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LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 27, 2014
Sep. 27, 2014
Aug. 15, 2012
Dec. 28, 2013
Sep. 22, 2014
Oct. 17, 2014
Long-term debt:            
Total long-term debt $ 767,835,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt     $ 471,109,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt    
Less current installments of long-term debt 1,181,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent     202,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent    
Long-term debt, excluding current installments 766,654,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent     470,907,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent    
Minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt            
2014 1,181,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths          
2015 1,357,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo          
2016 1,068,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree          
2017 1,066,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour          
2018 900,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive          
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044            
Long-term debt:            
Aggregate principal amount 250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
      250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
 
Total long-term debt 250,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
         
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes 1,155,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
    1,155,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
   
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent) 100.00%vmi_DebtInstrumentRepurchasePriceAsPercentageOfFaceValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
         
Interest rate on notes (as a percent) 5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
    5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
 
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054            
Long-term debt:            
Aggregate principal amount 250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
      250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
 
Total long-term debt 250,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
         
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes 3,294,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
         
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent) 100.00%vmi_DebtInstrumentRepurchasePriceAsPercentageOfFaceValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
         
Interest rate on notes (as a percent) 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
    5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
 
Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes            
Long-term debt:            
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes (4,449,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_UnamortizedDiscountOnSeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentAnd5.25PercentMember
         
6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020            
Long-term debt:            
Aggregate principal amount 250,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
         
Total long-term debt 250,200,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
    450,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
250,200,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
 
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes 5,429,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
         
Unamortized premium recognized as revenue   4,439,000vmi_UnamortizedPremiumRecognizedAsRevenue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
       
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent) 100.00%vmi_DebtInstrumentRepurchasePriceAsPercentageOfFaceValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
         
Cash prepayment expenses   41,200,000vmi_DebtPrepaymentExpenses
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
       
Interest rate on notes (as a percent) 6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
    6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
 
Repurchase amount through partial tender offer         199,800,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
 
Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes            
Long-term debt:            
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes 5,429,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_UnamortizedPremiumOnSeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625Due2020Member
    11,241,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_UnamortizedPremiumOnSeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625Due2020Member
   
Revolving credit agreement            
Long-term debt:            
Total long-term debt 0us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
         
Term of multicurrency revolving credit agreement     5 years      
Previous borrowing capacity           400,000,000vmi_LineOfCreditFacilityPreviousBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Maximum borrowing capacity           600,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Increase in borrowing capacity, maximum 200,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
         
Additional borrowing capacity 582,400,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
         
Standby letters of credit outstanding 17,600,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
         
Revolving credit agreement | Minimum            
Long-term debt:            
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent) 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Revolving credit agreement | Maximum            
Long-term debt:            
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent) 6.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
         
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR            
Long-term debt:            
Variable interest rate basis LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company)          
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent) 1.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
         
Variable interest rate, base period 1 month          
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR | Minimum            
Long-term debt:            
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent) 1.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
         
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR | Maximum            
Long-term debt:            
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent) 1.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
         
Revolving credit agreement | Prime lending rate            
Long-term debt:            
Variable interest rate basis Prime Lending Rate          
Revolving credit agreement | Federal Funds rate            
Long-term debt:            
Variable interest rate basis Federal Funds Rate          
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent) 50.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= vmi_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseFederalMember
         
IDR Bonds            
Long-term debt:            
Total long-term debt 8,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_IndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsMember
    8,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_IndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsMember
   
Effective interest rate (as a percent) 1.16%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_IndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsMember
    0.21%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_IndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsMember
   
Other notes            
Long-term debt:            
Total long-term debt 8,155,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_Notes1.75PercentTo3.485PercentMember
    1,368,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_Notes1.75PercentTo3.485PercentMember
   
Short Term Bank Lines Of Credit            
Long-term debt:            
Additional borrowing capacity 95,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_ShortTermBankLinesOfCreditMember
         
Balance $ 108,600,000us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_ShortTermBankLinesOfCreditMember