CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 22,340	$ 24,954
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,015	8,165
Stock-based compensation expense	1,349	1,194
Loss (gain) on disposal of properties	1	(1,413)
Deferred income taxes	(570)	(1,484)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(69)	(156)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables	(36,692)	(49,482)
Inventories	7,534	(10,055)
Other assets	9,257	(14,467)
Current liabilities	(7,389)	(1,337)
Other liabilities	(131)	(989)
Other, net	245	398
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,890	(44,672)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of business	0	(30,137)
Capital expenditures	(7,392)	(9,199)
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash	(12,593)	1,771
Proceeds from the sales of assets	492	4,833
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,493)	(32,732)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(250)	(250)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(4,216)	(4,196)
Repayment of debt by joint venture, net	(3,817)	(1,407)
Issuance of debt	0	4,373
Net cash used to settle stock-based awards	93	224
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	69	156
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,121)	(1,100)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,516)	179
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(25,240)	(78,325)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	352,134	311,800
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 326,894	$ 233,475