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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Valmont” or the “Company”). The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America without audit. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for all periods presented.

These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023. The results of operations for any quarter or a partial fiscal year period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for other periods or the full fiscal year.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or net realizable value. Finished and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and the related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to finished and manufactured goods.

Inventories as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 consisted of the following:

September 28,

December 30,

2024

    

2023

Raw materials and purchased parts

$

220,963

$

217,134

Work in process

 

37,859

 

37,826

Finished and manufactured goods

 

352,600

 

403,468

Total inventories

$

611,422

$

658,428

Geographical Markets

Geographical Markets

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 were as follows:

    

Thirteen weeks ended

Thirty-nine weeks ended

September 28,

September 30,

September 28,

September 30,

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

United States

$

78,520

$

31,915

$

259,463

$

140,839

Foreign

 

33,835

 

(66,570)

 

103,565

 

50,447

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries

$

112,355

$

(34,655)

$

363,028

$

191,286

Pension Costs

Pension Costs

The Company incurs costs in connection with the Delta Pension Plan (“DPP”). The DPP was acquired as part of the Delta PLC acquisition in fiscal 2010 and has no members who are active employees. To measure the cost and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including the discount rates used to value the obligation, the expected return on plan assets used to fund the costs, and the 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 cost and liability associated with pension benefits.

The components of the net periodic pension cost for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 were as follows:

Thirteen weeks ended

Thirty-nine weeks ended

September 28,

September 30,

September 28,

September 30,

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Interest cost

$

5,445

$

5,472

$

15,929

$

16,142

Expected return on plan assets

 

(5,808)

 

(5,536)

 

(16,991)

 

(16,330)

Amortization of prior service costs

 

132

 

128

 

386

 

374

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

396

 

 

1,158

 

Net periodic pension cost

$

165

$

64

$

482

$

186

Stock Plans

Stock Plans

The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders. These plans provide that the Human Resources 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. As of September 28, 2024, 1,485,078 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans.

Stock options granted under the plans call for the exercise price of each option to equal the closing market price as of the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date in equal amounts over three years or on the grant’s fifth-anniversary date. The expiration of grants is seven to ten years from the date of the award. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over three or four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant.

The Company’s stock-based compensation (included in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options and restricted stock awards for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 were as follows:

Thirteen weeks ended

Thirty-nine weeks ended

September 28,

September 30,

September 28,

September 30,

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Stock-based compensation

$

7,557

$

8,954

$

21,665

$

28,810

Income tax benefits

 

1,889

 

2,239

 

5,416

 

7,203

Fair Value

Fair Value

The Company applies the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) 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.

ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Deferred Compensation Investments: The Company’s deferred compensation investments include mutual funds invested in debt and equity securities in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market. The investments are included in “Other non-current assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair values of foreign currency, commodity, and cross currency swap derivative contracts are based on valuation models that use market observable inputs including forward and spot prices for commodities and currencies.

Mutual Funds: The Company has short-term investments in various mutual funds.

Carrying Value

Fair Value Measurement Using:

September 28, 2024

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Deferred compensation investments

$

26,619

$

26,619

$

$

Derivative financial instruments, net

(3,358)

(3,358)

Cash and cash equivalents—mutual funds

8,989

8,989

Carrying Value

Fair Value Measurement Using:

December 30, 2023

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Deferred compensation investments

$

26,803

$

26,803

$

$

Derivative financial instruments, net

2,860

2,860

Cash and cash equivalents—mutual funds

6,258

6,258

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

The Company’s other non-financial assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs. See Note 5 for further information.

Leases

Leases

The Company’s operating lease right-of-use assets are included in “Other non-current assets” and the corresponding lease obligations are included in “Other accrued expenses” and “Operating lease liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity, and changes in prior service costs and net actuarial losses from the 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. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) consisted of the following as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

September 28,

December 30,

2024

    

2023

Foreign currency translation adjustments

$

(243,560)

$

(236,690)

Hedging activities

17,777

20,989

Defined benefit pension plan

(56,377)

(57,535)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

$

(282,160)

$

(273,236)

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition model 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 manufacture and sale 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 product line and Technology Products and Services product line.

Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products (on a limited basis, the Company may agree to other acceptance terms). Acceptance of the design by the customer is required before manufacturing commences and the product is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is generally not entitled to compensation solely based on the product design and does not recognize this service as a separate performance obligation. Therefore, no revenue is recognized for design services. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered, and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties.

Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded within cost of sales. 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 (“TD&S”), Solar, and Telecommunications product lines, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company has elected not to 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 one year of transfer of control of goods or services.

Most of the Company’s customers are invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer’s specified location. As revenue is recognized over time, contract assets are recorded, and such contract assets are relieved when the customer is invoiced. As of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, total contract assets were $183,085 and $175,721, respectively, and were recorded as “Contract assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Certain customers are also invoiced by advanced billings or progress billings. When progress on performance obligations is less than the amount the customer has been billed, a contract liability is recognized. As of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, total contract liabilities were $135,950 and $70,978, respectively. As of September 28, 2024, $100,150 was recorded as “Contract liabilities” and $35,800 as “Other non-current liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additional details are as follows:

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2024, the Company recognized $5,269 and $46,778 of revenue that was included in the total contract liability as of December 30, 2023, respectively. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations completed during the period.
During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized $49,644 and $149,801 of revenue that was included in the total contract liability as of December 31, 2022, respectively. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations completed during the period.
As of September 28, 2024, the Company had $35,800 of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an 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 structures within the TD&S and Telecommunications product lines are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structures to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced by contractual termination clauses or 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 transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress toward completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress toward completion requires judgment. For the structures manufactured within the TD&S and Telecommunications product lines, the Company generally recognizes revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to complete the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of sales, and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Depending on the product sold, revenue from the Solar product line is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms. External sales agents are used in certain TD&S product line sales. 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 the Lighting and Transportation product line and for the majority of Telecommunications 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. Some large regional customers 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 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 the Technology Products and Services product line are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

The disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in Note 8.

Supplier Finance Program

Supplier Finance Program

During fiscal 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party financial institution to facilitate a supplier finance program that allows qualifying suppliers to sell their receivables from the Company to the financial institution. These participating suppliers negotiate their outstanding receivable arrangements directly with the financial institution and the Company’s rights and obligations to suppliers are not impacted. The Company has no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to enter these agreements. Once a qualifying supplier elects to participate in the supplier finance program and reaches an agreement with a financial institution, they elect which individual Company invoices they sell to the financial institution. The Company’s obligation is to make payment in the invoice amount negotiated with participating suppliers to the financial institution on the invoice due date, regardless of whether the individual invoice is sold by the supplier to the financial institution. The financial institution pays the supplier on the invoice due date for any invoices not previously sold under the supplier finance program. The invoice amounts and scheduled payment terms are not impacted by the suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under these arrangements. The payment of these obligations is included in “Net cash flows from operating activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Included in “Accounts payable” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were $40,823 and $41,916 of outstanding payment obligations, respectively, that were sold to the financial institution under the Company’s supplier finance program.

Confirmed obligations outstanding as of December 30, 2023

$

41,916

Invoices confirmed during the period

159,600

Confirmed invoices paid during the period

 

(160,693)

Confirmed obligations outstanding as of September 28, 2024

$

40,823

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2023, the Company identified an error in the presentation of “Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries” of $60,865 as of December 31, 2022, $58,301 as of April 1, 2023, $58,068 as of July 1, 2023, and $56,970 as of September 30, 2023 that has been corrected in the current period. Such amounts were previously reported within “Total shareholders’ equity” and have been revised in the September 30, 2023 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests to be presented as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” outside of “Total shareholders’ equity”. The Company has evaluated the materiality of this error based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors and concluded it was not material to the prior period financial statements, individually or in aggregate.

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features that are not solely within the Company’s control are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests. The Company has redeemable noncontrolling interests in certain entities. The seller can require the Company to purchase their remaining ownership, known as a put right, for an amount and on a date specified in the applicable operating agreement. Likewise, the Company can require the seller to sell the Company their remaining ownership based on the same amount and timing, known as a call option.

As a result of these redemption features, the Company records the noncontrolling interests as redeemable and classifies the balances in temporary equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets initially at its acquisition-date fair value. The Company adjusts the redeemable noncontrolling interests each reporting period for the net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests and any redemption value adjustments. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is

accreted to the future redemption value using the effective interest method up to the date on which the put right becomes effective. Any accretion adjustment in the current reporting period of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is offset against retained earnings and impacts earnings used in the calculation of earnings per share in the reporting period.

As of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the redeemable noncontrolling interests were $46,111 and $62,792, respectively. The ultimate amount paid for the redeemable noncontrolling interests could be significantly different because the redemption amounts depend on the future results of the operations of the businesses.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ equity” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. When treasury shares are re-issued, 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 that 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 the next 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. In February 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount remaining under the program by an additional $400,000, with no stated expiration date, bringing the total authorization to $1,400,000. As of September 28, 2024, the Company has acquired 8,191,696 shares for $1,318,961 under this share repurchase program.

In November 2023, the Company entered into an accelerated purchase agreement to repurchase $120,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock (“November 2023 ASR”) with CitiBank, N.A. as counterparty. The November 2023 ASR was entered into under the Company’s previously announced share repurchase program described above. The Company pre-paid $120,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and received an initial delivery of 438,917 shares of common stock. The agreement was settled with the delivery of an additional 96,224 shares of common stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The total number of shares ultimately delivered under the November 2023 ASR, and therefore the average purchase price paid per share of $224.24, was determined based on the volume-weighted average market price of the Company’s common stock during the term of the agreement, less a discount.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves the disclosures about reportable segments including more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. This guidance will be effective for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2024 and the interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related. The Company has elected not to early adopt.

In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This guidance will be effective on a prospective basis for the fiscal year ending December 27, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related. The Company has elected not to early adopt.