CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 488,195	$ 613,706
Receivables, net	529,693	515,440
Inventories	424,825	380,000
Prepaid expenses	57,913	22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes	57,935	65,697
Total current assets	1,558,561	1,597,840
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,171,914	1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	559,711	482,916
Net property, plant and equipment	612,203	534,210
Goodwill	355,844	349,632
Other intangible assets, net	226,469	170,917
Other assets	132,789	123,895
Total assets	2,885,866	2,776,494
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	188	202
Notes payable to banks	14,860	19,024
Accounts payable	234,218	216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	86,327	122,967
Accrued expenses	91,110	71,560
Income taxes payable	9,967
Dividends payable	6,721	6,706
Total current liabilities	443,391	436,580
Deferred income taxes	104,642	78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	479,141	470,907
Defined benefit pension liability	139,047	154,397
Deferred compensation	46,502	39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities	53,340	51,731
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	1,615,696	1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(35,510)	(47,685)
Treasury stock	(19,897)	(20,860)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,588,189	1,522,025
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	31,614	22,821
Total shareholders' equity	1,619,803	1,544,846
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,885,866	$ 2,776,494