CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 490,477	$ 414,129
Receivables, net	513,766	515,902
Inventories	413,408	412,384
Prepaid expenses	33,587	25,144
Refundable and deferred income taxes	68,168	58,381
Total current assets	1,519,406	1,425,940
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,018,988	994,774
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	488,506	482,162
Net property, plant and equipment	530,482	512,612
Goodwill	332,367	330,791
Other intangible assets, net	168,470	172,270
Other assets	100,898	126,938
Total assets	2,651,623	2,568,551
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	457	224
Notes payable to banks	16,004	13,375
Accounts payable	212,097	212,424
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	100,536	101,905
Accrued expenses	80,988	78,503
Dividends payable	6,693	6,002
Total current liabilities	416,775	412,433
Deferred income taxes	80,151	88,300
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	471,662	472,593
Defined benefit pension liability	98,707	112,043
Deferred compensation	37,117	31,920
Other noncurrent liabilities	48,854	44,252
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	1,458,326	1,300,529
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,019)	43,938
Treasury stock	(21,317)	(22,455)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,445,890	1,349,912
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	52,467	57,098
Total shareholders' equity	1,498,357	1,407,010
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,651,623	$ 2,568,551