Equity Method Investment

9 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2015

Equity Method Investment [Abstract]

Equity Method Investment

Note 10 – Equity Method Investment

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Atlas Holdings LLC to form MA Industrial JV LLC (Joint Venture), which simultaneously entered into a definitive merger agreement with MA Industrial Sub, Inc. and Tecumseh Products Company (Tecumseh) to commence a cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Tecumseh.  On September 21, 2015, the tender offer was completed and Mueller contributed $65.9 million for a 50 percent ownership interest in the Joint Venture.  Tecumseh is a global manufacturer of compressors and related products.  The Company accounts for this investment using the equity method of accounting.