Valmont Industries (VMI) 10-K 24 Feb 21 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Feb. 18, 2021	Jun. 27, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 26, 2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-26
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-31429
Entity Registrant Name	Valmont Industries, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	47-0351813
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Valmont Plaza,
Entity Address, City or Town	Omaha,
Entity Address, State or Province	NE
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	68154-5215
City Area Code	402
Local Phone Number	963-1000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock $1.00 par value
Trading Symbol	VMI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company	false
Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,215,198
Entity Public Float			$ 2,212,151,860
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 27, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”), to be filed within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020, are incorporated by reference in Part III.
Entity Central Index Key	0000102729
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Net sales	$ 2,895,355	$ 2,766,976	$ 2,757,144
Total cost of sales	2,129,841	2,084,295	2,088,972
Gross profit	765,514	682,681	668,172
Selling, general and administrative expenses	522,923	454,776	440,220
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	16,638	0	15,780
Operating income	225,953	227,905	212,172
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(41,075)	(40,153)	(44,237)
Interest income	2,374	3,942	4,668
Gain (loss) on investments - unrealized	2,443	5,960	(839)
Costs associated with refinancing of debt	0	0	(14,820)
Loss from divestiture of grinding media business	0	0	(6,084)
Other	3,073	2,204	2,473
Total other income (expenses)	(33,185)	(28,047)	(58,839)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	192,768	199,858	153,333
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	51,012	46,267	44,794
Deferred	(1,397)	1,486	814
Total income tax expense (benefit)	49,615	47,753	45,608
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	143,153	152,105	107,725
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(1,004)	0	0
Net earnings	142,149	152,105	107,725
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,456)	(5,697)	(5,955)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 140,693	$ 146,408	$ 101,770
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 6.60	$ 6.76	$ 4.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.57	$ 6.73	$ 4.53
Product
Net sales	$ 2,594,855	$ 2,434,190	$ 2,437,334
Total cost of sales	1,936,024	1,863,780	1,878,067
Service
Net sales	300,500	332,786	319,810
Total cost of sales	$ 193,817	$ 220,515	$ 210,905

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 142,149	$ 152,105	$ 107,725
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	21,483	(2,506)	(65,436)
Realized loss on divestiture of grinding media business recorded in other expense	0	0	9,203
Foreign currency translation adjustments	21,483	(2,506)	(56,233)
Gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedges, net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,428 in 2020, $384 in 2019, $1,894 in 2018	7,289	1,154	5,291
Realized loss on grinding media net investment hedge	0	0	1,215
Amortization cost (benefit) included in interest expense	(64)	(64)	423
Deferred loss on interest rate hedges	0	0	(2,467)
Cash flow hedges	1,598	0	0
Realized (gain) loss on cash flow hedges recorded in earnings	(1,598)	0	0
Commodity hedges	0	(2,130)	1,021
Realized (gain) loss on commodity hedges recorded in earnings	0	2,130	(1,021)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cross currency swaps	(5,751)	1,815	352
Other Comprehensive Income Loss, Hedging Activities, Gain (loss), after Reclassification and Tax	1,474	2,905	4,814
Actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit pension plan, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(4,183) in 2020, $(2,710) in 2019, $8,177 in 2018	(17,349)	(10,828)	29,885
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,608	(10,429)	(21,534)
Comprehensive income	147,757	141,676	86,191
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,428)	(5,505)	(8,584)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 144,329	$ 136,171	$ 77,607

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CO_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge, tax	$ 2,428	$ 384	$ 1,894
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability, tax	$ (4,183)	$ (2,710)	$ 8,177

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 400,726	$ 353,542
Receivables, less allowance of $15,952 in 2020 and $9,548 in 2019	511,714	480,000
Inventories	448,941	418,370
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings	123,495	141,322
Prepaid expenses and other assets	59,804	32,043
Refundable income taxes	9,945	6,947
Total current assets	1,554,625	1,432,224
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,341,380	1,245,261
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	743,653	687,132
Net property, plant and equipment	597,727	558,129
Goodwill	430,322	428,864
Other intangible assets, net	167,193	175,742
Other assets	203,293	212,257
Total assets	2,953,160	2,807,216
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	2,748	760
Notes payable to banks	35,147	21,774
Accounts payable	268,099	197,957
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	137,939	83,528
Contract liabilities	130,018	117,945
Other accrued expenses	89,796	83,736
Dividends payable	9,556	8,079
Total current liabilities	673,303	513,779
Deferred income taxes	41,689	58,906
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	728,431	764,944
Defined benefit pension liability	118,523	140,007
Operating lease liabilities	80,202	85,817
Deferred compensation	44,519	45,114
Other noncurrent liabilities	58,657	8,904
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
Additional paid-in capital	335	0
Retained earnings	2,245,035	2,173,802
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(309,786)	(313,422)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 6,674,866 in 2020 and 6,356,103 in 2019	(781,422)	(743,942)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	1,182,062	1,144,338
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	25,774	45,407
Total shareholders’ equity	1,207,836	1,189,745	[1]
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 2,953,160	$ 2,807,216
[1]	The retained earnings balance has been revised from the amounts previously reported as a result of the change in inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 15,952	$ 9,548
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
Common shares in treasury, shares	6,674,866	6,356,103

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			79 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 26, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 142,149	$ 152,105	$ 107,725
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	82,892	82,264	82,827
Noncash loss on trading securities	39	(172)	(62)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	(35,399)	(18,461)	(1,537)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	3,751	0	5,000
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets	16,638	0	15,780
Loss on divestiture of grinding media business	0	0	6,084
Stock-based compensation	14,874	11,587	10,392
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit)	(7,311)	(513)	(2,251)
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	60	(2,513)	(225)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	1,004	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(1,397)	1,486	814
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	(24,403)	5,408	12,571
Inventories	(21,888)	22,128	(23,666)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(10,633)	4,413	(11,048)
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings	19,835	(29,274)	(32,932)
Accounts payable	33,044	(21,410)	(1,486)
Accrued expenses	52,548	(4,255)	2,834
Contract liabilities	12,072	113,039	(2,785)
Other noncurrent liabilities	46,712	(1,274)	(10,888)
Income taxes payable (refundable)	(8,293)	(6,944)	(4,139)
Net cash flows from operating activities	316,294	307,614	153,008
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(106,700)	(97,425)	(71,985)
Proceeds from sale of assets	10,860	5,556	63,103
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(15,862)	(81,841)	(143,020)
Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedge	11,983	11,184	(1,621)
Investments in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(1,283)	(6,169)	0
Other, net	(3,027)	545	(1,922)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(104,029)	(168,150)	(155,445)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term agreements	20,990	13,195	10,543
Payments on short-term agreements	(7,946)	(1,868)	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	88,872	31,000	251,655
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	(121,665)	(10,768)	(262,191)
Settlement of financial derivatives	0	0	(2,467)
Debt issuance costs	0	0	(2,322)
Dividends paid	(36,930)	(32,642)	(33,726)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(5,642)	(7,737)	(7,055)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(59,416)	(27,845)	(5,510)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	18,961	13,619	7,357
Purchase of treasury shares	(56,491)	(62,915)	(114,805)	$ (852,040)
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises	(14,489)	(12,989)	(3,589)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(173,756)	(98,950)	(162,110)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	8,675	(182)	(15,048)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	47,184	40,332	(179,595)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of year	353,542	313,210	492,805
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of year	$ 400,726	$ 353,542	$ 313,210	$ 400,726

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - USD ($)		Total		Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common stock		Additional paid-in capital		Retained earnings		Retained earningsCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		Treasury stock		Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
Beginning balance at Dec. 30, 2017	[1]	$ 1,184,591,000			$ 27,900,000		$ 0		$ 1,987,140,000			$ (279,022,000)		$ (590,386,000)		$ 38,959,000
Beginning balance (Accounting Standards Update 2014-09) at Dec. 30, 2017				$ 9,771,000							$ 9,771,000
Beginning balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-16) at Dec. 30, 2017				1,038,000							1,038,000
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings		107,725,000							101,770,000							5,955,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(21,534,000)										(24,163,000)				2,629,000
Cash dividends declared		(33,426,000)							(33,426,000)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests		(7,055,000)														(7,055,000)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(5,510,000)														(5,510,000)
Addition of noncontrolling interest		40,783,000														40,783,000
Purchase of treasury shares		(114,805,000)												(114,805,000)
Stock plan exercises		(3,589,000)												(3,589,000)
Stock options exercised		7,357,000					(2,397,000)		1,518,000					8,236,000
Stock option expense		4,064,000					4,064,000
Stock awards		6,328,000					(1,667,000)							7,995,000
Ending balance at Dec. 29, 2018		1,175,738,000	[1]	$ (8,886,000)	27,900,000	[1]	0	[1]	2,067,811,000	[1]	$ (8,886,000)	(303,185,000)	[1]	(692,549,000)	[1]	75,761,000	[1]
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings		152,105,000							146,408,000							5,697,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(10,429,000)										(10,237,000)				(192,000)
Cash dividends declared		(32,503,000)							(32,503,000)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests		(7,737,000)														(7,737,000)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(27,845,000)					277,000									(28,122,000)
Purchase of treasury shares		(62,915,000)												(62,915,000)
Stock plan exercises		(12,989,000)												(12,989,000)
Stock options exercised		13,619,000					(3,756,000)		972,000					16,403,000
Stock option expense		2,772,000					2,772,000
Stock awards		8,815,000					707,000							8,108,000
Ending balance at Dec. 28, 2019	[1]	$ 1,189,745,000			27,900,000		0		2,173,802,000			(313,422,000)		(743,942,000)		45,407,000
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]		us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Net earnings		$ 142,149,000							140,693,000							1,456,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)		5,608,000										3,636,000				1,972,000
Cash dividends declared		(38,393,000)							(38,393,000)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests		(5,642,000)														(5,642,000)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(53,611,000)							(31,067,000)							(22,544,000)
Addition of noncontrolling interest		5,125,000														5,125,000
Purchase of treasury shares		(56,491,000)												(56,491,000)
Stock plan exercises		(14,489,000)												(14,489,000)
Stock options exercised		18,961,000					(6,335,000)							25,296,000
Stock option expense		2,628,000					2,628,000
Stock awards		12,246,000					4,042,000							8,204,000
Ending balance at Dec. 26, 2020		$ 1,207,836,000			$ 27,900,000		$ 335,000		$ 2,245,035,000			$ (309,786,000)		$ (781,422,000)		$ 25,774,000
[1]	The retained earnings balance has been revised from the amounts previously reported as a result of the change in inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SH_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.80	$ 1.50	$ 1.50
Purchase of treasury shares acquired (in shares)	441,119	491,045	843,278
Stock plan exercises; shares acquired (in shares)	88,411	90,868	27,555
Stock options exercised; shares issued (in shares)	147,014	119,789	63,717
Stock awards; shares issued (in shares)	65,248	60,021	61,208

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its wholly and majority‑owned subsidiaries (the Company). Investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates and joint ventures are accounted for by the equity method. Investments in less than 20% owned affiliates are accounted for by the cost method. All intercompany items have been eliminated. Cash overdrafts Cash book overdrafts totaling $16,979 and $13,971 were classified as accounts payable at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Segments The Company has four reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal and composite poles, towers, and components for lighting, traffic, and wireless communication markets, engineered access systems, integrated structure solutions for smart cities, and highway safety products; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for utility transmission, distribution, substations, and renewable energy generation equipment; COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, painting, and anodizing services to preserve and protect metal products; and IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment, parts, services, tubular products, water management solutions, and technology for precision agriculture. In addition to these four reportable segments, there are other businesses and activities which are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry and is reported in the "Other" category until its divestiture in 2018. Fiscal Year The Company operates on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the last Saturday in December. Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 consisted of 52 weeks. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are reported on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the outstanding receivables based on age of the receivable, economic conditions and customer credit quality. As the Company’s international Irrigation business has grown, the exposure to potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas of political instability, or with governments with which the Company has limited experience, or where there is a lack of transparency as to the current credit condition of governmental units. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts related to current accounts receivable was $15,952 at December 26, 2020. Inventories 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. Effective December 29, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020, the Company changed its method of accounting for certain of its inventory, previously accounted for on the LIFO basis, so that now all inventory is valued on the FIFO basis. The Company believes this change is preferable as it provides a better matching of costs with the physical flow of goods, more accurately reflects the current value of inventory presented on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and standardizes the Company’s inventory valuation methodology. In accordance with ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections , this change in method of accounting for certain inventories has been retrospectively applied to the earliest period presented. As a result of the retrospective change, the cumulative effect to retained earnings as of December 30, 2017, December 29, 2018, and December 28, 2019 was an incr ease of $32,795, $40,215, and $32,854, respectivel y. This change did not affect the Company's previously reported cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities. The impact of the change from LIFO to FIFO on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows: Fiscal Year 2019 Fiscal Year 2018 (in 000's, except earnings per share) As Previously Reported Retrospectively Adjusted Adjustment As Previously Reported Retrospectively Adjusted Adjustment Cost of sales 2,074,480 2,084,295 9,815 2,098,864 2,088,972 (9,892) Operating income 237,720 227,905 (9,815) 202,280 212,172 9,892 Income tax expense 50,207 47,753 (2,454) 43,135 45,608 2,473 Net earnings attributed to Valmont Industries, Inc 153,769 146,408 (7,361) 94,351 101,770 7,419 Comprehensive (loss) income 149,037 141,676 (7,361) 78,772 86,191 7,419 Net earnings per diluted share 7.06 6.73 (0.33) 4.20 4.53 0.33 The Company applied this change retrospectively to the earliest period presented. The resulting impact to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 28, 2019 is as follows: December 28, 2019 Consolidated Balance Sheet As Previously Reported Adjustment Retrospectively Adjusted Inventory 374,565 43,805 418,370 Deferred income tax liability 47,955 10,951 58,906 Retained earnings 2,140,948 32,854 2,173,802 Long-Lived Assets Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. The Company generally uses the straight-line method in computing depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The annual provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally in accordance with the following ranges of asset lives: buildings and improvements 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment 3 to 12 years, transportation equipment 3 to 24 years, office furniture and equipment 3 to 7 years and intangible assets 5 to 20 years. Depreciation expense in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $63,890, $64,177 and $67,499, respectively. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. Impairment losses were recorded in 2020 and 2018 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company's restructuring plans. Upon adoption of ASC 842, Leases in 2019, the Company impaired the right-of-use (lease) asset for one of its galvanizing facilities in Australia as it will not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the carrying value. The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reporting units are evaluated using after-tax operating cash flows (less capital expenditures) discounted to present value. For the solar tracking reporting unit, the Company valued the terminal value for this reporting unit using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Indefinite‑lived intangible assets are assessed separately from goodwill as part of the annual impairment testing, using a relief-from-royalty method. If the underlying assumptions related to the valuation of a reporting unit’s goodwill or an indefinite‑lived intangible asset change materially before or after the annual impairment testing, the reporting unit or asset is evaluated for potential impairment. In these evaluations, management considers recent operating performance, expected future performance, industry conditions and other indicators of potential impairment. See footnote 8 for details of impairments recognized during 2020 and 2018. Income Taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date. Warranties The Company's provision for product warranty reflects management's best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Estimated future warranty costs are recorded at the time a sale is recognized. Future warranty liability is determined based on applying historical claim rate experience to units sold that are still within the warranty period. In addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims. Pension Benefits Certain expenses are incurred in connection with a defined benefit pension plan. 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. Derivative Instruments The Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risk associated with fluctuation in interest rates, foreign currency rates or commodities. Where applicable, the Company may elect to account for such derivatives as either a cash flow, fair value, or net investment hedge. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income, 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. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at December 28, 2019 $ (232,575) $ 14,076 $ (94,923) $ (313,422) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) 19,511 1,474 (17,349) 3,636 Balance at December 26, 2020 $ (213,064) $ 15,550 $ (112,272) $ (309,786) Revenue Recognition On December 31, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) . The Company elected to use the modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new revenue standard. The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue, and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Contract revenues are classified as product when the performance obligation is related to the manufacturing of goods. Contract revenues are classified as service when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the Coatings segment. Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the project is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize revenue associated with the design stage. There is one performance obligation for revenue recognition. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products. Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the Utility segment and the wireless communication structures product line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company elected the practical expedient to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. On December 26, 2020, we had approximately $39,000 of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more. We expect to recognize the majority of our remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 24 months. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedient to not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services; the Company expects all consideration to be received in one year or less at contract inception. Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition The global Utility segment revenues are derived from manufactured steel and concrete structures for the North America utility industry and offshore and other complex structures used in energy generation and distribution outside of the United States. Steel and concrete utility structures are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For our steel and concrete utility and wireless communication structure product lines, we generally recognize revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Revenue from the offshore and other complex structures business is also recognized using an inputs method, based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain sales of steel and concrete structures; the Company has chosen to use the practical expedient to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are manufactured. The global ESS segment revenues are derived from the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal, composite structures and components for lighting and traffic and roadway safety, engineered access systems, and wireless communication. For the lighting and traffic and roadway safety product lines, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. For Access Systems, revenue is generally recognized upon delivery of goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The wireless communication monopole product line has large regional customers who have unique product specifications for these larger communication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a percent of total estimated hours to complete production. For the remaining wireless communication product line customers which do not provide a contractual right to bill for work completed on a canceled order, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. For wireless communication towers and components, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The global Coatings segment revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed. The global Irrigation segment revenues are derived from the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the agricultural industry and tubular products for industrial customers. Revenue recognition for the irrigation segment is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months. Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the Segment footnote. A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in time for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 is as follows: Point in Time Over Time Point in Time Over Time Point in Time Over Time Fiscal year ended December 26, 2020 Fiscal year ended December 26, 2020 Fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 Fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 Fiscal year ended December 29, 2018 Fiscal year ended December 29, 2018 Utility Support Structures $ 86,382 $ 915,756 $ 47,450 $ 838,158 $ 16,760 $ 838,446 Engineered Support Structures 940,513 43,010 952,056 50,020 922,677 44,681 Coatings 269,602 — 300,640 — 286,739 — Irrigation 624,831 15,261 564,918 13,734 612,385 12,376 Other — — — — 23,080 — Total $ 1,921,328 $ 974,027 $ 1,865,064 $ 901,912 $ 1,861,641 $ 895,503 The Company's contract asset as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 was $123,495 and $141,322, respectively. Both steel and concrete Utility customers in North America are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer's specified location and there are typically no up-front or progress payments. At December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the contract liability was $170,919 and $117,945. As of December 26, 2020, $130,018 is recorded as contract liabilities and $40,901 is recorded as other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the Company recognized $74,319 and $3,921 of revenue that was included in the liability as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for projects completed during the period. The remaining contract liability from December 28, 2019 that was not recognized in fiscal 2020 is expected to be recognized in fiscal 2021. Use of Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Equity Method Investments The Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries which are recorded within "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Treasury Stock Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.” When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional Paid-In Capital.” In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. In February 2015 and again in October 2018, 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 December 26, 2020, the Company has acquired 6,363,573 shares for approximately $852,040 under this share repurchase program. Research and Development Research and development costs are charged to operations in the year incurred. These costs are a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Research and development expenses were approximately $21,400 in 2020, $13,900 in 2019, and $11,500 in 2018. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This update is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses. The Company adopted this ASU on the first day of fiscal 2020. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company early adopted Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities rules as released by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2020, which simplify the disclosure requirements related to the Company’s registered debt securities, guaranteed by certain of its subsidiaries, under Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X. The final rules permit the simplified disclosures to be provided either in a footnote to the Company’s consolidated financial statements or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. The Company has elected to provide the simplified disclosure within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-14 (ASU 2018-14), Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans , which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The Company adopted ASU 2018-14 on the first day of fiscal 2020 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement disclosure requirements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (not yet adopted) In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12 (ASU 2019-12), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes , which simplifies the accounting and disclosure requirements for income taxes by clarifying existing guidance to improve consistency in application of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740. The Company will adopt on the first day of fiscal 2021 (the effective date) and it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings, balance sheet, or cash flows. In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 (ASU 2020-04), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting , which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. This guidance can be adopted on a prospective basis no later than December 31, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS Acquisitions of Businesses On May 29, 2020, the Company acquired 55% of Energia Solar do Brasil ("Solbras") for $4,308. Approximately $646 of the purchase price is contingent on seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 12 months of the acquisition date. Solbras is a leading provider of solar energy solutions for agriculture. In the preliminary purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,341 and customer relationships of $3,718 were recorded and the remainder is net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and the customer relationship will be amortized over 8 years. The acquisition of Solbras, located in Brazil, allows the Company to expand its product offerings in the Irrigation segment to include not only pivots, but also a sustainable and low-cost energy source to provide electricity to the units. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2020. On March 6, 2020, the Company acquired 75% of KC Utility Packaging, LLC for $4,200. Approximately $400 of the purchase price is contingent on seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 12 months of the acquisition date. The Company name was subsequently changed to Valmont Substations LLC. The acquisition was made to expand the Company's utility substation product offering. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $1,100, customer relationships of $4,000, and other intangibles of $500 were recorded. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2020. On May 13, 2019, the Company acquired the assets of Connect-It Wireless, Inc. ("Connect-It") for $6,034 in cash. Connect-It operates in Florida and is a manufacturer and distributor of wireless site components and safety products. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,299 and customer relationships of $828 were recorded and the remainder is net working capital. A portion of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. Connect-It is included in the ESS segment and was acquired to expand the Company's wireless component distribution network. The purchase price allocation was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2019. On February 11, 2019, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of United Galvanizing ("United"), a provider of coatings services for $26,000 in cash. The agreed upon purchase price was $28,000, with $2,000 being contingent on seller representations and warranties that was settled in the first quarter of 2020 for $1,522. The acquisition of United, located in Houston, Texas further expands the Company's galvanizing footprint in North America and will be reported in the Coatings segment. The fair values assigned were $12,374 for goodwill, $3,170 for customer relationships, trade name of $894, $10,987 for property, plant, and equipment, and the remainder is net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and the customer relationship will be amortized over 10 years. The trade name has an indefinite life. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2019. Proforma disclosures were omitted for the 2020 acquisitions as the Solbras and Valmont Substation acquisitions do not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results. The proforma effect of 2019 acquisitions on the 2019 and 2018 Consolidated Statements of Earnings is as follows: Fifty-two Weeks Ended December 28, 2019 Fifty-two Weeks Ended December 29, 2018 Net sales $ 2,772,150 $ 2,801,326 Net earnings 146,941 103,370 Earnings per share-diluted 6.75 4.61 Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests In February 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 49% of AgSense that it did not own for $43,983, which includes a holdback payment of $2,200 that was made in the second quarter of 2020. The accounting for owning 100% of AgSense resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax asset of approximately $7,700.

DIVESTITURE

DIVESTITURE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
DIVESTITURE	DIVESTITURE On April 30, 2018, the Company completed the sale of Donhad, its grinding media business in Australia, reported in the Other segment. The business was sold because it did not fit the long-term strategic plans for the Company. The grinding media business historical annual sales, operating profit, and net assets are not significant for discontinued operations presentation. The grinding media business had an operating loss of $913 for the year ended December 29, 2018. The Company received Australian $82,500 (U.S. $62,518). The pre-tax loss from the divestiture is reported in other income (expense). The loss is comprised of the proceeds from buyer, less deal-related costs, less the net assets of the business which resulted in a gain of $4,334. Offsetting this amount is a $(10,418) realized loss on foreign exchange translation adjustments and net investment hedges previously reported in shareholders' equity. 2018 Pre-tax gain from divestiture, before recognition of currency translation loss $ 4,334 Recognition of cumulative currency translation loss and hedges (out of OCI) (10,418) Net pre-tax loss from divestiture of the grinding media business $ (6,084)

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES	RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES During 2020, the Company executed certain regional restructuring activities (the "2020 Plan") primarily in the ESS and Utility segments and a U.S. specific early retirement program covering all segments. The 2020 Plan included the closure of one U.S. Coatings facility. All 2020 restructuring activities were completed by December 26, 2020. The Company recorded the following pre-tax expenses: ESS Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 474 $ 241 $ 424 $ — $ — $ 1,139 Other cash restructuring expenses 181 1,070 596 — — 1,847 Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals 345 2,866 540 — — 3,751 Total cost of sales 1,000 4,177 1,560 — — 6,737 Severance 4,441 2,393 2,231 2,968 1,761 13,794 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,700 71 160 — 244 2,175 Impairments of assets/net loss on disposals 443 — — — — 443 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 6,584 2,464 2,391 2,968 2,005 16,412 Consolidated total $ 7,584 $ 6,641 $ 3,951 $ 2,968 $ 2,005 $ 23,149 Change in the current liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows: Balance at December 28, 2019 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at December 26, 2020 Severance $ — $ 14,933 $ (2,273) $ 12,660 Other cash restructuring expenses — 4,022 (4,022) — Total $ — $ 18,955 $ (6,295) $ 12,660

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMA

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
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 fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018 were as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Interest $ 40,209 $ 39,032 $ 43,305 Income taxes 54,801 43,629 47,355 The acquisitions in 2019 included hold back payments contingent on seller representations and warranties of $5,456. The hold back payments were paid in the first quarter of 2020 and are shown as an investing use of cash in the acquisitions line item of the consolidated statements of cash flows.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	INVENTORIES Inventories consisted of the following at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019: 2020 2019 Raw materials and purchased parts $ 155,512 $ 158,314 Work-in-process 33,632 38,088 Finished goods and manufactured goods 259,797 221,968 $ 448,941 $ 418,370

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consist of the following: 2020 2019 Land and improvements $ 114,831 $ 111,091 Buildings and improvements 373,271 364,396 Machinery and equipment 616,765 584,447 Transportation equipment 28,610 23,650 Office furniture and equipment 101,487 85,130 Construction in progress 106,416 76,547 $ 1,341,380 $ 1,245,261

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Amortized Intangible Assets The components of amortized intangible assets at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: December 26, 2020 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 237,232 $ 155,760 13 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 26,208 8,301 14 years Other 7,602 6,786 4 years $ 271,042 $ 170,847 December 28, 2019 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 237,626 $ 149,720 13 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 24,068 6,358 14 years Other 8,054 7,035 5 years $ 269,748 $ 163,113 Amortization expense for intangible assets was $18,147, $18,087 and $15,328 for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows: Estimated 2021 $ 15,435 2022 13,270 2023 11,571 2024 9,656 2025 8,222 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 December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: December 26, December 28, Year Acquired Newmark $ 11,111 $ 11,111 2004 Webforge 7,972 9,143 2010 Valmont SM 8,720 7,966 2014 Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products 7,730 7,454 2010 Shakespeare 4,000 4,000 2014 Walpar 3,500 3,500 2018 Convert 9,137 8,378 2018 Other 14,828 17,555 $ 66,998 $ 69,107 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 2020. The values of each trade name were determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, no trade names were determined to be impaired. In conjunction with an interim second quarter 2020 goodwill impairment test, impairment indicators were noted for the Webforge and Locker trade names requiring an interim impairment test. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $3,900 was recognized against these two trade names in fiscal 2020. Goodwill The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 was as follows: Engineered Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross balance at December 28, 2019 $ 228,634 $ 130,594 $ 93,747 $ 25,136 $ 478,111 Accumulated impairment losses (18,670) (14,355) (16,222) — (49,247) Balance at December 28, 2019 209,964 116,239 77,525 25,136 $ 428,864 Acquisitions — 1,100 — 5,038 6,138 Impairment (12,575) — — — (12,575) Foreign currency translation 3,689 3,641 562 3 7,895 Balance at December 26, 2020 $ 201,078 $ 120,980 $ 78,087 $ 30,177 $ 430,322 Engineered Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross balance at December 29, 2018 $ 204,735 $ 123,618 $ 80,937 $ 25,164 $ 434,454 Accumulated impairment losses (18,670) (14,355) (16,222) — (49,247) Balance at December 29, 2018 186,065 109,263 64,715 25,164 385,207 Acquisitions 21,870 7,889 12,374 — 42,133 Foreign currency translation 2,029 (913) 436 (28) 1,524 Balance at December 28, 2019 $ 209,964 $ 116,239 $ 77,525 $ 25,136 $ 428,864 The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed during the third quarter of 2020, using primarily the discounted cash flow method. The estimated fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying value, so no goodwill was impaired.

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS The Company maintains various lines of credit for short-term borrowings totaling $144,690 at December 26, 2020. As of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, $35,147 and $21,774 was outstanding and recorded as notes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The interest rates charged on these lines of credit vary in relation to the banks’ costs of funds. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings w as 4.65%

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries are as follows: 2020 2019 2018 United States $ 169,281 $ 166,108 $ 137,744 Foreign 23,487 33,750 15,589 $ 192,768 $ 199,858 $ 153,333 Income tax expense (benefit) consists of: 2020 2019 2018 Current: Federal $ 30,431 $ 27,809 $ 21,106 State 8,302 5,568 6,585 Foreign 12,730 13,130 17,559 51,463 46,507 45,250 Non-current: (451) (240) (456) Deferred: Federal (6,086) 47 2,290 State (822) 160 405 Foreign 5,511 1,279 (1,881) (1,397) 1,486 814 $ 49,615 $ 47,753 $ 45,608 The reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate follows: 2020 2019 2018 Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.5 2.5 3.5 Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances (1.6) (1.0) 3.2 Foreign tax rate differences (1.7) 0.3 (1.0) Changes in unrecognized tax benefits 0.2 (0.1) (0.3) Goodwill and intangible impairment 2.4 — 2.2 Effects of 2017 Tax Act — — (0.5) Other 1.9 1.2 1.7 25.7 % 23.9 % 29.7 % Fiscal years 2020 and 2018 include $4,651 and $3,171 of tax expense related to non-tax deductible impairment of goodwill. Fiscal years 2020 and 2018 also include $1,100 and $6,756 of tax expense primarily related to restructuring charges for which no tax benefits have been recorded due to the increase in valuation allowance. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and (b) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred income tax liabilities are as follows: 2020 2019 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses and allowances $ 17,203 $ 16,148 Tax credits and loss carryforwards 81,912 64,116 Defined benefit pension liability 30,623 35,539 Accrued compensation and benefits 23,545 14,122 Lease liabilities 23,715 21,763 Deferred compensation 13,883 15,174 Gross deferred income tax assets 190,881 166,862 Valuation allowance (44,451) (35,215) Net deferred income tax assets 146,430 131,647 Deferred income tax liabilities: Property, plant and equipment 35,701 31,628 Intangible assets 43,699 49,686 Inventory allowances 5,705 5,352 Lease assets 23,715 22,066 Other deferred tax liabilities 5,248 6,067 Total deferred income tax liabilities 114,068 114,799 Net deferred income tax asset $ 32,362 $ 16,848 Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented as follows on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Balance Sheet Caption 2020 2019 Other assets $ 74,051 $ 75,754 Deferred income taxes (41,689) (58,906) Net deferred income tax asset $ 32,362 $ 16,848 Management of the Company has reviewed recent operating results and projected future operating results. The Company's belief that realization of its net deferred tax assets is more likely than not is based on, among other factors, changes in operations that have occurred in recent years and available tax planning strategies. At December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 respectively, there were $81,912 and $64,116 relating to tax credits and loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances have been established for certain losses that reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will, more likely than not, be realized. The deferred tax assets at December 26, 2020 that are associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards not reduced by valuation allowances expire in periods starting in 2023. Uncertain tax positions included in other non-current liabilities are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company would recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The following summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits in 2020 and 2019, in thousands: 2020 2019 Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year $ 2,300 $ 2,599 Gross increases—tax positions in prior period — 29 Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period (1) — Gross increases—current‑period tax positions 398 593 Settlements with taxing authorities (183) (150) Lapse of statute of limitations (650) (771) Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year $ 1,864 $ 2,300 There are approximately $973 of uncertain tax positions for which reversal is reasonably possible during the next 12 months due to the closing of the statute of limitations. The nature of these uncertain tax positions is generally the computation of a tax deduction or tax credit. During 2020, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $650 with $513 recorded as a reduction of income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. During 2019, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $771, with $609 recorded as a reduction of its income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. In addition to these amounts, there was an aggregate of $845 and $178 of interest and penalties at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties directly related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax years 2016 and forward remain open under U.S. statutes of limitation. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $2,547 and $2,224 at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt is as follows: December 26, December 28, 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a) $ 450,000 $ 450,000 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b) 305,000 305,000 Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a)(b) (20,799) (21,143) Revolving credit agreement (c) — 29,044 IDR Bonds — 8,500 Other notes 4,483 2,089 Debt issuance costs (7,505) (7,786) Long-term debt 731,179 765,704 Less current installments of long-term debt 2,748 760 Long-term debt, excluding current installments $ 728,431 $ 764,944 (a) The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principal amount of $450,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $13,405 at December 26, 2020. The notes bear interest at 5.000% per annum and are due on October 1, 2044. The discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense as interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. (b) The 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054 include an aggregate principal amount of $305,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $7,394 at December 26, 2020. The notes bear interest at 5.250% per annum and are due on October 1, 2054. The discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense as interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. (c) The revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, has a maturity date of October 18, 2022. The credit facility provides for $600,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400,000 in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200,000 at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on the borrowings will be, at the Company's option, either: (i) LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or; (ii) the higher of • the prime lending rate, • the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points, and • LIBOR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 100 basis points, plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc. At December 26, 2020, the Company had $0 outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2022, and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 26, 2020, the Company had the ability to borrow $585,419 under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $14,581 associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $144,690, $109,673 of w hich was unused at December 26, 2020. The lending agreements include certain maintenance covenants, including financial leverage and interest coverage. The Company was in compliance with all financial debt covenants at December 26, 2020. The minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following 2020 are: $2,748, $1,028, $707, $0 and $0. The obligations arising under the 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044, the 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054, and the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries PiRod, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION 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, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At December 26, 2020, 779,336 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans. Shares and options issued and available are subject to changes in capitalization. The Company’s policy is to issue shares upon exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units or issuance of restricted stock from treasury shares held by the Company. Under the stock option plans, the exercise price of each option equals the market price at the time of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three years or on the fifth anniversary of the grant. Expiration of grants is seven At December 26, 2020, the amount of unrecognized stock option compensation expense, to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.39 years, was approximately $5,364. The Company uses a binomial option pricing model to value its stock options. The fair value of each option grant made in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was estimated using the following assumptions: 2020 2019 2018 Expected volatility 33.72 % 33.13 % 33.39 % Risk-free interest rate 0.43 % 1.69 % 2.67 % Expected life from vesting date 4.0 yrs 3.0 yrs 3.0 yrs Dividend yield 1.24 % 1.07 % 1.07 % Following is a summary of the stock option activity during 2018, 2019 and 2020: Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 30, 2017 570,622 $ 128.34 Granted 105,135 112.08 Exercised (63,717) 106.26 Forfeited (33,627) 129.52 Outstanding at December 29, 2018 578,413 $ 127.74 4.35 $ 909 Options vested or expected to vest at December 29, 2018 565,592 $ 127.84 4.30 909 Options exercisable at December 29, 2018 405,128 $ 126.61 3.47 909 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2018 was $30.48. Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 29, 2018 578,413 $ 127.74 Granted 57,648 147.31 Exercised (119,789) 113.02 Forfeited (27,712) 137.07 Outstanding at December 28, 2019 488,560 $ 133.13 4.04 $ 9,291 Options vested or expected to vest at December 28, 2019 478,575 $ 133.21 3.99 9,078 Options exercisable at December 28, 2019 341,828 $ 133.32 3.19 6,470 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2019 was $37.85. Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 28, 2019 488,560 $ 133.13 Granted 66,231 168.80 Exercised (147,014) 125.43 Forfeited (8,212) 137.49 Outstanding at December 26, 2020 399,565 $ 141.79 4.88 $ 12,103 Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2020 389,633 $ 141.56 4.81 11,890 Options exercisable at December 26, 2020 254,498 $ 138.64 3.38 8,510 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2020 was $45.49. Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 26, 2020: Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Exercise Price Number Weighted Weighted Number Weighted $104.47 - 112.08 120,194 3.99 years $ 109.58 79,796 $ 108.31 $123.87 - 132.84 26,282 0.97 years 132.48 26,282 132.48 $142.67 - 168.80 253,089 5.71 years 158.05 148,420 156.04 399,565 254,498 In accordance with shareholder-approved plans, the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant stock under various stock‑based compensation arrangements, including restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance based restricted stock units, and stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses. Under such arrangements, stock is issued without direct cost to the employee. The restricted stock units are settled in Company stock when the restriction period ends. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. During fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company granted restricted stock units to directors and certain management employees as follows (which are not included in the above stock plan activity tables): 2020 2019 2018 Shares granted 85,251 78,318 88,127 Weighted‑average per share price on grant date $ 161.73 $ 145.89 $ 114.89 Recognized compensation expense $ 9,081 $ 8,815 $ 6,328 At December 26, 2020 the amount of deferred stock‑based compensation granted, to be recognized over a weighted‑average period of 2.66 years, was approximately $22,862. Performance-based restricted stock units (PSU) awards consist of shares of our stock which are payable upon the determination that the Company achieve certain established performance targets and can range from 0% to 200% of the targeted payout based on the actual results. PSU's granted in 2020 have a performance period of three years. The fair value of each PSU granted is equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. PSUs granted generally have a three years period cliff vesting schedule; however, according to the grant agreements, if certain conditions are met, the employee (or beneficiary) will receive a prorated amount of the award based on active employment during the service period.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
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 2020: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 140,693 $ — $ 140,693 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 21,315 110 21,425 Per share amount $ 6.60 $ 0.03 $ 6.57 2019: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 146,408 $ — $ 146,408 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 21,659 110 21,769 Per share amount $ 6.76 $ 0.03 $ 6.73 2018: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 101,770 $ — $ 101,770 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 22,306 140 22,446 Per share amount $ 4.56 $ 0.03 $ 4.53 Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2020 was impacted by impairments of goodwill and intangible assets in fiscal 2020 of $16,220 after-tax ($0.76 per share) and restructuring expenses of $17,324 after-tax ($0.81 per share). Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2018 was impacted by impairments of goodwill and intangible assets of $14,736 after-tax ($0.66 per share), restructuring expenses and non-recurring asset impairments arising from exiting certain local markets of $37,779 after-tax ($1.68 per share), refinancing of long-term debt expenses of $11,115 after-tax ($0.50 per share), and a loss from the divestiture of the grinding media business of $5,350 after-tax ($0.24 per share). 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. At the end of fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 there were 0, 130,704, and 406,806 outstanding stock options, respectively, with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLA

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN Established under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k), the Valmont Employee Retirement Savings Plan (“VERSP”) is a defined contribution plan available to all eligible employees. Participants can elect to contribute up to 50% of annual pay, on a pretax and/or after-tax basis. The Company also makes contributions to the Plan and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain Company executives. The 2020, 2019 and 2018 Company contributions to these plans amounted to approximately $14,800, $12,600 and $12,300 respectively. The Company sponsors a fully‑funded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain Company executives who otherwise would be limited in receiving company contributions into VERSP under Internal Revenue Service regulations. The invested assets and related liabilities of these participants were $35,125 and $36,290 at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. Such amounts are included in “Other assets” and “Deferred compensation” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts distributed from the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan to participants under the transition rules of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code were approximately $5,067 and $8,335 at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. All distributions were made in cash.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALU

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, notes payable to banks and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of each of the Company’s long-term debt instruments are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument discounted using the Company’s current borrowing rate for similar debt instruments of comparable maturity (Level 2). The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and the underlying assumptions are subject to change based on market conditions. At December 26, 2020, the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $731,179 with an estimated fair value of approximately $884,846. At December 28, 2019, the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $765,704 with an estimated fair value of approximately $826,413. For financial reporting purposes, 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 is used. Inputs refers 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 $35,125 ($36,290 in 2019) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as trading securities, considering the employee’s ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any time. The Company's remaining ownership in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (JSE:DTA) of $202 ($210 in 2019) is recorded at fair value at December 26, 2020. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market and therefore categorized as a Level 1 input. These securities are included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward and cross currency contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate. (15) DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued) Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value December 26, 2020 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading securities $ 35,327 $ 35,327 $ — $ — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, net $ (5,911) $ — $ (5,911) $ — Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value December 29, 2018 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading securities $ 36,500 $ 36,500 $ — $ — Derivative financial instruments, net $ 3,247 $ — $ 3,247 $ —

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company manages interest rate risk, commodity price risk, and foreign currency risk related to foreign currency denominated transactions and investments in foreign subsidiaries. Depending on the circumstances, the Company may manage these risks by utilizing derivative financial instruments. Some derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings, while others may be accounted for as fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedges. The Company had open foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, which are insignificant and thus excluded from the tables below. Derivative financial instruments have credit and market risk. The Company manages these risks of derivative instruments by monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that can be taken, and by entering into transactions with counterparties who are recognized, stable multinational banks. Fair value of derivative instruments at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are as follows: Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Balance sheet location December 26, 2020 December 28, 2019 Foreign currency forward contracts Prepaid expenses and other assets 724 2,119 Cross currency swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other assets 600 1,128 Cross currency swap contracts Accrued expenses (7,235) — $ (5,911) $ 3,247 (16) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued) Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018 are as follows: Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Statements of earnings location 2020 2019 2018 Commodity forward contracts Product cost of sales $ — $ (2,130) $ 1,021 Foreign currency forward contracts Loss from divestiture of grinding media business — — (1,215) Foreign currency forward contracts Product Sales 1,598 — — Foreign currency forward contracts Other income (expense) 187 950 782 Interest rate contracts Interest expense (64) (64) (423) Cross currency swap contracts Interest expense 2,738 2,823 828 $ 4,459 $ 1,579 $ 993 Cash Flow Hedges In 2019, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (HRC) forward contracts which qualified as a cash flow hedge of the variability in the cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. In 2019, the forward contracts had a notional amount of $12,128 for the purchase of 3,500 short tons for each month from May 2019 to September 2019. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement is recorded in product cost of sales in the consolidated statements of earnings over average inventory turns. In May 2020, a Brazilian subsidiary with a Real functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a customer order with components purchased in Euros. The forward contracts, which qualify as a cash flow hedge, matured in December 2020 and a notional amount to buy 4,500 euros in exchange for a stated amount of Brazilian Real. In March 2020, a subsidiary with a Euro functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contracts, which qualify as a cash flow hedge, have a final maturity date of June 2021 and a notional amount to sell $27,500 in exchange for a stated amount of Euros. Net Investment Hedges In the second quarter of 2020, the Company early settled its Australian dollar denominated foreign currency forward contracts and received proceeds of $11,983. In 2019, all net investment hedges incepted in 2018 were early settled and the Company received proceeds of $11,184. Amounts will remain in OCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries. In the second quarter of 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps ("CCS"), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish krone (DKK) and euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company's euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. Interest is exchanged twice per year on April 1 and October 1. Key terms of the two CCS are as follows: Currency Notional Amount Termination Date Swapped Interest Rate Net Settlement Amount Danish Krone (DKK) $ 50,000 April 1, 2024 2.68% DKK 333,625 Euro $ 80,000 April 1, 2024 2.825% €71,550 The Company designated the full notional amount of the two CCS ($130,000) as a hedge of the net investment in certain Danish and European subsidiaries under the spot method, with all changes in the fair value of the CCS that are included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to spot foreign exchange rates) are recorded as cumulative foreign currency translation within OCI, and will remain in OCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries. Net interest receipts will be recorded as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the CCS.

GUARANTEES

GUARANTEES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Guarantees [Abstract]
GUARANTEES	GUARANTEES The Company’s product warranty accrual reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Historical product claims data is used to estimate the cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. Changes in the product warranty accrual, which is recorded in “Accrued expenses”, for the years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, were as follows: 2020 2019 Balance, beginning of period $ 13,532 $ 17,008 Payments made (10,228) (17,484) Change in liability for warranties issued during the period 12,287 16,080 Change in liability for pre-existing warranties (804) (2,072) Balance, end of period $ 14,787 $ 13,532

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIESVarious claims and lawsuits are pending against Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The Company cannot fully determine the effect of all asserted and unasserted claims on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Where asserted and unasserted claims are considered probable and reasonably estimable, a liability has been recorded. We do not expect that any known lawsuits, claims, environmental costs, commitments, or contingent liabilities will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN Delta Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the sponsor of the Delta Pension Plan ("Plan"). The Plan provides defined benefit retirement income to eligible employees in the United Kingdom. Pension retirement benefits to qualified employees are 1.67% of final salary per year of service upon reaching the age of 65 years. This Plan has no active employees as members at December 26, 2020. Funded Status The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of the pension plan as an asset or liability. The funded status represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and the fair value of the plan assets. The PBO is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants, including the effect of assumed future salary increases (if applicable) and inflation. Plan assets are measured at fair value. Because the pension plan is denominated in British pounds sterling, the Company used exchange rates of $1.356/£ and $1.308/£ to translate the net pension liability into U.S. dollars at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. The net funded status of $118,523 at December 26, 2020 is recorded as a noncurrent liability. Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets —The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is the present value of benefits earned to date, assuming no future compensation growth. As there are no active employees in the plan, the ABO is equal to the PBO for all years presented. The underfunded ABO represents the difference between the PBO and the fair value of plan assets. On October 26, 2018, the High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom ruled that pension plans which offered guaranteed minimum pension ("GMP") benefits between 1990 and 1997 must ensure the benefit accrued between men and women were equal. The Company estimated the cost of GMP equalization at £9,500, which was treated as a prior service cost at December 29, 2018. During fiscal 2020, the Company recognized an additional £711 for the effect of GMP equalization. Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 29, 2018 to December 28, 2019 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 29, 2018 $ 647,440 $ 503,536 $ (143,904) Employer contributions — 18,461 Interest cost 16,923 — Actual return on plan assets — 86,081 Benefits paid (20,769) (20,769) Actuarial (gain) loss 79,485 — Currency translation 21,324 17,087 Fair Value at December 28, 2019 $ 744,403 $ 604,396 $ (140,007) Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 28, 2019 to December 26, 2020 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 28, 2019 $ 744,403 $ 604,396 $ (140,007) Employer contributions — 35,399 Interest cost 12,954 — Prior service costs - GMP equalization 949 — Actual return on plan assets — 89,988 Benefits paid (18,212) (18,212) Actuarial (gain) loss 87,855 — Currency translation 32,224 30,079 Fair Value at December 26, 2020 $ 860,173 $ 741,650 $ (118,523) Actuarial loss that increased the projected benefit obligation was driven by a decrease in 2020 discount rates from 2.05% to 1.40%. Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 consisted of actuarial gains (losses): Balance December 29, 2018 $ (130,188) Actuarial gain (loss) (10,839) Currency translation gain (loss) (2,699) Balance December 28, 2019 (143,726) Actuarial gain (loss) (16,731) Prior service costs - GMP equalization (814) Currency translation gain (loss) (3,987) Balance December 26, 2020 $ (165,258) Assumptions —The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: Percentages 2020 2019 Discount rate 1.40 % 2.05 % Salary increase N/A N/A CPI inflation 2.00 % 2.15 % RPI inflation 2.90 % 3.05 % Expense Pension expense is determined based upon the annual service cost of benefits (the actuarial cost of benefits earned during a period) and the interest cost on those liabilities, less the expected return on plan assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is applied to the fair value of plan assets. Differences in actual experience in relation to assumptions are not recognized in net earnings immediately, but are deferred and, if necessary, amortized as pension expense. The components of the net periodic pension expense for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: 2020 2019 Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Interest cost $ 12,954 $ 16,923 Expected return on plan assets (23,215) (20,000) Amortization of prior service cost 513 513 Amortization of actuarial loss 2,437 2,051 Net periodic benefit expense (benefit) $ (7,311) $ (513) Assumptions —The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense are as follows for fiscal 2020 and 2019: Percentages 2020 2019 Discount rate 2.05 % 2.90 % Expected return on plan assets 4.18 % 4.25 % CPI Inflation 2.15 % 2.20 % RPI Inflation 3.05 % 3.30 % The discount rate is based on the yields of AA-rated corporate bonds with durational periods similar to that of the pension liabilities. The expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking into account current and expected market conditions. The expected return of plan assets decreased from 4.18% to 3.96% for 2021 as the projected returns on the corporate bond plan assets is expected to decrease. Inflation is based on expected changes in the consumer price index or the retail price index in the U.K. depending on the relevant plan provisions. Cash Contributions The Company completed negotiations with Plan trustees in 2019 regarding annual funding for the Plan. The annual contributions into the Plan are $17,765 (/£13,100) per annum as part of the Plan’s recovery plan, along with a contribution to cover the administrative costs of the Plan of approximately $1,763 (/£1,300) per annum. In December 2020, the Company made its required 2021 annual contribution in addition to the required 2020 annual contribution that was made earlier in fiscal 2020. Benefit Payments The following table details expected pension benefit payments for the years 2021 through 2030: 2021 $ 19,935 2022 20,477 2023 21,155 2024 21,698 2025 22,376 Years 2026 - 2030 122,727 Asset Allocation Strategy The investment strategy for pension plan assets is to maintain a diversified portfolio consisting of • Long-term fixed‑income securities that are investment grade or government‑backed in nature; • Common stock mutual funds in U.K. and non-U.K. companies, and; • Diversified growth funds, which are invested in a number of investments, including common stock, fixed income funds, properties and commodities. The Plan, as required by U.K. law, has an independent trustee that sets investment policy. The general strategy is to invest approximately 50% of the assets of the plan in common stock mutual funds and diversified growth funds, with the remainder of the investments in long-term fixed income securities, including corporate bonds and index-linked U.K. gilts. The trustees regularly consult with representatives of the plan sponsor and independent advisors on such matters. The pension plan investments are held in a trust. The weighted‑average maturity of the corporate bond portfolio was 13 years at December 26, 2020. Fair Value Measurements The pension plan assets are valued at fair value. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. Leveraged inflation-linked gilts (LDIs) —LDIs are a combination of U.K. government-backed securities (such as bonds or other fixed income securities issued directly by the U.K. Treasury) money market instruments, and derivatives combined to give leveraged exposure to changes in the U.K. long-term interest and inflation rates. These funds are expected to offset a proportion of the impact changes in the long-term interest and inflation rates in the U.K. have on the pension plan's benefit plan obligation liability. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using net asset value (NAV) for each investment. Temporary Cash Investments – These investments consist of British pound sterling, reported in terms of U.S. dollars based on currency exchange rates readily available in active markets. These temporary cash investments are classified as Level 1 investments. Corporate Bonds —Corporate bonds and debentures consist of fixed income securities issued by U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment. Corporate Stock —This investment category consists of common and preferred stock, including mutual funds, issued by U.K. and non-U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment. Secured income asset (SIA) funds - This investment category consists of holdings which will have a high level of expected inflation linkage. Examples of underlying assets classes are rental streams and infrastructure debt. Due to the private nature of these investments, pricing inputs are not readily observable. Asset valuations are developed by the fund manager. These valuations are based on the application of public market multiples to private company cash flows, market transactions that provide valuation information for comparable companies, and other methods. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV. At December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows: December 31, 2020 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 31,935 $ — $ — $ 31,935 Corporate stock — — — — Total plan net assets at fair value $ 31,935 $ — $ — $ 31,935 Plan assets at NAV: Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds 171,013 Corporate bonds 115,577 Corporate stock 309,987 Secured income asset funds 113,138 Total plan assets at NAV 709,715 Total plan assets $ 741,650 December 31, 2019 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 38,388 $ — $ — $ 38,388 Corporate stock — — — — Total plan net assets at fair value $ 38,388 $ — $ — $ 38,388 Plan assets at NAV: Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds 123,637 Corporate bonds 97,638 Corporate stock 234,612 Secured income asset funds 110,121 Total plan assets at NAV 566,008 Total plan assets $ 604,396

LEASES

LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
LEASES	LEASES The Company has operating leases for plant locations, corporate offices, sales offices, and certain equipment. Outstanding leases at December 26, 2020 have remaining lease terms of one year to fifteen years, some of which include options to extend leases for up to five years. The Company does not have any financing leases. The Company elected practical expedients not to reassess whether existing contracts are or contain leases, to not reassess the lease classification of any existing leases, to not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases, to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of the right-of-use asset, and to not separate lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets. Commencing in 2021, the Company has an operating lease with first year annual cash expense of approximately $4,000 that will increase 2% annually over the 25 year term. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in other assets, accrued expenses, and lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make future lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company used its collateralized incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of future lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes any lease incentives and impairments. Some of the Company's facility leases include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease cost and other information related to the Company's operating leases at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are as follows: Fifty-Two weeks ended December 26, 2020 Fifty-Two weeks ended December 28, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 23,976 $ 24,073 Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 25,390 $ 24,835 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations $ 6,131 $ 13,474 Weighted average remaining lease term 11 years 10 years Weighted average discount rate 3.5 % 3.8 % Operating lease cost includes approximately $2,500 for short-term lease costs and approximately $2,000 for variable lease payments in 2020 and 2019. As part of the adoption of ASC 842, the Company evaluated at the historical and projected cash flow generation of the operations at each of its long-term leased facilities. One of those facilities, a galvanizing operation in Melbourne, Australia, will not generate sufficient cash flows on an undiscounted cash flow basis to recover the carrying value of the right of use asset. The Company then estimated a value for this operation using a discounted cash flow model. The result was an impairment of the right-of-use lease asset of approximately $12,063. The after-tax balance of $8,444 was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings for the transition adjustment of adoption. Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 is as follows: Classification December 26, 2020 December 28, 2019 Operating lease assets Other assets $ 77,566 $ 86,998 Operating lease short-term liabilities Accrued expenses 14,658 15,226 Operating lease long-term liabilities Operating lease liabilities 80,202 85,817 Total lease liabilities $ 94,860 $ 101,043 Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 26, 2020 are as follows: Fiscal year ending: 2021 $ 17,941 2022 14,389 2023 11,097 2024 9,476 2025 9,095 Subsequent 52,383 Total minimum lease payments $ 114,381 Less: Interest $ 19,521 Present value of minimum lease payments $ 94,860

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	BUSINESS SEGMENTS The Company has four reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and the allocation of capital within the segment. Net corporate expense is net of certain service‑related expenses that are allocated to business units generally on the basis of employee headcounts and sales dollars. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered poles, towers, and components for lighting, transportation, and wireless communication markets, including integrated structure solutions for smart cities, and engineered access systems; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for utility markets, including transmission, distribution, and substation products, and renewable energy generation equipment; COATINGS: This segment consists of global galvanizing, painting and anodizing services to preserve and protect metal products; and IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the global manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment, parts, services, tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for water management and precision agriculture. In addition to these four reportable segments, the Company had other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry and is reported in the "Other" category until its divestiture in 2018. 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. Summary by Business 2020 2019 2018 SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Highway Safety Products $ 717,216 $ 708,853 $ 706,582 Communication Products 190,203 188,912 149,817 Access Systems 88,421 114,525 130,481 Engineered Support Structures segment 995,840 1,012,290 986,880 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 635,220 630,892 637,979 Concrete 160,544 122,032 111,875 Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions 86,382 47,450 16,760 Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 120,063 90,206 92,559 Utility Support Structures segment 1,002,209 890,580 859,173 Coatings segment 345,312 367,835 353,351 Irrigation segment: North America 378,424 378,613 386,683 International 267,407 206,583 246,983 Irrigation segment 645,831 585,196 633,666 Other — — 23,080 Total 2,989,192 2,855,901 2,856,150 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures 12,317 10,214 19,522 Utility Support Structures 71 4,972 3,967 Coatings 75,710 67,195 66,612 Irrigation 5,739 6,544 8,905 Total 93,837 88,925 99,006 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 983,523 1,002,076 967,358 Utility Support Structures segment 1,002,138 885,608 855,206 Coatings segment 269,602 300,640 286,739 Irrigation segment 640,092 578,652 624,761 Other — — 23,080 Total $ 2,895,355 $ 2,766,976 $ 2,757,144 2020 2019 2018 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS): Engineered Support Structures $ 65,342 $ 65,627 $ 34,776 Utility Support Structures 100,855 87,788 64,766 Coatings 42,975 51,008 55,325 Irrigation 83,046 71,687 97,722 Other — — (913) Corporate (66,265) (48,205) (39,504) Total 225,953 227,905 212,172 Interest expense, net (38,701) (36,211) (39,569) Costs associated with refinancing of debt — — (14,820) Loss from divestiture of grinding media business — — (6,084) Other 5,516 8,164 1,634 Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries $ 192,768 $ 199,858 $ 153,333 TOTAL ASSETS: Engineered Support Structures $ 932,565 $ 944,428 $ 868,336 Utility Support Structures 778,127 742,194 700,915 Coatings 360,594 363,070 294,951 Irrigation 465,322 347,887 347,894 Corporate 416,552 409,637 371,798 Total $ 2,953,160 $ 2,807,216 $ 2,583,894 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: Engineered Support Structures $ 24,447 $ 25,344 $ 26,783 Utility Support Structures 34,495 26,306 17,442 Coatings 22,132 23,610 10,320 Irrigation 16,740 15,644 7,249 Other — — 7 Corporate 8,886 6,521 10,184 Total $ 106,700 $ 97,425 $ 71,985 2020 2019 2018 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Engineered Support Structures $ 25,399 $ 26,280 $ 27,274 Utility Support Structures 23,641 23,779 23,618 Coatings 15,793 15,907 15,956 Irrigation 12,098 10,943 11,335 Other — — 775 Corporate 5,961 5,355 3,869 Total $ 82,892 $ 82,264 $ 82,827 Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities: 2020 2019 2018 NET SALES: United States $ 1,919,136 $ 1,872,840 $ 1,771,390 Australia 252,253 255,271 325,553 Denmark 120,063 90,206 92,559 Other 603,903 548,659 567,642 Total $ 2,895,355 $ 2,766,976 $ 2,757,144 LONG-LIVED ASSETS: United States $ 748,886 $ 753,545 $ 624,143 Australia 179,673 193,029 168,438 Denmark 61,546 58,435 64,497 Other 408,430 369,983 332,556 Total $ 1,398,535 $ 1,374,992 $ 1,189,634 No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2020, 2019, or 2018. Net sales by geographical area are based on the location of the facility producing the sales and do not include sales to other operating units of the Company. Australia accounted for approximately 9% of the Company's net sales in 2020; no other foreign country accounted for more than 4% of the Company’s net sales. Operating income by business segment are based on net sales less identifiable operating expenses and allocations and includes profits recorded on sales to other operating units of the Company. Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation, goodwill, other intangible assets and other assets. Long-lived assets by geographical area are based on location of facilities.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaud

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) Net Earnings Gross Per Share Stock Price Dividends Net Sales Profit Amount Basic Diluted High Low Declared 2020 First $ 674,200 $ 186,249 $ 42,929 $ 2.00 $ 1.99 $ 154.86 $ 82.60 $ 0.450 Second (1) 688,808 183,937 22,607 1.06 1.06 128.37 98.93 0.450 Third (2) 733,970 190,747 39,342 1.85 1.84 134.58 108.15 0.450 Fourth (3) 798,377 204,581 35,815 1.69 1.68 176.62 119.88 0.450 Year $ 2,895,355 $ 765,514 $ 140,693 $ 6.60 $ 6.57 $ 176.62 $ 82.60 $ 1.80 2019 First $ 692,139 $ 164,627 $ 36,104 $ 1.65 1 $ 1.64 $ 139.50 $ 107.43 $ 0.375 Second 700,871 178,176 39,719 1.83 1.82 136.75 112.94 0.375 Third 690,340 173,287 38,045 1.76 1.75 146.46 123.74 0.375 Fourth 683,626 166,591 32,540 1.52 1.51 151.46 123.80 0.375 Year $ 2,766,976 $ 682,681 $ 146,408 $ 6.76 $ 6.73 $ 151.46 $ 107.43 $ 1.50 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. _______________________________ (1) The second quarter of 2020 included an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets totaling $16,220 after-tax ($0.76 per share) and certain restructuring expenses of $4,019 after-tax ($0.19 per share). (2) The third quarter of 2020 included certain restructuring expenses of $2,133 after-tax ($0.10 per share). (3) The fourth quarter of 2020 included certain restructuring expenses of $11,041 after-tax ($0.52 per share).

Schedule II-Valuation and Quali

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Dollars in thousands) Balance at Charged to Currency Translation Adjustment Deductions Balance at Fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2020 Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies— Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 9,548 7,957 260 (1,813) $ 15,952 Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation 35,215 11,450 1,064 (3,278) 44,451 Fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2019 Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies— Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 8,277 2,543 (76) (1,196) $ 9,548 Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation 33,228 4,141 (296) (1,858) 35,215 Fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2018 Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies— Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 9,813 994 (365) (2,165) $ 8,277 Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation 27,864 10,769 (384) (5,021) 33,228 ______________________________________________ * The deductions from reserves are net of recoveries.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of ConsolidationThe consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its wholly and majority‑owned subsidiaries (the Company). Investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates and joint ventures are accounted for by the equity method. Investments in less than 20% owned affiliates are accounted for by the cost method. All intercompany items have been eliminated.
Cash overdrafts	Cash overdrafts Cash book overdrafts totaling $16,979 and $13,971 were classified as accounts payable at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Segments	Segments The Company has four reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal and composite poles, towers, and components for lighting, traffic, and wireless communication markets, engineered access systems, integrated structure solutions for smart cities, and highway safety products; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for utility transmission, distribution, substations, and renewable energy generation equipment; COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, painting, and anodizing services to preserve and protect metal products; and IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment, parts, services, tubular products, water management solutions, and technology for precision agriculture. In addition to these four reportable segments, there are other businesses and activities which are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry and is reported in the "Other" category until its divestiture in 2018.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal YearThe Company operates on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the last Saturday in December. Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 consisted of 52 weeks.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are reported on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the outstanding receivables based on age of the receivable, economic conditions and customer credit quality. As the Company’s international Irrigation business has grown, the exposure to potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas of political instability, or with governments with which the Company has limited experience, or where there is a lack of
Inventories	Inventories 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. Effective December 29, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020, the Company changed its method of accounting for certain of its inventory, previously accounted for on the LIFO basis, so that now all inventory is valued on the FIFO basis. The Company believes this change is preferable as it provides a better matching of costs with the physical flow of goods, more accurately reflects the current value of inventory presented on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and standardizes the Company’s inventory valuation methodology. In accordance with ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. The Company generally uses the straight-line method in computing depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The annual provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally in accordance with the following ranges of asset lives: buildings and improvements 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment 3 to 12 years, transportation equipment 3 to 24 years, office furniture and equipment 3 to 7 years and intangible assets 5 to 20 years. Depreciation expense in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $63,890, $64,177 and $67,499, respectively. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. Impairment losses were recorded in 2020 and 2018 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company's restructuring plans. Upon adoption of ASC 842, Leases in 2019, the Company impaired the right-of-use (lease) asset for one of its galvanizing facilities in Australia as it will not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the carrying value.
Income Taxes	Income TaxesThe Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date.
Warranties	WarrantiesThe Company's provision for product warranty reflects management's best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Estimated future warranty costs are recorded at the time a sale is recognized. Future warranty liability is determined based on applying historical claim rate experience to units sold that are still within the warranty period. In addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims.
Pension Benefits	Pension BenefitsCertain expenses are incurred in connection with a defined benefit pension plan. 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.
Derivative Instrument	Derivative InstrumentsThe Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risk associated with fluctuation in interest rates, foreign currency rates or commodities. Where applicable, the Company may elect to account for such derivatives as either a cash flow, fair value, or net investment hedge.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income, 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.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition On December 31, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) . The Company elected to use the modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new revenue standard. The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue, and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Contract revenues are classified as product when the performance obligation is related to the manufacturing of goods. Contract revenues are classified as service when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the Coatings segment. Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the project is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize revenue associated with the design stage. There is one performance obligation for revenue recognition. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products. Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the Utility segment and the wireless communication structures product line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company elected the practical expedient to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. On December 26, 2020, we had approximately $39,000 of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more. We expect to recognize the majority of our remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 24 months. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedient to not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services; the Company expects all consideration to be received in one year or less at contract inception. Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition The global Utility segment revenues are derived from manufactured steel and concrete structures for the North America utility industry and offshore and other complex structures used in energy generation and distribution outside of the United States. Steel and concrete utility structures are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For our steel and concrete utility and wireless communication structure product lines, we generally recognize revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Revenue from the offshore and other complex structures business is also recognized using an inputs method, based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain sales of steel and concrete structures; the Company has chosen to use the practical expedient to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are manufactured. The global ESS segment revenues are derived from the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal, composite structures and components for lighting and traffic and roadway safety, engineered access systems, and wireless communication. For the lighting and traffic and roadway safety product lines, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. For Access Systems, revenue is generally recognized upon delivery of goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The wireless communication monopole product line has large regional customers who have unique product specifications for these larger communication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a percent of total estimated hours to complete production. For the remaining wireless communication product line customers which do not provide a contractual right to bill for work completed on a canceled order, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. For wireless communication towers and components, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The global Coatings segment revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed. The global Irrigation segment revenues are derived from the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the agricultural industry and tubular products for industrial customers. Revenue recognition for the irrigation segment is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates    Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method InvestmentsThe Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries which are recorded within "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Treasury Stock	Treasury StockRepurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.” When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional Paid-In Capital.”In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. In February 2015 and again in October 2018, 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.
Research and Development	Research and DevelopmentResearch and development costs are charged to operations in the year incurred. These costs are a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
New Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This update is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses. The Company adopted this ASU on the first day of fiscal 2020. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company early adopted Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities rules as released by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2020, which simplify the disclosure requirements related to the Company’s registered debt securities, guaranteed by certain of its subsidiaries, under Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X. The final rules permit the simplified disclosures to be provided either in a footnote to the Company’s consolidated financial statements or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. The Company has elected to provide the simplified disclosure within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-14 (ASU 2018-14), Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans , which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The Company adopted ASU 2018-14 on the first day of fiscal 2020 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement disclosure requirements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (not yet adopted) In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12 (ASU 2019-12), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes , which simplifies the accounting and disclosure requirements for income taxes by clarifying existing guidance to improve consistency in application of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740. The Company will adopt on the first day of fiscal 2021 (the effective date) and it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings, balance sheet, or cash flows. In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 (ASU 2020-04), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting , which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. This guidance can be adopted on a prospective basis no later than December 31, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Change in Accounting Estimate	The impact of the change from LIFO to FIFO on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows: Fiscal Year 2019 Fiscal Year 2018 (in 000's, except earnings per share) As Previously Reported Retrospectively Adjusted Adjustment As Previously Reported Retrospectively Adjusted Adjustment Cost of sales 2,074,480 2,084,295 9,815 2,098,864 2,088,972 (9,892) Operating income 237,720 227,905 (9,815) 202,280 212,172 9,892 Income tax expense 50,207 47,753 (2,454) 43,135 45,608 2,473 Net earnings attributed to Valmont Industries, Inc 153,769 146,408 (7,361) 94,351 101,770 7,419 Comprehensive (loss) income 149,037 141,676 (7,361) 78,772 86,191 7,419 Net earnings per diluted share 7.06 6.73 (0.33) 4.20 4.53 0.33 The Company applied this change retrospectively to the earliest period presented. The resulting impact to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 28, 2019 is as follows: December 28, 2019 Consolidated Balance Sheet As Previously Reported Adjustment Retrospectively Adjusted Inventory 374,565 43,805 418,370 Deferred income tax liability 47,955 10,951 58,906 Retained earnings 2,140,948 32,854 2,173,802
Schedule of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at December 28, 2019 $ (232,575) $ 14,076 $ (94,923) $ (313,422) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) 19,511 1,474 (17,349) 3,636 Balance at December 26, 2020 $ (213,064) $ 15,550 $ (112,272) $ (309,786)
Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue	Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the Segment footnote. A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in time for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 is as follows: Point in Time Over Time Point in Time Over Time Point in Time Over Time Fiscal year ended December 26, 2020 Fiscal year ended December 26, 2020 Fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 Fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 Fiscal year ended December 29, 2018 Fiscal year ended December 29, 2018 Utility Support Structures $ 86,382 $ 915,756 $ 47,450 $ 838,158 $ 16,760 $ 838,446 Engineered Support Structures 940,513 43,010 952,056 50,020 922,677 44,681 Coatings 269,602 — 300,640 — 286,739 — Irrigation 624,831 15,261 564,918 13,734 612,385 12,376 Other — — — — 23,080 — Total $ 1,921,328 $ 974,027 $ 1,865,064 $ 901,912 $ 1,861,641 $ 895,503

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Pro Forma Results of Operations	The proforma effect of 2019 acquisitions on the 2019 and 2018 Consolidated Statements of Earnings is as follows: Fifty-two Weeks Ended December 28, 2019 Fifty-two Weeks Ended December 29, 2018 Net sales $ 2,772,150 $ 2,801,326 Net earnings 146,941 103,370 Earnings per share-diluted 6.75 4.61

DIVESTITURE (Tables)

DIVESTITURE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	2018 Pre-tax gain from divestiture, before recognition of currency translation loss $ 4,334 Recognition of cumulative currency translation loss and hedges (out of OCI) (10,418) Net pre-tax loss from divestiture of the grinding media business $ (6,084)

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Table

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring Activities	The Company recorded the following pre-tax expenses: ESS Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 474 $ 241 $ 424 $ — $ — $ 1,139 Other cash restructuring expenses 181 1,070 596 — — 1,847 Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals 345 2,866 540 — — 3,751 Total cost of sales 1,000 4,177 1,560 — — 6,737 Severance 4,441 2,393 2,231 2,968 1,761 13,794 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,700 71 160 — 244 2,175 Impairments of assets/net loss on disposals 443 — — — — 443 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 6,584 2,464 2,391 2,968 2,005 16,412 Consolidated total $ 7,584 $ 6,641 $ 3,951 $ 2,968 $ 2,005 $ 23,149
Schedule of Liabilities Recorded For The Restructuring Plan And Changes	Change in the current liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows: Balance at December 28, 2019 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at December 26, 2020 Severance $ — $ 14,933 $ (2,273) $ 12,660 Other cash restructuring expenses — 4,022 (4,022) — Total $ — $ 18,955 $ (6,295) $ 12,660

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFOR_2

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Payments For Interest And Income Taxes (Net of Refunds)	Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018 were as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Interest $ 40,209 $ 39,032 $ 43,305 Income taxes 54,801 43,629 47,355

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019: 2020 2019 Raw materials and purchased parts $ 155,512 $ 158,314 Work-in-process 33,632 38,088 Finished goods and manufactured goods 259,797 221,968 $ 448,941 $ 418,370

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant And Equipment, at Cost	Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consist of the following: 2020 2019 Land and improvements $ 114,831 $ 111,091 Buildings and improvements 373,271 364,396 Machinery and equipment 616,765 584,447 Transportation equipment 28,610 23,650 Office furniture and equipment 101,487 85,130 Construction in progress 106,416 76,547 $ 1,341,380 $ 1,245,261

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Amortized Intangible Assets	The components of amortized intangible assets at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: December 26, 2020 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 237,232 $ 155,760 13 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 26,208 8,301 14 years Other 7,602 6,786 4 years $ 271,042 $ 170,847 December 28, 2019 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 237,626 $ 149,720 13 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 24,068 6,358 14 years Other 8,054 7,035 5 years $ 269,748 $ 163,113
Schedule of Future Estimated Amortization Expense	Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows: Estimated 2021 $ 15,435 2022 13,270 2023 11,571 2024 9,656 2025 8,222
Schedule of Non-Amortized Intangible Assets	The carrying values of trade names at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: December 26, December 28, Year Acquired Newmark $ 11,111 $ 11,111 2004 Webforge 7,972 9,143 2010 Valmont SM 8,720 7,966 2014 Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products 7,730 7,454 2010 Shakespeare 4,000 4,000 2014 Walpar 3,500 3,500 2018 Convert 9,137 8,378 2018 Other 14,828 17,555 $ 66,998 $ 69,107
Schedule of Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 was as follows: Engineered Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross balance at December 28, 2019 $ 228,634 $ 130,594 $ 93,747 $ 25,136 $ 478,111 Accumulated impairment losses (18,670) (14,355) (16,222) — (49,247) Balance at December 28, 2019 209,964 116,239 77,525 25,136 $ 428,864 Acquisitions — 1,100 — 5,038 6,138 Impairment (12,575) — — — (12,575) Foreign currency translation 3,689 3,641 562 3 7,895 Balance at December 26, 2020 $ 201,078 $ 120,980 $ 78,087 $ 30,177 $ 430,322 Engineered Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross balance at December 29, 2018 $ 204,735 $ 123,618 $ 80,937 $ 25,164 $ 434,454 Accumulated impairment losses (18,670) (14,355) (16,222) — (49,247) Balance at December 29, 2018 186,065 109,263 64,715 25,164 385,207 Acquisitions 21,870 7,889 12,374 — 42,133 Foreign currency translation 2,029 (913) 436 (28) 1,524 Balance at December 28, 2019 $ 209,964 $ 116,239 $ 77,525 $ 25,136 $ 428,864

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries are as follows: 2020 2019 2018 United States $ 169,281 $ 166,108 $ 137,744 Foreign 23,487 33,750 15,589 $ 192,768 $ 199,858 $ 153,333
Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Income tax expense (benefit) consists of: 2020 2019 2018 Current: Federal $ 30,431 $ 27,809 $ 21,106 State 8,302 5,568 6,585 Foreign 12,730 13,130 17,559 51,463 46,507 45,250 Non-current: (451) (240) (456) Deferred: Federal (6,086) 47 2,290 State (822) 160 405 Foreign 5,511 1,279 (1,881) (1,397) 1,486 814 $ 49,615 $ 47,753 $ 45,608
Schedule of Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate	The reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate follows: 2020 2019 2018 Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.5 2.5 3.5 Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances (1.6) (1.0) 3.2 Foreign tax rate differences (1.7) 0.3 (1.0) Changes in unrecognized tax benefits 0.2 (0.1) (0.3) Goodwill and intangible impairment 2.4 — 2.2 Effects of 2017 Tax Act — — (0.5) Other 1.9 1.2 1.7 25.7 % 23.9 % 29.7 %
Schedule of Tax Effects of Significant Items Comprising Net Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred income tax liabilities are as follows: 2020 2019 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses and allowances $ 17,203 $ 16,148 Tax credits and loss carryforwards 81,912 64,116 Defined benefit pension liability 30,623 35,539 Accrued compensation and benefits 23,545 14,122 Lease liabilities 23,715 21,763 Deferred compensation 13,883 15,174 Gross deferred income tax assets 190,881 166,862 Valuation allowance (44,451) (35,215) Net deferred income tax assets 146,430 131,647 Deferred income tax liabilities: Property, plant and equipment 35,701 31,628 Intangible assets 43,699 49,686 Inventory allowances 5,705 5,352 Lease assets 23,715 22,066 Other deferred tax liabilities 5,248 6,067 Total deferred income tax liabilities 114,068 114,799 Net deferred income tax asset $ 32,362 $ 16,848
Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities) Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented as follows on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Balance Sheet Caption 2020 2019 Other assets $ 74,051 $ 75,754 Deferred income taxes (41,689) (58,906) Net deferred income tax asset $ 32,362 $ 16,848
Schedule of Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits in 2020 and 2019, in thousands: 2020 2019 Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year $ 2,300 $ 2,599 Gross increases—tax positions in prior period — 29 Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period (1) — Gross increases—current‑period tax positions 398 593 Settlements with taxing authorities (183) (150) Lapse of statute of limitations (650) (771) Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year $ 1,864 $ 2,300

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt is as follows: December 26, December 28, 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a) $ 450,000 $ 450,000 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b) 305,000 305,000 Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a)(b) (20,799) (21,143) Revolving credit agreement (c) — 29,044 IDR Bonds — 8,500 Other notes 4,483 2,089 Debt issuance costs (7,505) (7,786) Long-term debt 731,179 765,704 Less current installments of long-term debt 2,748 760 Long-term debt, excluding current installments $ 728,431 $ 764,944 (a) The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principal amount of $450,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $13,405 at December 26, 2020. The notes bear interest at 5.000% per annum and are due on October 1, 2044. The discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense as interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. (b) The 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054 include an aggregate principal amount of $305,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $7,394 at December 26, 2020. The notes bear interest at 5.250% per annum and are due on October 1, 2054. The discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense as interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. (c) The revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, has a maturity date of October 18, 2022. The credit facility provides for $600,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400,000 in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200,000 at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on the borrowings will be, at the Company's option, either: (i) LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or; (ii) the higher of • the prime lending rate, • the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points, and • LIBOR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 100 basis points, plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc. At December 26, 2020, the Company had $0 outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2022, and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 26, 2020, the Company had the ability to borrow $585,419 under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $14,581 associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $144,690, $109,673 of w hich was unused at December 26, 2020.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Schedule of Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value of Each Option Grant	The fair value of each option grant made in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was estimated using the following assumptions: 2020 2019 2018 Expected volatility 33.72 % 33.13 % 33.39 % Risk-free interest rate 0.43 % 1.69 % 2.67 % Expected life from vesting date 4.0 yrs 3.0 yrs 3.0 yrs Dividend yield 1.24 % 1.07 % 1.07 %
Summary of Activity of Stock Plans	Following is a summary of the stock option activity during 2018, 2019 and 2020: Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 30, 2017 570,622 $ 128.34 Granted 105,135 112.08 Exercised (63,717) 106.26 Forfeited (33,627) 129.52 Outstanding at December 29, 2018 578,413 $ 127.74 4.35 $ 909 Options vested or expected to vest at December 29, 2018 565,592 $ 127.84 4.30 909 Options exercisable at December 29, 2018 405,128 $ 126.61 3.47 909 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2018 was $30.48. Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 29, 2018 578,413 $ 127.74 Granted 57,648 147.31 Exercised (119,789) 113.02 Forfeited (27,712) 137.07 Outstanding at December 28, 2019 488,560 $ 133.13 4.04 $ 9,291 Options vested or expected to vest at December 28, 2019 478,575 $ 133.21 3.99 9,078 Options exercisable at December 28, 2019 341,828 $ 133.32 3.19 6,470 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2019 was $37.85. Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 28, 2019 488,560 $ 133.13 Granted 66,231 168.80 Exercised (147,014) 125.43 Forfeited (8,212) 137.49 Outstanding at December 26, 2020 399,565 $ 141.79 4.88 $ 12,103 Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2020 389,633 $ 141.56 4.81 11,890 Options exercisable at December 26, 2020 254,498 $ 138.64 3.38 8,510
Summary of Status of Stock Options Outstanding	Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 26, 2020: Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Exercise Price Number Weighted Weighted Number Weighted $104.47 - 112.08 120,194 3.99 years $ 109.58 79,796 $ 108.31 $123.87 - 132.84 26,282 0.97 years 132.48 26,282 132.48 $142.67 - 168.80 253,089 5.71 years 158.05 148,420 156.04 399,565 254,498
Schedule of Non-Vested Stock and Restricted Stock Units	During fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company granted restricted stock units to directors and certain management employees as follows (which are not included in the above stock plan activity tables): 2020 2019 2018 Shares granted 85,251 78,318 88,127 Weighted‑average per share price on grant date $ 161.73 $ 145.89 $ 114.89 Recognized compensation expense $ 9,081 $ 8,815 $ 6,328

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of 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 2020: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 140,693 $ — $ 140,693 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 21,315 110 21,425 Per share amount $ 6.60 $ 0.03 $ 6.57 2019: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 146,408 $ — $ 146,408 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 21,659 110 21,769 Per share amount $ 6.76 $ 0.03 $ 6.73 2018: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 101,770 $ — $ 101,770 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 22,306 140 22,446 Per share amount $ 4.56 $ 0.03 $ 4.53

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA_2

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Trading Securities Measured at Fair Value	Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value December 26, 2020 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading securities $ 35,327 $ 35,327 $ — $ — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, net $ (5,911) $ — $ (5,911) $ — Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value December 29, 2018 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading securities $ 36,500 $ 36,500 $ — $ — Derivative financial instruments, net $ 3,247 $ — $ 3,247 $ —

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_2

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	Fair value of derivative instruments at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are as follows: Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Balance sheet location December 26, 2020 December 28, 2019 Foreign currency forward contracts Prepaid expenses and other assets 724 2,119 Cross currency swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other assets 600 1,128 Cross currency swap contracts Accrued expenses (7,235) — $ (5,911) $ 3,247
Schedule of Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Recognized on Statements of Earnings	Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018 are as follows: Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Statements of earnings location 2020 2019 2018 Commodity forward contracts Product cost of sales $ — $ (2,130) $ 1,021 Foreign currency forward contracts Loss from divestiture of grinding media business — — (1,215) Foreign currency forward contracts Product Sales 1,598 — — Foreign currency forward contracts Other income (expense) 187 950 782 Interest rate contracts Interest expense (64) (64) (423) Cross currency swap contracts Interest expense 2,738 2,823 828 $ 4,459 $ 1,579 $ 993
Schedule of notional amounts of outstanding derivative	Key terms of the two CCS are as follows: Currency Notional Amount Termination Date Swapped Interest Rate Net Settlement Amount Danish Krone (DKK) $ 50,000 April 1, 2024 2.68% DKK 333,625 Euro $ 80,000 April 1, 2024 2.825% €71,550

GUARANTEES (Tables)

GUARANTEES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Guarantees [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in the Product Warranty Accrual	Changes in the product warranty accrual, which is recorded in “Accrued expenses”, for the years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, were as follows: 2020 2019 Balance, beginning of period $ 13,532 $ 17,008 Payments made (10,228) (17,484) Change in liability for warranties issued during the period 12,287 16,080 Change in liability for pre-existing warranties (804) (2,072) Balance, end of period $ 14,787 $ 13,532

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PL_2

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in PBO and Fair Value of Plan Assets for Pension Plan	Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 29, 2018 to December 28, 2019 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 29, 2018 $ 647,440 $ 503,536 $ (143,904) Employer contributions — 18,461 Interest cost 16,923 — Actual return on plan assets — 86,081 Benefits paid (20,769) (20,769) Actuarial (gain) loss 79,485 — Currency translation 21,324 17,087 Fair Value at December 28, 2019 $ 744,403 $ 604,396 $ (140,007) Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 28, 2019 to December 26, 2020 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 28, 2019 $ 744,403 $ 604,396 $ (140,007) Employer contributions — 35,399 Interest cost 12,954 — Prior service costs - GMP equalization 949 — Actual return on plan assets — 89,988 Benefits paid (18,212) (18,212) Actuarial (gain) loss 87,855 — Currency translation 32,224 30,079 Fair Value at December 26, 2020 $ 860,173 $ 741,650 $ (118,523)
Schedule of Pre-Tax Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 consisted of actuarial gains (losses): Balance December 29, 2018 $ (130,188) Actuarial gain (loss) (10,839) Currency translation gain (loss) (2,699) Balance December 28, 2019 (143,726) Actuarial gain (loss) (16,731) Prior service costs - GMP equalization (814) Currency translation gain (loss) (3,987) Balance December 26, 2020 $ (165,258)
Schedule of Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions Used to Determine the Benefit Obligation	The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: Percentages 2020 2019 Discount rate 1.40 % 2.05 % Salary increase N/A N/A CPI inflation 2.00 % 2.15 % RPI inflation 2.90 % 3.05 %
Schedule of Components of the Net Periodic Pension (Benefit) Expense	The components of the net periodic pension expense for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows: 2020 2019 Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Interest cost $ 12,954 $ 16,923 Expected return on plan assets (23,215) (20,000) Amortization of prior service cost 513 513 Amortization of actuarial loss 2,437 2,051 Net periodic benefit expense (benefit) $ (7,311) $ (513)
Schedule of Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions Used to Determine Expense	The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense are as follows for fiscal 2020 and 2019: Percentages 2020 2019 Discount rate 2.05 % 2.90 % Expected return on plan assets 4.18 % 4.25 % CPI Inflation 2.15 % 2.20 % RPI Inflation 3.05 % 3.30 %
Schedule of Expected Pension Benefit Payments	The following table details expected pension benefit payments for the years 2021 through 2030: 2021 $ 19,935 2022 20,477 2023 21,155 2024 21,698 2025 22,376 Years 2026 - 2030 122,727
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	At December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows: December 31, 2020 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 31,935 $ — $ — $ 31,935 Corporate stock — — — — Total plan net assets at fair value $ 31,935 $ — $ — $ 31,935 Plan assets at NAV: Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds 171,013 Corporate bonds 115,577 Corporate stock 309,987 Secured income asset funds 113,138 Total plan assets at NAV 709,715 Total plan assets $ 741,650 December 31, 2019 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 38,388 $ — $ — $ 38,388 Corporate stock — — — — Total plan net assets at fair value $ 38,388 $ — $ — $ 38,388 Plan assets at NAV: Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds 123,637 Corporate bonds 97,638 Corporate stock 234,612 Secured income asset funds 110,121 Total plan assets at NAV 566,008 Total plan assets $ 604,396

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Lease Cost	Lease cost and other information related to the Company's operating leases at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are as follows: Fifty-Two weeks ended December 26, 2020 Fifty-Two weeks ended December 28, 2019 Operating lease cost $ 23,976 $ 24,073 Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 25,390 $ 24,835 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations $ 6,131 $ 13,474 Weighted average remaining lease term 11 years 10 years Weighted average discount rate 3.5 % 3.8 %
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Lessee	Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 is as follows: Classification December 26, 2020 December 28, 2019 Operating lease assets Other assets $ 77,566 $ 86,998 Operating lease short-term liabilities Accrued expenses 14,658 15,226 Operating lease long-term liabilities Operating lease liabilities 80,202 85,817 Total lease liabilities $ 94,860 $ 101,043
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments	Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 26, 2020 are as follows: Fiscal year ending: 2021 $ 17,941 2022 14,389 2023 11,097 2024 9,476 2025 9,095 Subsequent 52,383 Total minimum lease payments $ 114,381 Less: Interest $ 19,521 Present value of minimum lease payments $ 94,860

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information of Sales and Operating Income	Summary by Business 2020 2019 2018 SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Highway Safety Products $ 717,216 $ 708,853 $ 706,582 Communication Products 190,203 188,912 149,817 Access Systems 88,421 114,525 130,481 Engineered Support Structures segment 995,840 1,012,290 986,880 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 635,220 630,892 637,979 Concrete 160,544 122,032 111,875 Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions 86,382 47,450 16,760 Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 120,063 90,206 92,559 Utility Support Structures segment 1,002,209 890,580 859,173 Coatings segment 345,312 367,835 353,351 Irrigation segment: North America 378,424 378,613 386,683 International 267,407 206,583 246,983 Irrigation segment 645,831 585,196 633,666 Other — — 23,080 Total 2,989,192 2,855,901 2,856,150 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures 12,317 10,214 19,522 Utility Support Structures 71 4,972 3,967 Coatings 75,710 67,195 66,612 Irrigation 5,739 6,544 8,905 Total 93,837 88,925 99,006 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 983,523 1,002,076 967,358 Utility Support Structures segment 1,002,138 885,608 855,206 Coatings segment 269,602 300,640 286,739 Irrigation segment 640,092 578,652 624,761 Other — — 23,080 Total $ 2,895,355 $ 2,766,976 $ 2,757,144 2020 2019 2018 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS): Engineered Support Structures $ 65,342 $ 65,627 $ 34,776 Utility Support Structures 100,855 87,788 64,766 Coatings 42,975 51,008 55,325 Irrigation 83,046 71,687 97,722 Other — — (913) Corporate (66,265) (48,205) (39,504) Total 225,953 227,905 212,172 Interest expense, net (38,701) (36,211) (39,569) Costs associated with refinancing of debt — — (14,820) Loss from divestiture of grinding media business — — (6,084) Other 5,516 8,164 1,634 Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries $ 192,768 $ 199,858 $ 153,333 TOTAL ASSETS: Engineered Support Structures $ 932,565 $ 944,428 $ 868,336 Utility Support Structures 778,127 742,194 700,915 Coatings 360,594 363,070 294,951 Irrigation 465,322 347,887 347,894 Corporate 416,552 409,637 371,798 Total $ 2,953,160 $ 2,807,216 $ 2,583,894 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: Engineered Support Structures $ 24,447 $ 25,344 $ 26,783 Utility Support Structures 34,495 26,306 17,442 Coatings 22,132 23,610 10,320 Irrigation 16,740 15,644 7,249 Other — — 7 Corporate 8,886 6,521 10,184 Total $ 106,700 $ 97,425 $ 71,985 2020 2019 2018 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Engineered Support Structures $ 25,399 $ 26,280 $ 27,274 Utility Support Structures 23,641 23,779 23,618 Coatings 15,793 15,907 15,956 Irrigation 12,098 10,943 11,335 Other — — 775 Corporate 5,961 5,355 3,869 Total $ 82,892 $ 82,264 $ 82,827
Summary by Geographical Area by Location	Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities: 2020 2019 2018 NET SALES: United States $ 1,919,136 $ 1,872,840 $ 1,771,390 Australia 252,253 255,271 325,553 Denmark 120,063 90,206 92,559 Other 603,903 548,659 567,642 Total $ 2,895,355 $ 2,766,976 $ 2,757,144 LONG-LIVED ASSETS: United States $ 748,886 $ 753,545 $ 624,143 Australia 179,673 193,029 168,438 Denmark 61,546 58,435 64,497 Other 408,430 369,983 332,556 Total $ 1,398,535 $ 1,374,992 $ 1,189,634

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Una_2

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Net Earnings Gross Per Share Stock Price Dividends Net Sales Profit Amount Basic Diluted High Low Declared 2020 First $ 674,200 $ 186,249 $ 42,929 $ 2.00 $ 1.99 $ 154.86 $ 82.60 $ 0.450 Second (1) 688,808 183,937 22,607 1.06 1.06 128.37 98.93 0.450 Third (2) 733,970 190,747 39,342 1.85 1.84 134.58 108.15 0.450 Fourth (3) 798,377 204,581 35,815 1.69 1.68 176.62 119.88 0.450 Year $ 2,895,355 $ 765,514 $ 140,693 $ 6.60 $ 6.57 $ 176.62 $ 82.60 $ 1.80 2019 First $ 692,139 $ 164,627 $ 36,104 $ 1.65 1 $ 1.64 $ 139.50 $ 107.43 $ 0.375 Second 700,871 178,176 39,719 1.83 1.82 136.75 112.94 0.375 Third 690,340 173,287 38,045 1.76 1.75 146.46 123.74 0.375 Fourth 683,626 166,591 32,540 1.52 1.51 151.46 123.80 0.375 Year $ 2,766,976 $ 682,681 $ 146,408 $ 6.76 $ 6.73 $ 151.46 $ 107.43 $ 1.50 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. _______________________________ (1) The second quarter of 2020 included an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets totaling $16,220 after-tax ($0.76 per share) and certain restructuring expenses of $4,019 after-tax ($0.19 per share). (2) The third quarter of 2020 included certain restructuring expenses of $2,133 after-tax ($0.10 per share). (3) The fourth quarter of 2020 included certain restructuring expenses of $11,041 after-tax ($0.52 per share).

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)segment	Dec. 28, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)
Cash overdrafts
Cash book overdrafts	$ 16,979	$ 13,971
Segments
Number of reportable segments | segment	4
Maximum percentage of sales of other businesses and activities to consolidated sales as basis for aggregation	10.00%
Fiscal Year
Length of fiscal year, 53 weeks		371 days
Length of fiscal year 2020, 2019, 2018	364 days	364 days	364 days
Accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 15,952
Research and Development [Abstract]
Research and development expense	$ 21,400	$ 13,900	$ 11,500
Minimum
Principles of Consolidation
Equity method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	20.00%
Maximum
Principles of Consolidation
Equity method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	50.00%
Cost method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	20.00%

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Inventory [Line Items]
Retained earnings	$ 2,245,035				$ 2,173,802				$ 2,245,035	$ 2,173,802
Impact of Change from LIFO to FIFO [Abstract]
Cost of sales									2,129,841	2,084,295	$ 2,088,972
Operating income									225,953	227,905	212,172
Income tax expense									49,615	47,753	45,608
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 35,815	$ 39,342	$ 22,607	$ 42,929	$ 32,540	$ 38,045	$ 39,719	$ 36,104	140,693	146,408	101,770
Comprehensive (loss) income									$ 147,757	$ 141,676	$ 86,191
Net earnings per dilited share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.84	$ 1.06	$ 1.99	$ 1.51	$ 1.75	$ 1.82	$ 1.64	$ 6.57	$ 6.73	$ 4.53
Inventory	$ 448,941				$ 418,370				$ 448,941	$ 418,370
Deferred income tax liability	$ 41,689				58,906				$ 41,689	58,906
As Previously Reported
Inventory [Line Items]
Retained earnings					2,140,948					2,140,948
Impact of Change from LIFO to FIFO [Abstract]
Cost of sales										2,074,480	$ 2,098,864
Operating income										237,720	202,280
Income tax expense										50,207	43,135
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.										153,769	94,351
Comprehensive (loss) income										$ 149,037	$ 78,772
Net earnings per dilited share (in dollars per share)										$ 7.06	$ 4.20
Inventory					374,565					$ 374,565
Deferred income tax liability					47,955					47,955
Adjustment
Inventory [Line Items]
Retained earnings					32,854					32,854
Impact of Change from LIFO to FIFO [Abstract]
Cost of sales										9,815	$ (9,892)
Operating income										(9,815)	9,892
Income tax expense										(2,454)	2,473
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.										(7,361)	7,419
Comprehensive (loss) income										$ (7,361)	$ 7,419
Net earnings per dilited share (in dollars per share)										$ (0.33)	$ 0.33
Inventory					43,805					$ 43,805
Deferred income tax liability					10,951					10,951
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Inventory [Line Items]
Retained earnings					$ 32,854					$ 32,854	$ 40,215	$ 32,795

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_6

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - PP&E (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Long-lived assets
Depreciation expense	$ 63,890	$ 64,177	$ 67,499
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	12 years
Transportation equipment | Minimum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Transportation equipment | Maximum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	24 years
Office furniture and equipment | Minimum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Office furniture and equipment | Maximum
Long-lived assets
Estimated useful lives	7 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_7

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Intangible Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020
Minimum
Intangible assets
Intangible assets lives	5 years
Maximum
Intangible assets
Intangible assets lives	20 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_8

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning balance	$ 1,189,745	[1]
Ending balance	1,207,836
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning balance	(232,575)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	19,511
Ending balance	(213,064)
Gain on Hedging Activities
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning balance	14,076
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	1,474
Ending balance	15,550
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning balance	(94,923)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	(17,349)
Ending balance	(112,272)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning balance	(313,422)	[1]
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	3,636
Ending balance	$ (309,786)
[1]	The retained earnings balance has been revised from the amounts previously reported as a result of the change in inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_9

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 798,377	$ 733,970	$ 688,808	$ 674,200	$ 683,626	$ 690,340	$ 700,871	$ 692,139	$ 2,895,355	$ 2,766,976	$ 2,757,144
Contract assets	123,495				141,322				123,495	141,322
Contract liabilities	170,919				117,945				170,919	117,945
Contract liabilities, current	130,018				$ 117,945				130,018	117,945
Revenue recognized from contract liability									74,319	3,921
Remaining performance obligation	39,000								39,000
Contract Liabilities
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Contract liabilities, current	130,018								130,018
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Contract liabilities, noncurrent	$ 40,901								40,901
Utility Support Structures
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									1,002,138	885,608	855,206
Engineered Support Structures
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									983,523	1,002,076	967,358
Coatings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales										300,640	286,739
Irrigation
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									640,092	578,652	624,761
Point in Time
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									1,921,328	1,865,064	1,861,641
Point in Time | Utility Support Structures
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									86,382	47,450	16,760
Point in Time | Engineered Support Structures
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									940,513	952,056	922,677
Point in Time | Coatings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									269,602	300,640	286,739
Point in Time | Irrigation
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									624,831	564,918	612,385
Point in Time | Other
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									0	0	23,080
Over Time
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									974,027	901,912	895,503
Over Time | Utility Support Structures
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									915,756	838,158	838,446
Over Time | Engineered Support Structures
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									43,010	50,020	44,681
Over Time | Coatings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									0	0	0
Over Time | Irrigation
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									15,261	13,734	12,376
Over Time | Other
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of performance obligation satisfaction	12 months								12 months
Maximum
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of performance obligation satisfaction	24 months								24 months

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOU_10

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Share Repurchases (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			79 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 26, 2020	Oct. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Authorized amount	$ 500,000,000					$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Length of authorization period	12 months
Shares acquired under share repurchase program		441,119	491,045	843,278	6,363,573
Amount paid for share repurchase		$ 56,491,000	$ 62,915,000	$ 114,805,000	$ 852,040,000

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Detai

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)

May 29, 2020

Mar. 06, 2020

Feb. 01, 2020

May 13, 2019

Feb. 11, 2019

Dec. 26, 2020

Apr. 30, 2019

Jun. 27, 2020

Mar. 28, 2020

Feb. 29, 2020

Dec. 28, 2019

Dec. 29, 2018

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Goodwill

$ 430,322,000

$ 428,864,000

$ 385,207,000

Energia Solar do Brasil

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage acquired

55.00%

Cash paid to acquire business

$ 4,308,000

Contingent consideration liability, current

646,000

Goodwill

3,341,000

Goodwill expected to be tax deductible

0

KC Utility Packaging

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage acquired

75.00%

Cash paid to acquire business

$ 4,200,000

Contingent consideration liability, current

400,000

Goodwill

1,100,000

Connect-It Wireless, Inc.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid to acquire business

$ 6,034,000

Goodwill

3,299,000

United Galvanizing

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid to acquire business

$ 26,000,000

Contingent consideration liability, current

2,000,000

Goodwill

12,374,000

Consideration transferred

28,000,000

Goodwill expected to be tax deductible

0

Settlement of representations and warranties

$ 1,522,000

Property, plant, and equipment acquired

10,987,000

AgSense

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage acquired

100.00%

49.00%

Consideration transferred

$ 43,983,000

Holdback payment

$ 2,200,000

Deferred tax asset recognized

$ 7,700,000

Torrent Engineering and Equipment

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage acquired

40.00%

Consideration transferred

$ 3,500,000

Convert

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage acquired

16.00%

Consideration transferred

$ 11,750,000

Convert | Minority Interest Owner

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage not owned by the Company

25.00%

Valmont SM

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage acquired

4.80%

Consideration transferred

$ 4,763,000

Customer Relationships | Energia Solar do Brasil

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Customer relationships and other intangible assets

$ 3,718,000

Useful life

8 years

Customer Relationships | KC Utility Packaging

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Customer relationships and other intangible assets

4,000,000

Customer Relationships | Connect-It Wireless, Inc.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Customer relationships and other intangible assets

$ 828,000

Customer Relationships | United Galvanizing

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Customer relationships and other intangible assets

$ 3,170,000

Useful life

10 years

Other | KC Utility Packaging

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Customer relationships and other intangible assets

$ 500,000

Trade Names | United Galvanizing

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Customer relationships and other intangible assets

$ 894,000

ACQUISITIONS - Pro Forma Inform

ACQUISITIONS - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,772,150	$ 2,801,326
Net earnings	$ 146,941	$ 103,370
Earnings per share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.75	$ 4.61

DIVESTITURE - Narrative (Detail

DIVESTITURE - Narrative (Details) - Donhad $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018AUD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax income/(loss)			$ (913)
Disposed by sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture	$ 62,518	$ 82,500
Pre-tax gain from divestiture, before recognition of currency translation loss	4,334
Recognition of cumulative currency translation loss and hedges (out of OCI)	$ (10,418)

DIVESTITURE - Schedule of Dispo

DIVESTITURE - Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2018	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net pre-tax loss from divestiture of the grinding media business		$ 0	$ 0	$ (6,084)
Donhad | Disposed by sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain from divestiture, before recognition of currency translation loss	$ 4,334
Recognition of cumulative currency translation loss and hedges (out of OCI)	(10,418)
Net pre-tax loss from divestiture of the grinding media business	$ (6,084)

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Sche

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Schedule of Restructuring Activities (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 26, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)facility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 11,041	$ 2,133	$ 4,019	$ 23,149
ESS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				7,584
Utility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				6,641
Coatings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				$ 3,951
Coatings | Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed | facility				1
Irrigation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				$ 2,968
Other/ Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,005
Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				6,737
Cost of Sales | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,139
Cost of Sales | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,847
Cost of Sales | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				3,751
Cost of Sales | ESS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,000
Cost of Sales | ESS | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				474
Cost of Sales | ESS | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				181
Cost of Sales | ESS | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				345
Cost of Sales | Utility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				4,177
Cost of Sales | Utility | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				241
Cost of Sales | Utility | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,070
Cost of Sales | Utility | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,866
Cost of Sales | Coatings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,560
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				424
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				596
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				540
Cost of Sales | Irrigation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Irrigation | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Irrigation | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Irrigation | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Other/ Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Other/ Corporate | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Cost of Sales | Other/ Corporate | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				16,412
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				13,794
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,175
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				443
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | ESS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				6,584
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | ESS | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				4,441
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | ESS | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,700
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | ESS | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				443
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,464
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,393
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				71
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,391
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,231
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				160
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,968
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,968
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other/ Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,005
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other/ Corporate | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				1,761
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other/ Corporate | Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				244
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other/ Corporate | Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				$ 0

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Sc_2

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES - Schedule of Liabilities Recorded For The Restructuring Plan And Changes (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 0
Recognized Restructuring Expense	18,955
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(6,295)
Ending balance	12,660
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Recognized Restructuring Expense	14,933
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(2,273)
Ending balance	12,660
Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Recognized Restructuring Expense	4,022
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(4,022)
Ending balance	$ 0

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFOR_3

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest	$ 40,209	$ 39,032	$ 43,305
Income taxes	$ 54,801	43,629	$ 47,355
Larson Camouflage
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Line Items]
Consideration transferred		$ 5,456

INVENTORIES (Details)

INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and purchased parts	$ 155,512	$ 158,314
Work-in-process	33,632	38,088
Finished goods and manufactured goods	259,797	221,968
Net inventory	$ 448,941	$ 418,370

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT_2

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 1,341,380	$ 1,245,261
Land and improvements
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	114,831	111,091
Buildings and improvements
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	373,271	364,396
Machinery and equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	616,765	584,447
Transportation equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	28,610	23,650
Office furniture and equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	101,487	85,130
Construction in progress
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 106,416	$ 76,547

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortized Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 271,042	$ 269,748	$ 271,042	$ 269,748
Accumulated Amortization	170,847	163,113	170,847	163,113
Amortization expense for intangible assets	18,147	18,087			$ 15,328
Estimated Amortization Expense
2021	15,435		15,435
2022	13,270		13,270
2023	11,571		11,571
2024	9,656		9,656
2025	8,222		8,222
Customer Relationships
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	237,232	237,626	237,232	237,626
Accumulated Amortization	155,760	149,720	$ 155,760	$ 149,720
Weighted Average Life			13 years	13 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	26,208	24,068	$ 26,208	$ 24,068
Accumulated Amortization	8,301	6,358	$ 8,301	$ 6,358
Weighted Average Life			14 years	14 years
Other
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	7,602	8,054	$ 7,602	$ 8,054
Accumulated Amortization	$ 6,786	$ 7,035	$ 6,786	$ 7,035
Weighted Average Life			4 years	5 years

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Non-Amortized Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Newmark
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$ 11,111	$ 11,111
Webforge
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	7,972	9,143
Valmont SM
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	8,720	7,966
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	7,730	7,454
Shakespeare
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	4,000	4,000
Walpar
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	3,500	3,500
Convert
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	9,137	8,378
Other
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	14,828	17,555
Trade Names
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$ 66,998	$ 69,107

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2020	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross			$ 478,111,000	$ 434,454,000
Accumulated impairment losses			(49,247,000)	(49,247,000)
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ 428,864,000	385,207,000
Acquisitions		6,138,000	42,133,000
Impairment	$ 0	(12,575,000)
Foreign currency translation		7,895,000	1,524,000
Balance at the end of the period		430,322,000	428,864,000
Engineered Support Structures Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross			228,634,000	204,735,000
Accumulated impairment losses			(18,670,000)	(18,670,000)
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		209,964,000	186,065,000
Acquisitions		0	21,870,000
Impairment		(12,575,000)
Foreign currency translation		3,689,000	2,029,000
Balance at the end of the period		201,078,000	209,964,000
Utility Support Structures Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross			130,594,000	123,618,000
Accumulated impairment losses			(14,355,000)	(14,355,000)
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		116,239,000	109,263,000
Acquisitions		1,100,000	7,889,000
Impairment		0
Foreign currency translation		3,641,000	(913,000)
Balance at the end of the period		120,980,000	116,239,000
Coatings Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross			93,747,000	80,937,000
Accumulated impairment losses			(16,222,000)	(16,222,000)
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		77,525,000	64,715,000
Acquisitions		0	12,374,000
Impairment		0
Foreign currency translation		562,000	436,000
Balance at the end of the period		78,087,000	77,525,000
Irrigation Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross			25,136,000	25,164,000
Accumulated impairment losses			0	$ 0
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		25,136,000	25,164,000
Acquisitions		5,038,000	0
Impairment		0
Foreign currency translation		3,000	(28,000)
Balance at the end of the period		$ 30,177,000	$ 25,136,000

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_5

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)tradeName
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Number of trade names impaired | tradeName			2
Goodwill impairment	$ 0		$ 12,575,000
Access Systems
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill impairment		$ 12,575,000
Trade Names
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 0		$ 3,900,000

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Detai

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Bank Credit Arrangements
Outstanding amount	$ 35,147,000	$ 21,774,000
Short-term borrowings
Bank Credit Arrangements
Total line of credit facility for short-term borrowings	144,690,000
Outstanding amount	$ 35,147,000	$ 21,774,000
Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings	4.65%
Unused and available borrowings	$ 109,673,000

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
United States	$ 169,281	$ 166,108	$ 137,744
Foreign	23,487	33,750	15,589
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	192,768	199,858	153,333
Current:
Federal	30,431	27,809	21,106
State	8,302	5,568	6,585
Foreign	12,730	13,130	17,559
Total	51,463	46,507	45,250
Non-current:	(451)	(240)	(456)
Deferred:
Federal	(6,086)	47	2,290
State	(822)	160	405
Foreign	5,511	1,279	(1,881)
Total	(1,397)	1,486	814
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ 49,615	$ 47,753	$ 45,608
Reconciliations of statutory federal income tax rate and effective tax rate
Statutory federal income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	3.50%	2.50%	3.50%
Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances	(1.60%)	(1.00%)	3.20%
Foreign tax rate differences	(1.70%)	0.30%	(1.00%)
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits	0.20%	(0.10%)	(0.30%)
Goodwill and intangible impairment	2.40%	0.00%	2.20%
Effects of 2017 Tax Act	0.00%	0.00%	(0.50%)
Other	1.90%	1.20%	1.70%
Total	25.70%	23.90%	29.70%
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued expenses and allowances	$ 17,203	$ 16,148
Tax credits and loss carryforwards	81,912	64,116
Defined benefit pension liability	30,623	35,539
Accrued compensation and benefits	23,545	14,122
Lease liabilities	23,715	21,763
Deferred compensation	13,883	15,174
Gross deferred income tax assets	190,881	166,862
Valuation allowance	(44,451)	(35,215)
Net deferred income tax assets	146,430	131,647
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	35,701	31,628
Intangible assets	43,699	49,686
Inventory allowances	5,705	5,352
Lease assets	23,715	22,066
Other deferred tax liabilities	5,248	6,067
Total deferred income tax liabilities	114,068	114,799
Net deferred income tax asset	32,362	16,848
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities), Balance Sheet Caption
Other assets	74,051	75,754
Deferred income taxes	(41,689)	(58,906)
Net deferred income tax asset	32,362	16,848
Income tax expense due to nondeductible goodwill impairment	4,651		$ 3,171
Income tax expense due to nondeductible restructuring charges	1,100		6,756
Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards related to the defined benefit pension obligation	81,912	64,116
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits beginning of year	2,300	2,599
Gross increases—tax positions in prior period	0	29
Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period	(1)	0
Gross increases—current‑period tax positions	398	593
Settlements with taxing authorities	(183)	(150)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(650)	(771)
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits end of year	1,864	2,300	$ 2,599
Uncertain tax positions for which reversal is reasonably possible during the next 12 months	973
Reduction of income tax expense, due to expiration of statutes of limitation	513	609
Accrued interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits	845	178
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	$ 2,547	$ 2,224

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Long-term debt:
Debt issuance costs	$ (7,505,000)	$ (7,786,000)
Total long-term debt	731,179,000	765,704,000
Less current installments of long-term debt	2,748,000	760,000
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	728,431,000	764,944,000
Minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt
2021	2,748,000
2022	1,028,000
2023	707,000
2024	0
2025	$ 0
Senior Unsecured Notes 5.00% Due 2044
Long-term debt:
Interest rate on notes	5.00%
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount	100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes 5.25% Due 2054
Long-term debt:
Aggregate amount	$ 305,000,000
Interest rate on notes	5.25%
Unamortized debt discount	$ 7,394,000
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount	100.00%
Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes
Long-term debt:
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes	$ (20,799,000)	(21,143,000)
Revolving credit agreement
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	0	29,044,000
Outstanding line of credit	14,581,000
Unused and available borrowings	$ 585,419,000
Revolving credit agreement | Minimum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate	0.00%
Revolving credit agreement | Maximum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate	0.625%
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR
Long-term debt:
Variable interest rate basis	LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company)
Basis points added to variable rate	1.00%
Variable interest rate, base period	1 month
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR | Minimum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate	1.00%
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR | Maximum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate	1.625%
Revolving credit agreement | Prime lending rate
Long-term debt:
Variable interest rate basis	prime lending rate
Revolving credit agreement | Federal Funds rate
Long-term debt:
Variable interest rate basis	Federal Funds rate
Basis points added to variable rate	0.50%
IDR Bonds
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	$ 0	8,500,000
Other notes
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	4,483,000	2,089,000
Short Term Bank Lines Of Credit
Long-term debt:
Balance	144,690,000
Unused and available borrowings	109,673,000
Senior Unsecured Notes 5.00% Due 2044
Long-term debt:
Interest rate on notes			5.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes 5.00% Due 2044 | Senior Notes
Long-term debt:
Aggregate amount	450,000,000	450,000,000
Unamortized debt discount	13,405,000
Senior Unsecured Notes 5.25% Due 2054 | Senior Notes
Long-term debt:
Aggregate amount	305,000,000	$ 305,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term debt:
Total line of credit facility for short-term borrowings	600,000
Additional borrowing capacity	200,000
Unused and available borrowings	400,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit agreement
Long-term debt:
Outstanding line of credit	$ 0

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Stock Based Compensation
Shares of common stock available for issuance	779,336
Number of Shares
Exercised (in shares)	(147,014)	(119,789)	(63,717)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option
Stock Based Compensation
Compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)	$ 14,874	$ 11,587	$ 10,392
Tax benefits associated with compensation expense	$ 3,719	$ 2,897	$ 2,598
Weighted average period over which unrecognized stock option compensation cost would be recognized	2 years 4 months 20 days
Unrecognized stock option compensation expense	$ 5,364
Assumptions used in estimating fair value of each option grant
Expected volatility	33.72%	33.13%	33.39%
Risk-free interest rate	0.43%	1.69%	2.67%
Expected life from vesting date	4 years	3 years	3 years
Dividend yield	1.24%	1.07%	1.07%
Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	488,560	578,413	570,622
Granted (in shares)	66,231	57,648	105,135
Exercised (in shares)	(147,014)	(119,789)	(63,717)
Forfeited (in shares)	(8,212)	(27,712)	(33,627)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	399,565	488,560	578,413
Options vested or expected to vest (in shares)	389,633	478,575	565,592
Options exercisable (in shares)	254,498	341,828	405,128
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 133.13	$ 127.74	$ 128.34
Granted (in dollars per share)	168.80	147.31	112.08
Exercised (in dollars per share)	125.43	113.02	106.26
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	137.49	137.07	129.52
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	141.79	133.13	127.74
Options vested or expected to vest (in dollars per share)	141.56	133.21	127.84
Options exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 138.64	$ 133.32	$ 126.61
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding	4 years 10 months 17 days	4 years 14 days	4 years 4 months 6 days
Options vested or expected to vest	4 years 9 months 21 days	3 years 11 months 26 days	4 years 3 months 18 days
Options exercisable	3 years 4 months 17 days	3 years 2 months 8 days	3 years 5 months 19 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding	$ 12,103	$ 9,291	$ 909
Options vested or expected to vest	11,890	9,078	909
Options exercisable	$ 8,510	$ 6,470	$ 909
Other option disclosures
Weighted average per share fair value of option granted	$ 45.49	$ 37.85	$ 30.48
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option | Maximum
Stock Based Compensation
Expiration period of grant	10 years
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option | Minimum
Stock Based Compensation
Vesting period of options	3 years
Expiration period of grant	7 years
Restricted Stock and Awards
Assumptions used in estimating fair value of each option grant
Expected life from vesting date	3 years

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summ

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of Status of Stock Options Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020$ / sharesshares
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	399,565
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	254,498
Range of exercise price per share from $104.47 and $112.08
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	120,194
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 11 months 26 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 109.58
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	79,796
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 108.31
Range of exercise price per share from $123.87 and $132.84
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	26,282
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	11 months 19 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 132.48
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	26,282
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 132.48
Range of exercise price per share from $142.67 to $164.35
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	253,089
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 8 months 15 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 158.05
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	148,420
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 156.04
Minimum | Range of exercise price per share from $104.47 and $112.08
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	104.47
Minimum | Range of exercise price per share from $123.87 and $132.84
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	123.87
Minimum | Range of exercise price per share from $142.67 to $164.35
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	142.67
Maximum | Range of exercise price per share from $104.47 and $112.08
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	112.08
Maximum | Range of exercise price per share from $123.87 and $132.84
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	132.84
Maximum | Range of exercise price per share from $142.67 to $164.35
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 168.80

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Sche

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Schedule of Non-Vested Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option
Stock Based Compensation
Compensation expense	$ 14,874	$ 11,587	$ 10,392
Weighted-average period for grant of stock-based compensation	2 years 4 months 20 days
Deferred stock-based compensation granted	$ 5,364
Directors and certain management employees | Non-vested stock and restricted stock units
Stock Based Compensation
Shares granted	85,251	78,318	88,127
Weighted‑average per share price on grant date	$ 161.73	$ 145.89	$ 114.89
Compensation expense	$ 9,081	$ 8,815	$ 6,328
Weighted-average period for grant of stock-based compensation	2 years 7 months 28 days
Deferred stock-based compensation granted	$ 22,862

STOCK- BASED COMPENSATION - Per

STOCK- BASED COMPENSATION - Performance-based Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Performance-based Restricted Stock Unit $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)tradeName$ / sharesshares	Dec. 28, 2019$ / sharesshares
Stock Based Compensation
Vesting period of performance-based stock units	3 years
Shares granted | shares	35,181	31,344
Grants (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 125.41	$ 136.14
Compensation expense | $	$ 3,165
Number of plans | tradeName	2
Minimum
Stock Based Compensation
Performance target (percent)	0.00%
Maximum
Stock Based Compensation
Performance target (percent)	200.00%

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule o

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Basic EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 35,815	$ 39,342	$ 22,607	$ 42,929	$ 32,540	$ 38,045	$ 39,719	$ 36,104	$ 140,693	$ 146,408	$ 101,770
Shares outstanding basic (in shares)									21,315	21,659	22,306
Per share amount basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.85	$ 1.06	$ 2	$ 1.52	$ 1.76	$ 1.83	$ 1.65	$ 6.60	$ 6.76	$ 4.56
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Dilutive effect of stock options number of shares (in shares)									110	110	140
Dilutive effect of stock options (in dollars per share)									$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.03
Diluted EPS
Diluted EPS									$ 140,693	$ 146,408	$ 101,770
Shares outstanding dilutive (in shares)									21,425	21,769	22,446
Per share amount diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.84	$ 1.06	$ 1.99	$ 1.51	$ 1.75	$ 1.82	$ 1.64	$ 6.57	$ 6.73	$ 4.53

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Narrative

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (in dollars per share)			$ 0.76
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 35,815	$ 39,342	$ 22,607	$ 42,929	$ 32,540	$ 38,045	$ 39,719	$ 36,104	$ 140,693	$ 146,408	$ 101,770
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.85	$ 1.06	$ 2	$ 1.52	$ 1.76	$ 1.83	$ 1.65	$ 6.60	$ 6.76	$ 4.56
Refinancing of long-term debt expense											$ 11,115
Refinancing of long-term debt expense (in dollars per share)											$ 0.50
Outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock, excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)									0	130,704	406,806
Goodwill And Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets									$ 16,220		$ 14,736
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (in dollars per share)									$ 0.76		$ 0.66
2018 Restructuring Plan
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.											$ (37,779)
Basic (in dollars per share)											$ (1.68)
2020 Restructuring Plan
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									$ (17,324)
Basic (in dollars per share)									$ (0.81)
Disposed by sale | Donhad
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.											$ 5,350
Basic (in dollars per share)											$ 0.24

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS P_2

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee contribution limit per calendar year to 401 (k) plan	50.00%
Company contributions	$ 14,800	$ 12,600	$ 12,300
Assets related to non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other assets	35,125	36,290
Liabilities related to non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other noncurrent liabilities	35,125	36,290
Total amount distributed from non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$ 5,067	$ 8,335

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA_3

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets recorded for the investments held	$ 35,125,000	$ 36,290,000
Liabilities recorded for the investments held	35,125,000	36,290,000
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	35,327,000	36,500,000
Derivative financial instruments, net	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities	0	0
Derivative financial instruments, net	(5,911,000)	(3,247,000)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities	0	0
Derivative financial instruments, net	0	0
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	731,179,000	765,704,000
Trading securities	35,327,000	36,500,000
Derivative financial instruments, net	(5,911,000)	(3,247,000)
Estimated Fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	884,846,000	826,413,000
EMD
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of remaining ownership	202,000	210,000
Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets recorded for the investments held	35,125,000	36,290,000
Liabilities recorded for the investments held	$ 35,125,000	$ 36,290,000

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_3

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Fair Value of Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ (5,911)	$ 3,247
Foreign currency forward contracts | Prepaid expenses and other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	724	2,119
Cross currency swap contracts | Prepaid expenses and other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	600	1,128
Cross currency swap contracts | Accrued expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ (7,235)	$ 0

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_4

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Gain (Loss) on Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 4,459	$ 1,579	$ 993
Commodity forward contracts | Product cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	0	(2,130)	1,021
Foreign currency forward contracts | Loss from divestiture of grinding media business
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	0	0	(1,215)
Foreign currency forward contracts | Product sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	1,598	0	0
Foreign currency forward contracts | Other income (expense)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	187	950	782
Interest rate contracts | Interest expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	(64)	(64)	(423)
Cross currency swap contracts | Interest expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 2,738	$ 2,823	$ 828

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_5

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Narrative (Details) € in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020USD ($)derivative	Jun. 29, 2019USD ($)derivative	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2019USD ($)T	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020EUR (€)	May 31, 2020EUR (€)
Derivative [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), foreign currency transaction upon sale or liquidation, net of tax			$ 0	$ 0	$ (9,203)
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Commodity forward contracts | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount				$ 12,128
Derivative, nonmonetary notional amount, mass | T				3,500
Net Investment Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, number of instruments held | derivative		2
Net Investment Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cross currency swap contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 130,000
Derivative, number of instruments held | derivative	2
Senior Unsecured Notes 5.00% Due 2044
Derivative [Line Items]
Stated rate		5.00%
Australia, Dollars | Net Investment Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), foreign currency transaction upon sale or liquidation, net of tax	$ 11,983	$ 11,184
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign currency forward contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount | €						€ 27,500	€ 4,500

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_6

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Schedule of Notional Amounts Outstanding (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - Net Investment Hedging € in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020EUR (€)	Dec. 26, 2020DKK (kr)	Jun. 27, 2020USD ($)
Cross currency swap contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount				$ 130,000
Denmark, Kroner | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract, One
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 50,000		kr 333,625
Swapped Interest Rate	2.68%	2.68%	2.68%
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract, Two
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 80,000	€ 71,550
Swapped Interest Rate	2.825%	2.825%	2.825%

GUARANTEES (Details)

GUARANTEES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Changes in the product warranty accrual recorded in accrued expenses
Balance, beginning of period	$ 13,532	$ 17,008
Payments made	(10,228)	(17,484)
Change in liability for warranties issued during the period	12,287	16,080
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties	(804)	(2,072)
Balance, end of period	$ 14,787	$ 13,532

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PL_3

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Details) £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)item$ / £	Dec. 26, 2020GBP (£)item	Dec. 28, 2019USD ($)$ / £	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018GBP (£)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension retirement benefits to qualified employees as percent of final salary per year of service		1.67%	1.67%
Eligibility age		65 years	65 years
Active members of defined benefit retirement income plan | item		0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate used to translate the net pension liability | $ / £		1.308		1.356
Projected Benefit Obligation
Beginning balance	$ 860,173	$ 744,403		$ 647,440
Interest cost		12,954		16,923
Prior service costs - GMP equalization		949	£ 711			£ 9,500
Benefits paid		(18,212)		(20,769)
Actuarial (gain) loss		87,855		79,485
Currency translation		32,224		21,324
Ending balance		860,173		744,403	$ 647,440
Plan Assets
Fair value beginning balance	741,650	604,396		503,536
Employer contributions		35,399		18,461
Actual return on plan assets		89,988		86,081
Benefits paid		(18,212)		(20,769)
Currency translation		30,079		17,087
Fair value ending balance		741,650		604,396	503,536
Funded status
Funded status		(118,523)		(140,007)	(143,904)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ (165,258)	(143,726)		(130,188)
Actuarial gain (loss)		(16,731)		(10,839)
Currency translation gain (loss)		(3,987)		(2,699)
Prior service costs - GMP equalization		(814)
Balance at the end of the period		$ (165,258)		$ (143,726)	$ (130,188)
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation
Discount rate		1.40%		2.05%
CPI inflation		2.00%		2.15%
RPI inflation		2.90%		3.05%
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Interest cost		$ 12,954		$ 16,923
Expected return on plan assets		(23,215)		(20,000)
Amortization of prior service cost		513		513
Amortization of actuarial loss		2,437		2,051
Net periodic benefit expense (benefit)		$ (7,311)		$ (513)
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate		2.05%	2.05%	2.90%
Expected return on plan assets		4.18%	4.18%	4.25%
CPI Inflation		2.15%	2.15%	2.20%
RPI Inflation		3.05%	3.05%	3.30%
Limit on employer contributions per annum		$ 17,765	£ 13,100
Administrative costs of the Plan		1,763	£ 1,300
Expected pension benefit payments
2021		19,935
2022		20,477
2023		21,155
2024		21,698
2025		22,376
Years 2026 - 2030		$ 122,727
Weighted average maturity period of corporate bond portfolio		13 years	13 years
Forecast
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense
Expected return on plan assets	3.96%

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PL_4

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Details 2) £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020GBP (£)	Dec. 28, 2019USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Limit on employer contributions per annum	$ 17,765	£ 13,100
Administrative costs of the Plan	1,763	£ 1,300
Plan assets	741,650		$ 604,396
Estimated Fair value
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	31,935		38,388
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	31,935		38,388
Fair Value Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 709,715		566,008
Mutual funds and diversified growth funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation percentage	50.00%
Temporary cash investments | Estimated Fair value
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 31,935		38,388
Temporary cash investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	31,935		38,388
Corporate stock | Estimated Fair value
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	0		0
Corporate stock | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	0		0
Corporate stock | Fair Value Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	309,987		234,612
Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds | Fair Value Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	171,013		123,637
Corporate bonds | Fair Value Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	115,577		97,638
Secured income asset funds | Fair Value Measured at NAV
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 113,138		$ 110,121

LEASES (Details)

LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease renewal term	5 years
Operating lease, not yet commenced, first year annual cash expense	$ 4,000
Operating lease not yet commenced, annual increase (percent)	2.00%
Operating lease not yet commenced, lease term	25 years
Impairment of right-of-use asset		$ 12,063
After tax adjustment to retained earnings	$ 1,182,062	1,144,338
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term	15 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] | Retained earnings | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
After tax adjustment to retained earnings		$ 8,444

LEASES - Schedule of Lease Cost

LEASES - Schedule of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 23,976	$ 24,073
Operating cash outflows from operating leases	25,390	24,835
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 6,131	$ 13,474
Weighted average remaining lease term	11 years	10 years
Weighted average discount rate	3.50%	3.80%
Short-term lease cost	$ 2,500	$ 2,500
Variable lease payments	$ 2,000

LEASES - Schedule of Assets and

LEASES - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Lessee (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease long-term liabilities	$ 80,202	$ 85,817
Total lease liabilities	$ 94,860	101,043
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherAssets
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent
Other assets
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 77,566	86,998
Accrued expenses
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease short-term liabilities	14,658	15,226
Operating lease liabilities
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease long-term liabilities	$ 80,202	$ 85,817

LEASES -Schedule of Future Mini

LEASES -Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
2021	$ 17,941
2022	14,389
2023	11,097
2024	9,476
2025	9,095
Subsequent	52,383
Total minimum lease payments	114,381
Less: Interest	19,521
Present value of minimum lease payments	$ 94,860	$ 101,043

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 26, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 28, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2020USD ($)segment	Dec. 28, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)
Business Segments
Number of reportable segments | segment									4
Maximum percentage of sales of other businesses and activities to consolidated sales as basis for aggregation									10.00%
Net sales	$ 798,377	$ 733,970	$ 688,808	$ 674,200	$ 683,626	$ 690,340	$ 700,871	$ 692,139	$ 2,895,355	$ 2,766,976	$ 2,757,144
Operating income									225,953	227,905	212,172
Interest expense, net									(38,701)	(36,211)	(39,569)
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									0	0	(14,820)
Loss from divestiture of grinding media business									0	0	(6,084)
Other									5,516	8,164	1,634
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									192,768	199,858	153,333
Total assets	2,953,160				2,807,216				2,953,160	2,807,216	2,583,894
Capital expenditures									106,700	97,425	71,985
Depreciation and amortization									82,892	82,264	82,827
Engineered Support Structures
Business Segments
Net sales									983,523	1,002,076	967,358
Operating income									65,342	65,627	34,776
Total assets	932,565				944,428				932,565	944,428	868,336
Capital expenditures									24,447	25,344	26,783
Depreciation and amortization									25,399	26,280	27,274
Utility Support Structures
Business Segments
Net sales									1,002,138	885,608	855,206
Operating income									100,855	87,788	64,766
Total assets	778,127				742,194				778,127	742,194	700,915
Capital expenditures									34,495	26,306	17,442
Depreciation and amortization									23,641	23,779	23,618
Coatings
Business Segments
Net sales										300,640	286,739
Operating income									42,975	51,008	55,325
Total assets	360,594				363,070				360,594	363,070	294,951
Capital expenditures									22,132	23,610	10,320
Depreciation and amortization									15,793	15,907	15,956
Irrigation
Business Segments
Net sales									640,092	578,652	624,761
Operating income									83,046	71,687	97,722
Total assets	465,322				347,887				465,322	347,887	347,894
Capital expenditures									16,740	15,644	7,249
Depreciation and amortization									12,098	10,943	11,335
Other
Business Segments
Operating income									0	0	(913)
Capital expenditures									0	0	7
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	775
Corporate
Business Segments
Operating income									(66,265)	(48,205)	(39,504)
Total assets	$ 416,552				$ 409,637				416,552	409,637	371,798
Capital expenditures									8,886	6,521	10,184
Depreciation and amortization									5,961	5,355	3,869
Operating segment
Business Segments
Sales									2,989,192	2,855,901	2,856,150
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures
Business Segments
Sales									995,840	1,012,290	986,880
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures | Lighting, Traffic, and Highway Safety Products
Business Segments
Sales									717,216	708,853	706,582
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures | Communication Products
Business Segments
Sales									190,203	188,912	149,817
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures | Access Systems
Business Segments
Sales									88,421	114,525	130,481
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures
Business Segments
Sales									1,002,209	890,580	859,173
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures | Steel
Business Segments
Sales									635,220	630,892	637,979
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures | Concrete
Business Segments
Sales									160,544	122,032	111,875
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures | Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions
Business Segments
Sales									86,382	47,450	16,760
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures | Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures
Business Segments
Sales									120,063	90,206	92,559
Operating segment | Coatings
Business Segments
Sales									345,312	367,835	353,351
Operating segment | Irrigation
Business Segments
Sales									645,831	585,196	633,666
Operating segment | Irrigation | North America
Business Segments
Sales									378,424	378,613	386,683
Operating segment | Irrigation | International
Business Segments
Sales									267,407	206,583	246,983
Segment Reconciling Items | Other
Business Segments
Sales									0	0	23,080
Net sales									0	0	23,080
Intersegment
Business Segments
Sales									93,837	88,925	99,006
Intersegment | Engineered Support Structures
Business Segments
Sales									12,317	10,214	19,522
Intersegment | Utility Support Structures
Business Segments
Sales									71	4,972	3,967
Intersegment | Coatings
Business Segments
Sales									75,710	67,195	66,612
Intersegment | Irrigation
Business Segments
Sales									$ 5,739	$ 6,544	$ 8,905

BUSINESS SEGMENTS - Summary by

BUSINESS SEGMENTS - Summary by Geographical Area by Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales	$ 798,377	$ 733,970	$ 688,808	$ 674,200	$ 683,626	$ 690,340	$ 700,871	$ 692,139	$ 2,895,355	$ 2,766,976	$ 2,757,144
Long-lived assets	1,398,535				1,374,992				1,398,535	1,374,992	1,189,634
United States
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									1,919,136	1,872,840	1,771,390
Long-lived assets	748,886				753,545				748,886	753,545	624,143
Australia
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									252,253	255,271	325,553
Long-lived assets	$ 179,673				193,029				$ 179,673	193,029	168,438
Australia | Foreign country | Net Sales
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Threshold for disclosure as percentage of net sales by customer	9.00%								9.00%
Denmark
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									$ 120,063	90,206	92,559
Long-lived assets	$ 61,546				58,435				61,546	58,435	64,497
Other
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									603,903	548,659	567,642
Long-lived assets	$ 408,430				$ 369,983				$ 408,430	$ 369,983	$ 332,556

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Una_3

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Sep. 26, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 798,377	$ 733,970	$ 688,808	$ 674,200	$ 683,626	$ 690,340	$ 700,871	$ 692,139	$ 2,895,355	$ 2,766,976	$ 2,757,144
Gross profit	204,581	190,747	183,937	186,249	166,591	173,287	178,176	164,627	765,514	682,681	668,172
Net earnings, amount	$ 35,815	$ 39,342	$ 22,607	$ 42,929	$ 32,540	$ 38,045	$ 39,719	$ 36,104	$ 140,693	$ 146,408	$ 101,770
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.85	$ 1.06	$ 2	$ 1.52	$ 1.76	$ 1.83	$ 1.65	$ 6.60	$ 6.76	$ 4.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	1.68	1.84	1.06	1.99	1.51	1.75	1.82	1.64	6.57	6.73	$ 4.53
Stock Price, High (in dollars per share)	176.62	134.58	128.37	154.86	151.46	146.46	136.75	139.50	176.62	151.46
Stock Price, Low (in dollars per share)	119.88	108.15	98.93	82.60	123.80	123.74	112.94	107.43	82.60	107.43
Dividends Declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.450	$ 0.450	$ 0.450	$ 0.450	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 1.80	$ 1.50
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			$ 16,220						$ 16,638	$ 0	$ 15,780
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (in dollars per share)			$ 0.76
Restructuring charges	$ 11,041	$ 2,133	$ 4,019						$ 23,149
Restructuring expenses (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.10	$ 0.19

Schedule II-Valuation and Qua_2

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$ 9,548	$ 8,277	$ 9,813
Charged to profit and loss	7,957	2,543	994
Currency Translation Adjustment	260	(76)	(365)
Deductions from reserves*	(1,813)	(1,196)	(2,165)
Balance at close of period	15,952	9,548	8,277
Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	35,215	33,228	27,864
Charged to profit and loss	11,450	4,141	10,769
Currency Translation Adjustment	1,064	(296)	(384)
Deductions from reserves*	(3,278)	(1,858)	(5,021)
Balance at close of period	$ 44,451	$ 35,215	$ 33,228