011.

The Company’s Board of Directors has extended, until October 2011, its authorization to repurchase up to ten million shares of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares and may cancel, suspend, or extend the time period for the repurchase of shares at any time. Any repurchases will be funded primarily through existing cash and cash from operations. The Company may hold any shares repurchased in treasury or use a portion of the repurchased shares for employee benefit plans, as well as for other corporate purposes. From its initial authorization in 1999 through July 2, 2011, the Company had repurchased approximately 2.4 million shares under this authorization. In addition, the Company may repurchase portions of its 6% Subordinated Debentures through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s contractual cash obligations reported at December 25, 2010.

Index

Non-GAAP Measurements

During the six months ended July 2, 2011, the Company recognized a litigation settlement of $10.5 million (or 18 cents per diluted share after tax) and during the six months ended June 26, 2010, the Company recognized an insurance settlement of $21.3 million (or 58 cents per diluted share after tax). The litigation settlement resulted from the collection of proceeds from the lawsuit against Peter Berkman, Jeffrey Berkman, and Homewerks Worldwide LLC. The insurance settlement resulted from the final settlement for losses claimed as a result of a fire at the U.K. subsidiary in November 2008, the results of which are not impacted by daily operations and are not expected to recur in future periods. The following tables show the Company’s computation of earnings without the litigation settlement and insurance settlement for the six months ended July 2, 2011, and June 26, 2010. Earnings without the litigation settlement and insurance settlement is a measurement not derived in accordance U.S. GAAP. Excluding the litigation settlement and insurance settlement is useful as it measures the operating results that are the outcome of daily operating decisions made in the normal course of business. Reconciliations of earnings without the litigation settlement and insurance settlement to net income attributable to the Company are as follows:

	For the Six Months Ended July 2, 2011
	As Reported			Impact of Litigation Settlement			Pro forma Without Litigation Settlement
(In thousands, except per share data)

Operating income	$	99,789		$	(10,500	)	$	89,289

Interest expense		(6,182	)		—			(6,182	)
Other income, net		1,323			—			1,323

Income before income taxes		94,930			(10,500	)		84,430
Income tax expense		(31,657	)		3,675			(27,982	)

Consolidated net income		63,273			(6,825	)		56,448

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(355	)		—			(355	)

Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$	62,918		$	(6,825	)	$	56,093

Diluted earnings per share	$	1.65		$	(0.18	)	$	1.47

Index

	For the Six Months Ended June 26, 2010
	As Reported			Impact of Insurance Settlement			Pro forma Without Insurance Settlement
(In thousands, except per share data)

Operating income	$	76,030		$	(21,296	)	$	54,734

Interest expense		(5,496	)		—			(5,496	)
Other expense, net		(2,378	)		—			(2,378	)

Income before income taxes		68,156			(21,296	)		46,860
Income tax expense (A)		(17,320	)		(618	)		(17,938	)

Consolidated net income		50,836			(21,914	)		28,922

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1,320	)		—			(1,320	)

Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$	49,516		$	(21,914	)	$	27,602

Diluted earnings per share	$	1.31		$	(0.58	)	$	0.73

(A) Realization of this insurance settlement resulted in a tax benefit primarily from the utilization of U.K. net operating losses that were previously reserved.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in raw material and energy costs, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates. To reduce such risks, the Company may periodically use financial instruments. All hedging transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to policies and procedures. Further, the Company does not buy or sell financial instruments for trading purposes.

Cost and Availability of Raw Materials and Energy

Copper and brass represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production. The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control. Significant increases in the cost of metal, to the extent not reflected in prices for the Company’s finished products, or the lack of availability could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.

The Company occasionally enters into future fixed-price arrangements with certain customers. The Company may utilize futures contracts to hedge risks associated with these fixed-price arrangements. The Company may also utilize futures contracts to manage price risk associated with inventory. Depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the futures contracts will either be offset against the change in fair value of the inventory through earnings or recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflected in earnings upon the sale of inventory. Periodic value fluctuations of the contracts generally offset the value fluctuations of the underlying fixed-price transactions or inventory. At July 2, 2011, the Company held open futures contracts to purchase approximately $19.2 million of copper through March 2012 related to fixed-price sales orders and open futures contracts to sell approximately $67.3 million of copper through September 2011.

Futures contracts may also be used to manage price risk associated with natural gas purchases. The effective portion of gains and losses with respect to these positions are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflected in earnings upon consumption of natural gas. Periodic value fluctuations of the contracts generally offset the value fluctuations of the underlying natural gas prices. At July 2, 2011, the Company held no material open futures contracts to purchase natural gas.

Index

Interest Rates

At July 2, 2011, the Company had variable-rate debt outstanding of $59.4 million, the majority of which related to the debt issued by Mueller-Xingrong. At these borrowing levels, a hypothetical 10 percent increase in interest rates would have had an insignificant unfavorable impact on the Company’s pretax earnings and cash flows. The primary interest rate exposure on floating-rate debt is based on LIBOR and on the base-lending rate published by the People’s Bank of China.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions include firm commitments and anticipated transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency. The Company and its subsidiaries generally enter into transactions denominated in their respective functional currencies. Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are generally not material; however, the Company may utilize certain futures or forward contracts to hedge such transactional exposures. Gains and losses with respect to these positions are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of comprehensive income and reflected in earnings upon collection of receivables. At July 2, 2011, the Company had open forward contracts with a financial institution to sell approximately 5.0 million Canadian dollars and 1.3 million Euros through September 2011.

The Company’s primary foreign currency exposure arises from foreign-denominated revenues and profits and their translation into U.S. dollars. The primary currencies to which the Company is exposed include the Canadian dollar, the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Mexican peso, and the Chinese renminbi. The Company generally views as long-term its investments in foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Company generally does not hedge these net investments.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These include economic and currency conditions, continued availability of raw materials and energy, market demand, pricing, competitive and technological factors, and the availability of financing, among others, as set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The words "outlook," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. The Company has no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of July 2, 2011. Based on that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of July 2, 2011, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Index

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fiscal quarter ending July 2, 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

General

The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, the Company may realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Carrier ACR Tube Action

The Company has been named as a defendant in a pending litigation (the Carrier ACR Tube Action) brought by Carrier Corporation, Carrier S.A., and Carrier Italia S.p.A. (collectively, Carrier), direct purchasers of copper tube. The Carrier ACR Tube Action was filed in March 2006 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. The Carrier ACR Tube Action alleges anticompetitive activities with respect to the sale of copper tubes used in, among other things, the manufacturing of air-conditioning and refrigeration units. The Company and Mueller Europe, Limited (Mueller Europe) are named in the Carrier ACR Tube Action. The Carrier ACR Tube Action seeks monetary and other relief.

In July 2007 the Carrier ACR Tube Action was dismissed in its entirety for lack of subject matter jurisdiction as to all defendants. In August 2007 plaintiffs filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit a notice of appeal from the judgment and order dismissing the complaint in the Carrier ACR Tube Action. The Company and Mueller Europe filed notices of cross-appeal in August 2007.

In October 2007 Carrier filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit a motion to dismiss the cross-appeals, which the Court denied in December 2007. All appeals in the Carrier ACR Tube Action remain pending. Briefing on the appeals occurred in May 2009 and oral argument took place in October 2009.

The Company believes that the claims for relief in the Carrier ACR Tube Action are without merit and, as a result, does not anticipate a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Canadian Dumping and Countervail Investigation

In June 2006 the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping of certain copper pipe fittings from the United States and from South Korea, and the dumping and subsidizing of these same goods from China. The Company and certain affiliated companies were identified by the CBSA as exporters and importers of these goods.

On January 18, 2007, the CBSA issued a final determination in its investigation. The Company was found to have dumped subject goods during the CBSA’s investigation period. On February 19, 2007, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) concluded that the dumping of the subject goods from the United States had caused injury to the Canadian industry.

Index

As a result of these findings, exports of subject goods to Canada by the Company made on or after October 20, 2006, have been subject to antidumping measures. Under Canada’s system of prospective antidumping enforcement, the CBSA has issued normal values to the Company. Antidumping duties will be imposed on the Company only to the extent that the Company’s future exports of copper pipe fittings are made at net export prices which are below these normal values. If net export prices for subject goods exceed normal values, no antidumping duties will be payable. These measures will remain in place for five years, at which time an expiry review will be conducted by Canadian authorities to determine whether these measures should be maintained for another five years or allowed to expire.

On April 8, 2011, CBSA completed a review process pursuant to which revised normal values were issued to exporters of subject goods, including the Company. In any event, given the small percentage of its products that are sold for export to Canada, the Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as a result of the antidumping case in Canada.

The “sunset review” process, pursuant to which Canadian authorities will examine whether the dumping order should be revoked or maintained for another five years, was initiated on April 12, 2011. It is anticipated that the results of the sunset review process will be issued on or before February 18, 2012.

United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review

On December 24, 2008, the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico to determine the final antidumping duties owed on U.S. imports during the period November 1, 2007, through October 31, 2008, by the Company. On April 19, 2010, the DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mueller Comercial) an antidumping duty rate of 48.3 percent. The Company has appealed the final determination to the U.S. Court of International Trade. The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries will incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve of approximately $4.2 million for this matter.

United States Department of Commerce and United States International Trade Commission Antidumping Investigations

On September 30, 2009, two subsidiaries of Mueller Industries, Inc., along with Cerro Flow Products, Inc. and KobeWieland Copper Products LLC (collectively, Petitioners), jointly filed antidumping petitions with the DOC and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that imports of seamless refined copper pipe and tube from China and Mexico (subject imports) were being sold at less than fair value and were causing material injury (and threatening material injury) to the domestic industry. On October 21, 2009, the DOC announced its decision to initiate antidumping investigations. On November 13, 2009, the ITC announced its unanimous determination that there is a reasonable indication that the domestic industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of subject imports. As a result of this preliminary determination, the DOC commenced antidumping investigations of Chinese and Mexican producers.

Index

On May 12, 2010, the DOC published its preliminary affirmative determinations, finding antidumping rates from 29.52 percent to 30.90 percent for Mexico, and from 10.26 percent to 60.50 percent for China. As a result, U.S. importers of subject imports were required to post bonds or cash deposits at these preliminary rates. On October 1, 2010, the DOC published its final affirmative determinations, finding antidumping rates from 24.89 percent to 27.16 percent for Mexico (as amended), and from 11.25 percent to 60.85 percent for China.

On November 22, 2010, the ITC issued its final affirmative determination that subject imports from China and Mexico threatened material injury to the domestic industry. Also on November 22, 2010, the DOC published antidumping orders, with the effect that importers are required to post antidumping cash deposits at rates ranging from 24.89 percent to 27.16 percent (for subject imports from Mexico) and from 11.25 percent to 60.85 percent (for subject imports from China).

On December 22, 2010, certain Mexican parties requested panel reviews under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in order to appeal the ITC final determination as to Mexico. Under the current schedule, a panel decision is expected on or about November 2, 2011. At this time, the Company is unable to know the final disposition of that appeal.

On July 7, 2011, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated a new shipper review of certain entries from a Mexican producer of copper tube, GD Affiliates S.de R.L. de C.V., in order to establish a company-specific dumping assessment for this company. The review is expected to be completed sometime in 2012. At this time, the Company is unable to know the final disposition of the review.

Supplier Litigation

On May 6, 2011, the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Mueller Streamline Co. (Mueller Streamline) and B&K Industries, Inc. (B&K), filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Los Angeles, California against a former supplier, Xiamen Lota International Co., Ltd (Xiamen Lota), its U.S. sales representative (Lota USA), and certain other persons. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants gave Peter D. Berkman, a former executive of the Company and B&K, an undisclosed interest in Lota USA, and made payments and promises of payment to him, in return for Peter Berkman maintaining the Company as a customer, increasing purchasing levels, and acquiescing to excessive pricing for Xiamen Lota products. The lawsuit alleges violations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962(c) and (d) and state unfair competition law. The lawsuit seeks compensatory, treble and punitive damages, and other appropriate relief. On July 1, 2011, Lota USA filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim, and Xiamen Lota filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for insufficient service. The motions are scheduled to be heard on September 19, 2011. The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as a result of this litigation.

Environmental Matters

Operating properties:

Belding, Michigan Lead Matters

Index

Non-operating properties:

Southeast Kansas Sites

With respect to the Southeast Kansas Sites, the Company estimates that its share for the costs of the preliminary site assessment at one of the former smelters will be approximately $35 thousand. The Company is currently negotiating the language of the proposed agreement for that site with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and two other potentially responsible parties.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company is exposed to risk as it operates its businesses. To provide a framework to understand the operating environment of the Company, we have provided a brief explanation of the more significant risks associated with our businesses in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in risk factors that were previously disclosed in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s Board of Directors has extended, until October 2011, its authorization to repurchase up to ten million shares of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares and may cancel, suspend, or extend the time period for the repurchase of shares at any time. Any repurchases will be funded primarily through existing cash and cash from operations. The Company may hold any shares repurchased in treasury or use a portion of the repurchased shares for employee benefit plans, as well as for other corporate purposes. From its initial authorization in 1999 through July 2, 2011, the Company had repurchased approximately 2.4 million shares under this authorization. Below is a summary of the Company’s stock repurchases for the period ended July 2, 2011.

	(a)			(b)		(c)	(d)
	Total Number of Shares Purchased			Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

								7,647,030	(1)

April 3 – April 30, 2011		7,115	(2)	$	38.85	—

May 1 – May 28, 2011		12,257	(2)		38.07	—

May 29 – July 2, 2011		—			—	—

(1) Shares available to be purchased under the Company's ten million share repurchase authorization until October 2011. The extension of the authorization was announced on October 21, 2010.

(2) Shares tendered to the Company by employee stock option holders in payment of the option purchase price and/or withholding taxes upon exercise.

Index

Item 6. Exhibits

	10.1	Letter Agreement with Harvey Karp, dated as of May 11, 2011 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 11, 2011).

	19.1	Mueller Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report to Stockholders for the quarter ended July 2, 2011. Such report is being furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission only and is not to be deemed filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

	101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

	101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

	101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

	101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

	101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

Items 3, 4, and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.

Index

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.


	/S/ Kent A. McKee
	Kent A. McKee
July 28, 2011	Executive Vice President and
Date	Chief Financial Officer


	/S/ Richard W. Corman
July 28, 2011	Richard W. Corman
Date	Vice President – Controller

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits	Description

19.1	Mueller Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report to Stockholders for the quarter ended July 2, 2011. Such report is being furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission only and is not to be deemed filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

	/S/ Harvey L. Karp		/S/ Gregory L. Christopher
	Harvey L. Karp		Gregory L. Christopher
	Chairman of the Board		Chief Executive Officer

		Date: July 28, 2011
			/S/ Gregory L. Christopher
			Gregory L. Christopher
			Chief Executive Officer

	Date: July 28, 2011
		/s/ Kent A. McKee
		Kent A. McKee
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 26, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000089439
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 908,404,764
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,901,415
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2011

Debt	6 Months Ended
Debt	Jul. 02, 2011
Debt [Abstract]
Debt	Note 7 – Debt On March 7, 2011, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (Credit Facility) with a syndicate of banks establishing a $350 million revolving credit facility, which matures March 7, 2016. The Credit Facility contains similar provisions and replaces the Company’s prior credit agreement dated December 1, 2006. Mueller–Xingrong is negotiating with a syndicate of banks to renew its JV Credit Agreement which expired July 16, 2011. Borrowings under the JV Credit Agreement remain outstanding during the negotiations. The Company expects Mueller–Xingrong will enter into a new JV Credit Agreement under terms similar to the expired JV Credit Agreement during the third quarter of 2011.

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Jul. 02, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 9 – Income Taxes The Company’s effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2011 was 33 percent compared with 32 percent for the same period last year. Factors that explain the difference between the effective tax rate and what would be computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the second quarter of 2011 were: (i) the U.S. production activities deduction of $0.9 million and (ii) decreases in tax contingencies of $0.9 million. These items were partially offset by the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $1.1 million. The Company’s effective tax rate for the first half of 2011 was 33 percent compared with 25 percent for the same period last year. Factors that explain the difference between the effective tax rate and what would be computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the first half were reductions related to: (i) the effect of foreign tax rates lower than statutory tax rates and other foreign items of $0.8 million; (ii) decreases in unrecognized tax benefits of $1.7 million; and (iii) the U.S. production activities deduction of $2.3 million. These items were partially offset by the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $3.0 million. Due to ongoing federal and state income tax audits and potential lapses of the statutes of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease in the next twelve months by up to $4.1 million. Total unrecognized tax benefits including derecognized deferred tax assets at the end of the second quarter were $7.6 million, without consideration of any applicable federal benefit, including $0.7 million of accrued interest and penalties. Of the $7.6 million, up to $4.8 million could impact the effective tax rate, if recognized. The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and numerous consolidated and separate-company income tax returns in many state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations is open for the Company’s federal tax return and most state income tax returns for 2007 and all subsequent years. The statutes of limitations for certain state and foreign returns are open for earlier tax years due to ongoing audits and differing statute periods. While the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for possible future audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined with certainty and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Jul. 02, 2011
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Note 11 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Primarily using market yields, the fair value of the Company’s debt instruments were estimated to be $207.2 million and $189.9 million at July 2, 2011, and December 25, 2010, respectively. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instrument (Level 2 hierarchy as defined by ASC 820).

Acquisition	6 Months Ended
Acquisition	Jul. 02, 2011
Acquisition [Abstract]
Acquisition	Note 12 – Acquisition On December 28, 2010, the Company purchased certain assets of Tube Forming, L.P. (TFI). TFI primarily serves the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning market in North America. The acquired assets include inventories, production equipment as well as factory leaseholds. TFI has operations in Carrollton, Texas, and Guadalupe, Mexico, where it produces precision copper return bends and crossovers, and custom-made tube components and brazed assemblies, including manifolds and headers. TFI's estimated net sales for 2010 were approximately $35 million. Mueller paid approximately $6.9 million for the assets, which was funded with existing cash on hand. The acquisition of TFI extends the Company’s product offering within the OEM segment. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Therefore, the results of operations of the acquired business were included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Jul. 02, 2011
Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Note 13 – Recently Issued Accounting Standards Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the form of accounting standards updates (ASU’s) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU’s. ASU’s not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In May 2011 the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for common fair value measurement. These amendments, effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited), result in common definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. Consequently, the amendments change some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2011 the FASB issued amendments to disclosure requirements for presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance, effective retrospectively for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is permitted), requires presentation of total comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Earnings per Common Share (Details) In Thousands	3 Months Ended
Earnings per Common Share (Details) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011
Earnings per Common Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive stock options excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	244

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 21, 2011 Percent	Apr. 04, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Apr. 19, 2010 Percent
Environmental Matters [Abstract]
Environmental reserves	$ 23,232,000			$ 23,902,000
Belding, Michigan Lead Matters [Abstract]
Residential Properties With Soil Sampling			47
Properties With Lead Levels Above Michigan Clean-up Residential Standards			12
United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review [Abstract]
Assignment of antidumping duty rate on U.S. imports by Company subsidiaries (in hundredths)		19.80%			48.30%
Reserve for Antidumpting Duties for Report Issued on April 19, 2010	4,200,000
Reserve for Antidumpting Duties for Report Issued on June 21, 2011	1,000,000
Other [Abstract]
Term of guarantees, years	1
Maximum payments required to be made under guarantees	$ 10,700,000

Insurance Claims (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Insurance Claims (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Mar. 27, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009	Dec. 27, 2008
Insurance Claim [Abstract]
Insurance proceeds received						$ 35,300,000
Insurance deductible						500,000
Insurance settlement	0	(1,210,000)		0	21,296,000	21,300,000
Insurance proceeds, received in installments			23,300,000				7,300,000	4,700,000
Insurance proceeds classified as investing activities				$ 0	$ 17,703,000

Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials and supplies	$ 57,532	$ 47,737
Work-in-process	64,607	34,784
Finished goods	179,820	131,921
Valuation reserves	(4,960)	(4,550)
Inventories	$ 296,999	$ 209,892

Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Dec. 25, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 652,923	$ 540,388	$ 1,340,604	$ 1,025,656
Cost of goods sold	573,877	466,645	1,163,751	879,693
Depreciation and amortization	9,166	10,090	18,865	20,438
Selling, general, and administrative expense	33,330	33,468	68,699	70,791
Litigation settlement	0	0	(10,500)	0
Insurance gain	0	(1,210)	0	21,296	21,300
Operating income	36,550	28,975	99,789	76,030
Interest expense	(2,834)	(2,964)	(6,182)	(5,496)
Other income (expense), net	264	(2,518)	1,323	(2,378)
Income before income taxes	33,980	23,493	94,930	68,156
Plumbing and Refrigeration Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	347,069	285,717	727,658	542,379
Cost of goods sold	296,033	238,105	619,228	450,974
Depreciation and amortization	5,349	6,300	11,183	12,813
Selling, general, and administrative expense	20,897	20,362	42,774	39,689
Litigation settlement			0
Insurance gain		(1,210)		21,296
Operating income	24,790	19,740	54,473	60,199
OEM Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	314,086	257,780	633,422	489,984
Cost of goods sold	285,944	231,482	564,736	435,094
Depreciation and amortization	3,479	3,535	7,071	7,106
Selling, general, and administrative expense	5,847	5,831	13,153	14,721
Litigation settlement			0
Insurance gain		0		0
Operating income	18,816	16,932	48,462	33,063
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(8,232)	(3,109)	(20,476)	(6,707)
Cost of goods sold	(8,100)	(2,942)	(20,213)	(6,375)
Depreciation and amortization	338	255	611	519
Selling, general, and administrative expense	6,586	7,275	12,772	16,381
Litigation settlement			(10,500)
Insurance gain		0		0
Operating income	$ (7,056)	$ (7,697)	$ (3,146)	$ (17,232)

Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 22,731	$ 16,037	$ 63,273	$ 50,836
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation	1,256	356	8,248	(5,234)
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities	544	(467)	(233)	(190)
Other, net	395	362	432	1,762
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	2,195	251	8,447	(3,662)
Comprehensive income	24,926	16,288	71,720	47,174
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(755)	(366)	(970)	(1,275)
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 24,171	$ 15,922	$ 70,750	$ 45,899

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 345,039	$ 394,139
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,447 in 2011 and $5,447 in 2010	327,381	269,258
Inventories	296,999	209,892
Current deferred income taxes	19,300	19,227
Other current assets	27,844	19,798
Total current assets	1,016,563	912,314
Property, plant, and equipment, net	223,234	229,498
Goodwill	102,250	102,250
Other assets	16,497	14,934
Total Assets	1,358,544	1,258,996
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	50,582	32,020
Accounts payable	86,574	67,849
Accrued wages and other employee costs	32,206	33,338
Other current liabilities	62,290	61,920
Total current liabilities	231,652	195,127
Long-term debt, less current portion	156,976	158,226
Pension liabilities	17,476	18,249
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	23,082	22,690
Environmental reserves	23,232	23,902
Deferred income taxes	21,813	24,081
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,877	824
Total liabilities	476,108	443,099
Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $1.00 par value; shares authorized 5,000,000; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock - $.01 par value; shares authorized 100,000,000; issued 40,091,502; outstanding 37,891,366 in 2011 and 37,854,760 in 2010	401	401
Additional paid-in capital	265,135	263,233
Retained earnings	666,623	611,279
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(29,214)	(37,046)
Treasury common stock, at cost	(48,640)	(49,131)
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity	854,305	788,736
Noncontrolling interest	28,131	27,161
Total equity	882,436	815,897
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,358,544	$ 1,258,996

Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended
Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jul. 02, 2011
Debt [Abstract]
Date of executed Credit Agreement (Credit Facility)	2011-03-07
Maturity date of credit facility	2016-03-07
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 350

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Anticipated full year pension plan contribution	$ 1,500,000		$ 1,500,000
Pension plan contributions			800,000
Pension benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	207,000	199,000	461,000	298,000
Interest cost	2,530,000	2,196,000	4,685,000	4,411,000
Expected return on plan assets	(2,919,000)	(2,592,000)	(5,571,000)	(5,413,000)
Amortization of prior service cost	1,000	73,000	1,000	147,000
Amortization of net (gain) loss	599,000	506,000	1,173,000	905,000
Net periodic benefit cost	418,000	382,000	749,000	348,000
Other benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	82,000	69,000	151,000	134,000
Interest cost	301,000	329,000	619,000	635,000
Amortization of prior service cost	(2,000)	0	(1,000)	1,000
Amortization of net (gain) loss	(31,000)	40,000	(6,000)	78,000
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 350,000	$ 438,000	$ 763,000	$ 848,000

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011 Percent	Jun. 26, 2010 Percent	Jul. 02, 2011 Percent	Jun. 26, 2010 Percent
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective tax rate for the period (in hundredths)	33.00%	32.00%	33.00%	25.00%
U.S. production activities deduction	$ 0.9		$ 2.3
Decreases in tax contingencies	0.9
Effect of foreign tax rates lower than statutory tax rates and other foreign adjustments			0.8
Provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit	1.1		3.0
Unrecognized tax benefits estimated decrease in the next twelve months	4.1		4.1
Total unrecognized tax benefits including derecognized deferred tax assets	7.6		7.6
Unrecognized tax benefits accrued interest and penalties	0.7		0.7
Estimated impact on effective tax rate, if recognized	$ 4.8		$ 4.8
Statute of limitations open years for federal tax return and most state income tax returns	2007 and all subsequent years

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (Other Current Assets [Member], Commodity contracts [Member], Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Other Current Assets [Member] \| Commodity contracts [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Other current assets: gain positions	$ 644	$ 891
Other current assets: loss positions	$ (106)

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Part 2 (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2010	Jul. 02, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011 Commodity contracts [Member]	Jun. 26, 2010 Commodity contracts [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 Commodity contracts [Member]	Jun. 26, 2010 Commodity contracts [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 Commodity contracts [Member] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Level 1 [Member] Cost of goods sold [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 Commodity contracts [Member] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Level 1 [Member] Inventory [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 Commodity contracts [Member] Cost of goods sold [Member]	Jun. 26, 2010 Commodity contracts [Member] Cost of goods sold [Member]	Jul. 02, 2011 Commodity contracts [Member] Cost of goods sold [Member]	Jun. 26, 2010 Commodity contracts [Member] Cost of goods sold [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion), net of tax				$ 961,000	$ 82,000	$ 793,000	$ 468,000
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion), net of tax - noncontrolling portion	88,000
(Gain) loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (cogs) (effective portion), net of tax										(417,000)	(549,000)	(1,026,000)	(658,000)
Gain to be reclassified within the next twelve months		490,000
Open futures contracts to purchase commodities on related fixed price sales orders			19,200,000
Fair value of futures contracts gain position			538,000
Recorded restricted cash related to open future contracts			4,900,000
Open copper futures sales contracts			67,300,000
Gain on the hedged item in designated and qualifying fair value hedges									3,077,000
(Loss) on the derivatives in designated and qualifying fair value hedges								$ (3,406,000)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of debt instruments	$ 207.2	$ 189.9

Acquisition (Details) (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended
Acquisition (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 28, 2010
Acquisition [Abstract]
Tube Forming, L.P. estimated net sales	$ 35
Approximate amount paid for certain assets of Tube Forming, L.P.		$ 6.9

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,447	$ 5,447
Mueller Industries, Inc, stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock - shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock - shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock - par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock - shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock - shares issued	40,091,502	40,091,502
Common stock - shares outstanding	37,891,366	37,854,760

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 63,273	$ 50,836
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	18,999	20,554
Stock-based compensation expense	1,712	1,435
Insurance settlement	0	(21,296)
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	0	5,561
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(275)	164
Deferred income taxes	(2,549)	(4,370)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(90)	(88)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables	(55,010)	(60,819)
Inventories	(78,966)	4,796
Other assets	(4,398)	6,979
Current liabilities	17,199	26,129
Other liabilities	768	2,870
Other, net	433	(363)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(38,904)	32,388
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(8,743)	(9,286)
Acquisition of business	(6,882)	0
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	0	17,703
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances	(3,877)	11
Proceeds from sales of properties	151	23
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(19,351)	8,451
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(7,546)	(7,529)
Debt issuance cost	(1,942)	0
Issuance of debt by joint venture, net	16,498	16,431
Acquisition of treasury stock	743	75
Issuance of shares under stock-based incentive plans from treasury	1,335	2,465
Repayments of long-term debt	250	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	90	88
Net cash provided by financing activities	7,442	11,380
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,713	(1,065)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(49,100)	51,154
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	394,139	346,001
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 345,039	$ 397,155

Earnings per Common Share	6 Months Ended
Earnings per Common Share	Jul. 02, 2011
Earnings per Common Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Common Share	Note 1 – Earnings per Common Share Basic per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted per share amounts reflect the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, computed using the treasury stock method. Approximately 244 thousand stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended July 2, 2011, since the options’ exercise prices were higher than the average market price of the Company’s stock.

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jul. 02, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 2 – Commitments and Contingencies The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company may also realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Environmental Matters The Company is subject to environmental standards imposed by federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations. Environmental costs related to non-operating properties are classified as a component of other income (expense), net and costs related to operating properties are classified as cost of goods sold. Environmental reserves totaled $23.2 million at July 2, 2011, and $23.9 million at December 25, 2010. Operating properties: Belding, Michigan Lead Matters On April 25, 2011, the Company received approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality notifying it that the actions contained in the Company’s proposed Conceptual Interim Response Plan dated April 4, 2011, in respect of the soil remediation at the Belding site, are acceptable for immediate implementation. Soil sampling of 47 residential properties near that plant has identified 12 properties with lead levels above the Michigan clean-up residential standards. The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as a result of this remediation. United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review On December 24, 2008, the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico to determine the final antidumping duties owed on U.S. imports during the period November 1, 2007, through October 31, 2008, by certain subsidiaries of the Company. On April 19, 2010, the DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Mueller Comercial) an antidumping duty rate of 48.3 percent. The Company has appealed the final determination to the U.S. Court of International Trade. The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries will incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve of approximately $4.2 million for this matter. On December 23, 2009, the DOC initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico for the November 1, 2008, through October 31, 2009, period of review. The DOC selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent for this period of review. On June 21, 2011, the DOC published the final results of this review and assigned Mueller Comercial an antidumping duty rate of 19.8 percent. On July 8, 2011, the Company filed a notice of intent to seek judicial review of the final results. The Company anticipates that certain of its subsidiaries will incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve of approximately $1.0 million for this matter. On December 28, 2010, the DOC initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico for the November 1, 2009, through October 31, 2010, period of review. The DOC has selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent for this period of review. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that this matter will have on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Other Guarantees, in the form of letters of credit, are issued by the Company generally to assure the payment of insurance deductibles and certain retiree health benefits. The terms of the Company’s guarantees are generally one year but are renewable annually as required. These letters are primarily backed by the Company’s line of credit facility. The maximum payments that the Company could have been required to make under its guarantees at July 2, 2011, was $10.7 million.

Insurance Claims	6 Months Ended
Insurance Claims	Jul. 02, 2011
Insurance Claims [Abstract]
Insurance settlement	Note 3 – Insurance Settlement In November 2008 the Company’s copper tube facility in Bilston, Great Britain, was damaged by fire. Certain production equipment and portions of building structures were extensively damaged. These losses were covered by property and business interruption insurance. During 2010, the Company settled the claim with its insurer for total proceeds of $35.3 million, net of the deductible of $0.5 million. As a result of the settlement with its insurer, all proceeds received and all costs previously deferred were recognized, resulting in a net pre-tax gain of $21.3 million. The Company received cash advances of $4.7 million in 2008 and $7.3 million in 2009 from its insurer, and received $23.3 million of proceeds in the first quarter of 2010 with the final settlement. Of the $23.3 million proceeds received in 2010, $17.7 million was classified as investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows representing the estimated amount of proceeds received for damaged building structures and equipment. All other receipts were classified as operating activities as they reflect the estimated amounts received for business interruption insurance and reimbursement of incremental cleaning and other noncapital costs.