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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

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ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 03, 2014 item	Oct. 06, 2014	Aug. 25, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill	$ 373,888us-gaap_Goodwill					$ 385,111us-gaap_Goodwill
Valmont SM, AgSense, Locker, Armorflex and Shakespeare acquisitions
Net sales and net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings	41,924
Net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings	1,997
Pro forma results of operations
Net sales		800,265
Net earnings		58,692
Earnings per share-diluted		$ 2.18
Valmont SM
Acquisitions
Ownership percentage acquired			90.00%
Annual sales			190,000
Number of manufacturing locations operated			2
Cash acquired			56
Cash paid for acquisition			120,483
Fair value of contingent consideration			0
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Current assets			73,421
Property, plant and equipment			85,645
Intangible assets			30,340
Goodwill			14,317
Total fair value of assets acquired			203,723
Current liabilities			50,953
Deferred income taxes			14,114
Intercompany note payable			37,448
Long-term debt			8,941
Total fair value of liabilities assumed			111,456
Non-controlling interests			9,232
Net assets acquired			83,035
Shakespeare
Acquisitions
Annual sales				55,000
Number of manufacturing locations operated				2
Cash paid for acquisition				48,272
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Current assets				12,532
Property, plant and equipment				10,694
Intangible assets				13,500
Goodwill				15,416
Total fair value of assets acquired				52,142
Current liabilities				3,870
Net assets acquired				48,272
AgSense LLC
Acquisitions
Ownership percentage acquired					51.00%
Cash paid for acquisition					17,000
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill					17,343
Customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets					$ 13,510