PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Land	$ 63,848	$ 65,413
Buildings	1,075,088	1,077,789
Machinery and equipment	1,479,917	1,492,251
Autos and trucks	58,213	58,518
Construction-in-progress	55,357	36,094
PP&E, gross	2,732,423	2,730,065
Accumulated depreciation	(1,535,459)	(1,488,313)
PP&E, net	$ 1,196,964	$ 1,241,752

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived assets under construction that include construction costs to date on capital projects that have not been completed and assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service.

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Carrying amount of real estate held for productive use and alterations to land which improves its potential for use, examples include, but are not limited to, walkways, driveways, fences, and parking lots. Excludes land held for sale.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets used in the production process to produce goods and services.

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Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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This element represents capitalized assets classified as property, plant and equipment not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

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