CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2021	Dec. 26, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 169,795	$ 400,726
Receivables, net	537,693	511,714
Inventories	655,903	448,941
Contract assets	155,417	123,495
Prepaid expenses and other assets	95,965	59,804
Refundable income taxes	0	9,945
Total current assets	1,614,773	1,554,625
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,383,892	1,341,380
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	766,579	743,653
Net property, plant and equipment	617,313	597,727
Goodwill	709,462	430,322
Other intangible assets, net	193,449	167,193
Other assets	276,267	203,293
Total assets	3,411,264	2,953,160
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	4,803	2,748
Notes payable to banks	13,765	35,147
Accounts payable	338,723	268,099
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	124,212	137,939
Contract liabilities	138,286	130,018
Other accrued expenses	116,846	89,796
Income taxes payable	3,734	0
Dividends payable	10,610	9,556
Total current liabilities	750,979	673,303
Deferred income taxes	45,863	41,689
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	897,488	728,431
Defined benefit pension liability	105,175	118,523
Operating lease liabilities	148,031	80,202
Deferred compensation	34,723	44,519
Other noncurrent liabilities	84,273	58,657
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Additional paid in capital	6,668	335
Retained earnings	2,378,075	2,245,035
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(310,222)	(309,786)
Treasury stock	(784,282)	(781,422)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	1,318,139	1,182,062
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	26,593	25,774
Total shareholders’ equity	1,344,732	1,207,836
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 3,411,264	$ 2,953,160