CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 56,202	$ 60,163
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,293	16,840
Stock-based compensation expense	2,966	3,526
Gain on disposal of assets	(15,392)	(1,225)
Impairment charges	570	0
Deferred income taxes	(1,445)	(6,523)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(146)	(316)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
Receivables	(24,304)	(100,413)
Inventories	(5,252)	(20,619)
Other assets	6,963	(8,886)
Current liabilities	(19,629)	7,373
Other liabilities	(415)	(893)
Other, net	739	92
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	17,150	(50,881)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(15,969)	(18,833)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(35,978)	(30,137)
Net withdrawals from restricted cash balances	3,486	1,815
Proceeds from the sales of assets	5,518	4,874
Net cash used in investing activities	(42,943)	(42,281)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(500)	(500)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(8,435)	(8,394)
(Repayment) issuance of debt by joint venture, net	(17,750)	8,903
Issuance of debt	0	22,635
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	125	296
Repurchase of common stock	0	(58)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	146	316
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(26,414)	23,198
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(780)	363
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(52,987)	(69,601)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	352,134	311,800
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 299,147	$ 242,199