CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax	$ 56,233	$ (79,279)	$ 58,315
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification, Tax	352	0
Net earnings	100,306	122,319	178,391
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	(65,436)	79,279	(58,315)
Gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Unrealized gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,894 in 2018, ($880) in 2017 and $2,646 in 2016			4,226
Realized loss on grinding media net investment hedge			0
Amortization cost included in interest expense	423	74	74
Deferred loss on interest rate hedges			0
Commodity hedges			0
Derivative adjustment	4,814	(1,621)	4,300
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($10,732) in 2015, ($3,450) in 2014, and ($10,143) in 2013	29,885	(10,871)	(24,141)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(21,534)	66,787	(78,156)
Comprehensive income	78,772	189,106	100,235
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8,584)	(5,529)	(6,144)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 70,188	$ 183,577	$ 94,091