Valmont Industries (VMI) 10-Q 27 Oct 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Oct. 20, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	102,729
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 24, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-26
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,511,043
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Product sales	$ 544,828	$ 560,518	$ 1,648,530	$ 1,776,194
Services sales	65,419	72,057	198,571	208,902
Net sales	610,247	632,575	1,847,101	1,985,096
Product cost of sales	409,003	427,688	1,220,567	1,348,402
Services cost of sales	46,221	48,136	135,425	144,941
Total cost of sales	455,224	475,824	1,355,992	1,493,343
Gross profit	155,023	156,751	491,109	491,753
Selling, general and administrative expenses	101,783	104,539	303,698	327,858
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	15,200	0	15,200
Operating income	53,240	37,012	187,411	148,695
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(11,100)	(11,120)	(33,276)	(33,480)
Interest income	771	905	2,289	2,395
Other	878	(1,230)	452	(242)
Total other income (expenses)	(9,451)	(11,445)	(30,535)	(31,327)
Earnings before income taxes	43,789	25,567	156,876	117,368
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	18,017	6,746	51,276	37,656
Deferred	(3,749)	5,272	(1,534)	5,217
Total income tax expense (benefit)	14,268	12,018	49,742	42,873
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	29,521	13,549	107,134	74,495
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Net earnings	29,521	13,549	107,134	74,495
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,348)	(1,483)	(3,966)	(3,817)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 28,173	$ 12,066	$ 103,168	$ 70,678
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 0.52	$ 4.56	$ 3.02
Diluted (in dollars per share)	1.24	0.52	4.54	3
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 1.125	$ 1.125
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (in shares)	22,505	23,057	22,602	23,420
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	22,659	23,170	22,741	23,534

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 29,521	$ 13,549	$ 107,134	$ 74,495
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	770	(53,518)	(1,938)	(93,368)
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,972	0	4,897	0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	18	18	56	55
Gain on cash flow hedges	0	110	0	1,155
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period	0	(439)	0	(439)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,760	(53,829)	3,015	(92,597)
Comprehensive income (loss)	32,281	(40,280)	110,149	(18,102)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,618)	847	(5,732)	206
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 30,663	$ (39,433)	$ 104,417	$ (17,896)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 349,375	$ 349,074
Receivables, net	455,692	466,443
Inventories	379,625	340,672
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	69,231	46,137
Refundable income taxes	20,342	24,526
Total current assets	1,274,265	1,226,852
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,120,350	1,081,056
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	594,710	548,567
Net property, plant and equipment	525,640	532,489
Goodwill	327,863	336,916
Other intangible assets, net	152,469	170,197
Other assets	103,806	125,928
Total assets	2,384,043	2,392,382
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	895	1,077
Notes payable to banks	853	976
Accounts payable	170,888	179,983
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	69,549	70,354
Accrued expenses	109,285	105,593
Dividends payable	8,455	8,571
Total current liabilities	359,925	366,554
Deferred income taxes	28,822	35,669
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	755,584	756,918
Defined benefit pension liability	156,524	179,323
Deferred compensation	47,783	48,417
Other noncurrent liabilities	33,104	40,290
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock of $1 par value - Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,811,947	1,729,679
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(265,969)	(267,218)
Treasury stock	(610,680)	(571,920)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	963,198	918,441
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	39,103	46,770
Total shareholders’ equity	1,002,301	965,211
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 2,384,043	$ 2,392,382

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, authorized shares (in shares)	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, issued shares (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, issued shares (in shares)	27,900,000	27,900,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		28 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 29,521	$ 13,549	$ 107,134	$ 74,495
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			61,242	70,859
Noncash loss on trading securities			973	5,020
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities			618	12,659
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			0	15,200
Stock-based compensation			6,572	5,667
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			(3,527)	0
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit)			1,486	(460)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			(712)	(15,735)
Increase in restricted cash - pension			(13,652)	0
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment			250	1,263
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(3,749)	5,272	(1,534)	5,217
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables			16,436	5,551
Inventories			(34,413)	(25,447)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(10,624)	5,275
Accounts payable			(11,338)	832
Accrued expenses			3,272	7,368
Other noncurrent liabilities			240	887
Income taxes refundable			4,831	14,171
Net cash flows from operating activities			127,254	182,822
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(42,233)	(34,447)
Proceeds from sale of assets			3,938	3,256
Other, net			(2,824)	5,980
Net cash flows from investing activities			(41,119)	(25,211)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			(128)	(12,322)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			0	37,000
Principal payments on long-term borrowings			(1,563)	(37,878)
Dividends paid			(25,604)	(26,708)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(2,527)	(2,323)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests			11,009	0
Purchase of treasury shares			(46,581)	(148,220)	$ (610,600)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			6,509	10,902
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			0	1,458
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(1,453)	(12,135)
Net cash flows from financing activities			(82,356)	(190,226)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(3,478)	(26,113)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			301	(58,728)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			349,074	371,579
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$ 349,375	$ 312,851	$ 349,375	$ 312,851	$ 349,375

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
Beginning balance at Dec. 27, 2014	$ 1,250,405	$ 27,900	$ 0	$ 1,718,662	$ (134,433)	$ (410,296)	$ 48,572
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings	74,495			70,678			3,817
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(92,597)				(88,574)		(4,023)
Cash dividends declared	(26,249)			(26,249)			0
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(2,323)						(2,323)
Purchase of treasury shares	(148,220)					(148,220)
Stock plan exercises	(12,135)					(12,135)
Stock options exercised	10,902		(11,078)	4,530		17,450
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	1,458		1,458
Stock option expense	3,936		3,936
Stock awards	6,105		5,684			421
Ending balance at Sep. 26, 2015	1,065,777	27,900	0	1,767,621	(223,007)	(552,780)	46,043
Beginning balance at Dec. 26, 2015	965,211	27,900	0	1,729,679	(267,218)	(571,920)	46,770
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings	107,134			103,168			3,966
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,015				1,249		1,766
Cash dividends declared	(25,482)			(25,482)			0
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(2,527)						(2,527)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(11,009)		(137)				(10,872)
Purchase of treasury shares	(46,581)					(46,581)
Stock plan exercises	(1,453)					(1,453)
Stock options exercised	6,509		(6,435)	4,582		8,362
Stock option expense	4,358		4,358
Stock awards	3,126		2,214			912
Ending balance at Sep. 24, 2016	$ 1,002,301	$ 27,900	$ 0	$ 1,811,947	$ (265,969)	$ (610,680)	$ 39,103

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Purchase of treasury shares, shares acquired (in shares)	245,798	989,821
Stock plan exercises; shares acquired (in shares)	10,747	82,989
Stock options exercised; shares issued (in shares)	62,535	119,687
Stock awards; shares issued (in shares)	6,976	4,846

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 24, 2016 , the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Shareholders' Equity for the thirty-nine week periods then ended have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) have been made to present fairly the financial statements as of September 24, 2016 and for all periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015 . The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in these interim financial statements are the same as those followed in the financial statements for the year ended December 26, 2015 . The results of operations for the period ended September 24, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. Inventories Approximately 38% and 39% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 . All other inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or market. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods. The excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value is approximately $38,267 and $35,075 at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively. Inventories consisted of the following: September 24, December 26, Raw materials and purchased parts $ 174,442 $ 162,977 Work-in-process 26,079 25,644 Finished goods and manufactured goods 217,371 187,126 Subtotal 417,892 375,747 Less: LIFO reserve 38,267 35,075 $ 379,625 $ 340,672 (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Income Taxes Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 United States $ 21,550 $ 26,343 $ 105,390 $ 92,625 Foreign 22,239 (776 ) 51,486 24,743 $ 43,789 $ 25,567 $ 156,876 $ 117,368 Pension Benefits The Company incurs expenses in connection with the Delta Pension Plan ("DPP"). The DPP was acquired as part of the Delta plc acquisition in fiscal 2010 and has no members that are active employees. In order to measure expense and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and liability associated with pension benefits. The components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended Net periodic (benefit) expense: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Interest cost $ 6,092 $ 6,186 $ 19,134 $ 18,486 Expected return on plan assets (5,565 ) (6,341 ) (17,648 ) (18,946 ) Net periodic (benefit) expense $ 527 $ (155 ) $ 1,486 $ (460 ) Stock Plans The Company maintains stock‑based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, non-vested stock awards and bonuses of common stock. At September 24, 2016 , 884,562 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans. Shares and options issued and available are subject to changes in capitalization. Under the plans, the exercise price of each option equals the closing market price at the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three to six years or on the fifth anniversary of the grant. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Expiration of grants is from seven to ten years from the date of grant. The Company's compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , respectively, were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 Compensation expense $ 1,399 $ 1,283 $ 4,358 $ 3,936 Income tax benefits 539 494 1,678 1,515 Equity Method Investments The Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries, which are recorded within "Other assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Fair Value The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three‑level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Trading Securities: The assets and liabilities recorded for the investments held in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan of $36,925 ( $37,963 at December 26, 2015) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as trading securities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 320, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities , considering the employee's ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any time. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) The Company's ownership of shares in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (JSE:DTA) is also classified as trading securities. The shares are valued at $1,721 and $4,734 as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively, which is the estimated fair value. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company received a dividend of $1,541 from Delta EMD Pty. Ltd and the market price of the shares were proportionately reduced accordingly. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market and therefore categorized as a Level 1 input. Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 38,646 $ 38,646 $ — $ — Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 42,697 $ 42,697 $ — $ — Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes net earnings, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance at December 26, 2015 $ (191,928 ) $ 3,678 $ (78,968 ) $ (267,218 ) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) (14,070 ) 4,953 10,366 1,249 Balance at September 24, 2016 $ (205,998 ) $ 8,631 $ (68,602 ) $ (265,969 ) Net Investment Hedge In the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into a one-year foreign currency forward contract which qualified as a net investment hedge, in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on a portion of our investments denominated in British pounds. No ineffectiveness resulted from the hedge and the balance is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income within gain/(loss) on hedging activities. The realized gain (loss) will be deferred in other comprehensive income where it will remain until the net investments in our British subsidiaries are divested. The unrealized gain recorded at Septemb er 24, 2016 is $4,897 and is included in Other Current Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition . The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-9 was to be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied retrospectively. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Deferral of the Effective Date , which defers the effective date by one year to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory . Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating the provisions of this statement, including which period to adopt, and has not determined what impact the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS On September 30, 2015, the Company purchased American Galvanizing for $12,778 in cash, net of cash acquired, plus assumed liabilities. American Galvanizing operates a custom galvanizing operation in New Jersey with annual sales of approximately $10,000 . In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,019 and $2,178 of customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets were recorded. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. This business is included in the Coatings segment and was acquired to expand the Company's geographic presence in the Northeast United States. The purchase price allocation was finalized in the first quarter of 2016. Pro-forma disclosures were omitted as this business did not have a significant impact on the Company's 2015 or 2016 financial results. Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests In April 2016, the Company acquired the remaining 30% of IGC Galvanizing Industries (M) Sdn Bhd that it did not own for $5,841 . In June 2016, the Company acquired 5.2% of the remaining 10% of Valmont SM that it did not own for $5,168 . As these transactions were for acquisitions of part or all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiaries with no change in control, they were recorded within shareholders' equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES	RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES 2016 Plan In July 2016, the Company identified a restructuring plan in Australia/New Zealand (the "2016 Plan") focused primarily on closing and consolidating locations within the Energy and Mining and Coatings segments. During the last six months of fiscal 2016, the Company estimates it will incur the following pre-tax expenses from the 2016 Plan: Energy & Mining Coatings Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 365 $ 380 $ — $ 745 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,588 285 — 1,873 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 815 — — 815 Total cost of sales 2,768 665 — 3,433 Severance 240 715 — 955 Other cash restructuring expenses 140 — 225 365 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 380 715 225 1,320 Consolidated total $ 3,148 $ 1,380 $ 225 $ 4,753 During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring expenses: Energy & Mining Coatings Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 155 $ 69 $ — $ 224 Other cash restructuring expenses 533 — — 533 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 618 — — 618 Total cost of sales 1,306 69 — 1,375 Severance 161 236 — 397 Other cash restructuring expenses 140 — 225 365 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 301 236 225 762 Consolidated total $ 1,607 $ 305 $ 225 $ 2,137 2015 Plan In April 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a broad restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan") to respond to the market environment in certain businesses. During fiscal 2015, the Company substantially completed this 2015 Plan and recognized $21,708 of pre-tax restructuring expenses in cost of sales and $18,144 of pre-tax restructuring expenses in selling, general, and administrative expenses. Within the total fiscal 2015 pre-tax restructuring expense of $39,852 were pre-tax asset impairments of $19,836 . During fiscal 2016, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring cash expense related to the 2015 Plan: • Utility segment recognized $528 (cost of sales) • Engineered Support Structures (ESS) recognized $587 (SG&A) • Corporate recorded $1,572 (SG&A) and • Coatings recognized $241 (SG&A). During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring expenses: ESS Energy & Mining Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 149 $ 1,260 $ 204 $ 120 $ — $ — $ 1,733 Other cash restructuring expenses 284 500 674 138 — — 1,596 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals — 890 43 548 — — 1,481 Total cost of sales 433 2,650 921 806 — — 4,810 Severance 1,201 284 — — 52 400 1,937 Other cash restructuring expenses — — 238 — — — 238 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals — — — — 1,815 1,815 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 1,201 284 238 — 52 2,215 3,990 Consolidated total $ 1,634 $ 2,934 $ 1,159 $ 806 $ 52 $ 2,215 $ 8,800 Liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans and changes therein for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 were as follows: Balance at December 26, 2015 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at September 24, 2016 Severance $ 1,307 $ 1,449 $ (1,431 ) $ 1,325 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,426 2,998 (2,999 ) 1,425 Total $ 2,733 $ 4,447 $ (4,430 ) $ 2,750

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Amortized Intangible Assets The components of amortized intangible assets at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: September 24, 2016 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 195,371 $ 109,595 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,658 3,056 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,998 3,831 11 years Other 3,886 3,829 3 years $ 209,913 $ 120,311 December 26, 2015 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 201,801 $ 101,614 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,571 2,966 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,815 3,421 11 years Other 3,752 3,671 3 years $ 215,939 $ 111,672 Amortization expense for intangible assets for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , respectively was as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 $ 3,964 $ 4,507 $ 12,037 $ 14,157 (4) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows: Estimated 2016 $ 15,895 2017 15,390 2018 13,764 2019 12,994 2020 11,945 The useful lives assigned to finite‑lived intangible assets included consideration of factors such as the Company’s past and expected experience related to customer retention rates, the remaining legal or contractual life of the underlying arrangement that resulted in the recognition of the intangible asset and the Company’s expected use of the intangible asset. Non-amortized intangible assets Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. The carrying values of trade names at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: September 24, December 26, Year Acquired Webforge $ 9,061 $ 10,430 2010 Valmont SM 9,333 8,919 2014 Newmark 11,111 11,111 2004 Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products 7,387 8,504 2010 Donhad 5,573 6,415 2010 Shakespeare 4,000 4,000 2014 Industrial Galvanizers 2,313 2,662 2010 Other 14,089 13,889 $ 62,867 $ 65,930 In its determination of these intangible assets as indefinite‑lived, the Company considered such factors as its expected future use of the intangible asset, legal, regulatory, technological and competitive factors that may impact the useful life or value of the intangible asset and the expected costs to maintain the value of the intangible asset. The Company expects that these intangible assets will maintain their value indefinitely. Accordingly, these assets are not amortized. The Company’s trade names were tested for impairment in the third quarter of 2016. The values of each trade name was determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, no trade names were determined to be impaired as of the third quarter of 2016. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $5,000 impairment of the Webforge trade name (in Energy & Mining segment) and a $1,100 impairment of the Industrial Galvanizing trade name (in Coatings segment). The Company also recognized an additional $830 impairment of the Webforge trade name in the fourth quarter of 2015. (4) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) Goodwill The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 was as follows: Engineered Energy & Mining Segment Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross goodwill at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 99,829 $ 75,404 $ 75,941 $ 19,359 $ 371,808 Accumulated impairment losses — (18,670 ) — (16,222 ) — (34,892 ) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 81,159 $ 75,404 $ 59,719 $ 19,359 $ 336,916 Foreign currency translation (4,559 ) (4,968 ) — 163 311 (9,053 ) Balance at September 24, 2016 $ 96,716 $ 76,191 $ 75,404 $ 59,882 $ 19,670 $ 327,863 The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed during the third quarter of 2016, using the discounted cash flow method. As a result of that testing, the Company determined that its goodwill was not impaired, as the valuation of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. The Company's offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit with $13,872 of goodwill, is the reporting unit with the least amount of cushion between its estimated fair value and its carrying value. In the impairment model, the Company is forecasting steady growth in sales between 2018 to 2020 of the other complex steel structures to offset the significant decline in sales from offshore oil and gas structures realized in fiscal 2016. If this reporting unit is not able to build out a backlog of other product lines projects during 2017 to construct and deliver in fiscal 2018, an interim impairment test may be required before the next annual impairment test. The Company continues to monitor changes in the global economy that could impact future operating results of its reporting units. If such conditions arise, the Company will test a given reporting unit for impairment prior to the annual test. In the third quarter of 2015, the APAC Coatings reporting unit failed step one in that the estimated fair value was lower than the carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a $9,100 impairment of goodwill on the APAC Coatings reporting unit. The Company finalized step two of the impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of 2015 and recorded an additional impairment of $7,122 , which was the remaining goodwill of this reporting unit. The Company also recorded an $18,670 impairment of access system's goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2015.

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMA

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 were as follows: 2016 2015 Interest $ 24,036 $ 23,447 Income taxes 47,954 21,517 Share Repurchase Programs On May 13, 2014, the Company announced a new capital allocation philosophy which increased the dividend by 50% and covered a share repurchase program of up to $500,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock to be acquired from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. On February 24, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of September 24, 2016 , the Company has acquired 4,531,259 shares for approximately $610,600 under the share repurchase programs.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS): Basic EPS Dilutive Diluted EPS Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 28,173 $ — $ 28,173 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 22,505 154 22,659 Per share amount $ 1.25 $ (0.01 ) $ 1.24 Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 12,066 $ — $ 12,066 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 23,057 113 23,170 Per share amount $ 0.52 $ — $ 0.52 Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 103,168 $ — $ 103,168 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 22,602 139 22,741 Per share amount $ 4.56 $ (0.02 ) $ 4.54 Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 70,678 $ — $ 70,678 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 23,420 114 23,534 Per share amount $ 3.02 $ (0.02 ) $ 3.00 Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not equal the total for the year primarily due to the share buyback program. At September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, there were 378,566 and 433,401 outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	BUSINESS SEGMENTS In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company changed its reportable segment structure to improve transparency. The Company now has five reportable segments and its management structure was changed to align with this new reporting structure. A new reportable segment, Energy & Mining, includes the businesses primarily serving the energy and mining end markets. This segment includes the access systems applications businesses and offshore structures business that was formerly part of the Engineered Infrastructure Products (EIP) segment, and the grinding media business that was formerly included in the "Other" category. The remaining businesses from the EIP segment was also renamed "Engineered Support Structures". The last change in the reporting structure was moving the tubing business from the "Other" category to the Irrigation segment. Prior year information in this footnote has been updated to match the new reportable segment structure. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered metal structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, and roadway safety industries; ENERGY AND MINING: This segment, all outside of the United States, consists of the manufacture of access systems applications, forged steel grinding media, on and off shore oil, gas, and wind energy structures; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry; COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services on a global basis; and IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the global agricultural industry and tubular products for industrial customers. Due to the business reorganization and restructuring activities that occurred in 2015, there are no longer business operations included in Other for fiscal 2016. In 2015, the Company had other businesses and activities that individually were not more than 1% of consolidated sales. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based upon operating income and invested capital. The Company does not allocate interest expense, non-operating income and deductions, or income taxes to its business segments. (7) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) Summary by Business Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, September 26, September 24, September 26, SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products $ 159,089 $ 147,470 $ 468,582 $ 447,639 Communication Products 44,095 51,940 115,489 130,431 Engineered Support Structures segment 203,184 199,410 584,071 578,070 Energy and Mining segment: Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 27,330 26,813 76,207 74,796 Grinding Media 20,681 24,228 61,189 77,575 Access Systems 33,541 33,691 97,297 106,724 Energy and Mining segment 81,552 84,732 234,693 259,095 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 131,085 135,997 379,157 433,695 Concrete 19,582 28,687 67,275 70,259 Utility Support Structures segment 150,667 164,684 446,432 503,954 Coatings segment 70,082 76,201 213,961 226,654 Irrigation segment 127,809 126,775 438,575 474,655 Other — 1,691 — 6,202 Total 633,294 653,493 1,917,732 2,048,630 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 10,076 5,027 29,202 16,266 Energy & Mining segment 319 1,950 3,386 2,051 Utility Support Structures segment 276 287 538 849 Coatings segment 10,079 11,428 31,778 36,153 Irrigation segment 2,297 1,287 5,727 4,769 Other — 939 — 3,446 Total 23,047 20,918 70,631 63,534 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 193,108 194,383 554,869 561,804 Energy & Mining segment 81,233 82,782 231,307 257,044 Utility Support Structures segment 150,391 164,397 445,894 503,105 Coatings segment 60,003 64,773 182,183 190,501 Irrigation segment 125,512 125,488 432,848 469,886 Other — 752 — 2,756 Total $ 610,247 $ 632,575 $ 1,847,101 $ 1,985,096 OPERATING INCOME: Engineered Support Structures segment $ 19,577 $ 20,073 $ 54,753 $ 45,742 Energy & Mining segment 3,941 (4,302 ) 9,184 2,762 Utility Support Structures segment 16,030 14,505 48,326 40,261 Coatings segment 11,696 3,145 37,132 22,006 Irrigation segment 14,153 14,194 70,761 76,233 Other — (1,386 ) — (3,765 ) Corporate (12,157 ) (9,217 ) (32,745 ) (34,544 ) Total $ 53,240 $ 37,012 $ 187,411 $ 148,695

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINANCI

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Company has three tranches of senior unsecured notes. All of the senior notes are guaranteed, jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally (subject to certain customary release provisions, including sale of the subsidiary guarantor, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets) by certain of the Company’s current and future direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries (collectively the “Guarantors”), excluding its other current domestic and foreign subsidiaries which do not guarantee the debt (collectively referred to as the “Non-Guarantors”). All Guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company. Consolidated financial information for the Company ("Parent"), the Guarantor subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor subsidiaries is as follows: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 261,928 $ 89,305 $ 300,648 $ (41,634 ) $ 610,247 Cost of sales 199,957 66,401 230,561 (41,695 ) 455,224 Gross profit 61,971 22,904 70,087 61 155,023 Selling, general and administrative expenses 46,183 11,073 44,527 — 101,783 Operating income 15,788 11,831 25,560 61 53,240 Other income (expense): Interest expense (10,920 ) (6 ) (174 ) — (11,100 ) Interest income 68 12 691 — 771 Other 1,370 12 (504 ) — 878 (9,482 ) 18 13 — (9,451 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 6,306 11,849 25,573 61 43,789 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 6,112 5,095 6,762 48 18,017 Deferred (5,321 ) — 1,572 — (3,749 ) 791 5,095 8,334 48 14,268 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 5,515 6,754 17,239 13 29,521 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 22,658 — — (22,658 ) — Net earnings 28,173 6,754 17,239 (22,645 ) 29,521 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1,348 ) — (1,348 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 28,173 $ 6,754 $ 15,891 $ (22,645 ) $ 28,173 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 837,137 $ 277,990 $ 873,673 $ (141,699 ) $ 1,847,101 Cost of sales 619,493 205,497 671,202 (140,200 ) 1,355,992 Gross profit 217,644 72,493 202,471 (1,499 ) 491,109 Selling, general and administrative expenses 133,207 33,583 136,908 — 303,698 Operating income 84,437 38,910 65,563 (1,499 ) 187,411 Other income (expense): Interest expense (32,768 ) (9 ) (499 ) — (33,276 ) Interest income 181 51 2,057 — 2,289 Other 1,694 39 (1,281 ) — 452 (30,893 ) 81 277 — (30,535 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 53,544 38,991 65,840 (1,499 ) 156,876 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 22,086 13,909 15,762 (481 ) 51,276 Deferred (1,834 ) — 300 — (1,534 ) 20,252 13,909 16,062 (481 ) 49,742 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 33,292 25,082 49,778 (1,018 ) 107,134 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 69,876 7,859 — (77,735 ) — Net earnings 103,168 32,941 49,778 (78,753 ) 107,134 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3,966 ) — (3,966 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 103,168 $ 32,941 $ 45,812 $ (78,753 ) $ 103,168 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 249,121 $ 114,766 $ 321,726 $ (53,038 ) $ 632,575 Cost of sales 191,143 82,848 255,424 (53,591 ) 475,824 Gross profit 57,978 31,918 66,302 553 156,751 Selling, general and administrative expenses 44,432 11,154 48,953 — 104,539 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — — 15,200 — 15,200 Operating income 13,546 20,764 2,149 553 37,012 Other income (expense): Interest expense (10,822 ) — (298 ) — (11,120 ) Interest income (9 ) 2 912 — 905 Other (2,123 ) 31 862 — (1,230 ) (12,954 ) 33 1,476 — (11,445 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 592 20,797 3,625 553 25,567 Income tax expense (benefit): Current (9,059 ) 8,423 7,226 156 6,746 Deferred 7,909 (478 ) (2,159 ) — 5,272 (1,150 ) 7,945 5,067 156 12,018 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 1,742 12,852 (1,442 ) 397 13,549 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 10,324 1,254 — (11,578 ) — Net earnings 12,066 14,106 (1,442 ) (11,181 ) 13,549 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1,483 ) — (1,483 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 12,066 $ 14,106 $ (2,925 ) $ (11,181 ) $ 12,066 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 889,408 $ 312,804 $ 946,517 $ (163,633 ) $ 1,985,096 Cost of sales 673,789 235,893 747,075 (163,414 ) 1,493,343 Gross profit 215,619 76,911 199,442 (219 ) 491,753 Selling, general and administrative expenses 143,387 33,542 150,929 — 327,858 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — — 15,200 — 15,200 Operating income 72,232 43,369 33,313 (219 ) 148,695 Other income (expense): Interest expense (32,548 ) — (932 ) — (33,480 ) Interest income 4 6 2,385 — 2,395 Other (3,020 ) 31 2,747 — (242 ) (35,564 ) 37 4,200 — (31,327 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 36,668 43,406 37,513 (219 ) 117,368 Income tax expense (benefit): Current (122 ) 18,273 19,570 (65 ) 37,656 Deferred 11,728 (1,062 ) (5,449 ) — 5,217 11,606 17,211 14,121 (65 ) 42,873 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 25,062 26,195 23,392 (154 ) 74,495 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 45,616 6,435 — (52,051 ) — Net earnings 70,678 32,630 23,392 (52,205 ) 74,495 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3,817 ) — (3,817 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 70,678 $ 32,630 $ 19,575 $ (52,205 ) $ 70,678 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 28,173 $ 6,754 $ 17,239 $ (22,645 ) $ 29,521 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (114 ) 884 — 770 Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Net investment hedge 1,972 — — — 1,972 Amortization cost included in interest expense 18 — — — 18 Equity in other comprehensive income 500 — — (500 ) — Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,490 (114 ) 884 (500 ) 2,760 Comprehensive income (loss) 30,663 6,640 18,123 (23,145 ) 32,281 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1,618 ) — (1,618 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 30,663 $ 6,640 $ 16,505 $ (23,145 ) $ 30,663 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 103,168 $ 32,941 $ 49,778 $ (78,753 ) $ 107,134 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (263 ) (1,675 ) — (1,938 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Net investment hedge 4,897 — — — 4,897 Amortization cost included in interest expense 56 — — — 56 Equity in other comprehensive income (3,704 ) — — 3,704 — Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,249 (263 ) (1,675 ) 3,704 3,015 Comprehensive income (loss) 104,417 32,678 48,103 (75,049 ) 110,149 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,732 ) — (5,732 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 104,417 $ 32,678 $ 42,371 $ (75,049 ) $ 104,417 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 12,066 $ 14,106 $ (1,442 ) $ (11,181 ) $ 13,549 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (6,168 ) (47,350 ) — (53,518 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Amortization cost included in interest expense 18 — — — 18 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period — — (439 ) — (439 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (33 ) — 143 — 110 Equity in other comprehensive income (51,484 ) — — 51,484 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (51,499 ) (6,168 ) (47,646 ) 51,484 (53,829 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (39,433 ) 7,938 (49,088 ) 40,303 (40,280 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 847 — 847 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ (39,433 ) $ 7,938 $ (48,241 ) $ 40,303 $ (39,433 ) (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 70,678 $ 32,630 $ 23,392 $ (52,205 ) $ 74,495 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (14,980 ) (78,388 ) — (93,368 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Amortization cost included in interest expense 55 — — — 55 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period — — (439 ) — (439 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (242 ) — 1,397 — 1,155 Equity in other comprehensive income (88,387 ) — — 88,387 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (88,574 ) (14,980 ) (77,430 ) 88,387 (92,597 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (17,896 ) 17,650 (54,038 ) 36,182 (18,102 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 206 — 206 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ (17,896 ) $ 17,650 $ (53,832 ) $ 36,182 $ (17,896 ) (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 47,301 $ 5,818 $ 296,256 $ — $ 349,375 Receivables, net 141,242 51,418 263,032 — 455,692 Inventories 144,070 43,403 196,645 (4,493 ) 379,625 Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets 14,426 690 54,115 — 69,231 Refundable income taxes 20,342 — — — 20,342 Total current assets 367,381 101,329 810,048 (4,493 ) 1,274,265 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 542,199 150,966 427,185 — 1,120,350 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 349,386 76,463 168,861 — 594,710 Net property, plant and equipment 192,813 74,503 258,324 — 525,640 Goodwill 20,108 110,562 197,193 — 327,863 Other intangible assets 198 37,211 115,060 — 152,469 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,280,566 858,852 1,095,578 (3,234,996 ) — Other assets 38,557 83 65,166 — 103,806 Total assets $ 1,899,623 $ 1,182,540 $ 2,541,369 $ (3,239,489 ) $ 2,384,043 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ — $ — $ 895 $ — $ 895 Notes payable to banks — — 853 — 853 Accounts payable 50,119 16,210 104,559 — 170,888 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 27,969 6,052 35,528 — 69,549 Accrued expenses 44,340 15,880 49,065 — 109,285 Dividends payable 8,455 — — — 8,455 Total current liabilities 130,883 38,142 190,900 — 359,925 Deferred income taxes 7,852 — 20,970 — 28,822 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,351 — 4,233 — 755,584 Defined benefit pension liability — — 156,524 — 156,524 Deferred compensation 42,564 — 5,219 — 47,783 Other noncurrent liabilities 3,775 5 29,324 — 33,104 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,682 (1,106,632 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,811,947 591,654 546,184 (1,137,838 ) 1,811,947 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (265,969 ) (64,625 ) (207,306 ) 271,931 (265,969 ) Treasury stock (610,680 ) — — — (610,680 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 963,198 1,144,393 2,095,096 (3,239,489 ) 963,198 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 39,103 — 39,103 Total shareholders’ equity 963,198 1,144,393 2,134,199 (3,239,489 ) 1,002,301 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,899,623 $ 1,182,540 $ 2,541,369 $ (3,239,489 ) $ 2,384,043 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 62,281 $ 4,008 $ 282,785 $ — $ 349,074 Receivables, net 130,741 66,387 269,315 — 466,443 Inventories 132,222 38,379 173,064 (2,993 ) 340,672 Prepaid expenses 9,900 766 35,471 — 46,137 Refundable income taxes 24,526 — — — 24,526 Total current assets 359,670 109,540 760,635 (2,993 ) 1,226,852 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 541,536 132,864 406,656 — 1,081,056 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 334,471 69,956 144,140 — 548,567 Net property, plant and equipment 207,065 62,908 262,516 — 532,489 Goodwill 20,108 110,562 206,246 — 336,916 Other intangible assets 238 40,959 129,000 — 170,197 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,239,228 813,779 939,177 (2,992,184 ) — Other assets 40,067 — 85,861 — 125,928 Total assets $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ 215 $ — $ 862 $ — $ 1,077 Notes payable to banks — — 976 — 976 Accounts payable 66,723 13,680 99,580 — 179,983 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 32,272 6,347 31,735 — 70,354 Accrued expenses 31,073 22,802 51,718 — 105,593 Dividends payable 8,571 — — — 8,571 Total current liabilities 138,854 42,829 184,871 — 366,554 Deferred income taxes 9,686 — 25,983 — 35,669 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,765 — 5,153 — 756,918 Defined benefit pension liability — — 179,323 — 179,323 Deferred compensation 43,485 — 4,932 — 48,417 Other noncurrent liabilities 4,145 — 36,145 — 40,290 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,683 (1,106,633 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,729,679 541,917 354,727 (896,644 ) 1,729,679 Accumulated other comprehensive income (267,218 ) (64,362 ) (210,688 ) 275,050 (267,218 ) Treasury stock (571,920 ) — — — (571,920 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,900,258 (2,995,177 ) 918,441 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 46,770 — 46,770 Total shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,947,028 (2,995,177 ) 965,211 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 103,168 $ 32,941 $ 49,778 $ (78,753 ) $ 107,134 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 20,482 9,897 30,863 — 61,242 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 973 — 973 Impairment of assets - restructuring activities — — 618 — 618 Stock-based compensation 6,572 — — — 6,572 Change in fair value of contingent consideration — — (3,527 ) — (3,527 ) Defined benefit pension plan expense — — 1,486 — 1,486 Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (712 ) — (712 ) Increase in restricted cash - pension plan trust — — (13,652 ) — (13,652 ) Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment 2 117 131 — 250 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (69,876 ) (7,859 ) — 77,735 — Deferred income taxes (1,834 ) — 300 — (1,534 ) Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables (10,501 ) 14,969 11,968 — 16,436 Inventories (11,847 ) (5,024 ) (19,041 ) 1,499 (34,413 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets (4,526 ) 76 (6,174 ) — (10,624 ) Accounts payable (16,605 ) 2,530 2,737 — (11,338 ) Accrued expenses 11,179 (7,218 ) (689 ) — 3,272 Other noncurrent liabilities (252 ) 5 487 — 240 Income taxes payable (refundable) 19,132 (16,444 ) 2,143 — 4,831 Net cash flows from operating activities 45,094 23,990 57,689 481 127,254 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (5,699 ) (17,944 ) (18,590 ) — (42,233 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 36 84 3,818 — 3,938 Other, net 13,070 (4,488 ) (10,925 ) (481 ) (2,824 ) Net cash flows from investing activities 7,407 (22,348 ) (25,697 ) (481 ) (41,119 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net borrowings under short-term agreements — — (128 ) — (128 ) Principal payments on long-term borrowings (215 ) — (1,348 ) — (1,563 ) Dividends paid (25,604 ) — — — (25,604 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,527 ) — (2,527 ) Purchase of noncontrolling interest (137 ) — (10,872 ) — (11,009 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 6,509 — — — 6,509 Purchase of treasury shares (46,581 ) — — — (46,581 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (1,453 ) — — — (1,453 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (67,481 ) — (14,875 ) — (82,356 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — 168 (3,646 ) — (3,478 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (14,980 ) 1,810 13,471 — 301 Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 62,281 4,008 282,785 — 349,074 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 47,301 $ 5,818 $ 296,256 $ — $ 349,375 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 70,678 $ 32,630 $ 23,392 $ (52,205 ) $ 74,495 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 22,373 9,372 39,114 — 70,859 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 5,020 — 5,020 Impairment of assets - restructuring activities 4,092 258 8,309 — 12,659 Impairment of Goodwill & Intangibles — — 15,200 — 15,200 Stock-based compensation 9,620 — (3,953 ) — 5,667 Defined benefit pension plan expense — — (460 ) — (460 ) Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (15,735 ) — (15,735 ) Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment 333 267 663 — 1,263 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (45,616 ) (6,435 ) — 52,051 — Deferred income taxes 11,728 (1,062 ) (5,449 ) — 5,217 Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables 21,061 (471 ) (15,039 ) — 5,551 Inventories (16,893 ) 8,094 (16,648 ) — (25,447 ) Prepaid expenses 840 (110 ) 4,545 — 5,275 Accounts payable 5,038 (938 ) (3,268 ) — 832 Accrued expenses (5,758 ) (140 ) 13,266 — 7,368 Other noncurrent liabilities (2,716 ) — 3,603 — 887 Income taxes payable (refundable) 14,216 (14 ) (31 ) — 14,171 Net cash flows from operating activities 88,996 41,451 52,529 (154 ) 182,822 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (9,547 ) (6,065 ) (18,835 ) — (34,447 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 1,508 36 1,712 — 3,256 Other, net 45,326 (35,859 ) (3,641 ) 154 5,980 Net cash flows from investing activities 37,287 (41,888 ) (20,764 ) 154 (25,211 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net borrowings under short-term agreements — — (12,322 ) — (12,322 ) Proceeds from long-term borrowings 37,000 — — — 37,000 Principal payments on long-term borrowings (37,222 ) — (656 ) — (37,878 ) Dividends paid (26,708 ) — — — (26,708 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,323 ) — (2,323 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 10,902 — — — 10,902 Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises 1,458 — — — 1,458 Purchase of treasury shares (148,220 ) — — — (148,220 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (12,135 ) — — — (12,135 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (174,925 ) — (15,301 ) — (190,226 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — (79 ) (26,034 ) — (26,113 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (48,642 ) (516 ) (9,570 ) — (58,728 ) Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 69,869 2,157 299,553 — 371,579 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 21,227 $ 1,641 $ 289,983 $ — $ 312,851

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN17

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 24, 2016 , the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Shareholders' Equity for the thirty-nine week periods then ended have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) have been made to present fairly the financial statements as of September 24, 2016 and for all periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015 . The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in these interim financial statements are the same as those followed in the financial statements for the year ended December 26, 2015 . The results of operations for the period ended September 24, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
Inventories	Inventories Approximately 38% and 39% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 . All other inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or market. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 United States $ 21,550 $ 26,343 $ 105,390 $ 92,625 Foreign 22,239 (776 ) 51,486 24,743 $ 43,789 $ 25,567 $ 156,876 $ 117,368
Pension Benefits	Pension Benefits The Company incurs expenses in connection with the Delta Pension Plan ("DPP"). The DPP was acquired as part of the Delta plc acquisition in fiscal 2010 and has no members that are active employees. In order to measure expense and the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and liability associated with pension benefits.
Stock Plans	Stock Plans The Company maintains stock‑based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, non-vested stock awards and bonuses of common stock. At September 24, 2016 , 884,562 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans. Shares and options issued and available are subject to changes in capitalization. Under the plans, the exercise price of each option equals the closing market price at the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three to six years or on the fifth anniversary of the grant. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Expiration of grants is from seven to ten years from the date of grant.
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method Investments The Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries, which are recorded within "Other assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Fair Value	Fair Value The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three‑level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes net earnings, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates.
Subsequent Events
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition . The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-9 was to be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied retrospectively. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Deferral of the Effective Date , which defers the effective date by one year to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory . Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating the provisions of this statement, including which period to adopt, and has not determined what impact the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN18

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Components of inventories	Inventories consisted of the following: September 24, December 26, Raw materials and purchased parts $ 174,442 $ 162,977 Work-in-process 26,079 25,644 Finished goods and manufactured goods 217,371 187,126 Subtotal 417,892 375,747 Less: LIFO reserve 38,267 35,075 $ 379,625 $ 340,672
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 United States $ 21,550 $ 26,343 $ 105,390 $ 92,625 Foreign 22,239 (776 ) 51,486 24,743 $ 43,789 $ 25,567 $ 156,876 $ 117,368
Schedule of components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense	The components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended Net periodic (benefit) expense: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Interest cost $ 6,092 $ 6,186 $ 19,134 $ 18,486 Expected return on plan assets (5,565 ) (6,341 ) (17,648 ) (18,946 ) Net periodic (benefit) expense $ 527 $ (155 ) $ 1,486 $ (460 )
Compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options	The Company's compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , respectively, were as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 Compensation expense $ 1,399 $ 1,283 $ 4,358 $ 3,936 Income tax benefits 539 494 1,678 1,515
Valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value	Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 38,646 $ 38,646 $ — $ — Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 42,697 $ 42,697 $ — $ —
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance at December 26, 2015 $ (191,928 ) $ 3,678 $ (78,968 ) $ (267,218 ) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) (14,070 ) 4,953 10,366 1,249 Balance at September 24, 2016 $ (205,998 ) $ 8,631 $ (68,602 ) $ (265,969 )

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Table

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Schedule of liabilities recorded for the restructuring plan and changes	Liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans and changes therein for the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 were as follows: Balance at December 26, 2015 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at September 24, 2016 Severance $ 1,307 $ 1,449 $ (1,431 ) $ 1,325 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,426 2,998 (2,999 ) 1,425 Total $ 2,733 $ 4,447 $ (4,430 ) $ 2,750
2016 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Schedule of restructuring activities	During the last six months of fiscal 2016, the Company estimates it will incur the following pre-tax expenses from the 2016 Plan: Energy & Mining Coatings Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 365 $ 380 $ — $ 745 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,588 285 — 1,873 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 815 — — 815 Total cost of sales 2,768 665 — 3,433 Severance 240 715 — 955 Other cash restructuring expenses 140 — 225 365 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 380 715 225 1,320 Consolidated total $ 3,148 $ 1,380 $ 225 $ 4,753
Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Schedule of restructuring activities	During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring expenses: ESS Energy & Mining Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 149 $ 1,260 $ 204 $ 120 $ — $ — $ 1,733 Other cash restructuring expenses 284 500 674 138 — — 1,596 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals — 890 43 548 — — 1,481 Total cost of sales 433 2,650 921 806 — — 4,810 Severance 1,201 284 — — 52 400 1,937 Other cash restructuring expenses — — 238 — — — 238 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals — — — — 1,815 1,815 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 1,201 284 238 — 52 2,215 3,990 Consolidated total $ 1,634 $ 2,934 $ 1,159 $ 806 $ 52 $ 2,215 $ 8,800

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of amortized intangible assets	he components of amortized intangible assets at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: September 24, 2016 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 195,371 $ 109,595 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,658 3,056 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,998 3,831 11 years Other 3,886 3,829 3 years $ 209,913 $ 120,311 December 26, 2015 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 201,801 $ 101,614 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,571 2,966 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,815 3,421 11 years Other 3,752 3,671 3 years $ 215,939 $ 111,672
Schedule of amortization expense for intangible assets	Amortization expense for intangible assets for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 , respectively was as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 $ 3,964 $ 4,507 $ 12,037 $ 14,157
Schedule of future estimated amortization expense	Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows: Estimated 2016 $ 15,895 2017 15,390 2018 13,764 2019 12,994 2020 11,945
Schedule of non-amortized intangible assets	The carrying values of trade names at September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: September 24, December 26, Year Acquired Webforge $ 9,061 $ 10,430 2010 Valmont SM 9,333 8,919 2014 Newmark 11,111 11,111 2004 Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products 7,387 8,504 2010 Donhad 5,573 6,415 2010 Shakespeare 4,000 4,000 2014 Industrial Galvanizers 2,313 2,662 2010 Other 14,089 13,889 $ 62,867 $ 65,930
Schedule of carrying amount of goodwill	The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of September 24, 2016 and December 26, 2015 was as follows: Engineered Energy & Mining Segment Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross goodwill at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 99,829 $ 75,404 $ 75,941 $ 19,359 $ 371,808 Accumulated impairment losses — (18,670 ) — (16,222 ) — (34,892 ) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 81,159 $ 75,404 $ 59,719 $ 19,359 $ 336,916 Foreign currency translation (4,559 ) (4,968 ) — 163 311 (9,053 ) Balance at September 24, 2016 $ 96,716 $ 76,191 $ 75,404 $ 59,882 $ 19,670 $ 327,863

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFOR21

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds)	Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 were as follows: 2016 2015 Interest $ 24,036 $ 23,447 Income taxes 47,954 21,517

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS)	The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS): Basic EPS Dilutive Diluted EPS Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 28,173 $ — $ 28,173 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 22,505 154 22,659 Per share amount $ 1.25 $ (0.01 ) $ 1.24 Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 12,066 $ — $ 12,066 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 23,057 113 23,170 Per share amount $ 0.52 $ — $ 0.52 Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 103,168 $ — $ 103,168 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 22,602 139 22,741 Per share amount $ 4.56 $ (0.02 ) $ 4.54 Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 70,678 $ — $ 70,678 Shares outstanding (000 omitted) 23,420 114 23,534 Per share amount $ 3.02 $ (0.02 ) $ 3.00

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment reporting information of sales and operating income	(7) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) Summary by Business Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, September 26, September 24, September 26, SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products $ 159,089 $ 147,470 $ 468,582 $ 447,639 Communication Products 44,095 51,940 115,489 130,431 Engineered Support Structures segment 203,184 199,410 584,071 578,070 Energy and Mining segment: Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 27,330 26,813 76,207 74,796 Grinding Media 20,681 24,228 61,189 77,575 Access Systems 33,541 33,691 97,297 106,724 Energy and Mining segment 81,552 84,732 234,693 259,095 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 131,085 135,997 379,157 433,695 Concrete 19,582 28,687 67,275 70,259 Utility Support Structures segment 150,667 164,684 446,432 503,954 Coatings segment 70,082 76,201 213,961 226,654 Irrigation segment 127,809 126,775 438,575 474,655 Other — 1,691 — 6,202 Total 633,294 653,493 1,917,732 2,048,630 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 10,076 5,027 29,202 16,266 Energy & Mining segment 319 1,950 3,386 2,051 Utility Support Structures segment 276 287 538 849 Coatings segment 10,079 11,428 31,778 36,153 Irrigation segment 2,297 1,287 5,727 4,769 Other — 939 — 3,446 Total 23,047 20,918 70,631 63,534 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 193,108 194,383 554,869 561,804 Energy & Mining segment 81,233 82,782 231,307 257,044 Utility Support Structures segment 150,391 164,397 445,894 503,105 Coatings segment 60,003 64,773 182,183 190,501 Irrigation segment 125,512 125,488 432,848 469,886 Other — 752 — 2,756 Total $ 610,247 $ 632,575 $ 1,847,101 $ 1,985,096 OPERATING INCOME: Engineered Support Structures segment $ 19,577 $ 20,073 $ 54,753 $ 45,742 Energy & Mining segment 3,941 (4,302 ) 9,184 2,762 Utility Support Structures segment 16,030 14,505 48,326 40,261 Coatings segment 11,696 3,145 37,132 22,006 Irrigation segment 14,153 14,194 70,761 76,233 Other — (1,386 ) — (3,765 ) Corporate (12,157 ) (9,217 ) (32,745 ) (34,544 ) Total $ 53,240 $ 37,012 $ 187,411 $ 148,695

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN24

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 261,928 $ 89,305 $ 300,648 $ (41,634 ) $ 610,247 Cost of sales 199,957 66,401 230,561 (41,695 ) 455,224 Gross profit 61,971 22,904 70,087 61 155,023 Selling, general and administrative expenses 46,183 11,073 44,527 — 101,783 Operating income 15,788 11,831 25,560 61 53,240 Other income (expense): Interest expense (10,920 ) (6 ) (174 ) — (11,100 ) Interest income 68 12 691 — 771 Other 1,370 12 (504 ) — 878 (9,482 ) 18 13 — (9,451 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 6,306 11,849 25,573 61 43,789 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 6,112 5,095 6,762 48 18,017 Deferred (5,321 ) — 1,572 — (3,749 ) 791 5,095 8,334 48 14,268 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 5,515 6,754 17,239 13 29,521 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 22,658 — — (22,658 ) — Net earnings 28,173 6,754 17,239 (22,645 ) 29,521 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1,348 ) — (1,348 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 28,173 $ 6,754 $ 15,891 $ (22,645 ) $ 28,173 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 837,137 $ 277,990 $ 873,673 $ (141,699 ) $ 1,847,101 Cost of sales 619,493 205,497 671,202 (140,200 ) 1,355,992 Gross profit 217,644 72,493 202,471 (1,499 ) 491,109 Selling, general and administrative expenses 133,207 33,583 136,908 — 303,698 Operating income 84,437 38,910 65,563 (1,499 ) 187,411 Other income (expense): Interest expense (32,768 ) (9 ) (499 ) — (33,276 ) Interest income 181 51 2,057 — 2,289 Other 1,694 39 (1,281 ) — 452 (30,893 ) 81 277 — (30,535 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 53,544 38,991 65,840 (1,499 ) 156,876 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 22,086 13,909 15,762 (481 ) 51,276 Deferred (1,834 ) — 300 — (1,534 ) 20,252 13,909 16,062 (481 ) 49,742 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 33,292 25,082 49,778 (1,018 ) 107,134 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 69,876 7,859 — (77,735 ) — Net earnings 103,168 32,941 49,778 (78,753 ) 107,134 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3,966 ) — (3,966 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 103,168 $ 32,941 $ 45,812 $ (78,753 ) $ 103,168 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 249,121 $ 114,766 $ 321,726 $ (53,038 ) $ 632,575 Cost of sales 191,143 82,848 255,424 (53,591 ) 475,824 Gross profit 57,978 31,918 66,302 553 156,751 Selling, general and administrative expenses 44,432 11,154 48,953 — 104,539 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — — 15,200 — 15,200 Operating income 13,546 20,764 2,149 553 37,012 Other income (expense): Interest expense (10,822 ) — (298 ) — (11,120 ) Interest income (9 ) 2 912 — 905 Other (2,123 ) 31 862 — (1,230 ) (12,954 ) 33 1,476 — (11,445 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 592 20,797 3,625 553 25,567 Income tax expense (benefit): Current (9,059 ) 8,423 7,226 156 6,746 Deferred 7,909 (478 ) (2,159 ) — 5,272 (1,150 ) 7,945 5,067 156 12,018 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 1,742 12,852 (1,442 ) 397 13,549 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 10,324 1,254 — (11,578 ) — Net earnings 12,066 14,106 (1,442 ) (11,181 ) 13,549 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1,483 ) — (1,483 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 12,066 $ 14,106 $ (2,925 ) $ (11,181 ) $ 12,066 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 889,408 $ 312,804 $ 946,517 $ (163,633 ) $ 1,985,096 Cost of sales 673,789 235,893 747,075 (163,414 ) 1,493,343 Gross profit 215,619 76,911 199,442 (219 ) 491,753 Selling, general and administrative expenses 143,387 33,542 150,929 — 327,858 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — — 15,200 — 15,200 Operating income 72,232 43,369 33,313 (219 ) 148,695 Other income (expense): Interest expense (32,548 ) — (932 ) — (33,480 ) Interest income 4 6 2,385 — 2,395 Other (3,020 ) 31 2,747 — (242 ) (35,564 ) 37 4,200 — (31,327 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 36,668 43,406 37,513 (219 ) 117,368 Income tax expense (benefit): Current (122 ) 18,273 19,570 (65 ) 37,656 Deferred 11,728 (1,062 ) (5,449 ) — 5,217 11,606 17,211 14,121 (65 ) 42,873 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 25,062 26,195 23,392 (154 ) 74,495 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 45,616 6,435 — (52,051 ) — Net earnings 70,678 32,630 23,392 (52,205 ) 74,495 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3,817 ) — (3,817 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 70,678 $ 32,630 $ 19,575 $ (52,205 ) $ 70,678
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 28,173 $ 6,754 $ 17,239 $ (22,645 ) $ 29,521 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (114 ) 884 — 770 Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Net investment hedge 1,972 — — — 1,972 Amortization cost included in interest expense 18 — — — 18 Equity in other comprehensive income 500 — — (500 ) — Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,490 (114 ) 884 (500 ) 2,760 Comprehensive income (loss) 30,663 6,640 18,123 (23,145 ) 32,281 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1,618 ) — (1,618 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 30,663 $ 6,640 $ 16,505 $ (23,145 ) $ 30,663 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 103,168 $ 32,941 $ 49,778 $ (78,753 ) $ 107,134 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (263 ) (1,675 ) — (1,938 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Net investment hedge 4,897 — — — 4,897 Amortization cost included in interest expense 56 — — — 56 Equity in other comprehensive income (3,704 ) — — 3,704 — Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,249 (263 ) (1,675 ) 3,704 3,015 Comprehensive income (loss) 104,417 32,678 48,103 (75,049 ) 110,149 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,732 ) — (5,732 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 104,417 $ 32,678 $ 42,371 $ (75,049 ) $ 104,417 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 12,066 $ 14,106 $ (1,442 ) $ (11,181 ) $ 13,549 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (6,168 ) (47,350 ) — (53,518 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Amortization cost included in interest expense 18 — — — 18 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period — — (439 ) — (439 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (33 ) — 143 — 110 Equity in other comprehensive income (51,484 ) — — 51,484 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (51,499 ) (6,168 ) (47,646 ) 51,484 (53,829 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (39,433 ) 7,938 (49,088 ) 40,303 (40,280 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 847 — 847 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ (39,433 ) $ 7,938 $ (48,241 ) $ 40,303 $ (39,433 ) (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 70,678 $ 32,630 $ 23,392 $ (52,205 ) $ 74,495 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gain (loss) — (14,980 ) (78,388 ) — (93,368 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities: Amortization cost included in interest expense 55 — — — 55 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period — — (439 ) — (439 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (242 ) — 1,397 — 1,155 Equity in other comprehensive income (88,387 ) — — 88,387 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (88,574 ) (14,980 ) (77,430 ) 88,387 (92,597 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (17,896 ) 17,650 (54,038 ) 36,182 (18,102 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 206 — 206 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ (17,896 ) $ 17,650 $ (53,832 ) $ 36,182 $ (17,896 )
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 47,301 $ 5,818 $ 296,256 $ — $ 349,375 Receivables, net 141,242 51,418 263,032 — 455,692 Inventories 144,070 43,403 196,645 (4,493 ) 379,625 Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets 14,426 690 54,115 — 69,231 Refundable income taxes 20,342 — — — 20,342 Total current assets 367,381 101,329 810,048 (4,493 ) 1,274,265 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 542,199 150,966 427,185 — 1,120,350 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 349,386 76,463 168,861 — 594,710 Net property, plant and equipment 192,813 74,503 258,324 — 525,640 Goodwill 20,108 110,562 197,193 — 327,863 Other intangible assets 198 37,211 115,060 — 152,469 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,280,566 858,852 1,095,578 (3,234,996 ) — Other assets 38,557 83 65,166 — 103,806 Total assets $ 1,899,623 $ 1,182,540 $ 2,541,369 $ (3,239,489 ) $ 2,384,043 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ — $ — $ 895 $ — $ 895 Notes payable to banks — — 853 — 853 Accounts payable 50,119 16,210 104,559 — 170,888 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 27,969 6,052 35,528 — 69,549 Accrued expenses 44,340 15,880 49,065 — 109,285 Dividends payable 8,455 — — — 8,455 Total current liabilities 130,883 38,142 190,900 — 359,925 Deferred income taxes 7,852 — 20,970 — 28,822 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,351 — 4,233 — 755,584 Defined benefit pension liability — — 156,524 — 156,524 Deferred compensation 42,564 — 5,219 — 47,783 Other noncurrent liabilities 3,775 5 29,324 — 33,104 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,682 (1,106,632 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,811,947 591,654 546,184 (1,137,838 ) 1,811,947 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (265,969 ) (64,625 ) (207,306 ) 271,931 (265,969 ) Treasury stock (610,680 ) — — — (610,680 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 963,198 1,144,393 2,095,096 (3,239,489 ) 963,198 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 39,103 — 39,103 Total shareholders’ equity 963,198 1,144,393 2,134,199 (3,239,489 ) 1,002,301 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,899,623 $ 1,182,540 $ 2,541,369 $ (3,239,489 ) $ 2,384,043 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 62,281 $ 4,008 $ 282,785 $ — $ 349,074 Receivables, net 130,741 66,387 269,315 — 466,443 Inventories 132,222 38,379 173,064 (2,993 ) 340,672 Prepaid expenses 9,900 766 35,471 — 46,137 Refundable income taxes 24,526 — — — 24,526 Total current assets 359,670 109,540 760,635 (2,993 ) 1,226,852 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 541,536 132,864 406,656 — 1,081,056 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 334,471 69,956 144,140 — 548,567 Net property, plant and equipment 207,065 62,908 262,516 — 532,489 Goodwill 20,108 110,562 206,246 — 336,916 Other intangible assets 238 40,959 129,000 — 170,197 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,239,228 813,779 939,177 (2,992,184 ) — Other assets 40,067 — 85,861 — 125,928 Total assets $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ 215 $ — $ 862 $ — $ 1,077 Notes payable to banks — — 976 — 976 Accounts payable 66,723 13,680 99,580 — 179,983 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 32,272 6,347 31,735 — 70,354 Accrued expenses 31,073 22,802 51,718 — 105,593 Dividends payable 8,571 — — — 8,571 Total current liabilities 138,854 42,829 184,871 — 366,554 Deferred income taxes 9,686 — 25,983 — 35,669 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,765 — 5,153 — 756,918 Defined benefit pension liability — — 179,323 — 179,323 Deferred compensation 43,485 — 4,932 — 48,417 Other noncurrent liabilities 4,145 — 36,145 — 40,290 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,683 (1,106,633 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,729,679 541,917 354,727 (896,644 ) 1,729,679 Accumulated other comprehensive income (267,218 ) (64,362 ) (210,688 ) 275,050 (267,218 ) Treasury stock (571,920 ) — — — (571,920 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,900,258 (2,995,177 ) 918,441 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 46,770 — 46,770 Total shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,947,028 (2,995,177 ) 965,211 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 103,168 $ 32,941 $ 49,778 $ (78,753 ) $ 107,134 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 20,482 9,897 30,863 — 61,242 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 973 — 973 Impairment of assets - restructuring activities — — 618 — 618 Stock-based compensation 6,572 — — — 6,572 Change in fair value of contingent consideration — — (3,527 ) — (3,527 ) Defined benefit pension plan expense — — 1,486 — 1,486 Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (712 ) — (712 ) Increase in restricted cash - pension plan trust — — (13,652 ) — (13,652 ) Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment 2 117 131 — 250 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (69,876 ) (7,859 ) — 77,735 — Deferred income taxes (1,834 ) — 300 — (1,534 ) Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables (10,501 ) 14,969 11,968 — 16,436 Inventories (11,847 ) (5,024 ) (19,041 ) 1,499 (34,413 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets (4,526 ) 76 (6,174 ) — (10,624 ) Accounts payable (16,605 ) 2,530 2,737 — (11,338 ) Accrued expenses 11,179 (7,218 ) (689 ) — 3,272 Other noncurrent liabilities (252 ) 5 487 — 240 Income taxes payable (refundable) 19,132 (16,444 ) 2,143 — 4,831 Net cash flows from operating activities 45,094 23,990 57,689 481 127,254 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (5,699 ) (17,944 ) (18,590 ) — (42,233 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 36 84 3,818 — 3,938 Other, net 13,070 (4,488 ) (10,925 ) (481 ) (2,824 ) Net cash flows from investing activities 7,407 (22,348 ) (25,697 ) (481 ) (41,119 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net borrowings under short-term agreements — — (128 ) — (128 ) Principal payments on long-term borrowings (215 ) — (1,348 ) — (1,563 ) Dividends paid (25,604 ) — — — (25,604 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,527 ) — (2,527 ) Purchase of noncontrolling interest (137 ) — (10,872 ) — (11,009 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 6,509 — — — 6,509 Purchase of treasury shares (46,581 ) — — — (46,581 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (1,453 ) — — — (1,453 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (67,481 ) — (14,875 ) — (82,356 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — 168 (3,646 ) — (3,478 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (14,980 ) 1,810 13,471 — 301 Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 62,281 4,008 282,785 — 349,074 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 47,301 $ 5,818 $ 296,256 $ — $ 349,375 (8) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 70,678 $ 32,630 $ 23,392 $ (52,205 ) $ 74,495 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 22,373 9,372 39,114 — 70,859 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 5,020 — 5,020 Impairment of assets - restructuring activities 4,092 258 8,309 — 12,659 Impairment of Goodwill & Intangibles — — 15,200 — 15,200 Stock-based compensation 9,620 — (3,953 ) — 5,667 Defined benefit pension plan expense — — (460 ) — (460 ) Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (15,735 ) — (15,735 ) Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment 333 267 663 — 1,263 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (45,616 ) (6,435 ) — 52,051 — Deferred income taxes 11,728 (1,062 ) (5,449 ) — 5,217 Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables 21,061 (471 ) (15,039 ) — 5,551 Inventories (16,893 ) 8,094 (16,648 ) — (25,447 ) Prepaid expenses 840 (110 ) 4,545 — 5,275 Accounts payable 5,038 (938 ) (3,268 ) — 832 Accrued expenses (5,758 ) (140 ) 13,266 — 7,368 Other noncurrent liabilities (2,716 ) — 3,603 — 887 Income taxes payable (refundable) 14,216 (14 ) (31 ) — 14,171 Net cash flows from operating activities 88,996 41,451 52,529 (154 ) 182,822 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (9,547 ) (6,065 ) (18,835 ) — (34,447 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 1,508 36 1,712 — 3,256 Other, net 45,326 (35,859 ) (3,641 ) 154 5,980 Net cash flows from investing activities 37,287 (41,888 ) (20,764 ) 154 (25,211 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net borrowings under short-term agreements — — (12,322 ) — (12,322 ) Proceeds from long-term borrowings 37,000 — — — 37,000 Principal payments on long-term borrowings (37,222 ) — (656 ) — (37,878 ) Dividends paid (26,708 ) — — — (26,708 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,323 ) — (2,323 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 10,902 — — — 10,902 Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises 1,458 — — — 1,458 Purchase of treasury shares (148,220 ) — — — (148,220 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (12,135 ) — — — (12,135 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (174,925 ) — (15,301 ) — (190,226 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — (79 ) (26,034 ) — (26,113 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (48,642 ) (516 ) (9,570 ) — (58,728 ) Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 69,869 2,157 299,553 — 371,579 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 21,227 $ 1,641 $ 289,983 $ — $ 312,851

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN25

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Inventory valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market (as a percent)	38.00%	39.00%
Excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value	$ 38,267	$ 35,075
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials and purchased parts	174,442	162,977
Work-in-process	26,079	25,644
Finished goods and manufactured goods	217,371	187,126
Subtotal	417,892	375,747
Less: LIFO reserve	38,267	35,075
Net inventory	$ 379,625	$ 340,672

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN26

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
United States	$ 21,550	$ 26,343	$ 105,390	$ 92,625
Foreign	22,239	(776)	51,486	24,743
Earnings before income taxes	$ 43,789	$ 25,567	$ 156,876	$ 117,368

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN27

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Pension Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Net periodic (benefit) expense:
Interest cost	$ 6,092	$ 6,186	$ 19,134	$ 18,486
Expected return on plan assets	(5,565)	(6,341)	(17,648)	(18,946)
Net periodic (benefit) expense	$ 527	$ (155)	$ 1,486	$ (460)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN28

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Stock Plans (Details) - Stock Option Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Shares of common stock available for issuance (in shares)	884,562		884,562
Compensation expense	$ 1,399	$ 1,283	$ 4,358	$ 3,936
Income tax benefits	$ 539	$ 494	$ 1,678	$ 1,515
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Vesting period of options			3 years
Expiration period of grant			6 years
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Vesting period of options			7 years
Expiration period of grant			10 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN29

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	$ 38,646	$ 42,697
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	38,646	42,697
Delta E M D Pty Ltd
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of remaining ownership	1,721	4,734
Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets recorded for the investments held	$ 36,925	$ 37,963

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN30

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Comprehensive Income (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ (267,218)
Balance at the end of the period	(265,969)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	(191,928)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	(14,070)
Balance at the end of the period	(205,998)
Gain on Hedging Activities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,678
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	4,953
Balance at the end of the period	8,631
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	(78,968)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	10,366
Balance at the end of the period	(68,602)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	(267,218)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	1,249
Balance at the end of the period	$ (265,969)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN31

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
American Galvanizing
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Annual sales	$ 10,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN32

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - New Investment Hedge (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	$ 4,897

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Detai

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Sep. 24, 2016	May 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Acquisitions
Goodwill				$ 327,863		$ 336,916
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners					10.00%
American Galvanizing
Acquisitions
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 12,778
Annual sales	10,000
Goodwill	3,019
Intangible assets	$ 2,178
IGC Galvanizing Industries (M) Sdn Bhd
Acquisitions
Percentage acquired			30.00%
Consideration transfered			$ 5,841
Valmont SM
Acquisitions
Percentage acquired				5.20%
Consideration transfered		$ 5,168

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Narr

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Narrative (Details) - Broad Restructuring Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 39,852	$ 8,800
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	19,836
Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	21,708	4,810
Cost of Sales | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,596
Cost of Sales | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,481
Cost of Sales | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,733
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 18,144	3,990
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		238
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,815
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		$ 1,937

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Pre-

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Pre-tax Restructuring Expenses To Be Recognized (Details) - 2016 Plan $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)
Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$ 3,433
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	4,753
Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	745
Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	955
Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	1,873
Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	365
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	815
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	1,320
Energy & Mining | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	2,768
Energy & Mining | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	3,148
Energy & Mining | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	365
Energy & Mining | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	240
Energy & Mining | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	1,588
Energy & Mining | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	140
Energy & Mining | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	815
Energy & Mining | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	380
Coatings | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	665
Coatings | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	1,380
Coatings | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	380
Coatings | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	715
Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	285
Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	715
Other/ Corporate | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Other/ Corporate | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	225
Other/ Corporate | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Other/ Corporate | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	225
Other/ Corporate | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	0
Other/ Corporate | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$ 225

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Pr36

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Pre-tax Restructuring Expenses Recognized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015
2016 Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 1,375
2016 Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	2,137
2016 Plan | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	224
2016 Plan | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	397
2016 Plan | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	533
2016 Plan | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	365
2016 Plan | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	618
2016 Plan | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	762
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,306
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,607
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	155
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	161
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	533
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	140
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	618
2016 Plan | Energy & Mining | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	301
2016 Plan | Coatings | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	69
2016 Plan | Coatings | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	305
2016 Plan | Coatings | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	69
2016 Plan | Coatings | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	236
2016 Plan | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	236
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	225
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	225
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0
2016 Plan | Other/ Corporate | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	225
Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		$ 39,852	$ 8,800
Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		21,708	4,810
Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		18,144	3,990
Broad Restructuring Plan | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,733
Broad Restructuring Plan | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,937
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,596
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			238
Broad Restructuring Plan | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		$ 19,836
Broad Restructuring Plan | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,481
Broad Restructuring Plan | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,815
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,634
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			433
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1		1,201
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			149
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,201
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			284
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | ESS | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			2,934
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			2,650
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			284
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,260
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			284
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			500
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			890
Broad Restructuring Plan | Energy & Mining | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			1,159
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1		921
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			238
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			204
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			674
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			238
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			43
Broad Restructuring Plan | Utility | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			806
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			806
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			120
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			138
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			548
Broad Restructuring Plan | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			52
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			52
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			52
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Irrigation | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			2,215
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 2		2,215
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Severance | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Severance | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			400
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			0
Broad Restructuring Plan | Other/ Corporate | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining			$ 1,815

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Liab

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Liabilities Recorded For The Restructuring Plan (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,733
Recognized Restructuring Expense	4,447
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(4,430)
Ending balance	2,750
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,307
Recognized Restructuring Expense	1,449
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(1,431)
Ending balance	1,325
Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,426
Recognized Restructuring Expense	2,998
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(2,999)
Ending balance	$ 1,425

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET38

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortized Intangible Assets - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 26, 2015
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 209,913		$ 209,913			$ 215,939
Accumulated Amortization	120,311		120,311			111,672
Amortization expense for intangible assets	3,964	$ 4,507	12,037	$ 14,157
Estimated amortization expense
2,015	15,895		15,895
2,016	15,390		15,390
2,017	13,764		13,764
2,018	12,994		12,994
2,019	11,945		11,945
Customer Relationships
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	195,371		195,371			201,801
Accumulated Amortization	109,595		$ 109,595			101,614
Weighted Average Life			13 years		13 years
Proprietary Software & Database
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	3,658		$ 3,658			3,571
Accumulated Amortization	3,056		$ 3,056			2,966
Weighted Average Life			8 years		8 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	6,998		$ 6,998			6,815
Accumulated Amortization	3,831		$ 3,831			3,421
Weighted Average Life			11 years		11 years
Other
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	3,886		$ 3,886			3,752
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,829		$ 3,829			$ 3,671
Weighted Average Life			3 years		3 years

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET39

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Carrying Values of Trade Names - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Webforge
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$ 9,061	$ 10,430
Valmont SM
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	9,333	8,919
Newmark
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	11,111	11,111
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	7,387	8,504
Donhad
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	5,573	6,415
Shakespeare
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	4,000	4,000
Industrial Galvanizers
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	2,313	2,662
Other
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	14,089	13,889
Trade Names
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$ 62,867	$ 65,930

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET40

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Impairment (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 327,863,000	$ 336,916,000	$ 327,863,000
ESS
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	96,716,000	101,275,000	96,716,000
ESS | Webforge
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment	5,000,000	830,000
Energy & Mining
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	76,191,000	81,159,000	76,191,000
Coatings Segment
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	59,882,000	$ 59,719,000	59,882,000
Coatings Segment | Industrial Galvanizers
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment			1,100,000
Offshore Structures | Energy & Mining
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 13,872		$ 13,872

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET41

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross				$ 371,808
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			$ 336,916
Balance at December 26, 2015				(34,892)
Foreign currency translation			(9,053)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 327,863		327,863	336,916
Engineered Support Structures Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross				101,275
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			101,275
Foreign currency translation			(4,559)
Balance at the end of the period	96,716		96,716	101,275
Energy and Mining Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross				99,829
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			81,159
Balance at December 26, 2015		$ (19)		(18,670)
Foreign currency translation	(4,968)
Balance at the end of the period	76,191		76,191	81,159
Utility Support Structures Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross				75,404
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			75,404
Foreign currency translation			0
Balance at the end of the period	75,404		75,404	75,404
Coatings Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross				75,941
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			59,719
Balance at December 26, 2015	(9,100)	$ (7)		(16,222)
Foreign currency translation			163
Balance at the end of the period	59,882		59,882	59,719
Irrigation Segment
Goodwill
Goodwill, Gross				19,359
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			19,359
Foreign currency translation			311
Balance at the end of the period	$ 19,670		$ 19,670	$ 19,359

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFOR42

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($)	May 13, 2014	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Feb. 24, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Increased dividend (as a percent)	50.00%
Maximum amount of common stock authorized to repurchase under share repurchase program	$ 500,000,000				$ 250,000,000
Period over which common stock are authorized to repurchase under share repurchase program	12 months
Shares acquired under share repurchase program		4,531,259		4,531,259
Value of shares acquired under share repurchase program		$ 46,581,000	$ 148,220,000	$ 610,600,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest		24,036,000	23,447,000
Income taxes		$ 47,954,000	$ 21,517,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Basic EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 28,173,000	$ 12,066,000	$ 103,168,000	$ 70,678,000
Shares outstanding basic (in shares)	22,505,000	23,057,000	22,602,000	23,420,000
Per share amount basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 0.52	$ 4.56	$ 3.02
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Dilutive effect of stock options number of shares (in shares)	154,000	113,000	139,000	114,000
Dilutive effect of stock options (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Diluted EPS
Diluted EPS	$ 28,173,000	$ 12,066,000	$ 103,168,000	$ 70,678,000
Shares outstanding dilutive (in shares)	22,659,000	23,170,000	22,741,000	23,534,000
Per share amount diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 0.52	$ 4.54	$ 3
Antidilutive Securities
Outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock, excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)			378,566	433,401

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 26, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)segment	Sep. 26, 2015USD ($)
Business Segments
Number of reportable segments | segment			5
Maximum percentage of sales of other businesses and activities to consolidated sales as basis for aggregation			1.00%
Net sales	$ 610,247	$ 632,575	$ 1,847,101	$ 1,985,096
Operating income	53,240	37,012	187,411	148,695
Engineered Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Net sales	193,108	194,383	554,869	561,804
Operating income	19,577	20,073	54,753	45,742
Energy and Mining Segment
Business Segments
Net sales	81,233	82,782	231,307	257,044
Operating income	3,941	(4,302)	9,184	2,762
Utility Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Net sales	150,391	164,397	445,894	503,105
Operating income	16,030	14,505	48,326	40,261
Coatings Segment
Business Segments
Net sales	60,003	64,773	182,183	190,501
Operating income	11,696	3,145	37,132	22,006
Irrigation Segment
Business Segments
Net sales	125,512	125,488	432,848	469,886
Operating income	14,153	14,194	70,761	76,233
Other
Business Segments
Net sales	0	752	0	2,756
Operating income	0	(1,386)	0	(3,765)
Corporate
Business Segments
Operating income	(12,157)	(9,217)	(32,745)	(34,544)
Operating Segment
Business Segments
Sales	633,294	653,493	1,917,732	2,048,630
Operating Segment | Engineered Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Sales	203,184	199,410	584,071	578,070
Operating Segment | Engineered Support Structures Segment | Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products
Business Segments
Sales	159,089	147,470	468,582	447,639
Operating Segment | Engineered Support Structures Segment | Communication Products
Business Segments
Sales	44,095	51,940	115,489	130,431
Operating Segment | Energy and Mining Segment
Business Segments
Sales	81,552	84,732	234,693	259,095
Operating Segment | Energy and Mining Segment | Offshore Structures
Business Segments
Sales	33,541	33,691	76,207	74,796
Operating Segment | Energy and Mining Segment | Grinding Media [Member]
Business Segments
Sales	27,330	26,813	61,189	77,575
Operating Segment | Energy and Mining Segment | Access Systems
Business Segments
Sales	20,681	24,228	97,297	106,724
Operating Segment | Utility Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Sales	150,667	164,684	446,432	503,954
Operating Segment | Utility Support Structures Segment | Steel
Business Segments
Sales	131,085	135,997	379,157	433,695
Operating Segment | Utility Support Structures Segment | Concrete
Business Segments
Sales	19,582	28,687	67,275	70,259
Operating Segment | Coatings Segment
Business Segments
Sales	70,082	76,201	213,961	226,654
Operating Segment | Irrigation Segment
Business Segments
Sales	127,809	126,775	438,575	474,655
Operating Segment | Other
Business Segments
Sales	0	1,691	0	6,202
Intersegment
Business Segments
Sales	23,047	20,918	70,631	63,534
Intersegment | Engineered Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Sales	10,076	5,027	29,202	16,266
Intersegment | Energy and Mining Segment
Business Segments
Sales	319	1,950	3,386	2,051
Intersegment | Utility Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Sales	276	287	538	849
Intersegment | Coatings Segment
Business Segments
Sales	10,079	11,428	31,778	36,153
Intersegment | Irrigation Segment
Business Segments
Sales	2,297	1,287	5,727	4,769
Intersegment | Other
Business Segments
Sales	$ 0	$ 939	$ 0	$ 3,446

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN45

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Parent company's percentage ownership of Guarantors	100.00%		100.00%
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	$ 610,247	$ 632,575	$ 1,847,101	$ 1,985,096
Cost of sales	455,224	475,824	1,355,992	1,493,343
Gross profit	155,023	156,751	491,109	491,753
Selling, general and administrative expenses	101,783	104,539	303,698	327,858
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	15,200	0	15,200
Operating income	53,240	37,012	187,411	148,695
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(11,100)	(11,120)	(33,276)	(33,480)
Interest income	771	905	2,289	2,395
Other	878	(1,230)	452	(242)
Total other income (expenses)	(9,451)	(11,445)	(30,535)	(31,327)
Earnings before income taxes	43,789	25,567	156,876	117,368
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	18,017	6,746	51,276	37,656
Deferred income taxes	(3,749)	5,272	(1,534)	5,217
Total income tax expense (benefit)	14,268	12,018	49,742	42,873
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	29,521	13,549	107,134	74,495
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Net earnings	29,521	13,549	107,134	74,495
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,348)	(1,483)	(3,966)	(3,817)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	28,173	12,066	103,168	70,678
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	261,928	249,121	837,137	889,408
Cost of sales	199,957	191,143	619,493	673,789
Gross profit	61,971	57,978	217,644	215,619
Selling, general and administrative expenses	46,183	44,432	133,207	143,387
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		0		0
Operating income	15,788	13,546	84,437	72,232
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(10,920)	(10,822)	(32,768)	(32,548)
Interest income	68	(9)	181	4
Other	1,370	(2,123)	1,694	(3,020)
Total other income (expenses)	(9,482)	(12,954)	(30,893)	(35,564)
Earnings before income taxes	6,306	592	53,544	36,668
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	6,112	(9,059)	22,086	(122)
Deferred income taxes	(5,321)	7,909	(1,834)	11,728
Total income tax expense (benefit)	791	(1,150)	20,252	11,606
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	5,515	1,742	33,292	25,062
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	22,658	10,324	69,876	45,616
Net earnings	28,173	12,066	103,168	70,678
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	28,173	12,066	103,168	70,678
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	89,305	114,766	277,990	312,804
Cost of sales	66,401	82,848	205,497	235,893
Gross profit	22,904	31,918	72,493	76,911
Selling, general and administrative expenses	11,073	11,154	33,583	33,542
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		0		0
Operating income	11,831	20,764	38,910	43,369
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(6)	0	(9)	0
Interest income	12	2	51	6
Other	12	31	39	31
Total other income (expenses)	18	33	81	37
Earnings before income taxes	11,849	20,797	38,991	43,406
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	5,095	8,423	13,909	18,273
Deferred income taxes	0	(478)	0	(1,062)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	5,095	7,945	13,909	17,211
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	6,754	12,852	25,082	26,195
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	1,254	7,859	6,435
Net earnings	6,754	14,106	32,941	32,630
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	6,754	14,106	32,941	32,630
Non- Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	300,648	321,726	873,673	946,517
Cost of sales	230,561	255,424	671,202	747,075
Gross profit	70,087	66,302	202,471	199,442
Selling, general and administrative expenses	44,527	48,953	136,908	150,929
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		15,200		15,200
Operating income	25,560	2,149	65,563	33,313
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(174)	(298)	(499)	(932)
Interest income	691	912	2,057	2,385
Other	(504)	862	(1,281)	2,747
Total other income (expenses)	13	1,476	277	4,200
Earnings before income taxes	25,573	3,625	65,840	37,513
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	6,762	7,226	15,762	19,570
Deferred income taxes	1,572	(2,159)	300	(5,449)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	8,334	5,067	16,062	14,121
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	17,239	(1,442)	49,778	23,392
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Net earnings	17,239	(1,442)	49,778	23,392
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,348)	(1,483)	(3,966)	(3,817)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	15,891	(2,925)	45,812	19,575
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	(41,634)	(53,038)	(141,699)	(163,633)
Cost of sales	(41,695)	(53,591)	(140,200)	(163,414)
Gross profit	61	553	(1,499)	(219)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		0		0
Operating income	61	553	(1,499)	(219)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other income (expenses)	0	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	61	553	(1,499)	(219)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	48	156	(481)	(65)
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0	0
Total income tax expense (benefit)	48	156	(481)	(65)
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	13	397	(1,018)	(154)
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(22,658)	(11,578)	(77,735)	(52,051)
Net earnings	(22,645)	(11,181)	(78,753)	(52,205)
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ (22,645)	$ (11,181)	$ (78,753)	$ (52,205)

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN46

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	$ 29,521	$ 13,549	$ 107,134	$ 74,495
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	770	(53,518)	(1,938)	(93,368)
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,972	0	4,897	0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	18	18	56	55
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period	0	(439)	0	(439)
Gain on cash flow hedges	0	(110)	0	(1,155)
Equity in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,760	(53,829)	3,015	(92,597)
Comprehensive income (loss)	32,281	(40,280)	110,149	(18,102)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,618)	847	(5,732)	206
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	30,663	(39,433)	104,417	(17,896)
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	28,173	12,066	103,168	70,678
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	0	0	0	0
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,972		4,897
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	18	18	56	55
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period		0		0
Gain on cash flow hedges		33		242
Equity in other comprehensive income	500	(51,484)	(3,704)	(88,387)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,490	(51,499)	1,249	(88,574)
Comprehensive income (loss)	30,663	(39,433)	104,417	(17,896)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	30,663	(39,433)	104,417	(17,896)
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	6,754	14,106	32,941	32,630
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	(114)	(6,168)	(263)	(14,980)
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	0		0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	0	0	0	0
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period		0		0
Gain on cash flow hedges		0		0
Equity in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(114)	(6,168)	(263)	(14,980)
Comprehensive income (loss)	6,640	7,938	32,678	17,650
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	6,640	7,938	32,678	17,650
Non- Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	17,239	(1,442)	49,778	23,392
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	884	(47,350)	(1,675)	(78,388)
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	0		0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	0	0	0	0
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period		(439)		(439)
Gain on cash flow hedges		(143)		(1,397)
Equity in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	884	(47,646)	(1,675)	(77,430)
Comprehensive income (loss)	18,123	(49,088)	48,103	(54,038)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,618)	847	5,732	206
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	16,505	(48,241)	42,371	(53,832)
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	(22,645)	(11,181)	(78,753)	(52,205)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	0	0	0	0
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)	0		0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Amortization cost included in interest expense	0	0	0	0
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings during the period		0		0
Gain on cash flow hedges		0		0
Equity in other comprehensive income	(500)	51,484	3,704	88,387
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(500)	51,484	3,704	88,387
Comprehensive income (loss)	(23,145)	40,303	(75,049)	36,182
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ (23,145)	$ 40,303	$ (75,049)	$ 36,182

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN47

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 349,375	$ 349,074	$ 312,851	$ 371,579
Receivables, net	455,692	466,443
Inventories	379,625	340,672
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	69,231	46,137
Refundable income taxes	20,342	24,526
Total current assets	1,274,265	1,226,852
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,120,350	1,081,056
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	594,710	548,567
Net property, plant and equipment	525,640	532,489
Goodwill	327,863	336,916
Other intangible assets	152,469	170,197
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	0	0
Other assets	103,806	125,928
Total assets	2,384,043	2,392,382
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	895	1,077
Notes payable to banks	853	976
Accounts payable	170,888	179,983
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	69,549	70,354
Accrued expenses	109,285	105,593
Dividends payable	8,455	8,571
Total current liabilities	(359,925)	(366,554)
Deferred income taxes	28,822	35,669
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	755,584	756,918
Defined benefit pension liability	156,524	179,323
Deferred compensation	47,783	48,417
Other noncurrent liabilities	33,104	40,290
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	27,900	27,900
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	1,811,947	1,729,679
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(265,969)	(267,218)
Treasury stock	(610,680)	(571,920)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	963,198	918,441
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	39,103	46,770
Total shareholders’ equity	1,002,301	965,211	1,065,777	1,250,405
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,384,043	2,392,382
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	47,301	62,281	21,227	69,869
Receivables, net	141,242	130,741
Inventories	144,070	132,222
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	14,426	9,900
Refundable income taxes	20,342	24,526
Total current assets	367,381	359,670
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	542,199	541,536
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	349,386	334,471
Net property, plant and equipment	192,813	207,065
Goodwill	20,108	20,108
Other intangible assets	198	238
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	1,280,566	1,239,228
Other assets	38,557	40,067
Total assets	1,899,623	1,866,376
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	0	215
Notes payable to banks	0	0
Accounts payable	50,119	66,723
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	27,969	32,272
Accrued expenses	44,340	31,073
Dividends payable	8,455	8,571
Total current liabilities	(130,883)	(138,854)
Deferred income taxes	7,852	9,686
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	751,351	751,765
Defined benefit pension liability	0	0
Deferred compensation	42,564	43,485
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,775	4,145
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	27,900	27,900
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	1,811,947	1,729,679
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(265,969)	(267,218)
Treasury stock	(610,680)	(571,920)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	963,198	918,441
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	963,198	918,441
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,899,623	1,866,376
Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	5,818	4,008	1,641	2,157
Receivables, net	51,418	66,387
Inventories	43,403	38,379
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	690	766
Refundable income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	101,329	109,540
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	150,966	132,864
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	76,463	69,956
Net property, plant and equipment	74,503	62,908
Goodwill	110,562	110,562
Other intangible assets	37,211	40,959
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	858,852	813,779
Other assets	83	0
Total assets	1,182,540	1,137,748
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	0	0
Notes payable to banks	0	0
Accounts payable	16,210	13,680
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	6,052	6,347
Accrued expenses	15,880	22,802
Dividends payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	(38,142)	(42,829)
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	0	0
Defined benefit pension liability	0	0
Deferred compensation	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	5	0
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	457,950	457,950
Additional paid-in capital	159,414	159,414
Retained earnings	591,654	541,917
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(64,625)	(64,362)
Treasury stock	0	0
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	1,144,393	1,094,919
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	1,144,393	1,094,919
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,182,540	1,137,748
Non- Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	296,256	282,785	289,983	299,553
Receivables, net	263,032	269,315
Inventories	196,645	173,064
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	54,115	35,471
Refundable income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	810,048	760,635
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	427,185	406,656
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	168,861	144,140
Net property, plant and equipment	258,324	262,516
Goodwill	197,193	206,246
Other intangible assets	115,060	129,000
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	1,095,578	939,177
Other assets	65,166	85,861
Total assets	2,541,369	2,383,435
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	895	862
Notes payable to banks	853	976
Accounts payable	104,559	99,580
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	35,528	31,735
Accrued expenses	49,065	51,718
Dividends payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	(190,900)	(184,871)
Deferred income taxes	20,970	25,983
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	4,233	5,153
Defined benefit pension liability	156,524	179,323
Deferred compensation	5,219	4,932
Other noncurrent liabilities	29,324	36,145
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	648,682	648,683
Additional paid-in capital	1,107,536	1,107,536
Retained earnings	546,184	354,727
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(207,306)	(210,688)
Treasury stock	0	0
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	2,095,096	1,900,258
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	39,103	46,770
Total shareholders’ equity	2,134,199	1,947,028
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,541,369	2,383,435
Eliminations
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	$ 0	$ 0
Receivables, net	0	0
Inventories	(4,493)	(2,993)
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	0	0
Refundable income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	(4,493)	(2,993)
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	(3,234,996)	(2,992,184)
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	(3,239,489)	(2,995,177)
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	0	0
Notes payable to banks	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	0	0
Defined benefit pension liability	0	0
Deferred compensation	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	(1,106,632)	(1,106,633)
Additional paid-in capital	(1,266,950)	(1,266,950)
Retained earnings	(1,137,838)	(896,644)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	271,931	275,050
Treasury stock	0	0
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	(3,239,489)	(2,995,177)
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	(3,239,489)	(2,995,177)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ (3,239,489)	$ (2,995,177)

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN48

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN49

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		28 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 24, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 29,521	$ 13,549	$ 107,134	$ 74,495
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			61,242	70,859
Noncash loss on trading securities			973	5,020
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities			618	12,659
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			0	15,200
Stock-based compensation			6,572	5,667
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			(3,527)	0
Defined benefit pension plan expense			1,486	(460)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			(712)	(15,735)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment			250	1,263
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(3,749)	5,272	(1,534)	5,217
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables			16,436	5,551
Inventories			(34,413)	(25,447)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(10,624)	5,275
Accounts payable			(11,338)	832
Accrued expenses			3,272	7,368
Other noncurrent liabilities			240	887
Income taxes payable (refundable)			4,831	14,171
Net cash flows from operating activities			127,254	182,822
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(42,233)	(34,447)
Proceeds from sale of assets			3,938	3,256
Increase in restricted cash - pension			(13,652)	0
Other, net			(2,824)	5,980
Net cash flows from investing activities			(41,119)	(25,211)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			(128)	(12,322)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			0	37,000
Principal payments on long-term borrowings			(1,563)	(37,878)
Dividends paid			(25,604)	(26,708)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(2,527)	(2,323)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			(11,009)	0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			6,509	10,902
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			0	1,458
Purchase of treasury shares			(46,581)	(148,220)	$ (610,600)
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises			(1,453)	(12,135)
Net cash flows from financing activities			(82,356)	(190,226)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(3,478)	(26,113)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			301	(58,728)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			349,074	371,579
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	349,375	312,851	349,375	312,851	349,375
Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	28,173	12,066	103,168	70,678
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			20,482	22,373
Noncash loss on trading securities			0	0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities			0	4,092
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets				0
Stock-based compensation			6,572	9,620
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			0
Defined benefit pension plan expense			0	0
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			0	0
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment			2	333
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(22,658)	(10,324)	(69,876)	(45,616)
Deferred income taxes	(5,321)	7,909	(1,834)	11,728
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables			(10,501)	21,061
Inventories			(11,847)	(16,893)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(4,526)	840
Accounts payable			(16,605)	5,038
Accrued expenses			11,179	(5,758)
Other noncurrent liabilities			(252)	(2,716)
Income taxes payable (refundable)			19,132	14,216
Net cash flows from operating activities			45,094	88,996
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(5,699)	(9,547)
Proceeds from sale of assets			36	1,508
Increase in restricted cash - pension			0
Other, net			13,070	45,326
Net cash flows from investing activities			7,407	37,287
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt				37,000
Principal payments on long-term borrowings			(215)	(37,222)
Dividends paid			(25,604)	(26,708)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			(137)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			6,509	10,902
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises				1,458
Purchase of treasury shares			(46,581)	(148,220)
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises			(1,453)	(12,135)
Net cash flows from financing activities			(67,481)	(174,925)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(14,980)	(48,642)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			62,281	69,869
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	47,301	21,227	47,301	21,227	47,301
Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	6,754	14,106	32,941	32,630
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			9,897	9,372
Noncash loss on trading securities			0	0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities			0	258
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets				0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			0
Defined benefit pension plan expense			0	0
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			0	0
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment			117	267
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	(1,254)	(7,859)	(6,435)
Deferred income taxes	0	(478)	0	(1,062)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables			14,969	(471)
Inventories			(5,024)	8,094
Prepaid expenses and other assets			76	(110)
Accounts payable			2,530	(938)
Accrued expenses			(7,218)	(140)
Other noncurrent liabilities			5	0
Income taxes payable (refundable)			(16,444)	(14)
Net cash flows from operating activities			23,990	41,451
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(17,944)	(6,065)
Proceeds from sale of assets			84	36
Increase in restricted cash - pension			0
Other, net			(4,488)	(35,859)
Net cash flows from investing activities			(22,348)	(41,888)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt				0
Principal payments on long-term borrowings			0	0
Dividends paid			0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises				0
Purchase of treasury shares			0	0
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises			0	0
Net cash flows from financing activities			0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			168	(79)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			1,810	(516)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			4,008	2,157
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	5,818	1,641	5,818	1,641	5,818
Non- Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	17,239	(1,442)	49,778	23,392
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			30,863	39,114
Noncash loss on trading securities			973	5,020
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities			618	8,309
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets				15,200
Stock-based compensation			0	(3,953)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			(3,527)
Defined benefit pension plan expense			1,486	(460)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			(712)	(15,735)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment			131	663
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	1,572	(2,159)	300	(5,449)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables			11,968	(15,039)
Inventories			(19,041)	(16,648)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(6,174)	4,545
Accounts payable			2,737	(3,268)
Accrued expenses			(689)	13,266
Other noncurrent liabilities			487	3,603
Income taxes payable (refundable)			2,143	(31)
Net cash flows from operating activities			57,689	52,529
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(18,590)	(18,835)
Proceeds from sale of assets			3,818	1,712
Increase in restricted cash - pension			(13,652)
Other, net			(10,925)	(3,641)
Net cash flows from investing activities			(25,697)	(20,764)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			(128)	(12,322)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt				0
Principal payments on long-term borrowings			(1,348)	(656)
Dividends paid			0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			(2,527)	(2,323)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			(10,872)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises				0
Purchase of treasury shares			0	0
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises			0	0
Net cash flows from financing activities			(14,875)	(15,301)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(3,646)	(26,034)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			13,471	(9,570)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			282,785	299,553
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	296,256	289,983	296,256	289,983	296,256
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	(22,645)	(11,181)	(78,753)	(52,205)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			0	0
Noncash loss on trading securities			0	0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities			0	0
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets				0
Stock-based compensation			0	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			0
Defined benefit pension plan expense			0	0
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			0	0
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment			0	0
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	22,658	11,578	77,735	52,051
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables			0	0
Inventories			1,499	0
Prepaid expenses and other assets			0	0
Accounts payable			0	0
Accrued expenses			0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities			0	0
Income taxes payable (refundable)			0	0
Net cash flows from operating activities			481	(154)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets			0	0
Increase in restricted cash - pension			0
Other, net			(481)	154
Net cash flows from investing activities			(481)	154
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt				0
Principal payments on long-term borrowings			0	0
Dividends paid			0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises				0
Purchase of treasury shares			0	0
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises			0	0
Net cash flows from financing activities			0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0