CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 32,817	$ 40,542
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,621	9,769
Stock-based compensation expense	898	764
Insurance settlement	(1,500)	0
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	9,000	0
Gain on disposal of properties	26	(268)
Deferred income taxes	(2,470)	(1,924)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(21)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(66,992)	(80,974)
Inventories	(13,744)	(13,471)
Other assets	(1,294)	2,640
Current liabilities	24,688	70,387
Other liabilities	151	(1,084)
Other, net	38	(548)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(10,782)	25,833
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(9,340)	(5,050)
Business acquired	0	(6,882)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	32,500	0
Net withdrawals from restricted cash balances	2,166	261
Proceeds from the sales of properties	87	132
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	25,413	(11,539)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(250)	0
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(3,802)	(3,772)
Debt issuance cost	0	(1,942)
Issuance of debt by joint venture, net	899	9,689
Net proceeds from the exercise of stock options	73	7
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	21	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(3,059)	3,982
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,151	1,507
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,723	19,783
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	514,162	394,139
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 526,885	$ 413,922