CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 33,951	$ 17,139
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,119	10,635
Stock-based compensation expense	1,985	2,007
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	1,100	(38)
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates	6,115	15,369
Loss on disposals of properties	32	37
Impairment charges	3,035	0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	213	(225)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquired:
Receivables	(46,291)	(34,029)
Inventories	17,450	(13,335)
Other assets	8,010	(7,530)
Current liabilities	(10,821)	(15,885)
Other liabilities	(1,643)	741
Other, net	3,796	441
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	28,051	(24,673)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(17,094)	(6,834)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(15,407)	0
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	0	(8,000)
Proceeds from sales of assets	0	4
Net cash used in investing activities	(32,501)	(14,830)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	0	(5,574)
Repurchase of common stock	(5,574)	(1,763)
Issuance of long-term debt	110,000	100,557
Repayments of long-term debt	(20,572)	(30,472)
Issuance (repayment) of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net	189
Issuance (repayment) of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net		(2,121)
Net cash received (used) to settle stock-based awards	464
Net cash received (used) to settle stock-based awards		(175)
Net cash provided by financing activities	84,507	60,452
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(6,135)	919
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	73,922	21,868
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period	98,042	77,138
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period	$ 171,964	$ 99,006