CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Mar. 28, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 28,665	$ 22,340
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(1,111)	(8,404)
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities, net of tax of $(221) in 2016 and $274 in 2015	594	(198)
Net actuarial loss on pension and postretirement obligations, net of tax of $(398) in 2016 and $(501) in 2015	1,172	1,416
Other, net	14	(27)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	669	(7,213)
Comprehensive income	29,334	15,127
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	739	345
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 30,073	$ 15,472