CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 24,954	$ 26,434
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,165	8,250
Stock-based compensation expense	1,194	946
Gain on disposal of properties	(1,413)	(3,003)
Deferred income taxes	(1,484)	(1,313)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(156)	(30)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables	(49,482)	(42,680)
Inventories	(10,055)	212
Other assets	(14,467)	2,585
Current liabilities	(1,337)	(5,365)
Other liabilities	(989)	(753)
Other, net	398	(198)
Net cash used in operating activities	(44,672)	(14,915)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of business	(30,137)	0
Capital expenditures	(9,199)	(9,835)
Net withdrawals from (deposits into) restricted cash	1,771	(14,800)
Proceeds from the sales of properties	4,833	3,002
Net cash used in investing activities	(32,732)	(21,633)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(250)	(250)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(4,196)	(3,479)
Debt issuance cost	0	(50)
(Repayment) issuance of debt by joint venture, net	(1,407)	26,060
Issuance of debt	4,373	0
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	224	65
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	156	30
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,100)	22,376
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	179	(896)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(78,325)	(15,068)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	311,800	198,934
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 233,475	$ 183,866