CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 60,163	$ 118,276
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,840	16,649
Stock-based compensation expense	3,526	3,326
Insurance settlement	0	(106,332)
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	0	32,395
Gain on disposal of properties	(1,225)	(2,984)
Deferred income taxes	(6,523)	12,468
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(316)	(95)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables	(100,413)	(35,095)
Inventories	(20,619)	4,705
Other assets	(8,886)	(306)
Current liabilities	7,373	6,150
Other liabilities	(893)	(423)
Other, net	92	420
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(50,881)	49,154
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(18,833)	(21,687)
Acquisition of business	(30,137)	0
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	0	29,910
Net withdrawals from (deposits into) restricted cash balances	1,815	(4,721)
Proceeds from the sales of properties	4,874	3,016
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(42,281)	6,518
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(500)	(500)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(8,394)	(6,960)
Debt issuance cost	0	(50)
Issuance of debt by joint venture, net	8,903	15,544
Issuance of debt	22,635	0
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	296	260
Repurchase of common stock	(58)	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	316	95
Net cash provided by financing activities	23,198	8,389
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	363	(1,328)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(69,601)	62,733
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	311,800	198,934
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 242,199	$ 261,667