CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 362,894	$ 346,904
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $7,555 in 2011 and $8,406 in 2010	426,683	410,566
Inventories	393,782	280,223
Prepaid expenses	25,765	23,806
Refundable and deferred income taxes	43,819	32,727
Total current assets	1,252,943	1,094,226
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	911,642	865,287
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	456,765	425,678
Net property, plant and equipment	454,877	439,609
Goodwill	314,662	314,847
Other intangible assets	168,083	185,535
Other assets	115,511	56,526
Total assets	2,306,076	2,090,743
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	235	238
Notes payable to banks	11,403	8,824
Accounts payable	234,537	179,814
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	83,613	75,981
Accrued expenses	73,515	77,705
Dividends payable	4,767	4,352
Total current liabilities	408,070	346,914
Deferred income taxes	85,497	89,922
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	474,415	468,596
Defined benefit pension liability	68,024	104,171
Deferred compensation	30,741	23,300
Other noncurrent liabilities	41,418	47,713
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock of $1 par value Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued
Common stock of $1 par value Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 27,900,000 shares	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,079,698	850,269
Accumulated other comprehensive income	64,052	63,645
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 1,418,934 in 2011 and 1,525,661 in 2010	(24,688)	(25,922)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,146,962	915,892
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	50,949	94,235
Total shareholders' equity	1,197,911	1,010,127
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,306,076	$ 2,090,743