CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 613,706	$ 414,129
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $10,369 in 2013 and $7,898 in 2012	515,440	515,902
Inventories	380,000	412,384
Prepaid expenses	22,997	25,144
Refundable and deferred income taxes	65,697	58,381
Total current assets	1,597,840	1,425,940
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,017,126	994,774
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	482,916	482,162
Net property, plant and equipment	534,210	512,612
Goodwill	349,632	330,791
Other intangible assets	170,917	172,270
Other assets	123,895	126,938
Total assets	2,776,494	2,568,551
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	202	224
Notes payable to banks	19,024	13,375
Accounts payable	216,121	212,424
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	122,967	101,905
Accrued expenses	71,560	78,503
Dividends payable	6,706	6,002
Total current liabilities	436,580	412,433
Deferred income taxes	78,924	88,300
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	470,907	472,593
Defined benefit pension liability	154,397	112,043
Deferred compensation	39,109	31,920
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,731	44,252
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
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	1,562,670	1,300,529
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(47,685)	43,938
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 1,075,039 in 2013 and 1,225,836 in 2012	(20,860)	(22,455)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,522,025	1,349,912
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	22,821	57,098
Total shareholders' equity	1,544,846	1,407,010
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,776,494	$ 2,568,551