CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net earnings	$ 31,507us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 56,563us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	(58,178)	11,637
Unrealized gain/(loss) on cash flow hedge:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	18	100
Gain on cash flow hedges	294
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan		(233)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(57,866)	11,504
Comprehensive income (loss)	(26,359)	68,067
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,327	88
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ (25,032)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 68,155us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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