GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	$ 78,140	$ 52,588
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	(9,620)	29,562
Realized (loss) included in net earnings during the period	(5,194)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14,814)	29,562
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	100	100
Loss arising during the period	100	100
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability	(936)	1,871
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,650)	31,533
Comprehensive income	62,490	84,121
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,640	(5,014)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	64,130	79,107
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	77,569	52,325
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	100	100
Loss arising during the period	100	100
Equity in other comprehensive income	(13,539)	26,682
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,439)	26,782
Comprehensive income	64,130	79,107
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	64,130	79,107
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	27,507	22,072
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	(38,321)	(16,367)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(38,321)	(16,367)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(38,321)	(16,367)
Comprehensive income	(10,814)	5,705
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	(10,814)	5,705
Non-Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	29,261	23,232
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	28,701	45,929
Realized (loss) included in net earnings during the period	(5,194)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	23,507	45,929
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability	(936)	1,871
Other comprehensive income (loss)	22,571	47,800
Comprehensive income	51,832	71,032
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,640	(5,014)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	53,472	66,018
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	(56,197)	(45,041)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Equity in other comprehensive income	13,539	(26,682)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13,539	(26,682)
Comprehensive income	(42,658)	(71,723)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ (42,658)	$ (71,723)