CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 118,276	$ 51,357
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,649	15,843
Stock-based compensation expense	3,326	2,061
Insurance settlement	(106,332)	(1,500)
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	32,395	9,000
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(2,984)	106
Deferred income taxes	12,468	(2,930)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(95)	(83)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(35,095)	(55,826)
Inventories	4,705	(9,055)
Other assets	(306)	(1,371)
Current liabilities	6,150	9,121
Other liabilities	(423)	285
Other, net	420	270
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,154	17,278
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(21,687)	(23,433)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	29,910	32,500
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances	(4,721)	4,368
Proceeds from the sales of properties	3,016	175
Net cash provided by investing activities	6,518	13,610
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(500)	(148,676)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(6,960)	(7,605)
Debt issuance cost	(50)	0
Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint venture, net	15,544	(15,842)
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	260	187
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	95	83
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,389	(171,853)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,328)	483
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	62,733	(140,482)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	198,934	514,162
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 261,667	$ 373,680