CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 74,014	$ 69,583
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	27,844	30,550
Stock-based compensation expense	2,583	2,185
Insurance settlement	0	(21,284)
Insurance proceeds - noncapital related	10,000	5,561
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties	(99)	252
Deferred income taxes	(2,785)	(8,386)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(867)	(89)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
Receivables	(38,480)	(50,810)
Inventories	(10,432)	2,800
Other assets	(9,263)	6,158
Current liabilities	13,703	21,562
Other liabilities	1,907	2,839
Other, net	759	(225)
Net cash provided by operating activities	68,884	60,696
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(13,128)	(14,210)
Acquisition of businesses	(6,882)	(2,021)
Insurance proceeds for property and equipment	0	17,703
Net (deposits into) withdrawals from restricted cash balances	(5,120)	1,649
Proceeds from sales of properties	1,745	26
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(23,385)	3,147
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(11,345)	(11,300)
Debt issuance cost	(1,942)	0
Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint venture, net	19,316	(1,097)
Acquisition of treasury stock	8,211	85
Issuance of shares under stock-based incentive plans from treasury	11,885	2,463
Repayments of long-term debt	1,902	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	867	89
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,668	(9,930)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	547	202
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	54,714	54,115
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	394,139	346,001
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 448,853	$ 400,116