CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 414,129	$ 362,894
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $7,898 in 2012 and $7,555 in 2011	515,902	426,683
Inventories	412,384	393,782
Prepaid expenses	25,144	25,765
Refundable and deferred income taxes	58,381	43,819
Total current assets	1,425,940	1,252,943
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	994,774	911,642
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	482,162	456,765
Net property, plant and equipment	512,612	454,877
Goodwill	330,791	314,662
Other intangible assets	172,270	168,083
Other assets	126,938	115,511
Total assets	2,568,551	2,306,076
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	224	235
Notes payable to banks	13,375	11,403
Accounts payable	212,424	216,729
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	101,905	83,613
Accrued expenses	78,503	73,515
Income taxes payable		17,808
Dividends payable	6,002	4,767
Total current liabilities	412,433	408,070
Deferred income taxes	88,300	85,497
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	472,593	474,415
Defined benefit pension liability	112,043	68,024
Deferred compensation	31,920	30,741
Other noncurrent liabilities	44,252	41,418
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	1,300,529	1,079,698
Accumulated other comprehensive income	43,938	64,052
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 1,225,836 in 2012 and 1,418,934 in 2011	(22,455)	(24,688)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,349,912	1,146,962
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	57,098	50,949
Total shareholders' equity	1,407,010	1,197,911
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,568,551	$ 2,306,076