Industry Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 577,668	$ 687,681
Cost of goods sold	493,175	589,874
Depreciation and amortization	7,529	9,699
Selling, general, and administrative expense	31,602	35,369
Litigation settlement	0	(10,500)
Insurance settlement	(1,500)	0
Operating income	46,862	63,239
Interest expense	(2,637)	(3,348)
Other income, net	254	1,059
Income before income taxes	44,479	60,950
Plumbing and Refrigeration Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	315,354	380,589
Cost of goods sold	265,471	323,195
Depreciation and amortization	4,145	5,834
Selling, general, and administrative expense	18,980	21,877
Litigation settlement	0	0
Insurance settlement	(1,500)	0
Operating income	28,258	29,683
OEM Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	270,976	319,336
Cost of goods sold	236,200	278,792
Depreciation and amortization	3,059	3,592
Selling, general, and administrative expense	6,992	7,306
Litigation settlement	0	0
Insurance settlement	0	0
Operating income	24,725	29,646
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(8,662)	(12,244)
Cost of goods sold	(8,496)	(12,113)
Depreciation and amortization	325	273
Selling, general, and administrative expense	5,630	6,186
Litigation settlement	0	(10,500)
Insurance settlement	0	0
Operating income	$ (6,121)	$ 3,910