CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 51,357	$ 63,273
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,843	18,999
Stock-based compensation expense	2,061	1,712
Insurance settlement	(1,500)	0
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	9,000	0
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties	106	(275)
Deferred income taxes	(2,930)	(2,549)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(83)	(90)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables	(55,826)	(55,010)
Inventories	(9,055)	(78,966)
Other assets	(1,371)	(4,398)
Current liabilities	9,121	17,199
Other liabilities	285	768
Other, net	270	433
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	17,278	(38,904)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(23,433)	(8,743)
Acquisition of business	0	(6,882)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	32,500	0
Net withdrawals from (deposits into) restricted cash balances	4,368	(3,877)
Proceeds from sales of properties	175	151
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	13,610	(19,351)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(7,605)	(7,546)
Debt issuance cost	0	(1,942)
(Repayment) issuance of debt by joint venture, net	(15,842)	16,498
Net proceeds from the exercise of stock options	187	592
Repayments of long-term debt	(148,676)	(250)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	83	90
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(171,853)	7,442
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	483	1,713
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(140,482)	(49,100)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	514,162	394,139
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 373,680	$ 345,039