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GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 28, 2015
Sep. 22, 2014
Long-term debt:    
Parent company's percentage ownership of Guarantors 100.00%vmi_SubsidiaryGuarantorsPercentageOwned  
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044    
Long-term debt:    
Aggregate principal amount   $ 250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)   5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.00PercentDue2044Member
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054    
Long-term debt:    
Aggregate principal amount   250,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)   5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes5.25PercentDue2054Member
6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020    
Long-term debt:    
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)   6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
Debt Repurchase Amount   199,800us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member
Total long-term debt   $ 250,200us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vmi_SeniorUnsecuredNotes6.625PercentDue2020Member