CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Mar. 28, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 28,665	$ 22,340
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,011	8,015
Stock-based compensation expense	1,236	1,349
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(2,922)	0
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(23)	1
Deferred income taxes	1,895	(570)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(96)	(69)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(25,089)	(36,692)
Inventories	(1,631)	7,534
Other assets	(370)	9,257
Current liabilities	655	(7,389)
Other liabilities	(704)	(131)
Other, net	(291)	245
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,336	3,890
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(5,892)	(7,392)
Net withdrawals from (deposits into) restricted cash	84	(12,593)
Proceeds from sales of assets	1	492
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,807)	(19,493)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(250)	(250)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(4,236)	(4,216)
Repayment of debt by joint venture, net	(7,024)	(3,817)
Issuance of debt	2,000	0
Net cash used to settle stock-based awards	361	93
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	96	69
Net cash used in financing activities	(9,053)	(8,121)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(171)	(1,516)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(4,695)	(25,240)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	274,844	352,134
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 270,149	$ 326,894