CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 26,434	$ 32,817
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(5,324)	6,744
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities, net of tax of $980 in 2013 and $(581) in 2012	(1,724)	967
Net actuarial loss on pension and postretirement obligations, net of tax of $(652) in 2013 and $(166) in 2012	1,539	221
Other, net	41	39
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(5,468)	7,971
Comprehensive income	20,966	40,788
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(199)	(579)
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 20,767	$ 40,209

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments amount of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, which is attributable to the parent entity. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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