CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 313,210	$ 492,805
Current assets:
Receivables, less allowance of $8,277 in 2018 and $9,396 in 2017	483,963	503,677
Inventories	383,566	420,948
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings	112,525	16,165
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	42,800	27,478
Refundable income taxes	4,576	11,492
Total current assets	1,340,640	1,472,565
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,160,865	1,165,687
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	646,873	646,759
Net property, plant and equipment	513,992	518,928
Goodwill	385,207	337,720
Other intangible assets, net	175,956	138,599
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $417 in 2017	114,479	134,438
Total assets	2,530,274	2,602,250
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	779	966
Notes payable to banks	10,678	161
Accounts payable	218,115	227,906
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	79,291	84,426
Accrued expenses	91,942	81,029
Dividends payable	8,230	8,510
Total current liabilities	409,035	402,998
Deferred income taxes	43,489	34,906
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	741,822	753,888
Defined benefit pension liability	143,904	189,552
Deferred compensation	46,107	48,526
Other noncurrent liabilities	10,394	20,585
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock of $1 par value - Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	2,027,596	1,954,344
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(303,185)	(279,022)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,951,971 in 2018 and 5,206,474 in 2017	(692,549)	(590,386)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	1,059,762	1,112,836
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	75,761	38,959
Total shareholders’ equity	1,135,523	1,151,795
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 2,530,274	$ 2,602,250

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).