CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 339,568	$ 362,894
Receivables, net	450,280	426,683
Inventories	440,600	393,782
Prepaid expenses	27,881	25,765
Refundable and deferred income taxes	42,263	43,819
Total current assets	1,300,592	1,252,943
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	945,457	911,642
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	476,125	456,765
Net property, plant and equipment	469,332	454,877
Goodwill	320,617	314,662
Other intangible assets	168,259	168,083
Other assets	124,169	115,511
Total assets	2,382,969	2,306,076
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	264	235
Notes payable to banks	12,293	11,403
Accounts payable	235,743	234,537
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	68,907	83,613
Accrued expenses	82,479	73,515
Dividends payable	4,778	4,767
Total current liabilities	404,464	408,070
Deferred income taxes	86,798	85,497
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	474,015	474,415
Defined benefit pension liability	60,577	68,024
Deferred compensation	33,348	30,741
Other noncurrent liabilities	42,764	41,418
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; 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,130,655	1,079,698
Accumulated other comprehensive income	90,834	64,052
Treasury stock	(23,918)	(24,688)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,225,471	1,146,962
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	55,532	50,949
Total shareholders' equity	1,281,003	1,197,911
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,382,969	$ 2,306,076