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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 26, 2015

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition. The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. Management is evaluating the provisions of this statement, including which period to adopt, and has not determined what impact the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-04, "Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets." Under this ASU, an entity with a fiscal year-end that differs from a calendar month-end can apply a practical expedient that permits an entity to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end closest to the entity's fiscal year-end consistently going forward. The Company early adopted this accounting policy effective with year-end 2015. The pension plan obligation recorded on the balance sheet as of December 26, 2015 has been measured based on the pension plan assets and obligation as of December 31, 2015.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 which provides guidance requiring debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability and further clarification guidance allows the cost of securing a revolving line of credit to be recorded as a deferred asset regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. This guidance is effective for the Company's first quarter of fiscal year 2016 with early adoption permitted, and requires the use of the retrospective transition method. At December 26, 2015, the Company has approximately $7 million of debt issuance cost for its long-term debt (excluding its revolving line of credit) which will be reclassified as a direct reduction of long-term debt instead of an other asset in the consolidated balance sheets when this ASU is adopted in fiscal 2016.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 which provides guidance on simplifying the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. The guidance requires the classification of deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The current requirement that deferred tax assets and liabilities of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by this update. The guidance is effective for the Company's first quarter of fiscal year 2017 financial statements with early adoption permitted, and allows for the use of either a prospective or retrospective transition method. The Company early adopted this guidance on a prospective basis starting with its December 26, 2015 consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its wholly and majority‑owned subsidiaries (the Company). The investment in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd ("EMD") is recorded at fair value subsequent to its deconsolidation in 2013. Investments in other 20% to 50% owned affiliates and joint ventures are accounted for by the equity method. Investments in less than 20% owned affiliates are accounted for by the cost method. All intercompany items have been eliminated.

Cash overdrafts

Cash book overdrafts totaling $15,536 and $18,038 were classified as accounts payable at December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Segments

The Company has five reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment. Reportable segments are as follows:

ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered metal structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, and roadway safety;

UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry;

ENERGY AND MINING: This segment consists of the manufacture of access systems applications, forged steel grinding media, and offshore oil and gas and wind energy structures.

COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services on a global basis; and

IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the global agricultural industry as well as tubular products for industrial customers.

In addition to these five reportable segments, there are other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales. These operations include the distribution of industrial fasteners. These operations collectively are reported in the “Other” category.

Fiscal Year

The Company operates on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the last Saturday in December. Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014, and December 28, 2013 consisted of 52 weeks.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are reported on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the outstanding receivables based on age of the receivable,

economic conditions and customer credit quality. As the Company’s international Irrigation business has grown, the exposure to potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas of political instability, or with governments with which the Company has limited experience, or where there is a lack of transparency as to the current credit condition of governmental units. As of December 26, 2015, the Company had approximately $10 million in delinquent accounts receivable with Chinese municipal entities with a specific allowance recorded against it based on our estimation of what will not be fully collected. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts related to both current and long-term accounts receivables increased to $21.0 million at December 26, 2015 from $9.9 million at December 27, 2014.

Inventories

Approximately 39% and 44% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively. All other inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or market. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods. The excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value is approximately $35,075 and $47,178 at December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. The Company generally uses the straight-line method in computing depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The annual provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally in accordance with the following ranges of asset lives: buildings and improvements 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment 3 to 12 years, transportation equipment 3 to 24 years, office furniture and equipment 3 to 7 years and intangible assets 5 to 20 years. Depreciation expense in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $72,805, $73,395 and $62,291, respectively.

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. The Company recognized a $4.1 million impairment of the Melbourne galvanizing site's equipment in 2015 as the Company determined that our galvanizing operation in Melbourne, Australia would not generate sufficient cash flows on an undiscounted cash flow basis to recover its carrying value. Other impairment losses were recorded in 2015 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company's restructuring plans. In November 2013, it was determined that the carrying amount of certain fixed assets of Delta EMD, Ltd. were not recoverable and an impairment loss of $12,161 was recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the fixed assets to fair value. The impairment was a result of continued global oversupply of manganese dioxide in the market, increased price competition and increasing input costs. In addition, a major customer advised us that its purchases from EMD in 2014 would be substantially below prior years. This charge was recorded in Product Cost of Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. No impairment losses were recorded in 2014.

The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reporting units are evaluated using after-tax operating cash flows (less capital expenditures) discounted to present value. Indefinite‑lived intangible assets are assessed separately from goodwill as part of the annual impairment testing, using a relief-from-royalty method. If the underlying assumptions related to the valuation of a reporting unit’s goodwill or an indefinite‑lived intangible asset change materially before or after the annual impairment testing, the reporting unit or asset is evaluated for potential impairment. In

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

these evaluations, management considers recent operating performance, expected future performance, industry conditions and other indicators of potential impairment. The Company performed an interim test of its Access Systems reporting unit and the Webforge and Locker trade names as of year-end (after the 2015 annual impairment test) based on changes in expected future performance. Please see footnote 7 for details of impairments recognized during 2015.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date.

Warranties

The Company's provision for product warranty reflects management's best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Estimated future warranty costs are recorded at the time a sale is recognized. Future warranty liability is determined based on applying historical claim rate experience to units sold that are still within the warranty period. In addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims.

Pension Benefits

Certain expenses are incurred in connection with a defined benefit pension plan. In order to measure expense and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and liability associated with pension benefits.

Derivative Instrument

The Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risk associated with fluctuation in interest rates, foreign currency rates or commodities. Where applicable, the Company may elect to account for such derivatives as either a cash flow or fair value hedge.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income includes net income, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gain on Cash Flow Hedge			Defined Benefit Pension Plan			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 27, 2014	$	(99,618	)	$	3,879		$	(38,694	)	$	(134,433	)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	(92,310		)	(201		)	(40,274		)	(132,785		)
Balance at December 26, 2015	$	(191,928	)	$	3,678		$	(78,968	)	$	(267,218	)

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon shipment of the product or delivery of the service to the customer, which coincides with passage of title and risk of loss to the customer. Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products. Acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the product is manufactured and delivered to the customer. We are not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and we do not recognize any revenue associated with the design stage. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered. Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. Sales discounts and rebates are estimated based on past experience and are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Service revenues predominantly consist of coatings services provided by our Coatings segment to its customers. Revenue from our offshore and other complex steel structures products is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method, based primarily on contract cost incurred to date compared to total estimated contract cost.

Use of Estimates

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Equity Method Investments

The Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries which are recorded within "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In February 2013, the Company sold its nonconsolidated investment in Manganese Materials Company Pty. Ltd. to the majority owner of the business for approximately $29,250. The profit on the sale was not significant, which included the recognition of $5,194 in currency translation adjustments previously recorded as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive income" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company also recognized certain deferred tax benefits of approximately $3,200 associated with the sale in the first quarter of 2013.

Treasury Stock

Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.” When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional Paid-In Capital.”

In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company's outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. In February 2015, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250 million of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of December 26, 2015, we have acquired 4,146,637 shares for approximately $564.0 million under this share repurchase program.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to operations in the year incurred. These costs are a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Research and development expenses were approximately $11,600 in 2015, $13,900 in 2014, and $10,200 in 2013.