CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 328,381	$ 362,894
Receivables, net	489,371	426,683
Inventories	441,296	393,782
Prepaid expenses	29,772	25,765
Refundable and deferred income taxes	43,999	43,819
Total current assets	1,332,819	1,252,943
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	941,725	911,642
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	476,033	456,765
Net property, plant and equipment	465,692	454,877
Goodwill	312,777	314,662
Other intangible assets	161,965	168,083
Other assets	123,496	115,511
Total assets	2,396,749	2,306,076
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	248	235
Notes payable to banks	17,374	11,403
Accounts payable	222,216	234,537
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	78,796	83,613
Accrued expenses	77,155	73,515
Dividends payable	5,985	4,767
Total current liabilities	401,774	408,070
Deferred income taxes	79,217	85,497
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	473,592	474,415
Defined benefit pension liability	60,182	68,024
Deferred compensation	32,817	30,741
Other noncurrent liabilities	41,328	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	1,186,603	1,079,698
Accumulated other comprehensive income	62,587	64,052
Treasury stock	(23,316)	(24,688)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,253,774	1,146,962
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	54,065	50,949
Total shareholders' equity	1,307,839	1,197,911
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,396,749	$ 2,306,076