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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its wholly and majority‑owned subsidiaries (the “Company”). Investments in 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 $25,075 and $19,670 were classified as accounts payable at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Change in Reportable Segments

During the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as the chief operating decision maker, made changes to the Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources, and evaluate performance under the new structure. As a result, the Company has realigned its reportable segment structure. All prior period segment information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments. Refer to Note 21 for additional information.

The Company has two 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:

INFRASTRUCTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of products and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, renewable energy, lighting, transportation, and telecommunications, and coatings services to preserve metal products.

AGRICULTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture of center pivot components and linear irrigation equipment for agricultural markets, including parts and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture.

In addition to these two reportable segments, the Company had a business and related activities that was not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This includes the offshore wind energy structures business and is reported in the “Other” segment until its divestiture in 2022.

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 year ended December 31, 2022 consisted of 53 weeks and the Company’s fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 consisted of 52 weeks. The estimated impact on the Company's results of operations due to the extra week in fiscal year 2022 was additional net sales of approximately $80,800 and additional net earnings of approximately $5,300.

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 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, 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.

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

The following table details the balances of the allowance for doubtful receivables and changes therein:

    

Balance at

    

Charged to

    

Currency

    

Deductions

    

Balance at

Beginning of

Profit and

Translation

from

Close of

For periods ended:

Period

Loss

Adjustment

Reserves

Period

December 31, 2022

$

18,050

$

4,237

$

(522)

$

(875)

$

20,890

December 25, 2021

 

15,952

 

3,379

 

(339)

 

(942)

 

18,050

December 26, 2020

 

9,548

 

7,957

 

260

 

(1,813)

 

15,952

The Company sells trade accounts receivable at a discount under uncommitted trade accounts receivable sale programs to third party financial institutions without recourse. As these accounts receivable are sold without recourse, the Company does not retain the associated risks following the transfer of such accounts receivable to the financial institutions.

Transfers of accounts receivable are accounted for as sales and, accordingly, accounts receivables sold are excluded from “Receivables, less allowance” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and cash proceeds are reflected in “Cash flows from operating activities” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The difference between the carrying amount of the trade accounts receivables sold and the cash received, or discount, is recorded in “Other” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

At December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, the Company sold trade accounts receivable of $100.0 million and $25.4 million, respectively. The fees associated with trade accounts receivables sold are immaterial.

Inventories

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or net realizable value. 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.

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 2022, 2021, and 2020 was $73,938, $70,223, and $63,890, 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 pre-tax $27,900 impairment of long-lived assets (property, plant, and equipment, customer relationship intangible asset, and trade name) in 2021 when it determined that its offshore wind energy business reporting unit would not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the carrying values. An impairment test was required in November 2021 when the Company received clarifying information on the competitive environment of this reporting unit in Europe. Impairment losses were recorded in 2020 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company’s restructuring plans.

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 (“discounted cash flows”). For the solar tracking reporting unit, the Company valued this reporting unit using a blend of the discounted cash flows and multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) approach. 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 these evaluations, management considers recent operating performance, expected future performance, industry conditions, and other indicators of potential impairment. See footnote 8 for details of impairments recognized during 2021.

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Leases

The Company's operating leases are included in “Other assets” and “Operating lease liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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.

Stock Plans

The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock.

Fair Value

The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Derivative Instruments

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, fair value, or net investment hedge.

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings, 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

    

    

    

Accumulated

Currency

Defined

Other

Translation

Hedging

Benefit

Comprehensive

Adjustments

Activities

Pension Plan

Income (Loss)

Balance at December 25, 2021

$

(243,350)

$

15,777

$

(35,554)

$

(263,127)

Current period comprehensive income (loss)

 

(43,426)

 

7,942

 

1,345

 

(34,139)

Divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

25,977

(3,620)

22,357

Balance at December 31, 2022

$

(260,799)

$

20,099

$

(34,209)

$

(274,909)

Revenue Recognition

The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition for contracts by analyzing the type, terms, and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Contract revenues are classified as product sales when the performance obligation is related to the manufacturing of goods. Contract revenues are classified as service sales when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the Coatings and Technology Products and Services product lines.

Customer acceptance provisions exist primarily in the design stage of products (on a limited basis, the Company may agree to other acceptance terms), and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the project is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize this service as a separate performance obligation and, therefore, no revenue is recognized with the design stage. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products.

Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as costs of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the transmission, distribution, and substation structures ("TD&S") product line, the renewable energy product line, and the telecommunication structures product line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company has elected to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. In addition, the Company does not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services.

The Company’s contract assets as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 totaled $174,539 and $142,643, respectively.

While most of the Infrastructure segment customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer’s specified location, certain customers are also invoiced by advanced billings or progress billings. At December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, total contract liabilities were $178,531 and $213,203, respectively. At December 31, 2022, $172,915 was recorded as contract liabilities and $5,616 was recorded as other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Additional details are as follows:

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, the Company recognized $96,373 and $105,406 of revenue that was included in the total contract liability as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations completed during the period.
At December 31, 2022, the Company had $11,080 of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more and expects to complete the remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 24 months.

Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition

Infrastructure Segment

Steel and concrete utility structures within the TD&S product lines are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For the TD&S and telecommunication structure product lines, the Company generally recognizes revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold, and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Depending on the product sold, revenue from renewable energy is recognized both upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, or by using an inputs method, based on the ratio of costs incurred to-date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain TD&S sales and the Company has chosen to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are manufactured.

For the structures sold for lighting and transportation and for the majority of telecommunication products, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. There are also large regional customers who have unique product specifications for telecommunication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a percent of total estimated hours to complete production.

The Coatings product line revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed.

Agriculture Segment

Revenue recognition from the manufacture of irrigation equipment and related parts and services (including tubular products for industrial customers) is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services recognized as part of technology services product line are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months (contract terms).

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the “Business Segments” footnote. A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in time for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 is as follows:

Fiscal Year 2022

Fiscal Year 2021

Fiscal Year 2020

Point in

Over

Point in

Over

Point in

Over

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

Infrastructure

$

1,687,458

$

1,222,288

$

1,388,297

$

973,227

$

1,296,497

$

838,703

Agriculture

 

1,307,681

 

27,604

 

996,278

 

20,772

 

624,831

 

15,261

Other

100,219

123,001

120,063

Total

$

2,995,139

$

1,350,111

$

2,384,575

$

1,117,000

$

1,921,328

$

974,027

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 Sheets.

Treasury Stock

Repurchased shares are recorded as “Cost of 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 at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 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 and again in October 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has acquired 6,613,018 shares for approximately $918,600 under this share repurchase program. Subsequent to year end, on February 27, 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount remaining under the program by an additional $400,000, with no stated expiration date.

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 $46,000 in 2022, $37,000 in 2021, and $21,400 in 2020.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 (ASU 2020-04), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. This guidance was able to be adopted on a prospective basis no later than December 31, 2022, with early adoption permitted. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 (ASU 2022-06). ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. As the Company no longer has any LIBOR based contracts, ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2022-06 did not have a material effect on the Company’s current financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Not Yet Adopted)

In September 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2022-04 (ASU 2022-04), Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 450-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations, which requires all buyers that use supplier finance programs to enhance the transparency of such programs to allow financial statement users to understand the effect on working capital, liquidity, and cash flows. The new guidance requires disclosure of key terms of the program, including a description of the payment terms, payment timing, and assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees provided to the finance provider or intermediary. Other requirements include the disclosure of the amount that remains unpaid as of the end of the reporting period, a description of where these obligations are presented in the balance sheet, and a rollforward of the obligation during the annual period. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2023, except for the rollforward, which is effective in 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related. The Company intends to adopt the new standard in 2023 with enhanced disclosure where required.