CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 183,866	$ 198,934
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,432 in 2013 and $1,644 in 2012	311,601	271,093
Inventories	228,211	229,434
Current deferred income taxes	27,989	26,438
Other current assets	33,490	21,295
Total current assets	785,157	747,194
Property, plant, and equipment, net	233,959	233,263
Goodwill	104,579	104,579
Other assets	19,218	19,119
Total assets	1,142,913	1,104,155
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	53,575	27,570
Accounts payable	82,140	87,574
Accrued wages and other employee costs	25,781	34,378
Other current liabilities	120,004	109,174
Total current liabilities	281,500	258,696
Long-term debt, less current portion	207,050	207,300
Pension liabilities	33,474	35,187
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	19,819	19,832
Environmental reserves	22,438	22,597
Deferred income taxes	21,228	20,910
Other noncurrent liabilities	945	1,667
Total liabilities	586,454	566,189
Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $1.00 par value; shares authorized 5,000,000; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock - $.01 par value; shares authorized 100,000,000; issued 40,091,502; outstanding 28,114,779 in 2013 and 28,099,635 in 2012	401	401
Additional paid-in capital	268,491	267,826
Retained earnings	772,465	749,777
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(48,057)	(42,623)
Treasury common stock, at cost	(468,098)	(468,473)
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity	525,202	506,908
Noncontrolling interest	31,257	31,058
Total equity	556,459	537,966
Commitments and contingencies
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,142,913	$ 1,104,155