CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 26,434	$ 32,817
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,250	7,621
Stock-based compensation expense	946	898
Insurance settlement	0	(1,500)
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	0	9,000
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(3,003)	26
Deferred income taxes	(1,313)	(2,470)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(30)	(21)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(42,680)	(66,992)
Inventories	212	(13,744)
Other assets	2,585	(1,294)
Current liabilities	(5,365)	24,688
Other liabilities	(753)	151
Other, net	(198)	38
Net cash used in operating activities	(14,915)	(10,782)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(9,835)	(9,340)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	0	32,500
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances	(14,800)	2,166
Proceeds from the sales of properties	3,002	87
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(21,633)	25,413
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(250)	(250)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(3,479)	(3,802)
Debt issuance cost	(50)	0
Issuance of debt by joint venture, net	26,060	899
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	65	73
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	30	21
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	22,376	(3,059)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(896)	1,151
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(15,068)	12,723
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	198,934	514,162
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 183,866	$ 526,885