CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 158,269	$ 66,927
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,583	23,713
Stock-based compensation expense	4,560	3,042
Insurance settlements	(106,332)	(1,500)
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	32,395	14,250
Gain on sale of plastics fittings manufacturing assets	(39,765)	0
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(3,316)	175
Impairment charge	4,304	0
Deferred income taxes	14,152	2,319
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(670)	(517)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables	(38,370)	(15,779)
Inventories	(4,566)	585
Other assets	4,886	(8,434)
Current liabilities	19,649	(21,120)
Other liabilities	(297)	7,834
Other, net	508	1,271
Net cash provided by operating activities	69,990	72,766
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(33,402)	(43,841)
Acquisition of business	0	(11,503)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	29,910	42,250
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances	(2,473)	6,908
Proceeds from the sales of assets	64,966	502
Net provided by (used in) investing activities	59,001	(5,684)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(10,449)	(11,415)
Debt issuance cost	(50)	0
Issuance of long-term debt	0	200,000
Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint venture, net	4,940	(28,955)
Net cash used to settle stock-based awards	(337)	(740)
Repurchase of common stock	0	(427,448)
Repayments of long-term debt	(750)	(148,926)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	670	517
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,976)	(416,967)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	228	1,478
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	123,243	(348,407)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	198,934	514,162
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 322,177	$ 165,755