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1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996 Commission file number 1-6770

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE 25-0790410
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

6799 GREAT OAKS ROAD, SUITE 200
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38138
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (901) 753-3200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/ No / /

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.[_X_].

The number of shares of the Registrant's common stock outstanding as of March
12, 1997 was 17,485,988, excluding 2,514,012 treasury shares. The aggregate
market value of the 15,931,835 shares of common stock held by non affiliates
of the Registrant was $702,992,000 at March 12, 1997 (based on the closing
price on the consolidated transaction reporting system on that date).

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference into this
Report: (1) Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended
December 28, 1996 (Part I and II); Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for
the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, scheduled to be mailed on or about
March 18, 1997 (Part III).



2


MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.


As used in this report, the terms "Company," "Mueller" and "Registrant" mean
Mueller Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole,
unless the context indicates otherwise.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I
Item 1. Business..................................................3
Item 2. Properties................................................9
Item 3. Legal Proceedings........................................11
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......11


PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related
Stockholder Matters...................................12
Item 6. Selected Financial Data..................................12
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations...................12
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..............12
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure...................12


PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......12
Item 11. Executive Compensation...................................13
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management........................................13
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...........13


Part IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
on Form 8-K...........................................13


Signatures..............................................................16













3
PART I


ITEM 1. BUSINESS


Introduction

The Company is a leading fabricator of copper, brass, plastic and
aluminum products. The range of these products is broad: copper tube and
fittings; brass and copper alloy rods, bars and shapes; aluminum and brass
forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic fittings and
valves; refrigeration valves, driers and flare fittings; and copper alloy
tubing, aluminum tubing and fabricated tubular products. These operations
("Manufacturing Segment") accounted for approximately 97% of the Company's
total net sales and 84% of total identifiable assets on a consolidated
basis in 1996. The Company markets its products to the heating and air
conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, hardware and other industries.
Mueller operates sixteen factories in the United States, Canada, and the
United Kingdom and has distribution facilities in each of these countries
and sales representation worldwide.

The Company's natural resource operations are conducted through its
wholly-owned subsidiaries Arava Natural Resources Company, Inc. ("Arava")
and Alaska Gold Company ("Alaska Gold"). Natural resource operations
consist principally of the operation of a short line railroad in Utah and a
placer gold mining operation in Alaska.

Information concerning net sales, operating income, and identifiable
assets of each segment appears under "Note 13 - Industry Segments" in the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Mueller's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 28, 1996. Such information is
incorporated herein by reference.

Manufacturing Segment

Products and Manufacturing Operations

Mueller's standard products include a broad line of copper tube, which
ranges in size from 1/8 inch to 8 inch diameter, and is sold in various
straight lengths and coils. Mueller is a market leader in the air
conditioning and refrigeration tube markets. Additionally, Mueller
supplies a variety of water tube in straight lengths and coils used for
plumbing applications in virtually every type of construction project.

Other standard products include copper and plastic fittings and
related components for the plumbing and heating industry that are used in
water distribution systems, heating systems, air conditioning and
refrigeration applications, and drainage, waste, and vent ("DWV") systems.
Additionally, valves, wrot copper and brass fittings, filter driers and
other related assemblies are manufactured for commercial air conditioning
and refrigeration applications such as vending machines, ice machines,
walk-in coolers, and numerous refrigeration applications. The
refrigeration product line also includes products for the refrigeration and
air conditioning installation and service markets. A major portion of
Mueller's products are ultimately used in the domestic residential and
commercial construction markets and, to a lesser extent, in the automotive
and heavy on and off-the-road vehicle markets.

4
Mueller's industrial products include brass rod, nonferrous forgings
and impact extrusions that are sold primarily to Original Equipment
Manufacturers ("OEM") in the plumbing, refrigeration, fluid power, and
automotive industries, as well as to other manufacturers and distributors.
The Port Huron, Michigan mill extrudes brass, bronze and copper alloy rod
in sizes ranging from 3/8 inches to 4 inches in diameter. These alloys are
used in applications that require a high degree of machinability, wear and
corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. Mueller brass and
aluminum forgings are used in a wide variety of end products, including
automotive components, brass fittings, industrial machinery, valve bodies,
gear blanks, computer hardware, and fire fighting equipment. The Company
also serves the automotive, military ordnance, aerospace and general
manufacturing industries with cold-formed aluminum and copper impact
extrusions. Typical applications for impacts are high-strength ordnance,
high-conductivity electrical components, builders' hardware, hydraulic
systems, automotive parts and other uses where toughness must be combined
with varying complexities of design and finish.

The Company's manufacturing facilities have operated at high levels
during 1996, 1995, and 1994.

Marketing and Distribution

Mueller's standard products are marketed primarily through its own
sales and distribution organization, which maintains sales offices and
distribution centers throughout the United States and in Canada.
Additionally, these products are sold and marketed through a network of
agents, which, when combined with the Company's sales organization, provide
the Company broad geographic market representation.

Industrial products are sold, primarily, direct to OEM customers.
Outside of North America, the Company sells its products through various
channels including exclusive distributors, agents and direct sales channels
in over 65 countries, primarily in Europe, the Far East and the Middle
East.

Competition

The businesses in which Mueller is engaged are highly competitive.
The principal methods of competition for Mueller's products are customer
service and availability. No material portion of Mueller's business is
dependent upon a single customer or a small group of related customers.
The total amount of order backlog for Mueller's products on December 28,
1996 and December 30, 1995 was not significant.

The Company competes with various companies depending on the product
line. In copper tubing, the domestic competition includes Cerro Copper
Products Co., Inc., Halstead Industries, Inc., Reading Tube Corporation,
and Wolverine Tube, Inc. as well as many actual and potential foreign
competitors. Additionally, it competes with a large number of
manufacturers of substitute products made from plastic, iron and steel. In
the copper fittings market, competitors include Elkhart Products, a
division of Amcast Industrial Corporation, and NIBCO, Inc. The plastic
fittings competitors include more than a dozen companies. The brass rod
competitors include Cerro Metal Products Company, Inc., Chase Brass
Industries, Inc., Extruded Metals Inc., and others both domestic and
foreign. As illustrated above, no other single competitor offers such a
wide ranging product line; management believes that this is a competitive
advantage in some markets.
5
Raw Materials and Supplies

The major portion of Mueller's base metal requirements (primarily
copper) are normally obtained through short-term supply contracts with
competitive pricing provisions. Other raw materials used in the production
of brass, including brass scrap, zinc, tin and lead are obtained from zinc
and lead producers, open-market dealers and customers with brass process
scrap. Raw materials used in the fabrication of aluminum and plastic
products are purchased in the open market from major producers.

Natural Resources Segment

Mueller, through its subsidiaries Arava and Alaska Gold, is engaged in
the operation of a short line railroad in Utah and placer gold mining in
Alaska. It also owns interests in other natural resource properties.

Short Line Railroad

Utah Railway Company ("Utah Railway"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Arava, operates over approximately 100 miles of railroad track in Utah.
Utah Railway serves four major customers pursuant to long-term contracts
which account for more than 75% of tonnage hauled. The Utah Railway
transports more than six million tons of coal per year to an interchange
point at Provo, Utah, although annual tonnage may vary significantly due to
fluctuations in the production from the coal mines on the Utah Railway's
lines and the demand for export coal. The coal is then transported by
connecting railroads to various customers including electric utilities,
cement plants, west coast export facilities and others at destinations
throughout the West.

In February, 1996, Utah Railway entered into an agreement with Union
Pacific Railroad (UP) whereby UP was granted rights to operate over a
portion of Utah Railway track. In exchange, UP granted limited rights to
Utah Railway for operations over Southern Pacific (SP) tracks to Grand
Junction, Colorado and access to additional coal customers.

Gold Mining

Alaska Gold mines placer gold in Nome, Alaska. Alaska Gold produced
22,918 net ounces of gold in 1996, 18,731 net ounces of gold in 1995,
14,173 net ounces of gold in 1994, 22,440 net ounces of gold in 1993, and
17,965 net ounces of gold in 1992, at a net production cost of $352 per
ounce in 1996, $307 per ounce in 1995, $376 per ounce in 1994, $280 per
ounce in 1993, and $306 per ounce in 1992. Based on the results of past
exploratory drilling, Alaska Gold believes there may be various areas
available on its properties to sustain open pit mining for ten years.

Properties consist of approximately 14,500 acres in and adjacent to
Nome. In addition, Alaska Gold owns or has patented claims on
approximately 10,400 acres in the Fairbanks, Alaska area, and approximately
3,000 acres in the Hogatza, Alaska area.

On March 14, 1996, the Company acquired the minority shareholders'
fifteen percent interest in Alaska Gold, thereby making Alaska Gold a
wholly-owned subsidiary.




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Other Natural Resources Properties

The Company also has interests in various mineral properties located
in the United States. None of these mineral properties are significant to
the Company's business, and they may be sold, developed, or leased.

United States Fuel Company ("U.S. Fuel"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Arava, owns approximately 8,900 acres of coal properties and leases an
additional 2,700 acres. U.S. Fuel mined steam coal by the deep-mine
process at its coal properties located in Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah,
until coal production ceased in March 1993. Currently, these properties
are undergoing environmental remediation. The Company continues to pursue
divestiture of these properties.

In 1992, Ruby Hill Mining Company ("Ruby Hill") entered into a four-
year Exploration Agreement with a Purchase Option (the "Exploration
Agreement") with Homestake Mining Company of California ("Homestake") for
its property near Eureka, Nevada. Homestake has a substantial exploration
and drilling program underway on the property. In 1994, Homestake
exercised its option to purchase the property; the total purchase price is
$4 million payable over up to a six-year period depending on timing of
production decisions and commencement of production. As of December 28,
1996, the Company has received and recognized as gains $2.0 million of the
total purchase price. If Homestake produces a total of 500,000 ounces of
gold or "gold equivalents" of other metals from this property, Ruby Hill is
thereafter entitled to a three percent net smelter return royalty, after
deduction for certain taxes and transportation. Arava owns 81% of the
stock of Richmond-Eureka Mining Company, which owns 75% of the stock of
Ruby Hill.

Labor Relations

At December 28, 1996, the Company employed approximately 2,350
employees of which approximately 1,100 were represented by various unions.
A majority of the unionized employees are under contracts which expire in
1999.

Raw Material and Energy Availability

Adequate supplies of raw material are available to the Company.
Sufficient energy in the form of natural gas, fuel oils and electricity is
available to operate the Company's production facilities. While temporary
shortages of raw material and fuels may occur occasionally, they have not
materially hampered the Company's operations.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to various laws and regulations relating to
environmental quality. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a
matter of high priority.

Mueller's provision for environmental compliance includes charges of
$2.0 million in 1996, $1.4 million in 1995, $2.9 million in 1994, and $1.1
million in 1993. Except as discussed below, the Company does not
anticipate that it will need to make material expenditures for such
compliance activities during the remainder of the 1997 fiscal year, or for
the next two fiscal years.


7
Mining Remedial Recovery Company ("MRRC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Arava, was formed for the purpose of managing the remediation of certain
properties and the appropriate disposition thereof.

1. Cleveland Mill Site

In 1993, the EPA issued special notice letters to all known
potentially responsible parties ("PRPs") regarding the Cleveland Mill
Superfund Site in Grant County, New Mexico. In response, MRRC, Bayard
Mining Corp. ("Bayard"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arava, and a third
party filed a good faith offer to implement the remedy set forth in the
EPA's Record of Decision ("ROD"). Total future costs for remediating the
site were estimated by the EPA in the ROD at approximately $6.2 million.
MRRC and Bayard, along with said third party, have entered into a consent
decree relating to the site and have agreed to an allocation formula
requiring Bayard and MRRC to pay 29.20% of future costs. The third party
has agreed to pay the balance. No satisfactory bids to process the
Cleveland Mill tailings were received and MRRC, Bayard and said third party
are negotiating with the New Mexico Environmental Department about the
terms of a consent order which would permit placement of the Cleveland Mill
site mill tailings at the nearby Hanover site.

2. Hanover Site

MRRC owns 80 acres in Grant County, New Mexico called the Hanover
site, which contains in excess of 3.0 million cubic yards of mill tailings.
A voluntary plan to regrade and cap the soil at this site has been
substantially completed. Regrading and capping of approximately twenty
acres at Hanover has been deferred pending a decision on storage of
tailings from the nearby Cleveland Mill site.

3. Mammoth Mine Site

MRRC owns title to some inactive mines in Shasta County, California.
MRRC has continued a program begun in the late 1980s of sealing mine
portals with concrete plugs in mine adits which were discharging water.
The sealing program has achieved a reduction in the metal load in
discharges from these adits; however, additional reductions are being
required. In addition, during 1996, the California Regional Water Quality
Control Board issued an Order whereby MRRC is required to perform certain
studies to establish planning for future remedial actions. MRRC has
commenced these activities as described by the Order and has performed
other remediation activities to improve the quality of water discharges.

In April, 1996, MRRC settled a Lawsuit from an adjoining landowner.
As part of the settlement, MRRC acquired approximately 4,000 acres of
patented mining claims and other property located in Shasta County. MRRC
intends to remediate the mine sites on this acquired property as part of
its overall efforts at Mammoth.










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4. U.S.S. Lead

In 1991, U.S.S. Lead Refinery, Inc. ("Lead Refinery"), responded to an
information request from EPA under Superfund for information on whether
Lead Refinery arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances in the
vicinity of the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Ship Canal. By letter
dated February 4, 1997, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
(IDEM) notified Lead Refinery that a preassessment screening of the Grand
Calumet River and the Indiana Harbor Canal conducted pursuant to Superfund,
had identified releases of hazardous substances from Lead Refinery and
other PRPs that had adversely impacted natural resources. Based on the
prescreening assessment, IDEM has requested that Lead Refinery agree to
fund the preparation of an assessment plan which will, in part, quantify
the loss of natural resources. By letter dated March 11, 1997, lead
Refinery responded to the February 4 letter and without waiving its
affirmative defenses, stated its willingness to participate in the
preparation of an assessment plan. In 1991, Lead Refinery also responded
to an information request under Superfund regarding the Lead Refinery site
in East Chicago, Indiana. In 1992, EPA advised Lead Refinery of its intent
to list the property as a Superfund site. Lead Refinery opposed such
listing and, as of March 20, 1997, EPA has deferred such listing.

In 1993, Lead Refinery entered into a Consent Order with the EPA
pursuant to Section 3008(h) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
("RCRA"). The Consent Order covers remediation activities at the East
Chicago, Indiana site and provides for Lead Refinery to complete certain
on-site interim remedial activities and studies that extend off site. In
November 1996 the EPA approved, with modifications, the Interim
Stabilization Measures Workplan and designated a Corrective Action
Management Unit at the Lead Refinery site. Site activities, based on the
approval, began during December 1996. The costs for the studies and
interim clean up efforts are expected to be approximately $2.5 million, the
majority of which would be required to be expended in 1997 and 1998. Once
these activities are completed, additional work would likely be needed to
investigate and remediate any contamination not addressed by the Consent
Order. Lead Refinery, without additional assistance from MRRC, lacks the
financial resources needed to complete the additional remediation and
intends to seek financial assistance from other PRPs to permit Lead
Refinery to conduct a private-party cleanup under RCRA.

Lead Refinery has been informed by the former owner and operator of a
Superfund site located in Pedricktown, New Jersey that it intends to seek
CERCLA response costs for alleged shipments of hazardous substances to the
site. Lead Refinery has executed an agreement regarding that site, which
indefinitely extends the statute of limitations. By letter dated January
26, 1996, Lead Refinery and other PRPs received from EPA, a proposed
Administrative Order on Consent to perform the remedial design for operable
Unit 1 of the Pedricktown Superfund Site. Lead Refinery determined not to
execute the Administrative Order on Consent. Several other PRPs, however,
executed the agreement and are conducting the remedial design.









9
Miscellaneous

In 1994, the Company received notice from the EPA that Mueller Brass
Co. was a PRP at the Jack's Creek/Sitkin Smelting Superfund Site in Eastern
Pennsylvania. Mueller Brass Co. is alleged to have contributed less than 1
percent of the hazardous wastes at this site. Based upon its estimated
allocation ranking, its share of the EPA's estimated cleanup costs would be
less than $500,000. In November, 1996, Mueller Brass Co. submitted a
ballot in support of an alternative cleanup plan proposed by the PRP
working group. If the alternative plan is approved by the EPA, Mueller
Brass Co.'s portion of the cleanup would be approximately $300,000. A
decision by the EPA is expected in 1997.

Other Business Factors

The Registrant's business is not materially dependent on patents,
trademarks, licenses, franchises or concessions held. In addition,
expenditures for company-sponsored research and development activities were
not material during 1996, 1995, or 1994. No material portion of the
Registrant's business involves governmental contracts.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES


Information pertaining to the Registrant's major operating facilities
is included below. Except as noted, the Registrant owns all of its
principal properties. The Registrant's plants are in satisfactory
condition and are suitable for the purpose for which they were designed and
are now being used.


Location Property Size Description


Port Huron, MI 260,000 sq. ft. Brass rod mill. Facility includes
23.19 acres casting, extruding, and finishing
equipment to produce brass rods
and bars, in various shapes and
sizes.


Port Huron, MI 46,500 sq. ft. Forgings plant. Produces brass
and aluminum forgings.


Marysville, MI 62,500 sq. ft. Aluminum and copper impacts plant.
6.72 acres Produces made to order parts using
cold impact processes.


Port Huron, MI 13,500 sq. ft. Formed tube plant. Produces
5.11 acres copper fittings using cold heading
equipment.





10
Fulton, MS 405,500 sq. ft. Copper tube mill. Facility
60.70 acres includes casting, extruding and
finishing equipment to produce
copper tubing, including tube feed
stock for the Company's copper
fittings plants, Line sets plant,
and Precision Tube factory.


Fulton, MS 70,500 sq. ft.(1) Copper fittings plant. High-
volume facility that produces
copper fittings using tube feed
stock from the Company's copper
tube mill.


Fulton, MS 20,000 sq. ft.(2) Line sets plant. Produces copper
tube line sets using tube feed
stock from the Company's copper
tube mill.


Covington, TN 159,500 sq. ft. Copper fittings plant. Facility
40.88 acres produces copper fittings using
tube feed stock from the Company's
copper tube mill.


Strathroy, 54,000 sq. ft. Copper fittings plant. Facility
Ontario Canada 4.67 acres produces copper fittings for the
Canadian domestic markets and for
export to European markets.


Upper Sandusky, 82,000 sq. ft. Plastic fittings plant. Produces
OH 7.52 acres DWV fittings using injection
molding equipment.


Kalamazoo, MI 130,000 sq. ft. Plastic fittings plant. Produces
DWV fittings using injection
molding equipment.


Cerritos, CA 115,000 sq. ft.(3) Plastic fittings plant. Produces
DWV fittings using injection
molding equipment.


Hartsville, TN 78,000 sq. ft. Refrigeration products plant.
4.51 acres Produces products used in
refrigeration applications such as
ball valves, line valves,
compressor valves, and filter
driers.




11
North Wales, PA(4) 173,900 sq. ft. Precision Tube factory. Facility
18.9 acres fabricates copper tubing, copper
alloy tubing, aluminum tubing, and
fabricated tubular products.


Salisbury, MD(4) 12,000 sq. ft.(2) Coaxial cable plant. Facility
manufactures semi-rigid coaxial
cable and high-performance cable
assemblies.


Bilston, England(4) 402,500 sq. ft. Copper tube mill. Facility
United Kingdom 14.95 acres includes casting, extruding and
finishing equipment to produce
copper tubing.


In addition, the Company owns and/or leases other properties used as
distribution centers and corporate offices.

(1) Facility is leased under long-term lease agreement, with option to
purchase at nominal cost.

(2) Facility is leased under operating lease.

(3) Facility is leased under long-term lease agreement, with option to
purchase for a stipulated purchase price prior to December 31, 1997.

(4) Operations acquired subsequent to the fiscal year-ended December
28, 1996.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


Environmental Proceedings

Reference is made to "Environmental Matters" in Item 1 of this Report,
which is incorporated herein by reference, for a description of
environmental proceedings.


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


None.












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PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS


The information required by Item 5 of this Report is included under
the caption "Capital Stock Information" in the Registrant's Annual Report
to Stockholders for the year ended December 28, 1996, which information is
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


Selected financial data are included under the caption "Selected
Financial Data" in the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the
year ended December 28, 1996, which selected financial data is incorporated
herein by reference.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations is contained under the caption "Financial Review" in
the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December
28, 1996 and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


See Index to Financial Statements and Supplemental Financial
Information of this Annual Report on Form 10-K which is incorporated herein
by reference.


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


None.


PART III


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT


The information required by Item 10 is contained under the caption
"Ownership of Common Stock by Directors and Officers and Information about
Director Nominees" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or about March 18, 1997 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
13
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


The information required by Item 11 is contained under the caption
"Executive Compensation" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or about March 18, 1997 and is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT


The information required by Item 12 is contained under the captions
"Principal Stockholders" and "Ownership of Common Stock by Directors and
Officers and Information about Director Nominees" in the Company's Proxy
Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 18, 1997 and is
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


The information required by Item 13 is contained under the caption
"Certain Relationships and Transactions with Management" in the Company's
Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 18, 1997 and
is incorporated herein by reference.


PART IV


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM
8-K


(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1. Financial Statements: the financial statements, notes, and report of
independent auditors described in Item 8 of this report, which are
incorporated by reference.

2. Financial Statement Schedule: the financial statement schedule
described in Item 8 of this report which is incorporated herein by
reference.

3. Exhibits:

3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Mueller Industries, Inc. and
all amendments thereto (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated December 28, 1990).

3.2 By-laws of Mueller Industries, Inc., as amended and
restated, effective November 10, 1994. (Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 3 (ii) of the Registrant's Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated November 14, 1994.)
14
4.1 Common Stock Specimen (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated December 28, 1990).

4.2 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1994, between the
Registrant and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company,
as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certificate of
Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant, as Exhibit
A, the Form of Rights Certificate, as Exhibit B, and the
Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock, as Exhibit C.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 14,
1994.)

4.3 Credit Agreement among Mueller Industries, Inc. (as
Borrower) and Michigan National Bank (as a Bank) and
Michigan National Bank (as Agent) dated as of June 1, 1994.

4.4 First Amendment to Credit Agreement among Mueller
Industries, Inc. (as Borrower) and Michigan National Bank
(as a Bank) and Michigan National Bank (as Agent) dated as
of December 14, 1994.

4.5 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement among Mueller
Industries, Inc. (as Borrower) and Michigan National Bank
(as a Bank) and Michigan National Bank (as Agent) dated as
of June 1, 1995.

4.6 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement among Mueller
Industries, Inc. (as Borrower) and Michigan National Bank
(as a Bank) and Michigan National Bank (as Agent) dated as
of December 18, 1996.

4.7 Certain instruments with respect to long-term debt of the
Company have not been filed as Exhibits to the Report since
the total amount of securities authorized under any such
instrument does not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of
the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
The Company agrees to furnish a copy of each such instrument
upon request of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

10.1 Employment Agreement, effective October 1, 1991 by and
between Mueller Industries, Inc. and Harvey L. Karp
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November
22, 1991).

10.2 Stock Option Agreement, dated December 4, 1991 by and
between Mueller Industries, Inc. and Harvey L. Karp
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 22,
1991).

10.3 Mueller Industries, Inc. 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated June
28, 1991).

15
10.4 Mueller Industries, Inc. 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated April
17, 1992).

10.5 Employment Agreement, effective June 3, 1992 by and between
Mueller Industries, Inc. and William D. O'Hagan
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June
3, 1992).

10.6 Summary description of the Registrant's 1997 bonus plan for
certain key employees.

10.7 Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective January 1,
1994, to Employment Agreement by and between Mueller
Industries, Inc. and Harvey L. Karp. (Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-K, dated March 23, 1994, for the fiscal year
ended December 25, 1993.)

10.8 Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 1994, by
and between Mueller Industries, Inc. and William D. O'Hagan.
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the
Registrant's Report on Form 10-K, dated March 23, 1994, for
the fiscal year ended December 25, 1993.)

10.9 Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of August
10, 1995, by and between Mueller Industries, Inc. and
William D. O'Hagan. (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Report on Form 10-
Q, dated October 20, 1995, for the quarter ended September
30, 1995.)

10.10 Mueller Industries, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan.
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the
Registrant's Report on Form 10-K, dated March 17, 1995, for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.)

10.11 Mueller Industries, Inc. 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock
Option Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.14 of the Registrant's Report on Form 10-K, dated March
17, 1995, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.)

10.12 Mueller Industries, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan,
effective January 1, 1997.

13.0 Mueller Industries, Inc.'s Annual Report to Stockholders for
the year ended December 28, 1996. Such report, except to
the extent incorporated herein by reference, is being
furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange
Commission only and is not to be deemed filed as a part of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

21.0 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.0 Consent of Independent Auditor. (Includes report on
Supplemental Financial Information.)

16
(b) During the three months ended December 28, 1996, no Current
Reports on Form 8-K were filed.

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on
March 20, 1997.

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

/s/ HARVEY L. KARP
Harvey L. Karp, Chairman of the Board


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature Title Date

/S/HARVEY L. KARP Chairman of the Board, and Director March 20, 1997
Harvey L. Karp

/S/ROBERT B. HODES Director March 20, 1997
Robert B. Hodes

/S/ALLAN MACTIER Director March 20, 1997
Allan Mactier

/S/WILLIAM D. O'HAGAN President, Chief Executive Officer, March 20, 1997
William D. O'Hagan Director

/S/ROBERT J. PASQUARELLI Director March 20, 1997
Robert J. Pasquarelli

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following person on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature and Title Date

/S/ EARL W. BUNKERS March 20, 1997
Earl W. Bunkers
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

/S/ KENT A. MCKEE March 20, 1997
Kent A. McKee
Vice President Business Development/
Investor Relations

/S/ RICHARD W. CORMAN March 20, 1997
Richard W. Corman
Director of Corporate Accounting

17
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements, together with the report
thereon of Ernst & Young LLP dated February 7, 1997 (except for the second
paragraph of Note 12, as to which the date is February 28, 1997), appearing
on page 16 through and including 41, of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to
Stockholders are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K. With the exception of the aforementioned information, no other
information appearing in the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders is deemed
to be filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 8. The
following Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in such 1996 Annual
Report to Stockholders. Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules not
included with this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been omitted because
they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the
consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.


SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Page

Schedule for the fiscal years ended December 28, 1996,
December 30, 1995, and December 31, 1994.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule II) 18

































18
MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 28, 1996, December 30, 1995, and December 31, 1994
(In thousands)



Additions
-------------------------------
Balance at Charged to Balance
beginning costs and Other at end
of year expenses Additions Deductions of year
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------

1996
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 2,986 $ 435 $ - $ 233 $ 3,188

Environmental Reserves $ 9,585 $ 2,045 $ - $ 2,525 $ 9,105

Other Reserves (2) $ 10,051 $ 828 $ - $ 511 $ 10,368

Valuation Allowance for Deferred
Tax Assets $ 60,921 $ - $ - $ 4,622 $ 56,299

1995
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 3,336 $ 75 $ - $ 425 $ 2,986

Environmental Reserves $ 11,178 $ 1,421 $ - $ 3,014 $ 9,585

Other Reserves (2) $ 16,150 $ (1,157) $ - $ 4,942 $ 10,051

Valuation Allowance for Deferred
Tax Assets $ 65,927 $ - $ - $ 5,006 $ 60,921

1994
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 3,495 $ 186 $ - $ 345 $ 3,336

Environmental Reserves $ 10,448 $ 2,914 $ 125 (1) $ 2,309 $ 11,178

Other Reserves (2) $ 15,508 $ 4,062 $ (125) (1) $ 3,295 $ 16,150

Valuation Allowance for Deferred
Tax Assets $ 85,338 $ - $ - $ 19,411 $ 65,927




(1) Reclass from Other Reserves to Environmental Reserves.

(2) Other reserves are included in the balance sheet captions "Other
current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities."









19
EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibits Description Page

4.3 Credit Agreement among Mueller Industries, Inc.
(as Borrower) and Michigan National Bank (as a
Bank) and Michigan National Bank (as Agent) dated
as of June 1, 1994.

4.4 First Amendment to Credit Agreement among Mueller
Industries, Inc. (as Borrower) and Michigan
National Bank (as a Bank) and Michigan National
Bank (as Agent) dated as of December 14, 1994.

4.5 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement among Mueller
Industries, Inc. (as Borrower) and Michigan
National Bank (as a Bank) and Michigan National
Bank (as Agent) dated as of June 1, 1995.

4.6 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement among Mueller
Industries, Inc. (as Borrower) and Michigan
National Bank (as a Bank) and Michigan National
Bank (as Agent) dated as of December 18, 1996.

4.7 Certain instruments with respect to long-term debt
of the Company have not been filed as Exhibits to
the Report since the total amount of securities
authorized under any such instrument does not
exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the
company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of
each such instrument upon request of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

10.6 Summary description of the Registrant's 1997 bonus
plan for certain key employees.

10.12 Mueller Industries, Inc. Deferred Compensation
Plan, effective January 1, 1997.

13.0 Mueller Industries, Inc.'s Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 28, 1996.
Such report, except to the extent incorporated
herein by reference, is being furnished for the
information of the Securities and Exchange
Commission only and is not to be deemed filed as a
part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

21.0 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.0 Consent of Independent Auditor. (Includes report
on Supplemental Financial Information.)