CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 452,218	$ 613,706
Receivables, net	570,810	515,440
Inventories	384,645	380,000
Prepaid expenses	64,673	22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes	64,438	65,697
Total current assets	1,536,784	1,597,840
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,138,421	1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	521,869	482,916
Net property, plant and equipment	616,552	534,210
Goodwill	374,144	349,632
Other intangible assets, net	199,819	170,917
Other assets	135,422	123,895
Total assets	2,862,721	2,776,494
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	188	202
Notes payable to banks	17,863	19,024
Accounts payable	209,996	216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	94,459	122,967
Accrued expenses	93,483	71,560
Dividends payable	9,299	6,706
Total current liabilities	425,288	436,580
Deferred income taxes	76,607	78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	768,611	470,907
Defined benefit pension liability	136,808	154,397
Deferred compensation	48,014	39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities	48,707	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	1,687,536	1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(72,071)	(47,685)
Treasury stock	(333,744)	(20,860)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,309,621	1,522,025
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	49,065	22,821
Total shareholders' equity	1,358,686	1,544,846
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,862,721	$ 2,776,494