CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 455,927	$ 613,706
Receivables, net	543,608	515,440
Inventories	381,943	380,000
Prepaid expenses	66,916	22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes	71,334	65,697
Total current assets	1,519,728	1,597,840
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,160,142	1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	521,288	482,916
Net property, plant and equipment	638,854	534,210
Goodwill	368,405	349,632
Other intangible assets, net	195,359	170,917
Other assets	136,258	123,895
Total assets	2,858,604	2,776,494
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	188	202
Notes payable to banks	17,485	19,024
Accounts payable	208,834	216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	95,365	122,967
Accrued expenses	91,631	71,560
Dividends payable	9,930	6,706
Total current liabilities	423,433	436,580
Deferred income taxes	95,674	78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	478,498	470,907
Defined benefit pension liability	143,114	154,397
Deferred compensation	48,292	39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities	54,503	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	1,672,287	1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,204)	(47,685)
Treasury stock	(95,714)	(20,860)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,582,269	1,522,025
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	32,821	22,821
Total shareholders' equity	1,615,090	1,544,846
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,858,604	$ 2,776,494