CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 233,475	$ 311,800
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,114 in 2014 and $2,391 in 2013	319,902	271,847
Inventories	279,465	251,716
Current deferred income taxes	8,017	8,106
Other current assets	44,354	31,248
Total current assets	885,213	874,717
Property, plant, and equipment, net	243,905	244,457
Goodwill	119,857	94,357
Other assets	33,854	34,236
Total assets	1,282,829	1,247,767
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	32,085	29,083
Accounts payable	109,452	80,897
Accrued wages and other employee costs	27,611	37,109
Other current liabilities	66,283	72,167
Total current liabilities	235,431	219,256
Long-term debt, less current portion	206,000	206,250
Pension liabilities	9,840	10,645
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	16,714	16,781
Environmental reserves	22,005	22,144
Deferred income taxes	34,039	35,975
Other noncurrent liabilities	618	849
Total liabilities	524,647	511,900
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 80,183,004; outstanding 56,684,382 in 2014 and 56,604,674 in 2013	802	401
Additional paid-in capital	267,293	267,142
Retained earnings	928,729	908,274
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,785)	(10,819)
Treasury common stock, at cost	(460,570)	(461,593)
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity	725,469	703,405
Noncontrolling interest	32,713	32,462
Total equity	758,182	735,867
Commitments and contingencies
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,282,829	$ 1,247,767