CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 173,289	$ 83,673	$ 87,086
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	30,946	30,326	35,966
Amortization of intangibles	1,448	1,169	899
Amortization of debt issuance costs	299	438	397
Stock-based compensation expense	5,704	6,136	3,482
Insurance settlements	(106,332)	(1,500)	0
Gain on sale of plastic fittings manufacturing assets	(39,765)	0	0
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	32,395	14,250	10,000
Impairment charges	4,304	0	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(719)	(2,528)	(853)
Deferred income taxes	19,213	(1,284)	(4,190)
(Recovery of) provision for doubtful accounts receivable	(273)	837	(229)
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(2,535)	1,411	(202)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
Receivables	19,383	(23,690)	28,716
Inventories	5,963	(4,834)	(15,678)
Other assets	562	(14,985)	460
Current liabilities	(14,139)	8,368	7,966
Other liabilities	(1,935)	9,345	(1,593)
Other, net	705	1,165	1,522
Net cash provided by operating activities	128,513	108,297	153,749
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of assets	65,147	517	1,984
Acquisition of businesses	(55,276)	(11,561)	(6,882)
Capital expenditures	(41,349)	(56,825)	(18,751)
Insurance proceeds	29,910	42,250	0
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances	(1,417)	9,243	(3,055)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,985)	(16,376)	(26,704)
Financing activities:
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(13,941)	(14,891)	(15,146)
Repurchase of common stock	0	(427,446)	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,000)	(149,176)	(750)
(Repayment) issuance of debt by joint venture, net	857	(14,429)	6,162
Issuance of long-term debt	0	200,000	0
Net cash (used) received to settle stock-based awards	(228)	(4,181)	3,879
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	719	2,528	853
Debt issuance costs	(50)	(1,053)	(1,942)
Net cash used in financing activities	(13,643)	(408,648)	(6,944)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	981	1,499	(78)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	112,866	(315,228)	120,023
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	198,934	514,162	394,139
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	$ 311,800	$ 198,934	$ 514,162