CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 261,667	$ 198,934
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,481 in 2013 and $1,644 in 2012	305,706	271,093
Inventories	222,825	229,434
Current deferred income taxes	28,430	26,438
Other current assets	29,678	21,295
Total current assets	848,306	747,194
Property, plant, and equipment, net	238,141	233,263
Goodwill	104,579	104,579
Other assets	18,849	19,119
Total assets	1,209,875	1,104,155
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	43,753	27,570
Accounts payable	76,713	87,574
Accrued wages and other employee costs	31,516	34,378
Other current liabilities	88,351	109,174
Total current liabilities	240,333	258,696
Long-term debt, less current portion	206,800	207,300
Pension liabilities	32,490	35,187
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	19,716	19,832
Environmental reserves	22,642	22,597
Deferred income taxes	37,147	20,910
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,104	1,667
Total liabilities	560,232	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 28,129,989 in 2013 and 28,099,635 in 2012	401	401
Additional paid-in capital	270,620	267,826
Retained earnings	860,098	749,777
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(46,375)	(42,623)
Treasury common stock, at cost	(467,586)	(468,473)
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity	617,158	506,908
Noncontrolling interest	32,485	31,058
Total equity	649,643	537,966
Commitments and contingencies
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,209,875	$ 1,104,155