CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2016	Jun. 27, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 56,924	$ 56,202
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,162	16,293
Stock-based compensation expense	2,874	2,966
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(1,927)	0
Gain on disposal of assets	(555)	(15,392)
Impairment charges	0	570
Deferred income taxes	3,548	(1,445)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(186)	(146)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
Receivables	(52,334)	(24,304)
Inventories	1,176	(5,252)
Other assets	17,009	6,963
Current liabilities	(1,314)	(19,629)
Other liabilities	(1,440)	(415)
Other, net	(72)	739
Net cash provided by operating activities	41,865	17,150
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(10,248)	(15,969)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(20,533)	(35,978)
Net withdrawals from restricted cash balances	1,508	3,486
Proceeds from sales of assets	1,482	5,518
Net cash used in investing activities	(27,791)	(42,943)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt	(500)	(500)
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(9,887)	(8,435)
Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint ventures, net	4,426	(17,750)
Issuance of debt	2,000	0
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	326	125
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	186	146
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,449)	(26,414)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,308)	(780)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,317	(52,987)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	274,844	352,134
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 283,161	$ 299,147