CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 585,809	$ 507,240	$ 1,926,413	$ 1,532,896
Cost of goods sold	523,984	437,597	1,687,735	1,317,290
Depreciation and amortization	8,716	9,934	27,581	30,372
Selling, general, and administrative expense	34,245	28,810	102,944	99,601
Insurance settlement	0	(12)	0	21,284
Litigation settlement	0	0	(10,500)	0
Operating income	18,864	30,887	118,653	106,917
Interest expense	(2,822)	(3,072)	(9,004)	(8,568)
Other income (expense), net	102	30	1,425	(2,348)
Income before income taxes	16,144	27,845	111,074	96,001
Income tax expense	(5,403)	(9,098)	(37,060)	(26,418)
Consolidated net income	10,741	18,747	74,014	69,583
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(266)	162	(621)	(1,158)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 10,475	$ 18,909	$ 73,393	$ 68,425
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	37,878	37,710	37,779	37,657
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards	483	92	367	77
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	38,361	37,802	38,146	37,734
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.28	$ 0.50	$ 1.94	$ 1.82
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.27	$ 0.50	$ 1.92	$ 1.81
Dividends per share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.30	$ 0.30