CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 336,908	$ 346,904
Receivables, net	449,431	410,566
Inventories	377,525	280,223
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,832	23,806
Refundable and deferred income taxes	35,216	32,727
Total current assets	1,227,912	1,094,226
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	889,857	865,287
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	452,718	425,678
Net property, plant and equipment	437,139	439,609
Goodwill	315,140	314,847
Other intangible assets, net	174,946	185,535
Other assets	54,040	56,526
Total assets	2,209,177	2,090,743
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	236	238
Notes payable to banks	11,022	8,824
Accounts payable	221,909	179,814
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	75,392	75,981
Accrued expenses	82,844	77,705
Dividends payable	4,760	4,352
Total current liabilities	396,163	346,914
Deferred income taxes	85,531	89,922
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	494,775	468,596
Defined benefit pension liability	96,990	104,171
Deferred compensation	29,401	23,300
Other noncurrent liabilities	43,068	47,713
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued
Common stock of $1 par value Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	966,872	850,269
Accumulated other comprehensive income	41,768	63,645
Treasury stock	(25,117)	(25,922)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,011,423	915,892
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	51,826	94,235
Total shareholders' equity	1,063,249	1,010,127
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,209,177	$ 2,090,743