EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Basic EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc, basic	$ 77,569	$ 52,325
Shares outstanding basic	26,583	26,396
Per share amount basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.92	$ 1.98
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options
Dilutive effect of stock options number of shares	276	282
Dilutive effect of stock options (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)
Diluted EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc, diluted	$ 77,569	$ 52,325
Shares outstanding dilutive	26,859	26,678
Per share amount diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.89	$ 1.96
Antidilutive Securities
Outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock, excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	0	0

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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