CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 543,369	$ 414,129
Receivables, net	513,832	515,902
Inventories	427,215	412,384
Prepaid expenses	35,071	25,144
Refundable and deferred income taxes	81,766	58,381
Total current assets	1,601,253	1,425,940
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,045,110	994,774
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	504,080	482,162
Net property, plant and equipment	541,030	512,612
Goodwill	340,495	330,791
Other intangible assets, net	169,904	172,270
Other assets	95,838	126,938
Total assets	2,748,520	2,568,551
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	265	224
Notes payable to banks	17,129	13,375
Accounts payable	214,188	212,424
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	108,774	101,905
Accrued expenses	87,614	78,503
Dividends payable	6,697	6,002
Total current liabilities	434,667	412,433
Deferred income taxes	79,305	88,300
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	471,294	472,593
Defined benefit pension liability	99,135	112,043
Deferred compensation	38,917	31,920
Other noncurrent liabilities	49,417	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	1,514,099	1,300,529
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	308	43,938
Treasury stock	(21,145)	(22,455)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,521,162	1,349,912
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	54,623	57,098
Total shareholders' equity	1,575,785	1,407,010
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,748,520	$ 2,568,551