Valmont Industries (VMI) 10-K25 Feb 152014 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Feb. 18, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	102729
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	27-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-15
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$3,928,857,217
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,994,776
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Product sales	$2,824,456	$2,976,359	$2,721,512
Services sales	298,687	327,852	308,029
Net sales	3,123,143	3,304,211	3,029,541
Product cost of sales	2,118,687	2,144,942	2,032,030
Services cost of sales	196,339	214,041	195,055
Total cost of sales	2,315,026	2,358,983	2,227,085
Gross profit	808,117	945,228	802,456
Selling, general and administrative expenses	450,401	472,159	420,160
Operating income	357,716	473,069	382,296
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	-36,790	-32,502	-31,625
Interest income	6,046	6,477	8,272
Costs associated with refinancing of debt	-38,705
Other	-4,084	2,373	347
Total other income (expenses)	-73,533	-23,652	-23,006
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	284,183	449,417	359,290
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	89,643	167,922	122,782
Deferred	5,251	-10,141	3,720
Total income tax expense (benefit)	94,894	157,781	126,502
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	189,289	291,636	232,788
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	29	835	6,128
Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiary		-12,011
Net earnings	189,318	280,460	238,916
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-5,342	-1,971	-4,844
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$183,976	$278,489	$234,072
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$7.15	$10.45	$8.84
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$7.09	$10.35	$8.75
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$1.38	$0.98	$0.86

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net earnings	$189,318	$280,460	$238,916
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-82,275	-71,698	15,741
Realized loss on sale of foreign entity investment included in other expense		5,194
Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary		8,559
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-82,275	-57,945	15,741
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Loss arising during the period	983
Gain (deferred) on cash flow hedges	4,837
Amortization cost included in interest expense	594	400	400
Derivative adjustment	6,414	400	400
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($3,450) in 2014, ($10,143) in 2013, and ($12,377) in 2012	-13,709	-41,282	-35,020
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-89,570	-98,827	-18,879
Comprehensive income	99,748	181,633	220,037
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,520	-9,174	-6,079
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$97,228	$172,459	$213,958

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability, tax	($3,450)	($10,143)	($12,377)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$371,579	$613,706
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $6,672 in 2014 and $10,369 in 2013	536,918	515,440
Inventories	359,522	380,000
Prepaid expenses	56,912	22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes	68,010	65,697
Total current assets	1,392,941	1,597,840
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,139,569	1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	533,116	482,916
Net property, plant and equipment	606,453	534,210
Goodwill	385,111	349,632
Other intangible assets	202,004	170,917
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $3,250 in 2014 and $0 in 2013	143,159	123,895
Total assets	2,729,668	2,776,494
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	1,181	202
Notes payable to banks	13,952	19,024
Accounts payable	196,565	216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	87,950	122,967
Accrued expenses	88,480	71,560
Dividends payable	9,086	6,706
Total current liabilities	397,214	436,580
Deferred income taxes	71,797	78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	766,654	470,907
Defined benefit pension liability	150,124	154,397
Deferred compensation	47,932	39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities	45,542	51,731
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock of $1 par value - Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued
Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 27,900,000 shares	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,718,662	1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-134,433	-47,685
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 3,670,781 in 2014 and 1,075,039 in 2013	-410,296	-20,860
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,201,833	1,522,025
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	48,572	22,821
Total shareholders' equity	1,250,405	1,544,846
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,729,668	$2,776,494

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Receivables, allowance for doubtful receivables	$6,672	$10,369
Other assets, allowance for doubtful receivables	$3,250	$0
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, Authorized shares	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	27,900,000	27,900,000
Common shares in treasury, shares	3,670,781	1,075,039

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$189,318	$280,460	$238,916
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	89,328	77,436	70,218
Loss on investment	3,795
Deconsolidation of subsidiary		12,011
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0	12,161
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	-2,478
Stock-based compensation	6,730	6,513	5,829
Defined benefit pension plan expense	2,638	6,569	4,281
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	-18,173	-17,619	-11,591
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	-4,300
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	392	-4,318	321
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	-29	-835	-6,128
Deferred income taxes	5,251	-10,141	3,720
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables	907	-12,708	-84,890
Inventories	21,458	13,431	-13,613
Prepaid expenses	-13,594	4,115	1,243
Accounts payable	-34,321	12,448	-6,249
Accrued expenses	-34,778	21,698	20,640
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,755	-1,474	-4,350
Income taxes payable (refundable)	-39,803	-3,305	-21,250
Net cash flows from operating activities	174,096	396,442	197,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-73,023	-106,753	-97,074
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)	-185,710	-63,152	-45,687
Proceeds from sale of assets	2,489	37,582	6,025
Other, net	-619	602	44
Net cash flows from investing activities	-256,863	-131,721	-136,692
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements	-4,472	5,510	1,828
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	652,211	274	39,126
Principal payments on long-term obligations	-357,858	-591	-39,564
Cash decrease due to deconsolidation of subsidiary		-11,615
Dividends paid	-32,443	-25,414	-21,520
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	-2,919	-1,767	-1,944
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		-9,324
Proceeds from sale of partial ownership interest			1,404
Settlement of financial derivative	4,981
Debt issuance fees	-7,644		-1,747
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	14,572	16,348	21,827
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises	4,264	5,306	5,494
Purchase of treasury shares	-395,045
Purchase of common treasury shares-stock plan exercises	-15,403	-16,107	-21,259
Net cash flows from financing activities	-139,756	-37,380	-16,355
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-19,604	-27,764	7,185
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-242,127	199,577	51,235
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	613,706	414,129	362,894
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	$371,579	$613,706	$414,129

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Locker [Member]	Locker [Member]	DS SM [Member]	DS SM [Member]	Ag Sense LLC [Member]	Ag Sense LLC [Member]	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	Total
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	Locker [Member]	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	DS SM [Member]	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	Ag Sense LLC [Member]	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011							$27,900		$1,079,698	$64,052	($24,688)	$50,949	$1,197,911
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings									234,072			4,844	238,916
Other comprehensive income (loss)										-20,114		1,235	-18,879
Cash dividends declared ($1.375, $0.975 and $0.855 per share for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)									-22,756				-22,756
Dividends to noncontrolling interests												-1,944	-1,944
Sale of partial ownership interest								-610				2,014	1,404
Stock plan exercises; 97,974, 103,023 and 174,943 shares acquired for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively											-21,259		-21,259
Stock options exercised; 194,627, 216,105 and 341,090 shares issued for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively								-10,713	9,515		23,025		21,827
Tax benefit from stock option exercises								5,494					5,494
Stock option expense								4,934					4,934
Stock awards; 22,010, 33,721 and 20,988 shares issued for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively								895			467		1,362
Balance at Dec. 29, 2012							27,900		1,300,529	43,938	-22,455	57,098	1,407,010
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings									278,489			1,971	280,460
Other comprehensive income (loss)										-91,623		-7,204	-98,827
Cash dividends declared ($1.375, $0.975 and $0.855 per share for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)									-26,118				-26,118
Dividends to noncontrolling interests												-1,767	-1,767
Acquisition	325	325
Purchase of noncontrolling interest								-2,038				-7,286	-9,324
Deconsolidation of EMD												-20,316	-20,316
Stock plan exercises; 97,974, 103,023 and 174,943 shares acquired for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively											-16,107		-16,107
Stock options exercised; 194,627, 216,105 and 341,090 shares issued for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively								-9,781	9,770		16,359		16,348
Tax benefit from stock option exercises								5,306					5,306
Stock option expense								5,194					5,194
Stock awards; 22,010, 33,721 and 20,988 shares issued for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively								1,319			1,343		2,662
Balance at Dec. 28, 2013							27,900		1,562,670	-47,685	-20,860	22,821	1,544,846
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings									183,976			5,342	189,318
Other comprehensive income (loss)										-86,748		-2,822	-89,570
Cash dividends declared ($1.375, $0.975 and $0.855 per share for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)									-35,036				-35,036
Dividends to noncontrolling interests												-2,919	-2,919
Acquisition			9,309	9,309	16,333	16,333
Addition of noncontrolling interest												508	508
Stock plan exercises; 97,974, 103,023 and 174,943 shares acquired for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively											-15,403		-15,403
Purchase of treasury shares; 2,711,149 shares acquired											-395,045		-395,045
Stock options exercised; 194,627, 216,105 and 341,090 shares issued for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively								-10,994	7,052		18,514		14,572
Tax benefit from stock option exercises								4,264					4,264
Stock option expense								4,461					4,461
Stock awards; 22,010, 33,721 and 20,988 shares issued for the period ended December 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively								2,269			2,498		4,767
Balance at Dec. 27, 2014							$27,900		$1,718,662	($134,433)	($410,296)	$48,572	$1,250,405

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Cash dividends, per share	$1.38	$0.98	$0.86
Purchase of treasury shares, shares	2,711,149
Stock plan exercises; shares acquired	97,974	103,023	174,943
Stock options exercised; shares issued	194,627	216,105	341,090
Stock awards; shares issued	22,010	33,721	20,998

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(1) 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). The investment in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd ("EMD") was recorded at fair value subsequent to its deconsolidation in 2013. Investments in other 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 significant intercompany items have been eliminated.

Cash overdrafts

Cash book overdrafts totaling $18,038 and $21,713 were classified as accounts payable at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered metal structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, roadway safety and access systems applications;

UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry;

COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services on a global basis; and

IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the global agricultural industry.

In addition to these four reportable segments, there are other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales. These operations include the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry, tubular products for industrial customers, electrolytic manganese dioxide for disposable batteries and the distribution of industrial fasteners. These operations collectively are reported in the "Other" category.

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 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.

Inventories

Approximately 44% and 43% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. All other inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or market. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods. The excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value is approximately $47,178 and $45,204 at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

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 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $73,395, $62,291 and $55,559, 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 fair value. There were no impairment losses recorded in 2014. In November 2013, it was determined that the carrying amount of certain fixed assets of Delta EMD, Ltd. were not recoverable and an impairment loss of $12,161 was recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the fixed assets to fair value. The impairment was a result of continued global oversupply of manganese dioxide in the market, increased price competition and increasing input costs. In addition, a major customer advised us that its purchases of EMD in 2014 would be substantially below prior years. This charge was recorded in Product Cost of Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the third fiscal quarter of each year. Reporting units are evaluated using after-tax operating cash flows (less capital expenditures) discounted to present value. 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.

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 Instrument

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 or fair value hedge.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income 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

Unrealized

Defined

Accumulated

Currency

Gain (Loss) on

Benefit

Other

Translation

Cash Flow

Pension Plan

Comprehensive

Adjustments

Hedge

Income

Balance at December 28, 2013

(20,165

)

(2,535

)

(24,985

)

(47,685

)

Current-period comprehensive income (loss)

(79,453

)

6,414

(13,709

)

(86,748

)

Balance at December 27, 2014

(99,618

)

3,879

(38,694

)

(134,433

)

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon shipment of the product or delivery of the service to the customer, which coincides with passage of title and risk of loss to the customer. Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products. Acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the product is manufactured and delivered to the customer. We are not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and we do not recognize any revenue associated with the design stage. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered. Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. Sales discounts and rebates are estimated based on past experience and are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Service revenues predominantly consist of coatings services provided by our Coatings segment to its customers. Revenue from our offshore and other complex steel structures products is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method, based primarily on contract cost incurred to date compared to total estimated contract cost.

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 Sheet. In February 2013, the Company sold its nonconsolidated investment in Manganese Materials Company Pty. Ltd. to the majority owner of the business for approximately $29,250. The profit on the sale was not significant, which included the recognition of $5,194 in currency translation adjustments previously recorded as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive income" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company also recognized certain deferred tax benefits of approximately $3,200 associated with the sale in the first quarter of 2013.

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."

On May 13, 2014, the Company announced a new capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500 million 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. As of December 27, 2014, the Company has acquired 2,711,149 shares for approximately $395.0 million under this share repurchase program. In February 2015, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $250 million of purchase, without an expiration date

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 $13,900 in 2014, $10,200 in 2013, and $7,100 in 2012.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition. The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied retrospectively. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DECONSOLIDATI

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION	12 Months Ended
ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION	Dec. 27, 2014
ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION
ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION	(2) ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION
	Acquisitions of Businesses
	On March 3, 2014, the Company purchased 90% of the outstanding shares of DS SM A/S, which was renamed Valmont SM. Valmont SM is a manufacturer of heavy complex steel structures for a diverse range of industries including wind energy, offshore oil and gas, and electricity transmission. Valmont SM's operations are reported in the Engineered Infrastructure Products segment. Valmont SM's annual sales are approximately $190,000 and it operates two manufacturing locations in Denmark. The purchase price paid for the business at closing (net of $56 cash acquired) was $120,483, including the payoff of an intercompany note payable by Valmont SM to its prior affiliates. The purchase is subject to an earn-out clause that is contingent on meeting future operational metrics for which no liability has been established based on current expectations. The acquisition, which was funded by cash held by the Company, was completed to participate in markets for wind energy, oil and gas exploration, power transmission and other related infrastructure projects and to increase the Company's geographic footprint in Europe. The Company also funded a portion of the acquisition with an intercompany note payable. The excess purchase price over the fair value of assets resulted in goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes.
	The Company finalized the fair value measurement process and purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2014. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition.

			At March 3,
			2014
	Current assets		$	73,421
	Property, plant and equipment			85,638
	Intangible assets			30,340
	Goodwill			16,803

	Total fair value of assets acquired		$	206,202

	Current liabilities			47,754
	Deferred income taxes			19,715
	Intercompany note payable			37,448
	Long-term debt			8,941

	Total fair value of liabilities assumed			113,858
	Non-controlling interests			9,309

	Net assets acquired		$	83,035

	The Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the 52 weeks ended December 27, 2014 included net sales of $146,432 and net earnings of $9,139, resulting from Valmont SM's operations from March 3, 2014 to December 27, 2014.
	Based on the fair value assessments, the Company allocated $30,340 of the purchase price to acquired intangible assets. The following table summarizes the major classes of Valmont SM's acquired intangible assets and the respective weighted average amortization periods:

			Amount			Weighted
						Average
						Amortization
						Period
						(Years)
	Trade Names		$	11,470		Indefinite
	Backlog			3,145		1.5
	Customer Relationships			15,725		12.0

	Total Intangible Assets		$	30,340

	On October 6, 2014, the Company acquired Shakespeare Composite Structures (Shakespeare) for $48,272 in cash, plus assumed liabilities. Shakespeare is a manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced composite structures and products with two manufacturing facilities in South Carolina. Shakespeare's annual sales are approximately $55,000 and its operations will be included in the Engineered Infrastructure Products segment. The acquisition of Shakespeare was completed to expand our product offering of composite structure solutions.
	The preliminary fair value measurement disclosed below is subject to management reviews and completion of the fair value measurements of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company expects the fair value measurement process and purchase price allocation to be completed in the first half of 2015.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the Shakespeare acquisition (goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes):

			At October 6,
			2014
	Current assets		$	12,532
	Property, plant and equipment			10,694
	Intangible assets			13,500
	Goodwill			15,416

	Total fair value of assets acquired		$	52,142

	Current liabilities			3,870

	Net assets acquired		$	48,272

	The Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the 52 weeks ended December 27, 2014 includes net sales and earnings of $12,321 and $958, respectively, resulting from Shakespeare's operations from October 6, 2014 to December 27, 2014.
	Based on the preliminary fair value assessments, the Company allocated $13,500 of the purchase price to acquired intangible assets. The following table summarizes the major classes of Shakespeare acquired intangible assets and the respective weighted-average amortization periods:

			Amount			Weighted
						Average
						Amortization
						Period
						(Years)
	Trade Names		$	4,000		Indefinite
Customer Relationships			9,500		15.0

Total Intangible Assets		$	13,500

On August 25, 2014, the Company acquired 51% of AgSense, LLC (AgSense) for $17,000 in cash. AgSense operates in South Dakota and is the creator of global WagNet network which provides growers with a more complete view of their entire farming operation by tying irrigation decision making to field, crop and weather conditions. In the measurement of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, goodwill of $17,193 and $16,083 of customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets were recorded. Customer relationships will be amortized over ten years and patents will be amortized over seven years. The acquisition was completed to further extend the Company's offerings in remote monitoring and control technology for agriculture. A portion of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. AgSense is included in the Irrigation segment and the purchase price allocation was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014.
On February 5, 2013, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Locker Group Holdings Pty. Ltd. ("Locker"). Locker is a manufacturer of perforated and expanded metal for the non-residential market, industrial flooring and handrails for the access systems market, and screening media for applications in the industrial and mining sectors in Australia and Asia. Locker's operations are reported in the Engineered Infrastructure Products segment. The acquisition, which was funded by cash held by the Company, was completed to expand our product offering and sales coverage for access systems and related products in Asia Pacific.
The purchase price paid for the business at closing (net of $116 cash acquired) was $53,152. In addition, a maximum of $7,911 additional purchase price could be paid to the sellers upon the achievement of certain gross profit and inventory targets over the two years following date of acquisition and the Company recognized an estimated liability of $7,178 at February 5, 2013. During 2014 and 2013, the Company made payments of approximately $2,300 to the sellers with respect to achievement of these targets. The Company determined that the additional purchase price tied to a gross profit target for the twelve months ending February 2015 would not be achieved and therefore the additional purchase price with respect to that target will not be paid. As such, approximately $4,300 of this liability was reversed and recognized against cost of goods sold during the third quarter of 2014.
In December 2013, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Armorflex International Ltd. ("Armorflex") for $10,000. Armorflex is a company holding proprietary intellectual property for products serving the highway safety market. In the measurement of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we recorded goodwill of $6,823 and an aggregate of $3,792 for customer relationships, patented technology and other intangible assets. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Armorflex is included in the Engineered Infrastructure Products segment and was acquired to expand the Company's highway safety product offering in the Asia Pacific region. This acquisition did not have a significant effect on the Company's fiscal 2013 financial results.
On December 19, 2012, the Company acquired Pure Metal Galvanizing for $45,687 in cash, net of cash acquired, plus assumed liabilities. In addition, the purchase price includes contingent consideration with a fair value of $3,884 to be paid at the end of five years if certain earnings objectives are met over the period. Pure Metal Galvanizing operates three custom galvanizing operations in Ontario, Canada. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $12,676 and $14,066 of customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets was recorded. A portion of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. This business is included in the Coatings segment and was acquired to expand the Company's geographic presence into the Canadian galvanizing market.
The Company's Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014 included net sales of $243,139 and net earnings of $17,872 resulting from the Valmont SM, AgSense, Locker, Armorflex and Shakespeare acquisitions. The pro forma effect of these acquisitions on the 2014 and 2013 Statement of Earnings was as follows:

		Fifty-two weeks			Fifty-two weeks
		Ended			Ended
		December 27,			December 28,
		2014			2013
Net sales		$	3,201,947		$	3,556,988
Net earnings			189,391			293,340
Earnings per share—diluted		$	7.30		$	10.91
Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests
In October 2013, the Company acquired the remaining 40% of Valley Irrigation South Africa Pty. Ltd. that it did not own for $9,324. As this transaction was an acquisition of the remaining shares of a consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, it was recorded within shareholders' equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Deconsolidation
In December 2013, the Company's ownership in Delta EMD, Ltd. ("EMD"), a consolidated subsidiary located in South Africa, was reduced below 50% through a supplementary contribution of 1,500,000 shares to the Delta Pension Plan ("DPP"). The DPP is managed by independent trustees whose fiduciary responsibility is to make decisions for the DPP based on the best interests of the participants. The loss recognized on the deconsolidation of EMD was $12,011, or $0.45 per share, which consisted of $8,559 realized losses on foreign currency translation adjustments previously reported in shareholders' equity and $3,452 in losses due to remeasurement of the remaining investment to fair value based on the market value of EMD shares, which are publicly traded on the Johannesburg stock exchange (JSE:DTA). The Company made a fair value election with respect to its remaining ownership interest in EMD and will report its investment at fair value going forward, using the quoted market price of the EMD shares as fair value.
The net sales of EMD included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings in 2013 and 2012 were $38,621 and $44,290, respectively. The net earnings of EMD attributable to the Company for the same years were a loss of $3,535 in 2013 and earnings of $1,043 in 2012.

CASH_FLOW_SUPPLEMENTARY_INFORM

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	(3) 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) were as follows:

		2014		2013		2012
	Interest	$	32,601	$	32,655	$	31,276
	Income taxes		111,174		167,146		137,121

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
INVENTORIES	Dec. 27, 2014
INVENTORIES
INVENTORIES	(4) INVENTORIES
	Inventories consisted of the following at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

		2014		2013
	Raw materials and purchased parts	$	179,093	$	179,576
	Work-in-process		27,835		27,294
	Finished goods and manufactured goods		199,772		218,334

	Subtotal		406,700		425,204
	Less: LIFO reserve		47,178		45,204

		$	359,522	$	380,000

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	Dec. 27, 2014
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	(5) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consist of the following:

		2014		2013
	Land and improvements	$	82,372	$	71,726
	Buildings and improvements		327,863		265,112
	Machinery and equipment		593,387		520,262
	Transportation equipment		35,205		37,213
	Office furniture and equipment		76,589		73,200
	Construction in progress		24,153		49,613

		$	1,139,569	$	1,017,126


	The Company leases certain facilities, machinery, computer equipment and transportation equipment under operating leases with unexpired terms ranging from one to fifteen years. Rental expense for operating leases amounted to $28,580, $26,567, and $24,645 for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 27, 2014 are:

	Fiscal year ending
	2015	$	24,525
	2016		19,694
	2017		16,166
	2018		12,171
	2019		9,096
	Subsequent		35,042

	Total minimum lease payments	$	116,694

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	Dec. 27, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	(6) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The Company's annual impairment testing of goodwill and trade names was performed during the third quarter of 2014. As a result of that testing, the Company determined that its goodwill was not impaired, as the valuation of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. The Company continues to monitor changes in the global economy that could impact future operating results of its reporting units. If such conditions arise, the Company will test a given reporting unit for impairment prior to the annual test.
	Amortized Intangible Assets
	The components of amortized intangible assets at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were as follows:

			As of December 27, 2014
			Gross			Accumulated			Weighted
			Carrying			Amortization			Average
			Amount						Life
	Customer Relationships		$	207,509		$	88,538		13 years
	Proprietary Software & Database			3,769			2,977		8 years
	Patents & Proprietary Technology			12,394			8,537		8 years
	Non-compete Agreements			4,355			2,998		3 years

			$	228,027		$	103,050




			As of December 28, 2013
			Gross			Accumulated			Weighted
			Carrying			Amortization			Average
			Amount						Life
	Customer Relationships		$	177,495		$	76,024		13 years
	Proprietary Software & Database			3,896			2,896		6 years
	Patents & Proprietary Technology			11,334			7,239		8 years
	Non-compete Agreements			1,620			1,438		6 years

			$	194,345		$	87,597


	Amortization expense for intangible assets was $18,414, $15,233, and $14,332 for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
	Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:

			Estimated
			Amortization
			Expense
	2015		$	18,176
	2016			16,406
	2017			16,364
	2018			14,703
	2019			13,871
	The useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets include 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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were as follows:

			December 27,			December 28,			Year
			2014			2013			Acquired
	Webforge		$	16,801		$	17,787		2010
	Valmont SM			10,818			—		2014
	Newmark			11,111			11,111		2004
	Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products			8,867			9,387		2010
	Donhad			6,689			7,082		2010
	Shakespeare			4,000			—		2014
	Industrial Galvanizers			3,889			4,117		2010
	Other			14,852			14,685

			$	77,027		$	64,169


	The Company's trade names were tested for impairment separately from goodwill in the third quarter of 2014. The values of the trade names were determined using the relief-from-royalty method. The Company determined that the value of its trade names were not impaired.
	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.
	Goodwill
	The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 27, 2014 was as follows:

		Engineered			Utility			Coatings			Irrigation			Other			Total
		Infrastructure			Support			Segment			Segment
		Products			Structures
		Segment			Segment
Balance at December 28, 2013		$	175,442		$	75,404		$	77,062		$	2,420		$	19,304		$	349,632
Acquisition			32,219			—			—			17,193			—			49,562
Foreign currency translation			(10,587	)		—			(2,200	)		(77	)		(1,069	)		(14,083	)

Balance at December 27, 2014		$	197,074		$	75,404		$	74,862		$	19,536		$	18,235		$	385,111


The Company examined the goodwill assigned to its reporting units in the third quarter of 2014 and determined that the goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet at December 27, 2014 was not impaired. The acquisition amount arose from the acquisitions of Valmont SM, Shakespeare, and AgSense.
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 28, 2013 was as follows:

		Engineered			Utility			Coatings			Irrigation			Other			Total
		Infrastructure			Support			Segment			Segment
		Products			Structures
		Segment			Segment
Balance at December 29, 2012		$	155,185		$	77,141		$	77,053		$	2,517		$	18,895		$	330,791
Acquisition			21,189			—			—			—			—			21,189
Foreign currency translation			(2,669	)		—			9			(97	)		409			(2,348	)
Other			1,737			(1,737	)		—			—			—			—

Balance at December 28, 2013		$	175,442		$	75,404		$	77,062		$	2,420		$	19,304		$	349,632


The acquisition amount arose from the acquisitions of Locker and Armorflex. The other category relates to a minor component that was transferred from the Utility Support Structures segment to the Engineered Infrastructure Products segment.

BANK_CREDIT_ARRANGEMENTS

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	12 Months Ended
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	Dec. 27, 2014
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	(7) BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
	The Company maintains various lines of credit for short-term borrowings totaling $108,554 at December 27, 2014. As of December 27, 2014, $13,058 was outstanding. The interest rates charged on these lines of credit vary in relation to the banks' costs of funds. The unused and available borrowings under the lines of credit were $95,496 at December 27, 2014. The lines of credit can be modified at any time at the option of the banks. The Company pays no fees in connection with these lines of credit. In addition to the lines of credit, the Company also maintains other short-term bank loans. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 6.56% at December 27, 2014, and 8.65% at December 28, 2013. Other notes payable of $894 and $880 were outstanding at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Dec. 27, 2014
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	(8) INCOME TAXES
	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries are as follows:

			2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	168,975		$	338,163		$	248,840
	Foreign			115,208			111,254			110,450

			$	284,183		$	449,417		$	359,290


	Income tax expense (benefit) consists of:

			2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal		$	52,588		$	110,847		$	81,000
	State			5,059			16,398			10,342
	Foreign			32,443			39,285			32,294

				90,090			166,530			123,636

	Non-current:			(447	)		1,392			(854	)
	Deferred:
	Federal			447			(8,661	)		(3,824	)
	State			1,376			(307	)		(660	)
	Foreign			3,428			(1,173	)		8,204

				5,251			(10,141	)		3,720

			$	94,894		$	157,781		$	126,502


	The reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate follows:

			2014			2013			2012
	Statutory federal income tax rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit			1.8			2.4			1.7
	Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances			(0.4	)		0.9			1.8
	Foreign tax rate differences			(4.4	)		(2.4	)		(2.5	)
	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits			(0.2	)		0.3			(0.2	)
	Domestic production activities deduction			(1.6	)		(2.1	)		(2.3	)
	Other			3.2			1			1.7

				33.4	%		35.1	%		35.2	%


	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:

			2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Accrued expenses and allowances		$	17,446		$	17,038
	Accrued insurance			882			1,508
	Tax credits and loss carryforwards			148,484			146,473
	Defined benefit pension liability			30,025			30,879
	Inventory allowances			4,804			3,938
	Accrued warranty			6,920			6,552
	Deferred compensation			40,348			51,413

	Gross deferred income tax assets			248,909			257,801
	Valuation allowance			(104,487	)		(107,767	)

	Net deferred income tax assets			144,422			150,034

	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Work in progress			5,352			—
Property, plant and equipment			43,084			36,657
Intangible assets			60,316			57,787
Other liabilities			6,738			7,206

Total deferred income tax liabilities			115,490			101,650

Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)		$	28,932		$	48,384


Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented as follows on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Balance Sheet Caption		2014			2013
Refundable and deferred income taxes		$	30,239		$	57,344
Other assets			70,490			69,964
Deferred income taxes			(71,797	)		(78,924	)

Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)		$	28,932		$	48,384


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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 respectively, there were $148,484 and $146,473 relating to tax credits and loss carryforwards and $30,025 and $30,879 related to the defined benefit pension obligation.
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 27, 2014 that are associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards not reduced by valuation allowances expire in periods starting 2015.
Uncertain tax positions included in other non-current liabilities are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (1) the Company determine 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 2014 and 2013, in thousands:

		2014			2013
Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year		$	4,727		$	3,370
Gross increases—tax positions in prior period			—			1,464
Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period			(456	)		—
Gross increases—current-period tax positions			610			1,336
Lapse of statute of limitations			(613	)		(1,443	)

Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year		$	4,268		$	4,727


There are approximately $1,284 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 2014, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $613 with $399 recorded as a reduction of income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. During 2013, the company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $1,443, with $938 recorded as a reduction of its income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States and Australia. In addition to these amounts, there was an aggregate of $298 and $314 of interest and penalties at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 2011 and forward remain open under U.S. statutes of limitation. Generally, tax years 2010 and forward remain open under state statutes of limitation. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $4,056 and $4,491 at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.
On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted, which retroactively extended the research and experimentation (R&E) tax credit in the U.S. for two years, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Because a change in tax law is accounted for in the period of enactment, the retroactive effect of the Act on the Company's U.S. federal taxes for 2012 of a benefit of approximately $750 was recognized in the first quarter of 2013.
On September 13, 2013, the US Treasury and IRS issued final Tangible Property Regulations ("TPR") under IRC Section 162 and IRC Section 263(a). The regulations are effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014; however, certain portions may require a tax method change on a retroactive basis, thus requiring a IRC Section 481(a) adjustment related to fixed and real asset deferred taxes. The accounting rules under ASC 740 treat the release of the regulations as a change in tax law as of the date of issuance and required the Company to determine whether there was an impact on its financial statements for the period ended December 28, 2013. Any such impact of the final tangible property regulations would affect temporary deferred taxes only and result in a balance sheet reclassification between current and deferred taxes. The Company has analyzed the impact of the TPR on the Company and concluded that the expected impact is minimal. The Company will continue to monitor the impact of any future changes to the TPR on the Company prospectively.
During 2014, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $3.9 million as a result of restructuring in 2014 and a change in management's assertions regarding foreign investment opportunities. All foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently invested at December 27, 2014. Provision has not been made for United States income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries (approximately $668,400 at December 27, 2014 and $644,290 at December 28, 2013, respectively) because the Company intends to reinvest those earnings. Such earnings would become taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries or upon remittance of dividends. Furthermore, the currency translation adjustments in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" are not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in foreign subsidiaries.

LONGTERM_DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT	Dec. 27, 2014
LONG-TERM DEBT
LONG-TERM DEBT	(9) LONG-TERM DEBT
	On September 22, 2014, the Company issued and sold $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.00% senior notes due 2044 and $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.25% senior notes due 2054. On September 22, 2014, the Company repurchased through a partial tender offer $199,800 in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 6.625% senior notes due 2020, and $250,200 of the notes remain outstanding following the conclusion of the tender offer.

			December 27,			December 28,
			2014			2013
	5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a)		$	250,000		$	—
	5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b)			250,000			—
	Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes(a and b)			(4,449	)		—
	6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020(c)			250,200			450,000
	Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes(c)			5,429			11,241
	Revolving credit agreement(d)			—			—
	IDR Bonds(e)			8,500			8,500
	Other notes			8,155			1,368

	Long-term debt			767,835			471,109
	Less current installments of long-term debt			1,181			202

	Long-term debt, excluding current installments		$	766,654		$	470,907




	(a)		The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principle amount of $250,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $1,155 at December 27, 2014. 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 principle amount of $250,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $3,294 at December 27, 2014. 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 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020, following a partial tender offer in September 2014, include a remaining aggregate principal amount of $250,200 on which interest is paid and an unamortized premium balance of $5,429 at December 27, 2014. The notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum and are due on April 1, 2020. In September 2014, the Company repurchased by partial tender $199,800 in aggregate principal amount of these notes and incurred cash prepayment expenses of approximately $41,200. In addition, $4,439 of the unamortized premium was recognized as income which is the proportionate amount of debt that was repaid. The remaining premium will be amortized against 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 accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
	(d)		On October 17, 2014, the Company entered into a First Amendment to our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, dated as of August 15, 2012, which increased the committed unsecured revolving credit facility from $400 million to $600 million and extended the maturity date from August 15, 2017 to October 17, 2019. The Company may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200 million at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our 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 our 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 our senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc.
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of August 15, 2017 and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 27, 2014, the Company had the ability to borrow $582.4 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $17.6 million associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $108.6 million, $95.5 million of which was unused at December 27, 2014.
	(e)	The Industrial Development Revenue Bonds were issued to finance the construction of a manufacturing facility in Jasper, Tennessee. Variable interest is payable until final maturity on June 1, 2025. The effective interest rates at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were 1.16% and 0.21%, respectively.
	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 27, 2014. The minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following 2014 are: $1,181, $1,357, $1,068, $1,066 and $900.
	The obligations arising under the 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044, the 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054, the 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020, 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.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	Dec. 27, 2014
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	(10) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, non-vested stock awards and bonuses of common stock. At December 27, 2014, 1,234,445 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 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 to six years or on the fifth anniversary of the grant. Expiration of grants is from six to ten years from the date of grant. The Company recorded $4,461, $5,194 and $4,934 of compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) in the 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years, respectively. The associated tax benefits recorded in the 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years was $1,695, $1,974 and $1,875, respectively.
	At December 27, 2014, the amount of unrecognized stock option compensation expense, to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.34 years, was approximately $10,961.
	The Company uses a binomial option pricing model to value its stock options. The fair value of each option grant made in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was estimated using the following assumptions:

			2014			2013			2012
	Expected volatility			32.27	%		33.26	%		33.76	%
	Risk-free interest rate			1.43	%		1.16	%		0.74	%
	Expected life from vesting date			3.0 yrs			3.0 yrs			3.0 yrs
	Dividend yield			0.75	%		0.72	%		0.77	%
	Following is a summary of the activity of the stock plans during 2012, 2013 and 2014:

			Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
			Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Term
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			1,078,713		$	70.88
	Granted			140,007			136.01
	Exercised			(341,090	)		(61.53	)
	Forfeited			(8,638	)		(84.18	)

	Outstanding at December 29, 2012			868,992		$	84.91			4.68		$	43,410


	Options vested or expected to vest at December 29, 2012			845,470		$	84.26			4.64			42,765


	Options exercisable at December 29, 2012			485,786		$	71.06			3.67			30,846


	The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2012 was $38.17.

			Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
			Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Term
	Outstanding at December 29, 2012			868,992		$	84.91
	Granted			155,254			144.86
	Exercised			(216,105	)		(72.17	)
	Forfeited			(12,920	)		(129.08	)

	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			795,221		$	99.29			4.56		$	39,994


	Options vested or expected to vest at December 28, 2013			775,237		$	98.41			4.51			39,678


	Options exercisable at December 28, 2013			464,377		$	81.73			3.58			31,508


	The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2013 was $37.88.

			Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
			Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Term
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			795,221		$	99.29
	Granted			177,717			132.94
	Exercised			(194,627	)		(71.67	)
	Forfeited			(9,716	)		(126.23	)

Outstanding at December 27, 2014			768,595		$	113.72			4.74		$	15,983


Options vested or expected to vest at December 27, 2014			746,974		$	113.06			4.69			15,981


Options exercisable at December 27, 2014			450,539		$	97.29			3.59			15,944


The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2014 was $33.94.
Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 27, 2014:

Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range
Options Outstanding										Options Exercisable
Exercise Price		Number			Weighted Average		Weighted			Number			Weighted
Range					Remaining		Average						Average
					Contractual		Exercise						Exercise
					Life		Price						Price
$24.37 - 40.21			11,400		0.43 years		$	26.32			11,400		$	26.32
$57.46 - 105.44			297,279		2.95 years			80.75			297,094			80.75
$110.26 - 151.45			459,916		6.00 years			137.19			142,045			137.59

			768,595								450,539


In accordance with shareholder-approved plans, the Company grants stock under various stock-based compensation arrangements, including non-vested stock and stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses. Under such arrangements, stock is issued without direct cost to the employee. In addition, the Company grants restricted stock units. The restricted stock units are settled in Company stock when the restriction period ends. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted non-vested stock and restricted stock units to directors and certain management employees as follows (which are not included in the above stock plan activity tables):

		2014			2013			2012
Shares issued			35,885			47,271			27,293
Weighted-average per share price on grant date		$	136.91		$	146.72		$	132.21
Compensation expense		$	3,978		$	3,667		$	2,835
At December 27, 2014 the amount of deferred stock-based compensation granted, to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.76 years, was approximately $8,337.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
EARNINGS PER SHARE	Dec. 27, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE
EARNINGS PER SHARE	(11) EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS):

		Basic EPS		Dilutive		Diluted EPS
				Effect of
				Stock
				Options
	2014:00:00
	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$	183,976	$	—	$	183,976
	Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)		25,719		213		25,932
	Per share amount	$	7.15	$	0.06	$	7.09
	2013:00:00
	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$	278,489	$	—	$	278,489
	Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)		26,641		258		26,899
	Per share amount	$	10.45	$	0.10	$	10.35
	2012:00:00
	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$	234,072	$	—	$	234,072
	Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)		26,471		293		26,764
	Per share amount	$	8.84	$	0.09	$	8.75
	Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share for 2014 included costs associated with refinancing of our long-term debt of $24.2 million after tax ($0.93 per share). Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share for 2013 included a non-cash after-tax loss of $12,011 ($0.45 per share) associated with the deconsolidation of Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (EMD) and a non-cash after-tax loss of $4,569 ($0.17 per share) related to a fixed asset impairment loss recorded by EMD in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	At the end of fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were approximately 449,000, 1,200, and 137,000 options outstanding, respectively, with exercise prices exceeding the market value of common stock that were therefore excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding.

EMPLOYEE_RETIREMENT_SAVINGS_PL

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	Dec. 27, 2014
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	(12) 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 Company contributions to these plans amounted to approximately $12,600, $11,600 and $10,000 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 approximately $36,439 and $27,133 at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Such amounts are included in "Other assets" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" 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 $1,519 and $1,626 at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. All distributions were made in cash.

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

(13) 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 27, 2014 the carrying amount of the Company's long-term debt was $767,835 with an estimated fair value of approximately $813,333. At December 28, 2013 the carrying amount of the Company's long-term debt was $471,109 with an estimated fair value of approximately $517,807.

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 $36,439 ($27,133 in 2013) 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 $9,034 ($13,901 in 2013) is recorded at fair value at December 27, 2014. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market and therefore categorized as a Level 1 input.

Fair Value Measurement Using:

Carrying

Quoted Prices

Significant

Value

in Active

Other

Unobservable

December 27,

Markets for

Observable

Inputs

2014

Identical Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Assets:

Trading Securities

45,473

—

Fair Value Measurement Using:

Carrying

Quoted Prices

Significant

Value

in Active

Other

Unobservable

December 28,

Markets for

Observable

Inputs

2013

Identical Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Assets:

Trading Securities

41,043

—

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	Dec. 27, 2014
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	(14) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The Company manages risk from foreign currency rate risk related to foreign currency denominated transactions and from natural gas supply pricing. From time to time, the Company manages these risks using derivative financial instruments. Most of these derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings. Some derivative financial instruments may be accounted for as a fair value or cash flow hedge. Derivative financial instruments have credit risk and market risk. To manage credit risk, the Company only enters into derivative transactions with counterparties who are recognized, stable multinational banks.
	Natural Gas Prices: Natural gas supplies to meet production requirements of production facilities are purchased at market prices. Natural gas market prices are volatile and the Company effectively fixes prices for a portion of its natural gas usage requirements of certain of its U.S. facilities through the use of swaps. These contracts reference physical natural gas prices or appropriate NYMEX futures contract prices. While there is a strong correlation between the NYMEX futures contract prices and the Company's delivered cost of natural gas, the use of financial derivatives may not exactly offset the change in the price of physical gas. The contracts are traded in months forward and settlement dates are scheduled to coincide with gas purchases during that future period.
	Annual consolidated purchase requirements for North America are approximately 1,079,000 MMBtu. At December 27, 2014 there were open swaps totaling 80,000 MMBtu with a total unrealized loss of $53, which was recorded in the Company's consolidated statement of earnings for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014. At December 28, 2013 there were open swaps totaling 120,000 MMBtu with a total unrealized gain of $73, which was recorded in the Company's consolidated statement of earnings for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013.
	Interest Rate Fluctuations: On September 22, 2014, the Company issued and sold $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.00% Senior Notes due 2044 (the "2044 Notes") and $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.25% Senior Notes due 2054 (the "2054 Notes"). During the third quarter of 2014, the Company executed a contract to lock in the treasury rate related to the issuance of the 2044 Notes and a second contract to lock in the base interest rate on the issuance of the 2054 Notes. These contracts, each for a notional amount of $125,000, were executed to hedge the risk of potential fluctuations in the treasury rates which would change the amount of net proceeds received from the debt offering. As the benchmark rate component of the fixed rate debt issuance and the cash flow hedged risk is based on that same benchmark, this was deemed an effective hedge at inception. On September 10, 2014, these contracts were settled with the Company receiving approximately $4,837 from the counterparties which was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the term of the debt.
	In June 2011, the Company executed a contract for a notional amount of $130,000 to hedge the risk of potential fluctuations in the treasury rates which would change the amount of net proceeds received from the offering of $150 million of the Company's 6.625% Senior notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes") . In conjunction with the repurchase through a partial tender offer of $199,800 of the 2020 Notes during September 2014, the Company recognized $983 of expense, which is a proportionate amount of the unrealized loss on cash flow hedge with respect to the 2020 Notes recorded within other comprehensive income at the time of partial tender. This $983 is included in the costs associated with refinancing of debt in the consolidated statement of earnings for 2014.
	Foreign Currency Fluctuations: The Company operates in a number of different foreign countries and may enter into business transactions that are in currencies that are different from a given operation's functional currency. In certain cases, the Company may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to manage a portion of the foreign exchange risk associated with either a receivable or payable denominated in a foreign currency, a forecasted transaction or a series of forecasted transactions denominated in a foreign currency.
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had a number of open foreign currency forward contracts, including some related to a large sales contract that will be settled in Canadian dollars. The purpose of the contracts are to reduce the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the profitability of the related contract and are generally accounted for as a cash flow hedge if hedge accounting is utilized. The large Canadian contract is accounted for as a cash flow hedge and has a notional amount to sell Canadian dollars of $14,757, which will be settled by September 2015. Total unrealized gains on the forward contracts related to the Canadian contract at the end of fiscal 2014 was $424, and $242 is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. At December 28, 2013, the Company had open foreign currency forward contracts related to a large sales contract that was settled in Canadian dollars and was accounted for as a fair value hedge. The notional amount of the open forward contracts at the end of 2013 was $28,032, with unrealized gains of $475 that were recorded in other expense in the consolidated statements of earnings. The forward contracts were settled by March 2014.

GUARANTEES

GUARANTEES	12 Months Ended
GUARANTEES	Dec. 27, 2014
GUARANTEES
GUARANTEES	(15) 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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, were as follows:

		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	20,711		$	15,333
	Payments made		(13,900	)		(9,033	)
	Change in liability for warranties issued during the period		13,130			15,193
	Change in liability for pre-existing warranties		(181	)		(782	)

	Balance, end of period	$	19,760		$	20,711

DEFINED_BENEFIT_RETIREMENT_PLA

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	12 Months Ended
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	Dec. 27, 2014
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	(16) 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 27, 2014.
	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 $1.6469/£ and $1.5557/£ to translate the net pension liability into U.S. dollars at December 28, 2013 and December 27, 2014, respectively.
	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. The underfunded ABO represents the difference between the PBO and the fair value of plan assets. Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 29, 2012 to December 28, 2013 were as follows:

			Projected			Plan			Funded
			Benefit			Assets			status
			Obligation
	Fair Value at December 29, 2012		$	597,767		$	485,724		$	(112,043	)
	Employer contributions			—			17,619
	Interest cost			26,431			—
	Actual return on plan assets			—			7,676
	Settlements			(12,981	)		(12,981	)
	Benefits paid			(11,573	)		(11,573	)
	Actuarial loss			37,235			—
	Currency translation			14,978			10,995

	Fair Value at December 28, 2013		$	651,857		$	497,460		$	(154,397	)


	Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 28, 2013 to December 27, 2014 were as follows:

			Projected			Plan			Funded
			Benefit			Assets			status
			Obligation
	Fair Value at December 28, 2013		$	651,857		$	497,460		$	(154,397	)
	Employer contributions			—			18,173
	Interest cost			28,667			—
	Actual return on plan assets			—			72,820
	Benefits paid			(14,498	)		(14,498	)
	Actuarial loss			66,889			—
	Currency translation			(40,632	)		(31,796	)

	Fair Value at December 27, 2014		$	692,283		$	542,159		$	(150,124	)


	Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of actuarial gains (losses):

	Balance December 29, 2012		$	12,617
	Actuarial loss			(49,421	)
	Currency translation loss			(2,004	)

	Balance December 28, 2013			(38,808	)
	Actuarial loss			(18,980	)
	Currency translation gain			1,835

	Balance December 27, 2014		$	(55,953	)


	The estimated amount to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2015 is $0.
	Assumptions—The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were as follows:

	Percentages		2014			2013
	Discount rate			3.65	%		4.45	%
	Salary increase			N/A			N/A
	CPI inflation			2.10	%		2.70	%
	RPI inflation			3.20	%		3.60	%
	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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were as follows:

			2014			2013
	Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Interest cost			28,667			26,431
Expected return on plan assets			(26,029	)		(19,862	)

Net periodic benefit expense		$	2,638		$	6,569


Assumptions—The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense are as follows for fiscal 2014 and 2013:

Percentages		2014			2013
Discount rate			4.45	%		4.60	%
Expected return on plan assets			5.50	%		4.20	%
RPI Inflation			3.60	%		3.20	%
CPI Inflation			2.70	%		2.70	%
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. 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 2013 regarding annual funding for the Plan. The annual contributions into the Plan are $15,557 (/£10,000) per annum as part of the Plan's recovery plan, along with a contribution to cover the administrative costs of the Plan of approximately $1,711 (/£1,100) per annum.
Benefit Payments
The following table details expected pension benefit payments for the years 2015 through 2024:

2015		$	14,000
2016			14,500
2017			14,935
2018			15,400
2019			15,870
Years 2020 - 2024			86,341
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 27, 2014.
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.
Index-linked gilts—Index-linked gilts are U.K. government-backed securities consisting of bills, notes, bonds, and other fixed income securities issued directly by the U.K. Treasury or by government-sponsored enterprises.
Corporate Bonds—Corporate bonds and debentures consist of fixed income securities issued by U.K. corporations.
Corporate Stock—This investment category consists of common and preferred stock, including mutual funds, issued by U.K. and non-U.K. corporations.
Diversified growth funds—This investment category consists of diversified investment funds, whose holdings include common stock, fixed income funds, properties and commodities of U.K. and non-U.K. securities.
These assets are pooled investment funds whereby the underlying investments can be valued using quoted market prices. As the fair values of the pooled investment funds themselves are not publicly quoted, they are classified as Level 2 investments.
At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

December 27, 2014		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
		Active Markets			Observable			Unobservable
		for Identical			Inputs			Inputs
		Inputs (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Plan net assets:
Temporary cash investments		$	—		$	12,320		$	—		$	12,320
Index-linked gilts			—			135,229			—			135,229
Corporate bonds			—			107,880			—			107,880
Corporate stock			—			176,010			—			176,010
Diversified growth funds			—			110,720			—			110,720

Total plan net assets at fair value		$	—		$	542,159		$	—		$	542,159




December 28, 2013		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
		Active Markets			Observable			Unobservable
		for Identical			Inputs			Inputs
		Inputs (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Plan net assets:
Temporary cash investments		$	—		$	10,791		$	—		$	10,791
Index-linked gilts			—			112,208			—			112,208
Corporate bonds			—			166,604			—			166,604
Corporate stock			—			141,029			—			141,029
Diversified growth funds			—			66,828			—			66,828

Total plan net assets at fair value		$	—		$	497,460		$	—		$	497,460

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENTS	12 Months Ended
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	Dec. 27, 2014
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	(17) 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 INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered metal structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, offshore, roadway safety and access systems applications;
	UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry;
	COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services on a global basis; and
	IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the global agricultural industry.
	In addition to these four reportable segments, the Company has other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales. These include the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry, tubular products for industrial customers, and the distribution of industrial fasteners and are reported in the "Other" category.
	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.
	In 2013, the Company changed its presentation of certain intersegment utility structure sales to align with management's current reporting structure. Fiscal 2012 reporting was reclassified to conform with the 2013 presentation. Accordingly, fiscal 2012 EIP segment sales (and the associated intersegment sales elimination) for 2012 increased by $49,427. Fiscal 2012 segment sales (after intersegment sales eliminations) and operating income were unchanged from amounts previously reported.
	Summary by Business Segments

			2014			2013			2012
	SALES:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
	Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products		$	648,352		$	660,423		$	637,082
	Communication Products			161,618			139,888			134,711
	Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures			146,432			—			—
	Access Systems			181,495			201,498			159,740

	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment			1,137,897			1,001,809			931,533
	Utility Support Structures segment:
	Steel			714,427			853,459			752,621
	Concrete			110,589			108,579			120,899

	Utility Support Structures segment			825,016			962,038			873,520
	Coatings segment			333,853			357,635			334,552
	Irrigation segment			759,178			882,179			750,641
	Other			231,668			303,595			328,737

	Total			3,287,612			3,507,256			3,218,983
	INTERSEGMENT SALES:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment			75,259			104,306			98,220
	Utility Support Structures segment			2,451			2,343			3,857
	Coatings segment			55,418			56,649			52,478
	Irrigation segment			19			5			49
	Other			31,322			39,742			34,838

	Total			164,469			203,045			189,442
	NET SALES:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment			1,062,638			897,503			833,313
	Utility Support Structures segment			822,565			959,695			869,663
	Coatings segment			278,435			300,986			282,074
	Irrigation segment			759,159			882,174			750,592
	Other			200,346			263,853			293,899

	Total		$	3,123,143		$	3,304,211		$	3,029,541




			2014			2013			2012
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):
	Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	103,296		$	87,647		$	54,013
	Utility Support Structures			95,118			174,740			129,025
	Coatings			60,921			74,917			71,641
	Irrigation			128,145			181,498			143,605
	Other			25,898			30,984			46,575
	Corporate			(55,662	)		(76,717	)		(62,563	)

	Total			357,716			473,069			382,296
	Interest expense, net			(30,744	)		(26,025	)		(23,353	)
	Costs associated with refinancing of debt			(38,705	)		—			—
	Other			(4,084	)		2,373			347

Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries		$	284,183		$	449,417		$	359,290


TOTAL ASSETS:
Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	1,057,090		$	873,757		$	784,659
Utility Support Structures			470,720			524,113			510,943
Coatings			301,707			315,663			334,841
Irrigation			331,962			323,435			287,354
Other			117,300			126,337			202,289
Corporate			450,889			613,189			448,465

Total		$	2,729,668		$	2,776,494		$	2,568,551


CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	14,328		$	15,878		$	20,244
Utility Support Structures			9,014			39,347			41,081
Coatings			14,029			12,206			13,280
Irrigation			15,488			21,416			12,618
Other			9,220			6,270			4,428
Corporate			10,944			11,636			5,423

Total		$	73,023		$	106,753		$	97,074


DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	40,239		$	31,057		$	27,164
Utility Support Structures			17,811			14,375			13,284
Coatings			14,615			14,656			12,015
Irrigation			9,352			6,679			6,209
Other			5,512			7,663			8,168
Corporate			1,799			3,006			3,378

Total		$	89,328		$	77,436		$	70,218


Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities:

		2014			2013			2012
NET SALES:
United States		$	1,808,427		$	2,077,812		$	1,870,703
Australia			439,530			492,698			499,025
China			110,923			97,788			135,398
Denmark			146,432			—			—
Other			617,831			635,913			524,415

Total		$	3,123,143		$	3,304,211		$	3,029,541


LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
United States		$	616,718		$	530,042		$	470,154
Australia			316,382			342,320			321,456
Denmark			111,161			—			—
Other			292,862			306,293			351,001

Total		$	1,337,123		$	1,178,655		$	1,142,611


No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2014, 2013, or 2012. 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. While Australia accounted for approximately 14% of the Company's net sales in 2014, no other foreign country accounted for more than 5% of the Company's net sales.
Operating income by business segment and geographical areas 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.

COMMITMENTS_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	Dec. 27, 2014
COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	(18) COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
	Various 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.

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Dec. 27, 2014
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	(19) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	On September 22, 2014, the Company issued and sold $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.00% senior notes due 2044 and $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.25% senior notes due 2054. On September 22, 2014, the Company repurchased through a partial tender offer $199,800 in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 6.625% senior notes due 2020, and $250,200 of the notes remain outstanding following the conclusion of the tender offer. All of the notes are guaranteed, jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally by certain of the Company's current and future direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries (collectively the "Guarantors"), excluding its other current domestic and foreign subsidiaries which do not guarantee the debt (collectively referred to as the "Non-Guarantors"). All Guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company.
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, a subsidiary of the Company was removed as a guarantor of our revolving credit facility, and consequently was removed as a guarantor of the notes. All prior year consolidated financial information has been recast to reflect the current guarantor structure.
	Consolidated financial information for the Company ("Parent"), the Guarantor subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor subsidiaries is as follows:
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	For the Year ended December 27, 2014

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
			Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Net sales		$	1,392,509		$	496,326		$	1,456,053		$	(221,745	)	$	3,123,143
	Cost of sales			1,040,808			371,639			1,124,813			(222,234	)		2,315,026

	Gross profit			351,701			124,687			331,240			489			808,117
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			196,987			49,171			204,243			—			450,401

	Operating income			154,714			75,516			126,997			489			357,716

	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense			(34,267	)		(5	)		(2,518	)		—			(36,790	)
	Interest income			38			359			5,649			—			6,046
	Costs associated with refinancing of debt			(38,705	)		—			—			—			(38,705	)
	Other			2,021			(511	)		(5,594	)		—			(4,084	)

				(70,913	)		(157	)		(2,463	)		—			(73,533	)

	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			83,801			75,359			124,534			489			284,183

	Income tax expense (benefit):
	Current			30,330			25,277			33,898			138			89,643
	Deferred			(1,474	)		1,866			4,859			—			5,251

				28,856			27,143			38,757			138			94,894

	Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			54,945			48,216			85,777			351			189,289
	Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			129,031			19,509			63			(148,574	)		29

	Net earnings			183,976			67,725			85,840			(148,223	)		189,318
	Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(5,342	)		—			(5,342	)

	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc		$	183,976		$	67,725		$	80,498		$	(148,223	)	$	183,976


	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	For the Year ended December 28, 2013

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
			Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Net sales		$	1,540,266		$	689,230		$	1,402,191		$	(327,476	)	$	3,304,211
	Cost of sales			1,107,020			503,431			1,078,695			(330,163	)		2,358,983

	Gross profit			433,246			185,799			323,496			2,687			945,228
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			209,350			59,368			203,441			—			472,159

	Operating income			223,896			126,431			120,055			2,687			473,069

	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense			(30,801	)		(2	)		(1,699	)		—			(32,502	)
	Interest income			55			1,032			5,390			—			6,477
	Other			4,791			9			(2,427	)		—			2,373

				(25,955	)		1,039			1,264			—			(23,652	)

	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			197,941			127,470			121,319			2,687			449,417

Income tax expense (benefit):
Current			78,912			45,951			42,379			680			167,922
Deferred			(8,948	)		(19	)		(1,174	)		—			(10,141	)

			69,964			45,932			41,205			680			157,781

Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			127,977			81,538			80,114			2,007			291,636
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			150,512			16,417			494			(166,588	)		835
Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiary			—			—			(12,011	)		—			(12,011	)

Net earnings			278,489			97,955			68,597			(164,581	)		280,460
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(1,971	)		—			(1,971	)

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc		$	278,489		$	97,955		$	66,626		$	(164,581	)	$	278,489


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the Year ended December 29, 2012

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
		Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Net sales		$	1,375,238		$	620,338		$	1,331,827		$	(297,862	)	$	3,029,541
Cost of sales			1,008,087			489,560			1,026,037			(296,599	)		2,227,085

Gross profit			367,151			130,778			305,790			(1,263	)		802,456
Selling, general and administrative expenses			178,669			54,305			187,186			—			420,160

Operating income			188,482			76,473			118,604			(1,263	)		382,296

Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(31,121	)		—			(1,845	)		1,341			(31,625	)
Interest income			45			1,533			8,035			(1,341	)		8,272
Other			1,938			55			(1,646	)		—			347

			(29,138	)		1,588			4,544			—			(23,006	)

Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			159,344			78,061			123,148			(1,263	)		359,290

Income tax expense (benefit):
Current			59,648			27,736			36,098			(700	)		122,782
Deferred			(4,721	)		(496	)		8,937			—			3,720

			54,927			27,240			45,035			(700	)		126,502

Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			104,417			50,821			78,113			(563	)		232,788
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			129,655			37,925			5,150			(166,602	)		6,128

Net earnings			234,072			88,746			83,263			(167,165	)		238,916
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(4,844	)		—			(4,844	)

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc		$	234,072		$	88,746		$	78,419		$	(167,165	)	$	234,072


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year ended December 27, 2014

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Net earnings		$	183,976		$	67,725		$	85,840		$	(148,223	)	$	189,318

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			—			(51,536	)		(30,739	)					(82,275	)

			—			(51,536	)		(30,739	)		—			(82,275	)

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Loss arising during the period			983												983
Loss arising during the period			983			—			—			—			983
Gain on cash flow hedges			4,837			—			—			—			4,837
Amortization cost included in interest expense			594												594

			6,414			—			—			—			6,414

Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability			—						(13,709	)					(13,709	)
Equity in other comprehensive income			(93,162	)								93,162			—

Other comprehensive income (loss)			(86,748	)		(51,536	)		(44,448	)		93,162			(89,570	)

Comprehensive income			97,228			16,189			41,392			(55,061	)		99,748
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(2,520	)					(2,520	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		$	97,228		$	16,189		$	$		$	(55,061	)	$	97,228
		$	97,228		$	16,189		$	38,872		$	(55,061	)	$	97,228


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year ended December 28, 2013

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Net earnings		$	278,489		$	97,955		$	68,597		$	(164,581	)	$	280,460

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			—			(4,772	)		(66,926	)		—			(71,698	)
Realized loss on sale of investment in foreign entity included in other expense			—			—			5,194			—			5,194
Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary									8,559						8,559

			—			(4,772	)		(53,173	)		—			(57,945	)

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Amortization cost included in interest expense			400			—			—			—			400

			400			—			—			—			400

Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability			—			—			(41,282	)		—			(41,282	)
Equity in other comprehensive income			(106,430	)		—			—			106,430			—

Other comprehensive income (loss)			(106,030	)		(4,772	)		(94,455	)		106,430			(98,827	)

Comprehensive income			172,459			93,183			(25,858	)		(58,151	)		181,633
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(9,174	)		—			(9,174	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		$	172,459		$	93,183		$	(35,032	)	$	(58,151	)	$	172,459


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year ended December 29, 2012

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Net earnings		$	234,072		$	88,746		$	83,263		$	(167,165	)	$	238,916

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			—			884			14,857			—			15,741

			—			884			14,857			—			15,741

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Amortization cost included in interest expense			400												400
Amortization cost included in interest expense			400			—			—			—			400

			400			—			—			—			400

Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability			—			—			(35,020	)		—			(35,020	)
Equity in other comprehensive income			(20,514	)		—			—			20,514			—

Other comprehensive income (loss)			(20,114	)		884			(20,163	)		20,514			(18,879	)

Comprehensive income			213,958			89,630			63,100			(146,651	)		220,037
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(6,079	)		—			(6,079	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		$	213,958		$	89,630		$	57,021		$	(146,651	)	$	213,958


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
For the Year ended December 27, 2014

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
		Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	69,869		$	2,157		$	299,553		$	—		$	371,579
Receivables, net			158,316			68,414			310,188			—			536,918
Inventories			127,859			54,914			177,512			(763	)		359,522
Prepaid expenses			7,087			502			49,323			—			56,912
Refundable and deferred income taxes			53,307			6,194			8,509			—			68,010

Total current assets			416,438			132,181			845,085			(763	)		1,392,941

Property, plant and equipment, at cost			556,658			124,182			458,729			—			1,139,569
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			319,899			65,493			147,724			—			533,116

Net property, plant and equipment			236,759			58,689			311,005			—			606,453

Goodwill			20,108			107,542			257,461						385,111
Other intangible assets			292			43,644			158,068						202,004
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts			1,446,989			825,236			887,055			(3,159,280	)		—
Other assets			46,587			—			96,572						143,159

Total assets		$	2,167,173		$	1,167,292		$	2,555,246		$	(3,160,043	)	$	2,729,668


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt		$	213		$	—		$	968		$	—		$	1,181
Notes payable to banks			—			—			13,952			—			13,952
Accounts payable			59,893			15,151			121,521						196,565
Accrued employee compensation and benefits			48,169			5,385			34,396			—			87,950
Accrued expenses			32,616			6,052			49,812			—			88,480
Dividends payable			9,086			—			—			—			9,086

Total current liabilities			149,977			26,588			220,649			—			397,214

Deferred income taxes			5,584			28,988			37,225			—			71,797
Long-term debt, excluding current installments			759,895			—			6,759			—			766,654
Defined benefit pension liability			—			—			150,124			—			150,124
Deferred compensation			41,803			—			6,129						47,932
Other noncurrent liabilities			8,081			—			37,461			—			45,542
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value			27,900			457,950			648,682			(1,106,633	)		27,900
Additional paid-in capital			—			150,286			1,098,408			(1,248,694	)		—
Retained earnings			1,718,662			552,676			397,302			(949,978	)		1,718,662
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(134,433	)		(49,196	)		(96,065	)		145,261			(134,433	)
Treasury stock			(410,296	)		—			—			—			(410,296	)

Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity			1,201,833			1,111,716			2,048,327			(3,160,043	)		1,201,833

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries									48,572						48,572

Total shareholders' equity			1,201,833			1,111,716			2,096,899			(3,160,043	)		1,250,405

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,167,173		$	1,167,292		$	2,555,246		$	(3,160,043	)	$	2,729,668


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
For the Year ended December 28, 2013

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
		Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	215,576		$	29,797		$	368,333		$	—		$	613,706
Receivables, net			139,179			108,600			267,661			—			515,440
Inventories			132,953			70,231			176,816			—			380,000
Prepaid expenses			4,735			932			17,330			—			22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes			41,167			8,351			16,179			—			65,697

Total current assets			533,610			217,911			846,319			—			1,597,840

Property, plant and equipment, at cost			522,734			125,764			368,628			—			1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			300,066			61,520			121,330			—			482,916

Net property, plant and equipment			222,668			64,244			247,298			—			534,210

Goodwill			20,108			107,542			221,982			—			349,632
Other intangible assets			346			48,461			122,110			—			170,917
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts			1,417,425			791,450			827,508			(3,036,388	)		—
Other assets			30,759			—			112,513			(19,377	)		123,895

Total assets		$	2,224,916		$	1,229,608		$	2,377,730		$	(3,055,760	)	$	2,776,494


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt		$	188		$	—		$	14		$	—		$	202
Notes payable to banks			—			—			19,024			—			19,024
Accounts payable			62,153			20,365			133,603			—			216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits			76,370			13,713			32,884			—			122,967
Accrued expenses			28,362			7,315			35,883			—			71,560
Income Taxes Payable			—			19,377			—			(19,377	)		—
Dividends payable			6,706			—			—			—			6,706

Total current liabilities			173,779			60,770			221,408			(19,377	)		436,580

Deferred income taxes			18,983			29,310			30,631			—			78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments			470,175			—			732			—			470,907
Defined benefit pension liability			—			—			154,397			—			154,397
Deferred compensation			32,339			—			6,770			—			39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities			7,615			—			44,116			—			51,731
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value			27,900			457,950			648,682			(1,106,632	)		27,900
Additional paid-in capital			—			150,286			891,236			(1,041,522	)		—
Retained earnings			1,562,670			528,952			472,162			(1,001,114	)		1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(47,685	)		2,340			(115,225	)		112,885			(47,685	)
Treasury stock			(20,860	)		—			—			—			(20,860	)

Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity			1,522,025			1,139,528			1,896,855			(3,036,383	)		1,522,025

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries			—			—			22,821			—			22,821

Total shareholders' equity			1,522,025			1,139,528			1,919,676			(3,036,383	)		1,544,846

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,224,916		$	1,229,608		$	2,377,730		$	(3,055,760	)	$	2,776,494


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 27, 2014

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$	183,976		$	67,725		$	85,840		$	(148,223	)	$	189,318
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			24,509			12,926			51,893			—			89,328
Loss on investment			—			—			3,795			—			3,795
Non-cash debt refinancing costs			(2,478	)		—			—			—			(2,478	)
Stock-based compensation			6,730			—			—			—			6,730
Defined benefit pension plan expense			—			—			2,638			—			2,638
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			—			—			(18,173	)		—			(18,173	)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			—			—			(4,300	)		—			(4,300	)
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			145			143			104			—			392
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries			(129,031	)		(19,509	)		(63	)		148,574			(29	)
Deferred income taxes			(1,474	)		1,866			4,859			—			5,251
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables			(19,136	)		40,186			(20,143	)		—			907
Inventories			5,094			15,317			1,047			—			21,458
Prepaid expenses			(2,352	)		429			(11,671	)		—			(13,594	)
Accounts payable			(2,260	)		(5,212	)		(26,849	)		—			(34,321	)
Accrued expenses			(21,448	)		(9,590	)		(3,740	)		—			(34,778	)
Other noncurrent liabilities			622			—			1,133			—			1,755
Income taxes payable			(24,945	)		(19,417	)		4,559			—			(39,803	)

Net cash flows from operating activities			17,952			84,864			70,929			351			174,096

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(41,260	)		(2,823	)		(28,940	)		—			(73,023	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			—			(185,710	)		—			(185,710	)
Proceeds from sale of assets			43			126			2,320			—			2,489
Other, net			34,735			(73,799	)		38,796			(351	)		(619	)

Net cash flows from investing activities			(6,482	)		(76,496	)		(173,534	)		(351	)		(256,863	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			—			—			(4,472	)		—			(4,472	)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			652,540			—			(329	)		—			652,211
Principal payments on long-term obligations			(356,994	)		—			(864	)		—			(357,858	)
Settlement of financial derivative			4,981			—			—			—			4,981
Dividends paid			(32,443	)		—			—			—			(32,443	)
Intercompany dividends			116,995			(36,600	)		(80,395	)		—			—
Intercompany interest on long-term note			—			648			(648	)		—			—
Intercompany capital contribution			(143,000	)		—			143,000			—			—
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			—			—			(2,919	)		—			(2,919	)
Debt issuance fees			(7,644	)		—			—			—			(7,644	)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			14,572			—			—			—			14,572
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			4,264			—			—			—			4,264
Purchase of treasury shares			(395,045	)		—			—			—			(395,045	)
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(15,403	)		—			—			—			(15,403	)

Net cash flows from financing activities			(157,177	)		(35,952	)		53,373			—			(139,756	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			(56	)		(19,548	)		—			(19,604	)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(145,707	)		(27,640	)		(68,780	)		—			(242,127	)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			215,576			29,797			368,333			—			613,706

Cash and cash equivalents—end of year		$	69,869		$	2,157		$	299,553		$	—		$	371,579


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 28, 2013

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$	278,489		$	97,955		$	68,597		$	(164,581	)	$	280,460
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			21,270			12,862			43,304			—			77,436
Deconsolidation of subsidiary			—			—			12,011			—			12,011
Impairment of property, plant and equipment			—			—			12,161			—			12,161
Stock-based compensation			6,513			—			—			—			6,513
Defined benefit pension plan expense			—			—			6,569			—			6,569
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			—			—			(17,619	)		—			(17,619	)
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			885			42			(5,245	)		—			(4,318	)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries			(150,512	)		(16,417	)		(494	)		166,588			(835	)
Deferred income taxes			(8,948	)		(19	)		(1,174	)		—			(10,141	)
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):															—
Receivables			6,181			(22,259	)		3,370			—			(12,708	)
Inventories			12,966			1,757			(1,292	)		—			13,431
Prepaid expenses			2,417			98			1,600			—			4,115
Accounts payable			(10,458	)		(1,643	)		24,549			—			12,448
Accrued expenses			19,191			5,824			(3,317	)		—			21,698
Other noncurrent liabilities			3,201			—			(4,675	)		—			(1,474	)
Income taxes payable			(5,908	)		(3,251	)		5,029			825			(3,305	)

Net cash flows from operating activities			175,287			74,949			143,374			2,832			396,442

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(76,582	)		(4,439	)		(25,732	)		—			(106,753	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			—			(63,152	)		—			(63,152	)
Proceeds from sale of assets			794			35			36,753			—			37,582
Other, net			86,258			(83,327	)		503			(2,832	)		602

Net cash flows from investing activities			10,470			(87,731	)		(51,628	)		(2,832	)		(131,721	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			—			—			5,510			—			5,510
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			—			—			274			—			274
Principal payments on long-term obligations			(187	)		—			(404	)		—			(591	)
Cash decrease due to deconsolidation of subsidiary			—			—			(11,615	)		—			(11,615	)
Dividends paid			(25,414	)		—			—			—			(25,414	)
Intercompany dividends			8,947			20,133			(29,080	)		—			—
Intercompany interest on long-term note			—			1,229			(1,229	)		—			—
Intercompany principal payment on long-term note			—			22,430			(22,430	)		—			—
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			—			—			(1,767	)		—			(1,767	)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			—			—			(9,324	)		—			(9,324	)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			16,348			—			—			—			16,348
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			5,306			—			—			—			5,306
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(16,107	)		—			—			—			(16,107	)

Net cash flows from financing activities			(11,107	)		43,792			(70,065	)		—			(37,380	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			(7,927	)		(19,837	)		—			(27,764	)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents			174,650			23,083			1,844			—			199,577
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			40,926			6,714			366,489			—			414,129

Cash and cash equivalents—end of year		$	215,576		$	29,797		$	368,333		$	—		$	613,706


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 29, 2012

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash flows from operations:
Net earnings		$	234,072		$	88,746		$	83,263		$	(167,165	)	$	238,916
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			19,121			12,923			38,174			—			70,218
Stock-based compensation			5,829			—			—			—			5,829
Defined benefit pension plan expense			—			—			4,281			—			4,281
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			—			—			(11,591	)		—			(11,591	)
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			89			(17	)		249			—			321
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries			(129,655	)		(37,925	)		(5,150	)		166,602			(6,128	)
Deferred income taxes			(4,721	)		(496	)		8,937			—			3,720
Other			—			—			—			—			—
Changes in assets and liabilities, before acquisitions:
Receivables			(21,751	)		(32,833	)		(30,306	)		—			(84,890	)
Inventories			(20,756	)		5,850			1,293			—			(13,613	)
Prepaid expenses			(3,705	)		(20	)		4,968			—			1,243
Accounts payable			4,446			578			(11,273	)		—			(6,249	)
Accrued expenses			20,339			945			(644	)		—			20,640
Other noncurrent liabilities			123			—			(4,473	)		—			(4,350	)
Income taxes payable (refundable)			(18,979	)		350			(1,921	)		(700	)		(21,250	)

Net cash flows from operations			84,452			38,101			75,807			(1,263	)		197,097

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(43,590	)		(22,197	)		(31,287	)		—			(97,074	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			—			(45,687	)		—			(45,687	)
Proceeds from sale of assets			113			39			5,873			—			6,025
Other, net			(10,192	)		(18,397	)		27,370			1,263			44

Net cash flows from investing activities			(53,669	)		(40,555	)		(43,731	)		1,263			(136,692	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			—			—			1,828			—			1,828
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			39,000			—			126			—			39,126
Principal payments on long-term obligations			(39,197	)		—			(367	)		—			(39,564	)
Dividends paid			(21,520	)		—			—			—			(21,520	)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			—			—			(1,944	)		—			(1,944	)
Proceeds from sale of partial ownership interest			—			—			1,404			—			1,404
Debt issuance fees			(1,747	)		—			—			—			(1,747	)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			21,827			—			—			—			21,827
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			5,494			—			—			—			5,494
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(21,259	)		—			—			—			(21,259	)

Net cash flows from financing activities			(17,402	)		—			1,047			—			(16,355	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			2,285			4,900			—			7,185

Net change in cash and cash equivalents			13,381			(169	)		38,023			—			51,235
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			27,545			6,883			328,466			—			362,894

Cash and cash equivalents—end of year		$	40,926		$	6,714		$	366,489		$	—		$	414,129

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_DATA_Unaud

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	Dec. 27, 2014
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	(20) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)



							Net Earnings
									Per Share				Stock Price
					Gross				Per Share				Stock Price				Dividends
			Net Sales		Profit		Amount		Basic		Diluted		High		Low		Declared
	2014
	First		$	751,740	$	206,982	$	55,980	$	2.10	$	2.08	$	155.64	$	141.74	$	0.250
	Second			842,599		220,477		63,976		2.40		2.38		163.23		143.02		0.375
	Third(1)			765,668		199,500		23,559		0.93		0.92		155.62		131.68		0.375
	Fourth			763,136		181,158		40,461		1.67		1.66		139.31		123.44		0.375

	Year		$	3,123,143	$	808,117	$	183,976	$	7.15	$	7.09	$	163.23	$	123.44	$	1.375


	2013
	First		$	819,630	$	235,369	$	77,569	$	2.92	$	2.89	$	164.93	$	133.40	$	0.225
	Second			878,659		261,471		89,563		3.36		3.33		157.99		132.16		0.250
	Third			778,032		225,564		56,489		2.12		2.10		153.16		133.38		0.250
	Fourth(2)			827,890		222,824		54,868		2.06		2.04		150.58		129.00		0.250

	Year		$	3,304,211	$	945,228	$	278,489	$	10.45	$	10.35	$	164.93	$	129.00	$	0.975


	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 third quarter of 2014 included costs associated with refinancing of our long-term debt of $24.2 million after tax ($0.95 per share) and a non-cash fair market value adjustment for Delta EMD shares of $1.4 million after tax ($.05 per share).
	-2	The fourth quarter of 2013 included a non-cash after-tax loss of $12,011 ($.45 per share) associated with the deconsolidation of Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. and an after-tax loss of $4,569 ($0.17 per share) related to a fixed asset impairment loss.

Schedule_IIValuation_and_Quali

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Dec. 27, 2014
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	(Dollars in thousands)

			Balance at		Charged to			Deductions			Balance at
			beginning of		profit and			from			close of
			period		loss			reserves*			period
	Fifty-two weeks ended December 27, 2014
	Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies—
	Allowance for doubtful receivables		$	10,369		1,780			(2,227	)	$	9,922
	Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation			107,767		(3,280	)		—			104,487
	Fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013
	Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies—
	Allowance for doubtful receivables		$	7,898		4,674			(2,203	)	$	10,369
	Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation			120,979		(13,212	)		—			107,767
	Fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2012
	Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies—
	Allowance for doubtful receivables		$	7,555		1,336			(993	)	$	7,898
	Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation			123,522		(2,543	)		—			120,979


	*	The deductions from reserves are net of recoveries.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

Cash overdrafts

Segments

UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry;

COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services on a global basis; and

IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the global agricultural industry.

Fiscal Year

Accounts Receivable

Inventories

Long-Lived Assets

Income Taxes

Warranties

Pension Benefits

Derivative Instrument

Comprehensive Income

Foreign

Unrealized

Defined

Accumulated

Currency

Gain (Loss) on

Benefit

Other

Translation

Cash Flow

Pension Plan

Comprehensive

Adjustments

Hedge

Income

Balance at December 28, 2013

(20,165

)

(2,535

)

(24,985

)

(47,685

)

Current-period comprehensive income (loss)

(79,453

)

6,414

(13,709

)

(86,748

)

Balance at December 27, 2014

(99,618

)

3,879

(38,694

)

(134,433

)

Revenue Recognition

Use of Estimates

Equity Method Investments

Treasury Stock

Research and Development

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
		Foreign			Unrealized			Defined			Accumulated
		Currency			Gain (Loss) on			Benefit			Other
		Translation			Cash Flow			Pension Plan			Comprehensive
		Adjustments			Hedge						Income
	Balance at December 28, 2013	$	(20,165	)	$	(2,535	)	$	(24,985	)	$	(47,685	)
	Current-period comprehensive income (loss)		(79,453	)		6,414			(13,709	)		(86,748	)

	Balance at December 27, 2014	$	(99,618	)	$	3,879		$	(38,694	)	$	(134,433	)

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DECONSOLIDATI1

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
Pro forma results of operations
		Fifty-two weeks		Fifty-two weeks
		Ended		Ended
		December 27,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Net sales	$	3,201,947	$	3,556,988
	Net earnings		189,391		293,340
	Earnings per share—diluted	$	7.30	$	10.91


Valmont SM
Summary of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
		At March 3,
		2014
	Current assets	$	73,421
	Property, plant and equipment		85,638
	Intangible assets		30,340
	Goodwill		16,803

	Total fair value of assets acquired	$	206,202

	Current liabilities		47,754
	Deferred income taxes		19,715
	Intercompany note payable		37,448
	Long-term debt		8,941

	Total fair value of liabilities assumed		113,858
	Non-controlling interests		9,309

	Net assets acquired	$	83,035



Summary of the major classes of acquired intangible assets and the respective weighted average amortization periods
		Amount		Weighted
				Average
				Amortization
				Period
				(Years)
	Trade Names	$	11,470	Indefinite
	Backlog		3,145	1.5
	Customer Relationships		15,725	12.0

	Total Intangible Assets	$	30,340



Shakespeare
Summary of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
		At October 6,
		2014
	Current assets	$	12,532
	Property, plant and equipment		10,694
	Intangible assets		13,500
	Goodwill		15,416

	Total fair value of assets acquired	$	52,142

	Current liabilities		3,870

	Net assets acquired	$	48,272



Summary of the major classes of acquired intangible assets and the respective weighted average amortization periods
		Amount		Weighted
				Average
				Amortization
				Period
				(Years)
	Trade Names	$	4,000	Indefinite
	Customer Relationships		9,500	15.0

	Total Intangible Assets	$	13,500

CASH_FLOW_SUPPLEMENTARY_INFORM1

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds)
		2014		2013		2012
	Interest	$	32,601	$	32,655	$	31,276
	Income taxes		111,174		167,146		137,121

INVENTORIES_Tables

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
INVENTORIES (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
INVENTORIES
Components of inventories
		2014		2013
	Raw materials and purchased parts	$	179,093	$	179,576
	Work-in-process		27,835		27,294
	Finished goods and manufactured goods		199,772		218,334

	Subtotal		406,700		425,204
	Less: LIFO reserve		47,178		45,204

		$	359,522	$	380,000

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Schedule of property, plant and equipment, at cost
		2014		2013
	Land and improvements	$	82,372	$	71,726
	Buildings and improvements		327,863		265,112
	Machinery and equipment		593,387		520,262
	Transportation equipment		35,205		37,213
	Office furniture and equipment		76,589		73,200
	Construction in progress		24,153		49,613

		$	1,139,569	$	1,017,126



Schedule of minimum lease payments under operating leases
	Fiscal year ending
	2015	$	24,525
	2016		19,694
	2017		16,166
	2018		12,171
	2019		9,096
	Subsequent		35,042

	Total minimum lease payments	$	116,694

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Components of amortized intangible assets
		As of December 27, 2014
		Gross			Accumulated			Weighted
		Carrying			Amortization			Average
		Amount						Life
	Customer Relationships	$	207,509		$	88,538		13 years
	Proprietary Software & Database		3,769			2,977		8 years
	Patents & Proprietary Technology		12,394			8,537		8 years
	Non-compete Agreements		4,355			2,998		3 years

		$	228,027		$	103,050




		As of December 28, 2013
		Gross			Accumulated			Weighted
		Carrying			Amortization			Average
		Amount						Life
	Customer Relationships	$	177,495		$	76,024		13 years
	Proprietary Software & Database		3,896			2,896		6 years
	Patents & Proprietary Technology		11,334			7,239		8 years
	Non-compete Agreements		1,620			1,438		6 years

		$	194,345		$	87,597




Schedule of future estimated amortization expense
		Estimated
		Amortization
		Expense
	2015	$	18,176
	2016		16,406
	2017		16,364
	2018		14,703
	2019		13,871


Non-amortized intangible assets
		December 27,			December 28,			Year
		2014			2013			Acquired
	Webforge	$	16,801		$	17,787		2010
	Valmont SM		10,818			—		2014
	Newmark		11,111			11,111		2004
	Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products		8,867			9,387		2010
	Donhad		6,689			7,082		2010
	Shakespeare		4,000			—		2014
	Industrial Galvanizers		3,889			4,117		2010
	Other		14,852			14,685

		$	77,027		$	64,169




Carrying amount of goodwill
		Engineered			Utility			Coatings			Irrigation			Other			Total
		Infrastructure			Support			Segment			Segment
		Products			Structures
		Segment			Segment
	Balance at December 28, 2013	$	175,442		$	75,404		$	77,062		$	2,420		$	19,304		$	349,632
	Acquisition		32,219			—			—			17,193			—			49,562
	Foreign currency translation		(10,587	)		—			(2,200	)		(77	)		(1,069	)		(14,083	)

	Balance at December 27, 2014	$	197,074		$	75,404		$	74,862		$	19,536		$	18,235		$	385,111




		Engineered			Utility			Coatings			Irrigation			Other			Total
		Infrastructure			Support			Segment			Segment
		Products			Structures
		Segment			Segment
	Balance at December 29, 2012	$	155,185		$	77,141		$	77,053		$	2,517		$	18,895		$	330,791
	Acquisition		21,189			—			—			—			—			21,189
	Foreign currency translation		(2,669	)		—			9			(97	)		409			(2,348	)
	Other		1,737			(1,737	)		—			—			—			—

	Balance at December 28, 2013	$	175,442		$	75,404		$	77,062		$	2,420		$	19,304		$	349,632

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
INCOME TAXES
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	168,975		$	338,163		$	248,840
	Foreign		115,208			111,254			110,450

		$	284,183		$	449,417		$	359,290




Schedule of income tax expense (benefit)
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	52,588		$	110,847		$	81,000
	State		5,059			16,398			10,342
	Foreign		32,443			39,285			32,294

			90,090			166,530			123,636

	Non-current:		(447	)		1,392			(854	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		447			(8,661	)		(3,824	)
	State		1,376			(307	)		(660	)
	Foreign		3,428			(1,173	)		8,204

			5,251			(10,141	)		3,720

		$	94,894		$	157,781		$	126,502




Schedule of reconciliation of statutory federal income tax rate and effective tax rate
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1.8			2.4			1.7
	Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances		(0.4	)		0.9			1.8
	Foreign tax rate differences		(4.4	)		(2.4	)		(2.5	)
	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits		(0.2	)		0.3			(0.2	)
	Domestic production activities deduction		(1.6	)		(2.1	)		(2.3	)
	Other		3.2			1			1.7

			33.4	%		35.1	%		35.2	%




Schedule of tax effects of significant items comprising net deferred income tax liabilities
		2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Accrued expenses and allowances	$	17,446		$	17,038
	Accrued insurance		882			1,508
	Tax credits and loss carryforwards		148,484			146,473
	Defined benefit pension liability		30,025			30,879
	Inventory allowances		4,804			3,938
	Accrued warranty		6,920			6,552
	Deferred compensation		40,348			51,413

	Gross deferred income tax assets		248,909			257,801
	Valuation allowance		(104,487	)		(107,767	)

	Net deferred income tax assets		144,422			150,034

	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Work in progress		5,352			—
	Property, plant and equipment		43,084			36,657
	Intangible assets		60,316			57,787
	Other liabilities		6,738			7,206

	Total deferred income tax liabilities		115,490			101,650

	Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)	$	28,932		$	48,384




Schedule of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Balance Sheet Caption	2014			2013
	Refundable and deferred income taxes	$	30,239		$	57,344
	Other assets		70,490			69,964
	Deferred income taxes		(71,797	)		(78,924	)

	Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)	$	28,932		$	48,384




Schedule of activity related to unrecognized tax benefits	The following summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits in 2014 and 2013, in thousands:

		2014			2013
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year	$	4,727		$	3,370
	Gross increases—tax positions in prior period		—			1,464
	Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period		(456	)		—
	Gross increases—current-period tax positions		610			1,336
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(613	)		(1,443	)

	Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year	$	4,268		$	4,727

LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt
			December 27,			December 28,
			2014			2013
	5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a)		$	250,000		$	—
	5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b)			250,000			—
	Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes(a and b)			(4,449	)		—
	6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020(c)			250,200			450,000
	Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes(c)			5,429			11,241
	Revolving credit agreement(d)			—			—
	IDR Bonds(e)			8,500			8,500
	Other notes			8,155			1,368

	Long-term debt			767,835			471,109
	Less current installments of long-term debt			1,181			202

	Long-term debt, excluding current installments		$	766,654		$	470,907




	(a)		The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principle amount of $250,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $1,155 at December 27, 2014. 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 principle amount of $250,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $3,294 at December 27, 2014. 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 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020, following a partial tender offer in September 2014, include a remaining aggregate principal amount of $250,200 on which interest is paid and an unamortized premium balance of $5,429 at December 27, 2014. The notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum and are due on April 1, 2020. In September 2014, the Company repurchased by partial tender $199,800 in aggregate principal amount of these notes and incurred cash prepayment expenses of approximately $41,200. In addition, $4,439 of the unamortized premium was recognized as income which is the proportionate amount of debt that was repaid. The remaining premium will be amortized against 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 accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
	(d)		On October 17, 2014, the Company entered into a First Amendment to our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, dated as of August 15, 2012, which increased the committed unsecured revolving credit facility from $400 million to $600 million and extended the maturity date from August 15, 2017 to October 17, 2019. The Company may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200 million at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our 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 our 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 our senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc.
	At December 27, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of August 15, 2017 and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 27, 2014, the Company had the ability to borrow $582.4 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $17.6 million associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $108.6 million, $95.5 million of which was unused at December 27, 2014.
	(e)	The Industrial Development Revenue Bonds were issued to finance the construction of a manufacturing facility in Jasper, Tennessee. Variable interest is payable until final maturity on June 1, 2025. The effective interest rates at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were 1.16% and 0.21%, respectively.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Tables

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Schedule of assumptions used in estimating fair value of each option grant
		2014			2013			2012
	Expected volatility		32.27	%		33.26	%		33.76	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.43	%		1.16	%		0.74	%
	Expected life from vesting date		3.0 yrs			3.0 yrs			3.0 yrs
	Dividend yield		0.75	%		0.72	%		0.77	%


Summary of activity of stock plans	Following is a summary of the activity of the stock plans during 2012, 2013 and 2014:

		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011		1,078,713		$	70.88
	Granted		140,007			136.01
	Exercised		(341,090	)		(61.53	)
	Forfeited		(8,638	)		(84.18	)

	Outstanding at December 29, 2012		868,992		$	84.91			4.68		$	43,410


	Options vested or expected to vest at December 29, 2012		845,470		$	84.26			4.64			42,765


	Options exercisable at December 29, 2012		485,786		$	71.06			3.67			30,846




		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term
	Outstanding at December 29, 2012		868,992		$	84.91
	Granted		155,254			144.86
	Exercised		(216,105	)		(72.17	)
	Forfeited		(12,920	)		(129.08	)

	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		795,221		$	99.29			4.56		$	39,994


	Options vested or expected to vest at December 28, 2013		775,237		$	98.41			4.51			39,678


	Options exercisable at December 28, 2013		464,377		$	81.73			3.58			31,508




		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		795,221		$	99.29
	Granted		177,717			132.94
	Exercised		(194,627	)		(71.67	)
	Forfeited		(9,716	)		(126.23	)

	Outstanding at December 27, 2014		768,595		$	113.72			4.74		$	15,983


	Options vested or expected to vest at December 27, 2014		746,974		$	113.06			4.69			15,981


	Options exercisable at December 27, 2014		450,539		$	97.29			3.59			15,944




Summary of status of stock options outstanding	Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 27, 2014:

	Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range
	Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Exercise Price	Number			Weighted Average		Weighted			Number			Weighted
	Range				Remaining		Average						Average
					Contractual		Exercise						Exercise
					Life		Price						Price
	$24.37 - 40.21		11,400		0.43 years		$	26.32			11,400		$	26.32
	$57.46 - 105.44		297,279		2.95 years			80.75			297,094			80.75
	$110.26 - 151.45		459,916		6.00 years			137.19			142,045			137.59

			768,595								450,539




Schedule of non-vested stock and restricted stock units
		2014			2013			2012
	Shares issued		35,885			47,271			27,293
	Weighted-average per share price on grant date	$	136.91		$	146.72		$	132.21
	Compensation expense	$	3,978		$	3,667		$	2,835

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS)
		Basic EPS		Dilutive		Diluted EPS
				Effect of
				Stock
				Options
	2014:00:00
	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$	183,976	$	—	$	183,976
	Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)		25,719		213		25,932
	Per share amount	$	7.15	$	0.06	$	7.09
	2013:00:00
	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$	278,489	$	—	$	278,489
	Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)		26,641		258		26,899
	Per share amount	$	10.45	$	0.10	$	10.35
	2012:00:00
	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$	234,072	$	—	$	234,072
	Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)		26,471		293		26,764
	Per share amount	$	8.84	$	0.09	$	8.75

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL1

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Schedule of Trading Securities measured at fair value

Fair Value Measurement Using:

Carrying

Quoted Prices

Significant

Value

in Active

Other

Unobservable

December 27,

Markets for

Observable

Inputs

2014

Identical Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Assets:

Trading Securities

45,473

—

Fair Value Measurement Using:

Carrying

Quoted Prices

Significant

Value

in Active

Other

Unobservable

December 28,

Markets for

Observable

Inputs

2013

Identical Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Assets:

Trading Securities

41,043

—

GUARANTEES_Tables

GUARANTEES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
GUARANTEES (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
GUARANTEES
Schedule of changes in the product warranty accrual
		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of period	$	20,711		$	15,333
	Payments made		(13,900	)		(9,033	)
	Change in liability for warranties issued during the period		13,130			15,193
	Change in liability for pre-existing warranties		(181	)		(782	)

	Balance, end of period	$	19,760		$	20,711

DEFINED_BENEFIT_RETIREMENT_PLA1

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Tables)	12 Months Ended
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
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, 2012 to December 28, 2013 were as follows:

		Projected			Plan			Funded
		Benefit			Assets			status
		Obligation
	Fair Value at December 29, 2012	$	597,767		$	485,724		$	(112,043	)
	Employer contributions		—			17,619
	Interest cost		26,431			—
	Actual return on plan assets		—			7,676
	Settlements		(12,981	)		(12,981	)
	Benefits paid		(11,573	)		(11,573	)
	Actuarial loss		37,235			—
	Currency translation		14,978			10,995

	Fair Value at December 28, 2013	$	651,857		$	497,460		$	(154,397	)


	Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 28, 2013 to December 27, 2014 were as follows:

		Projected			Plan			Funded
		Benefit			Assets			status
		Obligation
	Fair Value at December 28, 2013	$	651,857		$	497,460		$	(154,397	)
	Employer contributions		—			18,173
	Interest cost		28,667			—
	Actual return on plan assets		—			72,820
	Benefits paid		(14,498	)		(14,498	)
	Actuarial loss		66,889			—
	Currency translation		(40,632	)		(31,796	)

	Fair Value at December 27, 2014	$	692,283		$	542,159		$	(150,124	)




Schedule of pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
	Balance December 29, 2012	$	12,617
	Actuarial loss		(49,421	)
	Currency translation loss		(2,004	)

	Balance December 28, 2013		(38,808	)
	Actuarial loss		(18,980	)
	Currency translation gain		1,835

	Balance December 27, 2014	$	(55,953	)




Schedule of weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation
	Percentages	2014			2013
	Discount rate		3.65	%		4.45	%
	Salary increase		N/A			N/A
	CPI inflation		2.10	%		2.70	%
	RPI inflation		3.20	%		3.60	%


Schedule of components of the net periodic pension expense
		2014			2013
	Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
	Interest cost		28,667			26,431
	Expected return on plan assets		(26,029	)		(19,862	)

	Net periodic benefit expense	$	2,638		$	6,569




Schedule of weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense
	Percentages	2014			2013
	Discount rate		4.45	%		4.60	%
	Expected return on plan assets		5.50	%		4.20	%
	RPI Inflation		3.60	%		3.20	%
	CPI Inflation		2.70	%		2.70	%


Schedule of expected pension benefit payments
	2015	$	14,000
	2016		14,500
	2017		14,935
	2018		15,400
	2019		15,870
	Years 2020 - 2024		86,341


Schedule of pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
	December 27, 2014	Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
		Active Markets			Observable			Unobservable
		for Identical			Inputs			Inputs
		Inputs (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Plan net assets:
	Temporary cash investments	$	—		$	12,320		$	—		$	12,320
	Index-linked gilts		—			135,229			—			135,229
	Corporate bonds		—			107,880			—			107,880
	Corporate stock		—			176,010			—			176,010
	Diversified growth funds		—			110,720			—			110,720

	Total plan net assets at fair value	$	—		$	542,159		$	—		$	542,159




	December 28, 2013	Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Total
		Active Markets			Observable			Unobservable
		for Identical			Inputs			Inputs
		Inputs (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Plan net assets:
	Temporary cash investments	$	—		$	10,791		$	—		$	10,791
	Index-linked gilts		—			112,208			—			112,208
	Corporate bonds		—			166,604			—			166,604
	Corporate stock		—			141,029			—			141,029
	Diversified growth funds		—			66,828			—			66,828

	Total plan net assets at fair value	$	—		$	497,460		$	—		$	497,460

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS_Tables

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Segment reporting information of sales and operating income
			2014			2013			2012
	SALES:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
	Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products		$	648,352		$	660,423		$	637,082
	Communication Products			161,618			139,888			134,711
	Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures			146,432			—			—
	Access Systems			181,495			201,498			159,740

	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment			1,137,897			1,001,809			931,533
	Utility Support Structures segment:
	Steel			714,427			853,459			752,621
	Concrete			110,589			108,579			120,899

	Utility Support Structures segment			825,016			962,038			873,520
	Coatings segment			333,853			357,635			334,552
	Irrigation segment			759,178			882,179			750,641
	Other			231,668			303,595			328,737

	Total			3,287,612			3,507,256			3,218,983
	INTERSEGMENT SALES:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment			75,259			104,306			98,220
	Utility Support Structures segment			2,451			2,343			3,857
	Coatings segment			55,418			56,649			52,478
	Irrigation segment			19			5			49
	Other			31,322			39,742			34,838

	Total			164,469			203,045			189,442
	NET SALES:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products segment			1,062,638			897,503			833,313
	Utility Support Structures segment			822,565			959,695			869,663
	Coatings segment			278,435			300,986			282,074
	Irrigation segment			759,159			882,174			750,592
	Other			200,346			263,853			293,899

	Total		$	3,123,143		$	3,304,211		$	3,029,541




			2014			2013			2012
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):
	Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	103,296		$	87,647		$	54,013
	Utility Support Structures			95,118			174,740			129,025
	Coatings			60,921			74,917			71,641
	Irrigation			128,145			181,498			143,605
	Other			25,898			30,984			46,575
	Corporate			(55,662	)		(76,717	)		(62,563	)

	Total			357,716			473,069			382,296
	Interest expense, net			(30,744	)		(26,025	)		(23,353	)
	Costs associated with refinancing of debt			(38,705	)		—			—
	Other			(4,084	)		2,373			347

	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries		$	284,183		$	449,417		$	359,290


	TOTAL ASSETS:
	Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	1,057,090		$	873,757		$	784,659
	Utility Support Structures			470,720			524,113			510,943
	Coatings			301,707			315,663			334,841
	Irrigation			331,962			323,435			287,354
	Other			117,300			126,337			202,289
	Corporate			450,889			613,189			448,465

Total		$	2,729,668		$	2,776,494		$	2,568,551


CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	14,328		$	15,878		$	20,244
Utility Support Structures			9,014			39,347			41,081
Coatings			14,029			12,206			13,280
Irrigation			15,488			21,416			12,618
Other			9,220			6,270			4,428
Corporate			10,944			11,636			5,423

Total		$	73,023		$	106,753		$	97,074


DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
Engineered Infrastructure Products		$	40,239		$	31,057		$	27,164
Utility Support Structures			17,811			14,375			13,284
Coatings			14,615			14,656			12,015
Irrigation			9,352			6,679			6,209
Other			5,512			7,663			8,168
Corporate			1,799			3,006			3,378

Total		$	89,328		$	77,436		$	70,218




Summary by Geographical Area by Location
			2014			2013			2012
	NET SALES:
	United States		$	1,808,427		$	2,077,812		$	1,870,703
	Australia			439,530			492,698			499,025
	China			110,923			97,788			135,398
	Denmark			146,432			—			—
	Other			617,831			635,913			524,415

	Total		$	3,123,143		$	3,304,211		$	3,029,541


	LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
	United States		$	616,718		$	530,042		$	470,154
	Australia			316,382			342,320			321,456
	Denmark			111,161			—			—
	Other			292,862			306,293			351,001

	Total		$	1,337,123		$	1,178,655		$	1,142,611

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA1

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	For the Year ended December 27, 2014

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
			Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Net sales		$	1,392,509		$	496,326		$	1,456,053		$	(221,745	)	$	3,123,143
	Cost of sales			1,040,808			371,639			1,124,813			(222,234	)		2,315,026

	Gross profit			351,701			124,687			331,240			489			808,117
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			196,987			49,171			204,243			—			450,401

	Operating income			154,714			75,516			126,997			489			357,716

	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense			(34,267	)		(5	)		(2,518	)		—			(36,790	)
	Interest income			38			359			5,649			—			6,046
	Costs associated with refinancing of debt			(38,705	)		—			—			—			(38,705	)
	Other			2,021			(511	)		(5,594	)		—			(4,084	)

				(70,913	)		(157	)		(2,463	)		—			(73,533	)

	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			83,801			75,359			124,534			489			284,183

	Income tax expense (benefit):
	Current			30,330			25,277			33,898			138			89,643
	Deferred			(1,474	)		1,866			4,859			—			5,251

				28,856			27,143			38,757			138			94,894

	Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			54,945			48,216			85,777			351			189,289
	Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			129,031			19,509			63			(148,574	)		29

	Net earnings			183,976			67,725			85,840			(148,223	)		189,318
	Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(5,342	)		—			(5,342	)

	Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc		$	183,976		$	67,725		$	80,498		$	(148,223	)	$	183,976


	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	For the Year ended December 28, 2013

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
			Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Net sales		$	1,540,266		$	689,230		$	1,402,191		$	(327,476	)	$	3,304,211
	Cost of sales			1,107,020			503,431			1,078,695			(330,163	)		2,358,983

	Gross profit			433,246			185,799			323,496			2,687			945,228
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			209,350			59,368			203,441			—			472,159

	Operating income			223,896			126,431			120,055			2,687			473,069

	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense			(30,801	)		(2	)		(1,699	)		—			(32,502	)
	Interest income			55			1,032			5,390			—			6,477
	Other			4,791			9			(2,427	)		—			2,373

				(25,955	)		1,039			1,264			—			(23,652	)

	Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			197,941			127,470			121,319			2,687			449,417

	Income tax expense (benefit):
	Current			78,912			45,951			42,379			680			167,922
	Deferred			(8,948	)		(19	)		(1,174	)		—			(10,141	)

			69,964			45,932			41,205			680			157,781

Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			127,977			81,538			80,114			2,007			291,636
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			150,512			16,417			494			(166,588	)		835
Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiary			—			—			(12,011	)		—			(12,011	)

Net earnings			278,489			97,955			68,597			(164,581	)		280,460
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(1,971	)		—			(1,971	)

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc		$	278,489		$	97,955		$	66,626		$	(164,581	)	$	278,489


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the Year ended December 29, 2012

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
		Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Net sales		$	1,375,238		$	620,338		$	1,331,827		$	(297,862	)	$	3,029,541
Cost of sales			1,008,087			489,560			1,026,037			(296,599	)		2,227,085

Gross profit			367,151			130,778			305,790			(1,263	)		802,456
Selling, general and administrative expenses			178,669			54,305			187,186			—			420,160

Operating income			188,482			76,473			118,604			(1,263	)		382,296

Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(31,121	)		—			(1,845	)		1,341			(31,625	)
Interest income			45			1,533			8,035			(1,341	)		8,272
Other			1,938			55			(1,646	)		—			347

			(29,138	)		1,588			4,544			—			(23,006	)

Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			159,344			78,061			123,148			(1,263	)		359,290

Income tax expense (benefit):
Current			59,648			27,736			36,098			(700	)		122,782
Deferred			(4,721	)		(496	)		8,937			—			3,720

			54,927			27,240			45,035			(700	)		126,502

Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			104,417			50,821			78,113			(563	)		232,788
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries			129,655			37,925			5,150			(166,602	)		6,128

Net earnings			234,072			88,746			83,263			(167,165	)		238,916
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(4,844	)		—			(4,844	)

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc		$	234,072		$	88,746		$	78,419		$	(167,165	)	$	234,072




Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the Year ended December 27, 2014

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Net earnings		$	183,976		$	67,725		$	85,840		$	(148,223	)	$	189,318

	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			—			(51,536	)		(30,739	)					(82,275	)

				—			(51,536	)		(30,739	)		—			(82,275	)

	Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
	Loss arising during the period			983												983
	Loss arising during the period			983			—			—			—			983
	Gain on cash flow hedges			4,837			—			—			—			4,837
	Amortization cost included in interest expense			594												594

				6,414			—			—			—			6,414

	Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability			—						(13,709	)					(13,709	)
	Equity in other comprehensive income			(93,162	)								93,162			—

	Other comprehensive income (loss)			(86,748	)		(51,536	)		(44,448	)		93,162			(89,570	)

	Comprehensive income			97,228			16,189			41,392			(55,061	)		99,748
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(2,520	)					(2,520	)

	Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		$	97,228		$	16,189		$	$		$	(55,061	)	$	97,228
			$	97,228		$	16,189		$	38,872		$	(55,061	)	$	97,228


	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the Year ended December 28, 2013

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Net earnings		$	278,489		$	97,955		$	68,597		$	(164,581	)	$	280,460

	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			—			(4,772	)		(66,926	)		—			(71,698	)
	Realized loss on sale of investment in foreign entity included in other expense			—			—			5,194			—			5,194
	Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary									8,559						8,559

				—			(4,772	)		(53,173	)		—			(57,945	)

	Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
	Amortization cost included in interest expense			400			—			—			—			400

				400			—			—			—			400

	Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability			—			—			(41,282	)		—			(41,282	)
	Equity in other comprehensive income			(106,430	)		—			—			106,430			—

	Other comprehensive income (loss)			(106,030	)		(4,772	)		(94,455	)		106,430			(98,827	)

	Comprehensive income			172,459			93,183			(25,858	)		(58,151	)		181,633
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(9,174	)		—			(9,174	)

	Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		$	172,459		$	93,183		$	(35,032	)	$	(58,151	)	$	172,459


	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the Year ended December 29, 2012

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Net earnings		$	234,072		$	88,746		$	83,263		$	(167,165	)	$	238,916

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period			—			884			14,857			—			15,741

			—			884			14,857			—			15,741

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Amortization cost included in interest expense			400												400
Amortization cost included in interest expense			400			—			—			—			400

			400			—			—			—			400

Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability			—			—			(35,020	)		—			(35,020	)
Equity in other comprehensive income			(20,514	)		—			—			20,514			—

Other comprehensive income (loss)			(20,114	)		884			(20,163	)		20,514			(18,879	)

Comprehensive income			213,958			89,630			63,100			(146,651	)		220,037
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(6,079	)		—			(6,079	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.		$	213,958		$	89,630		$	57,021		$	(146,651	)	$	213,958




Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	For the Year ended December 27, 2014

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
			Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	69,869		$	2,157		$	299,553		$	—		$	371,579
	Receivables, net			158,316			68,414			310,188			—			536,918
	Inventories			127,859			54,914			177,512			(763	)		359,522
	Prepaid expenses			7,087			502			49,323			—			56,912
	Refundable and deferred income taxes			53,307			6,194			8,509			—			68,010

	Total current assets			416,438			132,181			845,085			(763	)		1,392,941

	Property, plant and equipment, at cost			556,658			124,182			458,729			—			1,139,569
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			319,899			65,493			147,724			—			533,116

	Net property, plant and equipment			236,759			58,689			311,005			—			606,453

	Goodwill			20,108			107,542			257,461						385,111
	Other intangible assets			292			43,644			158,068						202,004
	Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts			1,446,989			825,236			887,055			(3,159,280	)		—
	Other assets			46,587			—			96,572						143,159

	Total assets		$	2,167,173		$	1,167,292		$	2,555,246		$	(3,160,043	)	$	2,729,668


	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current installments of long-term debt		$	213		$	—		$	968		$	—		$	1,181
	Notes payable to banks			—			—			13,952			—			13,952
	Accounts payable			59,893			15,151			121,521						196,565
	Accrued employee compensation and benefits			48,169			5,385			34,396			—			87,950
	Accrued expenses			32,616			6,052			49,812			—			88,480
	Dividends payable			9,086			—			—			—			9,086

	Total current liabilities			149,977			26,588			220,649			—			397,214

	Deferred income taxes			5,584			28,988			37,225			—			71,797
	Long-term debt, excluding current installments			759,895			—			6,759			—			766,654
	Defined benefit pension liability			—			—			150,124			—			150,124
	Deferred compensation			41,803			—			6,129						47,932
	Other noncurrent liabilities			8,081			—			37,461			—			45,542
	Commitments and contingencies
	Shareholders' equity:
	Common stock of $1 par value			27,900			457,950			648,682			(1,106,633	)		27,900
	Additional paid-in capital			—			150,286			1,098,408			(1,248,694	)		—
	Retained earnings			1,718,662			552,676			397,302			(949,978	)		1,718,662
	Accumulated other comprehensive income			(134,433	)		(49,196	)		(96,065	)		145,261			(134,433	)
	Treasury stock			(410,296	)		—			—			—			(410,296	)

	Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity			1,201,833			1,111,716			2,048,327			(3,160,043	)		1,201,833

	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries									48,572						48,572

	Total shareholders' equity			1,201,833			1,111,716			2,096,899			(3,160,043	)		1,250,405

	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,167,173		$	1,167,292		$	2,555,246		$	(3,160,043	)	$	2,729,668


	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	For the Year ended December 28, 2013

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
		Parent			Guarantors			Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	215,576		$	29,797		$	368,333		$	—		$	613,706
Receivables, net			139,179			108,600			267,661			—			515,440
Inventories			132,953			70,231			176,816			—			380,000
Prepaid expenses			4,735			932			17,330			—			22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes			41,167			8,351			16,179			—			65,697

Total current assets			533,610			217,911			846,319			—			1,597,840

Property, plant and equipment, at cost			522,734			125,764			368,628			—			1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			300,066			61,520			121,330			—			482,916

Net property, plant and equipment			222,668			64,244			247,298			—			534,210

Goodwill			20,108			107,542			221,982			—			349,632
Other intangible assets			346			48,461			122,110			—			170,917
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts			1,417,425			791,450			827,508			(3,036,388	)		—
Other assets			30,759			—			112,513			(19,377	)		123,895

Total assets		$	2,224,916		$	1,229,608		$	2,377,730		$	(3,055,760	)	$	2,776,494


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt		$	188		$	—		$	14		$	—		$	202
Notes payable to banks			—			—			19,024			—			19,024
Accounts payable			62,153			20,365			133,603			—			216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits			76,370			13,713			32,884			—			122,967
Accrued expenses			28,362			7,315			35,883			—			71,560
Income Taxes Payable			—			19,377			—			(19,377	)		—
Dividends payable			6,706			—			—			—			6,706

Total current liabilities			173,779			60,770			221,408			(19,377	)		436,580

Deferred income taxes			18,983			29,310			30,631			—			78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments			470,175			—			732			—			470,907
Defined benefit pension liability			—			—			154,397			—			154,397
Deferred compensation			32,339			—			6,770			—			39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities			7,615			—			44,116			—			51,731
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value			27,900			457,950			648,682			(1,106,632	)		27,900
Additional paid-in capital			—			150,286			891,236			(1,041,522	)		—
Retained earnings			1,562,670			528,952			472,162			(1,001,114	)		1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(47,685	)		2,340			(115,225	)		112,885			(47,685	)
Treasury stock			(20,860	)		—			—			—			(20,860	)

Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity			1,522,025			1,139,528			1,896,855			(3,036,383	)		1,522,025

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries			—			—			22,821			—			22,821

Total shareholders' equity			1,522,025			1,139,528			1,919,676			(3,036,383	)		1,544,846

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,224,916		$	1,229,608		$	2,377,730		$	(3,055,760	)	$	2,776,494




Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Year Ended December 27, 2014

			Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net earnings		$	183,976		$	67,725		$	85,840		$	(148,223	)	$	189,318
	Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
	Depreciation and amortization			24,509			12,926			51,893			—			89,328
	Loss on investment			—			—			3,795			—			3,795
	Non-cash debt refinancing costs			(2,478	)		—			—			—			(2,478	)
	Stock-based compensation			6,730			—			—			—			6,730
	Defined benefit pension plan expense			—			—			2,638			—			2,638
	Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			—			—			(18,173	)		—			(18,173	)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration			—			—			(4,300	)		—			(4,300	)
	(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			145			143			104			—			392
	Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries			(129,031	)		(19,509	)		(63	)		148,574			(29	)
	Deferred income taxes			(1,474	)		1,866			4,859			—			5,251
	Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
	Receivables			(19,136	)		40,186			(20,143	)		—			907
	Inventories			5,094			15,317			1,047			—			21,458
	Prepaid expenses			(2,352	)		429			(11,671	)		—			(13,594	)
	Accounts payable			(2,260	)		(5,212	)		(26,849	)		—			(34,321	)
	Accrued expenses			(21,448	)		(9,590	)		(3,740	)		—			(34,778	)
	Other noncurrent liabilities			622			—			1,133			—			1,755
	Income taxes payable			(24,945	)		(19,417	)		4,559			—			(39,803	)

	Net cash flows from operating activities			17,952			84,864			70,929			351			174,096

	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(41,260	)		(2,823	)		(28,940	)		—			(73,023	)
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			—			(185,710	)		—			(185,710	)
	Proceeds from sale of assets			43			126			2,320			—			2,489
	Other, net			34,735			(73,799	)		38,796			(351	)		(619	)

	Net cash flows from investing activities			(6,482	)		(76,496	)		(173,534	)		(351	)		(256,863	)

	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net borrowings under short-term agreements			—			—			(4,472	)		—			(4,472	)
	Proceeds from long-term borrowings			652,540			—			(329	)		—			652,211
	Principal payments on long-term obligations			(356,994	)		—			(864	)		—			(357,858	)
	Settlement of financial derivative			4,981			—			—			—			4,981
	Dividends paid			(32,443	)		—			—			—			(32,443	)
	Intercompany dividends			116,995			(36,600	)		(80,395	)		—			—
	Intercompany interest on long-term note			—			648			(648	)		—			—
	Intercompany capital contribution			(143,000	)		—			143,000			—			—
	Dividends to noncontrolling interest			—			—			(2,919	)		—			(2,919	)
	Debt issuance fees			(7,644	)		—			—			—			(7,644	)
	Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			14,572			—			—			—			14,572
	Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			4,264			—			—			—			4,264
	Purchase of treasury shares			(395,045	)		—			—			—			(395,045	)
	Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(15,403	)		—			—			—			(15,403	)

	Net cash flows from financing activities			(157,177	)		(35,952	)		53,373			—			(139,756	)

	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			(56	)		(19,548	)		—			(19,604	)

	Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(145,707	)		(27,640	)		(68,780	)		—			(242,127	)
	Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			215,576			29,797			368,333			—			613,706

	Cash and cash equivalents—end of year		$	69,869		$	2,157		$	299,553		$	—		$	371,579


	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Year Ended December 28, 2013

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$	278,489		$	97,955		$	68,597		$	(164,581	)	$	280,460
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			21,270			12,862			43,304			—			77,436
Deconsolidation of subsidiary			—			—			12,011			—			12,011
Impairment of property, plant and equipment			—			—			12,161			—			12,161
Stock-based compensation			6,513			—			—			—			6,513
Defined benefit pension plan expense			—			—			6,569			—			6,569
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			—			—			(17,619	)		—			(17,619	)
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			885			42			(5,245	)		—			(4,318	)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries			(150,512	)		(16,417	)		(494	)		166,588			(835	)
Deferred income taxes			(8,948	)		(19	)		(1,174	)		—			(10,141	)
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):															—
Receivables			6,181			(22,259	)		3,370			—			(12,708	)
Inventories			12,966			1,757			(1,292	)		—			13,431
Prepaid expenses			2,417			98			1,600			—			4,115
Accounts payable			(10,458	)		(1,643	)		24,549			—			12,448
Accrued expenses			19,191			5,824			(3,317	)		—			21,698
Other noncurrent liabilities			3,201			—			(4,675	)		—			(1,474	)
Income taxes payable			(5,908	)		(3,251	)		5,029			825			(3,305	)

Net cash flows from operating activities			175,287			74,949			143,374			2,832			396,442

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(76,582	)		(4,439	)		(25,732	)		—			(106,753	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			—			(63,152	)		—			(63,152	)
Proceeds from sale of assets			794			35			36,753			—			37,582
Other, net			86,258			(83,327	)		503			(2,832	)		602

Net cash flows from investing activities			10,470			(87,731	)		(51,628	)		(2,832	)		(131,721	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			—			—			5,510			—			5,510
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			—			—			274			—			274
Principal payments on long-term obligations			(187	)		—			(404	)		—			(591	)
Cash decrease due to deconsolidation of subsidiary			—			—			(11,615	)		—			(11,615	)
Dividends paid			(25,414	)		—			—			—			(25,414	)
Intercompany dividends			8,947			20,133			(29,080	)		—			—
Intercompany interest on long-term note			—			1,229			(1,229	)		—			—
Intercompany principal payment on long-term note			—			22,430			(22,430	)		—			—
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			—			—			(1,767	)		—			(1,767	)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			—			—			(9,324	)		—			(9,324	)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			16,348			—			—			—			16,348
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			5,306			—			—			—			5,306
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(16,107	)		—			—			—			(16,107	)

Net cash flows from financing activities			(11,107	)		43,792			(70,065	)		—			(37,380	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			(7,927	)		(19,837	)		—			(27,764	)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents			174,650			23,083			1,844			—			199,577
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			40,926			6,714			366,489			—			414,129

Cash and cash equivalents—end of year		$	215,576		$	29,797		$	368,333		$	—		$	613,706


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 29, 2012

		Parent			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash flows from operations:
Net earnings		$	234,072		$	88,746		$	83,263		$	(167,165	)	$	238,916
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization			19,121			12,923			38,174			—			70,218
Stock-based compensation			5,829			—			—			—			5,829
Defined benefit pension plan expense			—			—			4,281			—			4,281
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan			—			—			(11,591	)		—			(11,591	)
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			89			(17	)		249			—			321
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries			(129,655	)		(37,925	)		(5,150	)		166,602			(6,128	)
Deferred income taxes			(4,721	)		(496	)		8,937			—			3,720
Other			—			—			—			—			—
Changes in assets and liabilities, before acquisitions:
Receivables			(21,751	)		(32,833	)		(30,306	)		—			(84,890	)
Inventories			(20,756	)		5,850			1,293			—			(13,613	)
Prepaid expenses			(3,705	)		(20	)		4,968			—			1,243
Accounts payable			4,446			578			(11,273	)		—			(6,249	)
Accrued expenses			20,339			945			(644	)		—			20,640
Other noncurrent liabilities			123			—			(4,473	)		—			(4,350	)
Income taxes payable (refundable)			(18,979	)		350			(1,921	)		(700	)		(21,250	)

Net cash flows from operations			84,452			38,101			75,807			(1,263	)		197,097

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(43,590	)		(22,197	)		(31,287	)		—			(97,074	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			—			(45,687	)		—			(45,687	)
Proceeds from sale of assets			113			39			5,873			—			6,025
Other, net			(10,192	)		(18,397	)		27,370			1,263			44

Net cash flows from investing activities			(53,669	)		(40,555	)		(43,731	)		1,263			(136,692	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements			—			—			1,828			—			1,828
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			39,000			—			126			—			39,126
Principal payments on long-term obligations			(39,197	)		—			(367	)		—			(39,564	)
Dividends paid			(21,520	)		—			—			—			(21,520	)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest			—			—			(1,944	)		—			(1,944	)
Proceeds from sale of partial ownership interest			—			—			1,404			—			1,404
Debt issuance fees			(1,747	)		—			—			—			(1,747	)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans			21,827			—			—			—			21,827
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises			5,494			—			—			—			5,494
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises			(21,259	)		—			—			—			(21,259	)

Net cash flows from financing activities			(17,402	)		—			1,047			—			(16,355	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			2,285			4,900			—			7,185

Net change in cash and cash equivalents			13,381			(169	)		38,023			—			51,235
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year			27,545			6,883			328,466			—			362,894

Cash and cash equivalents—end of year		$	40,926		$	6,714		$	366,489		$	—		$	414,129

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_DATA_Unaud1

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Tables)	Dec. 27, 2014
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Schedule of quarterly financial data (Unaudited)


							Net Earnings
									Per Share				Stock Price
					Gross				Per Share				Stock Price				Dividends
			Net Sales		Profit		Amount		Basic		Diluted		High		Low		Declared
	2014
	First		$	751,740	$	206,982	$	55,980	$	2.10	$	2.08	$	155.64	$	141.74	$	0.250
	Second			842,599		220,477		63,976		2.40		2.38		163.23		143.02		0.375
	Third(1)			765,668		199,500		23,559		0.93		0.92		155.62		131.68		0.375
	Fourth			763,136		181,158		40,461		1.67		1.66		139.31		123.44		0.375

	Year		$	3,123,143	$	808,117	$	183,976	$	7.15	$	7.09	$	163.23	$	123.44	$	1.375


	2013
	First		$	819,630	$	235,369	$	77,569	$	2.92	$	2.89	$	164.93	$	133.40	$	0.225
	Second			878,659		261,471		89,563		3.36		3.33		157.99		132.16		0.250
	Third			778,032		225,564		56,489		2.12		2.10		153.16		133.38		0.250
	Fourth(2)			827,890		222,824		54,868		2.06		2.04		150.58		129.00		0.250

	Year		$	3,304,211	$	945,228	$	278,489	$	10.45	$	10.35	$	164.93	$	129.00	$	0.975


	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 third quarter of 2014 included costs associated with refinancing of our long-term debt of $24.2 million after tax ($0.95 per share) and a non-cash fair market value adjustment for Delta EMD shares of $1.4 million after tax ($.05 per share).
	-2	The fourth quarter of 2013 included a non-cash after-tax loss of $12,011 ($.45 per share) associated with the deconsolidation of Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. and an after-tax loss of $4,569 ($0.17 per share) related to a fixed asset impairment loss.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
	item	Dec. 28, 2013
Fiscal year
Length of fiscal year	364 days	364 days
Cash overdrafts
Cash book overdrafts	$18,038	$21,713
Segments
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Percentage of Sales to Total Consolidated Sales of Other Business Activities, Aggregated as Other, Maximum	10.00%
Inventories
Inventory valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market (as a percent)	44.00%	43.00%
Excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value	$47,178	$45,204
Minimum
Principles of Consolidation
Equity method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	20.00%
Fiscal year
Length of fiscal year	364 days
Maximum
Principles of Consolidation
Equity method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	50.00%
Cost method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	20.00%
Fiscal year
Length of fiscal year	371 days

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013
Long-lived assets
Depreciation expense	$73,395	$62,291	$55,559
Impairment loss	0	12,161
Delta EMD, Ltd.
Long-lived assets
Impairment loss				$12,161
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_ACCOUNT5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 3)	Dec. 27, 2014
Minimum
Intangible assets
Intangible assets lives	5 years
Maximum
Intangible assets
Intangible assets lives	20 years

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT6

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	($47,685)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	-86,748
Balance at the end of the period	-134,433
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	-20,165
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	-79,453
Balance at the end of the period	-99,618
Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedge
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	-2,535
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	6,414
Balance at the end of the period	3,879
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	-24,985
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	-13,709
Balance at the end of the period	($38,694)

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT7

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 5) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	13-May-14	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 02, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2015
Equity Method Investments
Amount recognized in currency translation adjustments previously recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive income			($5,194,000)
Research and Development
Research and development expenses		13,900,000	10,200,000	7,100,000
Stock Repurchase Program
Authorized amount	500,000,000						250,000,000
Length of authorization period	12 months
Number of shares acquired		2,711,149
Amount paid for share repurchase		395,045,000
Manganese Materials Company Pty. Ltd.
Equity Method Investments
Proceeds from sale of business					29,250,000
Amount recognized in currency translation adjustments previously recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive income					5,194,000
Deferred tax benefits associated with sale of business						$3,200,000

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DECONSOLIDATI2

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Mar. 03, 2014

Dec. 27, 2014

Oct. 06, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Dec. 27, 2014

Feb. 05, 2013

Sep. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Dec. 19, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

Aug. 25, 2014

Dec. 29, 2012

item

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Goodwill

$385,111,000

$349,632,000

$385,111,000

$349,632,000

$330,791,000

Valmont SM, AgSense, Locker, Armorflex and Shakespeare acquisitions

Net sales and net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Net sales included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

243,139,000

Net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

17,872,000

Pro forma results of operations

Net sales

3,201,947

3,556,988

Net earnings

189,391

293,340

Earnings per share-diluted

$7.30

$10.91

Valmont SM

Acquisitions

Ownership percentage acquired

90.00%

Cash acquired

56,000

Annual sales

190,000,000

Number of manufacturing locations operated

Cash paid for acquisition

120,483,000

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Current assets

73,421,000

Property, plant and equipment

85,638,000

Intangible assets

30,340,000

Goodwill

16,803,000

Total fair value of assets acquired

206,202,000

Current liabilities

47,754,000

Deferred income taxes

19,715,000

Intercompany note payable

37,448,000

Long-term debt

8,941,000

Total fair value of liabilities assumed

113,858,000

Non-controlling interests

9,309,000

Net assets acquired

83,035,000

Net sales and net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Net sales included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

146,432,000

Net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

9,139,000

Shakespeare

Acquisitions

Annual sales

55,000,000

Cash paid for acquisition

48,272,000

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Current assets

12,532,000

Property, plant and equipment

10,694,000

Intangible assets

13,500,000

Goodwill

15,416,000

Total fair value of assets acquired

52,142,000

Current liabilities

3,870,000

Net assets acquired

48,272,000

Net sales and net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Net sales included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

12,321,000

Net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

958,000

Locker

Acquisitions

Ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

Cash acquired

116,000

Cash paid for acquisition

53,152,000

Fair value of contingent consideration

7,178,000

Payments Made to Sellers Upon Achievement of Certain Targets

2,300,000

Reversal of liability

4,300,000

Period at the end of which contingent consideration is to be paid

2 years

Locker | Maximum

Acquisitions

Fair value of contingent consideration

7,911,000

Armorflex International Ltd.

Acquisitions

Ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

Cash paid for acquisition

10,000,000

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Intangible assets

3,792,000

Goodwill

6,823,000

Pure Metal Galvanizing

Acquisitions

Cash paid for acquisition

45,687,000

Fair value of contingent consideration

3,884,000

Period at the end of which contingent consideration is to be paid

5 years

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Goodwill

12,676,000

Net sales and net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Number of custom galvanizing operations

Customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets

14,066,000

Valley Irrigation South Africa Pty. Ltd.

Acquisitions

Ownership percentage acquired

40.00%

Cash paid for acquisition

9,324,000

AgSense LLC

Acquisitions

Ownership percentage acquired

51.00%

Cash paid for acquisition

17,000,000,000

Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Goodwill

$17,193,000

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DECONSOLIDATI3

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Aug. 25, 2014
Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	$30,340
Shakespeare
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	13,500
AgSense LLC
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount		16,083
Backlog \| Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	3,145
Customer Relationships \| Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	15,725
Weighted Average Amortization Period	1 year 6 months
Customer Relationships \| Shakespeare
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	9,500
Weighted Average Amortization Period	15 years
Customer Relationships \| AgSense LLC
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Weighted Average Amortization Period	10 years
Patents \| AgSense LLC
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Weighted Average Amortization Period	7 years
Software and Technology \| Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Weighted Average Amortization Period	12 years
Trade names \| Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	11,470
Trade names \| Shakespeare
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	$4,000

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DECONSOLIDATI4

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 27, 2014
Deconsolidation
Deconsolidation of subsidiary	$12,011
Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary	8,559
Maximum
Deconsolidation
Ownership interest (as a percent)				50.00%
Delta EMD, Ltd.
Deconsolidation
Supplementary contribution to Delta Pension Plan		1,500,000
Deconsolidation of subsidiary		12,011
Loss on deconsolidation (in dollars per share)		$0.45
Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary		8,559
Losses due to remeasurement of remaining investment		3,452
Net sales included in Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings	38,621		44,290
Net earnings included in Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings	$3,535		$1,043
Delta EMD, Ltd. \| Maximum
Deconsolidation
Ownership interest (as a percent)	50.00%	50.00%

CASH_FLOW_SUPPLEMENTARY_INFORM2

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Interest	$32,601	$32,655	$31,276
Income taxes	$111,174	$167,146	$137,121

INVENTORIES_Details

INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
INVENTORIES
Raw materials and purchased parts	$179,093	$179,576
Work-in-process	27,835	27,294
Finished goods and manufactured goods	199,772	218,334
Subtotal	406,700	425,204
Less: LIFO reserve	47,178	45,204
Net inventory	$359,522	$380,000

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$1,139,569	$1,017,126
Land and improvements
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	82,372	71,726
Buildings and improvements
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	327,863	265,112
Machinery and equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	593,387	520,262
Transportation equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	35,205	37,213
Office furniture and equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	76,589	73,200
Construction in progress
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$24,153	$49,613

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D1

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Operating leases
Rental expense for operating leases	$28,580	$26,567	$24,645
Minimum lease payments under operating leases
2015	24,525
2016	19,694
2017	16,166
2018	12,171
2019	9,096
Subsequent	35,042
Total minimum lease payments	$116,694
Minimum
Operating leases
Unexpired term	1 year
Maximum
Operating leases
Unexpired term	15 years

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$228,027	$194,345
Accumulated Amortization	103,050	87,597
Amortization expense for intangible assets	18,414	15,233	14,332
Estimated amortization expense
2015	18,176
2016	16,406
2017	16,364
2018	14,703
2019	13,871
Customer Relationships
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	207,509	177,495
Accumulated Amortization	88,538	76,024
Weighted Average Life	13 years	13 years
Proprietary Software and Database
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	3,769	3,896
Accumulated Amortization	2,977	2,896
Weighted Average Life	8 years	6 years
Patents and Proprietary Technology
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	12,394	11,334
Accumulated Amortization	8,537	7,239
Weighted Average Life	8 years	8 years
Non-compete Agreements
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	4,355	1,620
Accumulated Amortization	$2,998	$1,438
Weighted Average Life	3 years	6 years

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Webforge
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$16,801	$17,787
Valmont SM
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	10,818
Newmark
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	11,111	11,111
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	8,867	9,387
Donhad
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	6,689	7,082
Shakespeare Member
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	4,000
Industrial Galvanizers
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	3,889	4,117
Other
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	14,852	14,685
Trade names
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$77,027	$64,169

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	$349,632	$330,791
Acquisitions	49,562	21,189
Foreign currency translation	-14,083	-2,348
Balance at the end of the period	385,111	349,632
Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	175,442	155,185
Acquisitions	32,219	21,189
Foreign currency translation	-10,587	-2,669
Other		-1,737
Balance at the end of the period	197,074	175,442
Utility Support Structures segment
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		77,141
Other		1,737
Balance at the end of the period	75,404	75,404
Coatings segment
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	77,062	77,053
Foreign currency translation	-2,200	9
Balance at the end of the period	74,862	77,062
Irrigation segment
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,420	2,517
Acquisitions	17,193
Foreign currency translation	-77	-97
Balance at the end of the period	19,536	2,420
Other
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	19,304	18,895
Foreign currency translation	-1,069	409
Balance at the end of the period	$18,235	$19,304

BANK_CREDIT_ARRANGEMENTS_Detai

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Bank Credit Arrangements
Outstanding amount	$13,952	$19,024
Short-term borrowings
Bank Credit Arrangements
Total line of credit facility for short-term borrowings	108,554
Outstanding amount	13,058
Unused and available borrowings	95,496
Fees in connection with line of credit	0
Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings (as a percent)	6.56%	8.65%
Other short-term bank loans
Bank Credit Arrangements
Outstanding amount	$894	$880

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2013
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
United States	$168,975,000	$338,163,000	$248,840,000
Foreign	115,208,000	111,254,000	110,450,000
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	284,183,000	449,417,000	359,290,000
Current:
Federal	52,588,000	110,847,000	81,000,000
State	5,059,000	16,398,000	10,342,000
Foreign	32,443,000	39,285,000	32,294,000
Total	90,090,000	166,530,000	123,636,000
Non-current:	-447,000	1,392,000	-854,000
Deferred:
Federal	447,000	-8,661,000	-3,824,000
State	1,376,000	-307,000	-660,000
Foreign	3,428,000	-1,173,000	8,204,000
Total	5,251,000	-10,141,000	3,720,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	94,894,000	157,781,000	126,502,000
Reconciliations of statutory federal income tax rate and effective tax rate
Statutory federal income tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit (as a percent)	1.80%	2.40%	1.70%
Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances (as a percent)	-0.40%	0.90%	1.80%
Foreign tax rate differences (as a percent)	-4.40%	-2.40%	-2.50%
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (as a percent)	-0.20%	0.30%	-0.20%
Domestic production activities deduction (as a percent)	-1.60%	-2.10%	-2.30%
Other (as a percent)	3.20%	1.00%	1.70%
Total (as a percent)	33.40%	35.10%	35.20%
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued expenses and allowances	17,446,000	17,038,000
Accrued insurance	882,000	1,508,000
Tax credits and loss carryforwards	148,484,000	146,473,000
Defined benefit pension liability	30,025,000	30,879,000
Inventory allowances	4,804,000	3,938,000
Accrued warranty	6,920,000	6,552,000
Deferred compensation	40,348,000	51,413,000
Gross deferred income tax assets	248,909,000	257,801,000
Valuation allowance	-104,487,000	-107,767,000
Net deferred income tax assets	144,422,000	150,034,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Work-in-process	5,352,000
Property, plant and equipment	43,084,000	36,657,000
Intangible assets	60,316,000	57,787,000
Other liabilities	6,738,000	7,206,000
Total deferred income tax liabilities	115,490,000	101,650,000
Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)	28,932,000	48,384,000
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities), Balance Sheet Caption
Refundable and deferred income taxes	30,239,000	57,344,000
Other assets	70,490,000	69,964,000
Deferred income taxes	71,797,000	78,924,000
Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)	28,932,000	48,384,000
Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards related to the defined benefit pension obligation	148,484,000	146,473,000
Deferred tax assets related to the defined benefit pension obligation	30,025,000	30,879,000
Uncertain income tax positions recognized, if percentage is greater than, likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement	50.00%
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits beginning of year	4,727,000	3,370,000
Gross increases tax positions in prior period		1,464,000
Gross decreases tax positions in prior period	-456,000
Gross increases current period tax positions	610,000	1,336,000
Lapse of statute of limitations	-613,000	-1,443,000
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits end of year	4,268,000	4,727,000	3,370,000
Uncertain tax positions for which reversal is reasonably possible during the next 12 months	1,284,000
Reduction of income tax expense, due to expiration of statutes of limitation	399,000	938,000
Accrued interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits	298,000	314,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	4,056,000	4,491,000
Period for which R&E tax credit in U.S. is extended under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012	2 years
Nonconsolidated subsidiaries				750,000
Income tax expense recorded on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are not considered permanently invested	3,900,000
Undistributed foreign earnings	$668,400,000	$644,290,000

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Aug. 15, 2012	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 22, 2014	Oct. 17, 2014
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	$767,835,000			$471,109,000
Less current installments of long-term debt	1,181,000			202,000
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	766,654,000			470,907,000
Minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt
2014	1,181,000
2015	1,357,000
2016	1,068,000
2017	1,066,000
2018	900,000
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount	250,000,000				250,000,000
Total long-term debt	250,000,000
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes	1,155,000			1,155,000
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent)	100.00%
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	5.00%			5.00%	5.00%
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount	250,000,000				250,000,000
Total long-term debt	250,000,000
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes	3,294,000
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent)	100.00%
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	5.25%			5.25%	5.25%
Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes
Long-term debt:
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes	-4,449,000
6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount	250,200,000
Total long-term debt	250,200,000			450,000,000	250,200,000
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes	5,429,000
Unamortized premium recognized as revenue		4,439,000
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent)	100.00%
Cash prepayment expenses		41,200,000
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	6.63%			6.63%	6.63%
Repurchase amount through partial tender offer					199,800,000
Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes
Long-term debt:
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes	5,429,000			11,241,000
Revolving credit agreement
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	0
Term of multicurrency revolving credit agreement			5 years
Previous borrowing capacity						400,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity						600,000,000
Increase in borrowing capacity, maximum	200,000
Additional borrowing capacity	582,400,000
Standby letters of credit outstanding	17,600,000
Revolving credit agreement \| Minimum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)	0.00%
Revolving credit agreement \| Maximum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)	6.25%
Revolving credit agreement \| LIBOR
Long-term debt:
Variable interest rate basis	LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6B month interest period, as selected by the Company)
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)	1.00%
Variable interest rate, base period	1 month
Revolving credit agreement \| LIBOR \| Minimum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)	1.00%
Revolving credit agreement \| LIBOR \| Maximum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)	1.63%
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 (as a percent)	50.00%
IDR Bonds
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	8,500,000			8,500,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)	1.16%			0.21%
Other notes
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt	8,155,000			1,368,000
Short Term Bank Lines Of Credit
Long-term debt:
Additional borrowing capacity	95,500,000
Balance	$108,600,000

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Stock Based Compensation
Shares of common stock available for issuance	1,234,445
Number of Shares
Exercised (in shares)	-194,627	-216,105	-341,090
Stock option plans
Stock Based Compensation
Compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)	4,461	5,194	4,934
Tax benefits associated with compensation expense	1,695	1,974	1,875
Weighted average period over which unrecognized stock option compensation cost would be recognized	2 years 4 months 2 days
Unrecognized stock option compensation expense	10,961
Assumptions used in estimating fair value of each option grant
Expected volatility (as a percent)	32.27%	33.26%	33.76%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.43%	1.16%	0.74%
Expected life from vesting date	3 years	3 years	3 years
Dividend yield (as a percent)	0.75%	0.72%	0.77%
Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	795,221	868,992	1,078,713
Granted (in shares)	177,717	155,254	140,007
Exercised (in shares)	-194,627	-216,105	-341,090
Forfeited (in shares)	-9,716	-12,920	-8,638
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	768,595	795,221	868,992
Options vested or expected to vest (in shares)	746,974	775,237	845,470
Options exercisable (in shares)	450,539	464,377	485,786
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	99.29	84.91	70.88
Granted (in dollars per share)	132.94	144.86	136.01
Exercised (in dollars per share)	-71.67	-72.17	-61.53
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	-126.23	-129.08	-84.18
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	113.72	99.29	84.91
Options vested or expected to vest (in dollars per share)	113.06	98.41	84.26
Options exercisable (in dollars per share)	97.29	81.73	71.06
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding	4 years 8 months 27 days	4 years 6 months 22 days	4 years 8 months 5 days
Options vested or expected to vest	4 years 8 months 9 days	4 years 6 months 4 days	4 years 7 months 21 days
Options exercisable	3 years 7 months 2 days	3 years 6 months 29 days	3 years 8 months 1 day
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding	15,983	39,994	43,410
Options vested or expected to vest	15,981	39,678	42,765
Options exercisable	15,944	31,508	30,846
Other option disclosures
Weighted average per share fair value of option granted	33.94	37.88	38.17
Stock option plans \| Maximum
Stock Based Compensation
Vesting period of options	6 years
Expiration period of grant	10 years
Stock option plans \| Minimum
Stock Based Compensation
Vesting period of options	3 years
Expiration period of grant	6 years

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail1

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares)	768,595
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares)	450,539
Range of exercise price per share from $24.37 to $40.21
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$24.37
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$40.21
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares)	11,400
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 months 5 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$26.32
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares)	11,400
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$26.32
Range of exercise price per share from $57.46 to $105.44
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$57.46
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$105.44
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares)	297,279
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 11 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$80.75
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares)	297,094
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$80.75
Range of exercise price per share from $110.26 to $151.45
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$110.26
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$151.45
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares)	459,916
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$137.19
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares)	142,045
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$137.59

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail2

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 3) (Directors and certain management employees, Non-vested stock and restricted stock units, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Directors and certain management employees \| Non-vested stock and restricted stock units
Stock Based Compensation
Shares issued	35,885	47,271	27,293
Weighted average per share price on grant date	$136.91	$146.72	$132.21
Compensation expense	$3,978	$3,667	$2,835
Weighted-average period for grant of stock-based compensation	1 year 9 months 4 days
Deferred stock-based compensation granted	$8,337

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Basic EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc, basic	$40,461	$23,559	$63,976	$55,980	$54,868	$56,489	$89,563	$77,569	$183,976	$278,489	$234,072
Shares outstanding basic									25,719	26,641	26,471
Per share amount basic (in dollars per share)	$1.67	$0.93	$2.40	$2.10	$2.06	$2.12	$3.36	$2.92	$7.15	$10.45	$8.84
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options
Dilutive effect of stock options number of shares									213	258	293
Dilutive effect of stock options (in dollars per share)									$0.06	$0.10	$0.09
Diluted EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc, diluted									$183,976	$278,489	$234,072
Shares outstanding dilutive									25,932	26,899	26,764
Per share amount diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.66	$0.92	$2.38	$2.08	$2.04	$2.10	$3.33	$2.89	$7.09	$10.35	$8.75
Antidilutive Securities
Outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock, excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)									449,000	1,200	137,000

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details_2

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Deconsolidation
After-tax loss on deconsolidation	$24,200
After-tax loss on deconsolidation (in dollars per share)	($0.93)
EMD
Deconsolidation
After-tax loss on deconsolidation			12,011
After-tax loss on deconsolidation (in dollars per share)			($0.45)
Asset impairment loss related to deconsolidation		$4,569
Asset impairment loss related to deconsolidation (in dollars per share)		$0.17

EMPLOYEE_RETIREMENT_SAVINGS_PL1

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Employee contribution limit per calendar year to 401 (k) plan	50.00%
Company contributions	$12,600	$11,600	$10,000
Assets related to non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other assets	36,439	27,133
Liabilities related to non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other noncurrent liabilities	36,439	27,133
Total amount distributed from non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$1,519	$1,626

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL2

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Assets recorded for the investments held	$36,439	$27,133
Liabilities recorded for the investments held	36,439	27,133
Level 1 member
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Trading Securities	45,473	41,043
EMD
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Fair value of remaining ownership	9,034	-13,091
Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Assets recorded for the investments held	36,439	27,133
Liabilities recorded for the investments held	36,439	27,133
Carrying Value
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Long-term debt	767,835	471,109
Trading Securities	45,473	41,043
Estimated fair value
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Long-term debt	$813,333	$517,807

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN1

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 10, 2014	Sep. 22, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 25, 2011
	MMBTU	MMBTU	Sep. 10, 2014	Sep. 22, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 25, 2011
Derivative Instrument
Annual consolidated natural gas purchase requirements (in MMBtu)	1,079,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	($134,433)	($47,685)
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044
Derivative Instrument
Aggregate principal amount	250,000			250,000
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%		5.00%
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054
Derivative Instrument
Aggregate principal amount	250,000			250,000
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	5.25%	5.25%		5.25%
6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020
Derivative Instrument
Aggregate principal amount	250,200
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	6.63%	6.63%		6.63%
Debt Repurchase Amount				199,800	199,800
Parent
Derivative Instrument
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-134,433	-47,685
Natural Gas Price Swap
Derivative Instrument
Quantities of natural gas (in MMBtu)	80,000	120,000
Unrealized gain (loss)	-53	73
Interest rate contract \| Cash flow hedging
Derivative Instrument
Payment to counterparty to settle the derivative contract			4,837
Interest rate contract \| Cash flow hedging \| 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044
Derivative Instrument
Notional amount of derivative instrument					125,000
Interest rate contract \| Cash flow hedging \| 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054
Derivative Instrument
Notional amount of derivative instrument					125,000
Interest rate contract \| Cash flow hedging \| 6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020
Derivative Instrument
Aggregate principal amount						150,000
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)						6.63%
Notional amount of derivative instrument							130,000
Loss on interest rate cash flow hedge derivative, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income					983
Debt Repurchase Amount					199,800
Forward contracts \| Cash flow hedging
Derivative Instrument
Unrealized gain (loss)	424
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	242
Notional amount of derivative instrument	14,757
Forward contracts \| Fair Value Hedging
Derivative Instrument
Unrealized gain (loss)		475
Notional amount of derivative instrument		$28,032

GUARANTEES_Details

GUARANTEES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Changes in the product warranty accrual recorded in accrued expenses
Balance, beginning of period	$20,711	$15,333
Payments made	-13,900	-9,033
Change in liability for warranties issued during the period	13,130	15,193
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties	-181	-782
Balance, end of period	$19,760	$20,711

DEFINED_BENEFIT_RETIREMENT_PLA2

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	USD ($)
	item
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
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	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate used to translate the net pension liability	1.5557		1.6469
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Beginning balance	$651,857		$597,767
Interest cost	28,667		26,431
Settlements			-12,981
Benefits paid	-14,498		-11,573
Actuarial loss	66,889		37,235
Currency translation	40,632		14,978
Ending balance	692,283		651,857
Plan Assets
Fair value beginning balance	497,460		485,724
Employer contributions	18,173		17,619
Actual return on plan assets	72,820		7,676
Settlements			-12,981
Benefits paid	-14,498		-11,573
Currency translation	-31,796		10,995
Fair Value ending balance	542,159		497,460
Funded status
Funded status	-150,124		-154,397	-112,043
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	-38,808		12,617
Actuarial loss	-18,980		-49,421
Currency translation gain (loss)	1,835		-2,004
Balance at the end of the period	-55,953		-38,808
The estimated amount to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2015	0
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.65%	3.65%	4.45%
CPI index (as a percent)	2.10%	2.10%	2.70%
RPI Inflation (as a percent)	3.20%	3.20%	3.60%
Net periodic benefit expense:
Interest cost	28,667		26,431
Expected return on plan assets	-26,029		-19,862
Net periodic benefit expense	2,638		6,569
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.45%	4.45%	4.60%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	5.50%	5.50%	4.20%
RPI index (as a percent)	3.60%	3.60%	3.20%
CPI index (as a percent)	2.70%	2.70%	2.70%
Limit on employer contributions per annum	15,557	10,000
Administrative costs of the Plan	1,711	1,000
Expected pension benefit payments
2015	14,000
2016	14,500
2017	14,935
2018	15,400
2019	15,870
2020-2024	$86,341
Weighted average maturity period of corporate bond portfolio	13 years	13 years

DEFINED_BENEFIT_RETIREMENT_PLA3

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	$542,159	$497,460	$485,724
Level 2 member
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	542,159	497,460
Temporary cash investments
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	12,320	10,791
Temporary cash investments \| Level 2 member
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	12,320	10,791
Index linked gilts
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	135,229	112,208
Index linked gilts \| Level 2 member
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	135,229	112,208
Corporate bonds
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	107,880	166,604
Corporate bonds \| Level 2 member
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	107,880	166,604
Corporate stock
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	176,010	141,029
Corporate stock \| Level 2 member
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	176,010	141,029
Diversified growth funds
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	110,720	66,828
Diversified growth funds \| Level 2 member
Defined benefit retirement plan
Fair value pension plans	$110,720	$66,828

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS_Details

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	item	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Business Segments
Number of reportable segments									4
Maximum percentage of sales of other businesses and activities to consolidated sales as basis for aggregation									10.00%
Net sales	$763,136	$765,668	$842,599	$751,740	$827,890	$778,032	$878,659	$819,630	$3,123,143	$3,304,211	$3,029,541
Operating Income									357,716	473,069	382,296
Interest expense, net									-30,744	-26,025	-23,353
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									-38,705
Other									-4,084	2,373	347
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									284,183	449,417	359,290
Total assets	2,729,668				2,776,494				2,729,668	2,776,494	2,568,551
Capital expenditures									73,023	106,753	97,074
Depreciation and amortization									89,328	77,436	70,218
Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
Business Segments
Net sales									1,062,638	897,503	833,313
Operating Income									103,296	87,647	54,013
Total assets	1,057,090				873,757				1,057,090	873,757	784,659
Capital expenditures									14,328	15,878	20,244
Depreciation and amortization									40,239	31,057	27,164
Engineered Infrastructure Products segment: \| Offshore Structures
Business Segments
Sales									146,432
Utility Support Structures segment
Business Segments
Net sales									822,565	959,695	869,663
Operating Income									95,118	174,740	129,025
Total assets	470,720				524,113				470,720	524,113	510,943
Capital expenditures									9,014	39,347	41,081
Depreciation and amortization									17,811	14,375	13,284
Coatings segment
Business Segments
Net sales									278,435	300,986	282,074
Operating Income									60,921	74,917	71,641
Total assets	301,707				315,663				301,707	315,663	334,841
Capital expenditures									14,029	12,206	13,280
Depreciation and amortization									14,615	14,656	12,015
Irrigation segment
Business Segments
Net sales									759,159	882,174	750,592
Operating Income									128,145	181,498	143,605
Total assets	331,962				323,435				331,962	323,435	287,354
Capital expenditures									15,488	21,416	12,618
Depreciation and amortization									9,352	6,679	6,209
Other
Business Segments
Net sales									200,346	263,853	293,899
Operating Income									25,898	30,984	46,575
Total assets	117,300				126,337				117,300	126,337	202,289
Capital expenditures									9,220	6,270	4,428
Depreciation and amortization									5,512	7,663	8,168
Corporate
Business Segments
Operating Income									-55,662	-76,717	-62,563
Total assets	450,889				613,189				450,889	613,189	448,465
Capital expenditures									10,944	11,636	5,423
Depreciation and amortization									1,799	3,006	3,378
Parent
Business Segments
Net sales									1,392,509	1,540,266	1,375,238
Operating Income									154,714	223,896	188,482
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									-38,705
Other									2,021	4,791	1,938
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									83,801	197,941	159,344
Total assets	2,167,173				2,224,916				2,167,173	2,224,916
Capital expenditures									41,260	76,582	43,590
Depreciation and amortization									24,509	21,270	19,121
Operating segment
Business Segments
Sales									3,287,612	3,507,256	3,218,983
Operating segment \| Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
Business Segments
Sales									1,137,897	1,001,809	931,533
Operating segment \| Engineered Infrastructure Products segment: \| Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products
Business Segments
Sales									648,352	660,423	637,082
Operating segment \| Engineered Infrastructure Products segment: \| Communication Products
Business Segments
Sales									161,618	139,888	134,711
Operating segment \| Engineered Infrastructure Products segment: \| Access Systems
Business Segments
Sales									181,495	201,498	159,740
Operating segment \| Utility Support Structures segment
Business Segments
Sales									825,016	962,038	873,520
Operating segment \| Utility Support Structures segment \| Steel
Business Segments
Sales									714,427	853,459	752,621
Operating segment \| Utility Support Structures segment \| Concrete
Business Segments
Sales									110,589	108,579	120,899
Operating segment \| Coatings segment
Business Segments
Sales									333,853	357,635	334,552
Operating segment \| Irrigation segment
Business Segments
Sales									759,178	882,179	750,641
Operating segment \| Other
Business Segments
Sales									231,668	303,595	328,737
Intersegment
Business Segments
Sales									164,469	203,045	189,442
Intersegment \| Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
Business Segments
Sales									75,259	104,306	98,220
Intersegment \| Utility Support Structures segment
Business Segments
Sales									2,451	2,343	3,857
Intersegment \| Coatings segment
Business Segments
Sales									55,418	56,649	52,478
Intersegment \| Irrigation segment
Business Segments
Sales									19	5	49
Intersegment \| Other
Business Segments
Sales									31,322	39,742	34,838
Reclassified \| Engineered Infrastructure Products segment:
Business Segments
Sales											$49,427

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS_Details_2

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales	$763,136	$765,668	$842,599	$751,740	$827,890	$778,032	$878,659	$819,630	$3,123,143	$3,304,211	$3,029,541
Long-lived assets	1,337,123				1,178,654				1,337,123	1,178,654	1,142,611
United States
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									1,808,427	2,077,812	1,870,703
Long-lived assets	616,718				530,042				616,718	530,042	470,154
Australia
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									439,530	492,698	499,025
Long-lived assets	316,382				342,320				316,382	342,320	321,456
Australia \| Foreign country \| Net Sales
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Threshold for disclosure as percentage of net sales by customer	14.00%								14.00%
China
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									110,923	97,788	135,398
Denmark
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									146,432
Long-lived assets	111,161								111,161
Other
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									617,831	635,913	524,415
Long-lived assets	$292,862				$306,293				$292,862	$306,293	$351,001

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA2

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 22, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 22, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Long-term debt:
Parent company's percentage ownership of Guarantors		100.00%
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044
Long-term debt:
Face amount of debt issued to finance acquisition	$250,000
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%		5.00%	5.00%
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054
Long-term debt:
Face amount of debt issued to finance acquisition	250,000
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	5.25%	5.25%		5.25%	5.25%
6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020
Long-term debt:
Face amount of debt issued to finance acquisition	250,200
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)	6.63%	6.63%		6.63%	6.63%
Debt Repurchase Amount	$199,800		$199,800	$199,800

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA3

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	$763,136	$765,668	$842,599	$751,740	$827,890	$778,032	$878,659	$819,630	$3,123,143	$3,304,211	$3,029,541
Cost of sales									2,315,026	2,358,983	2,227,085
Gross profit	181,158	199,500	220,477	206,982	222,824	225,564	261,471	235,369	808,117	945,228	802,456
Selling, general and administrative expenses									450,401	472,159	420,160
Operating income									357,716	473,069	382,296
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									-36,790	-32,502	-31,625
Interest income									6,046	6,477	8,272
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									-38,705
Other									-4,084	2,373	347
Total other income (expenses)									-73,533	-23,652	-23,006
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									284,183	449,417	359,290
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									89,643	167,922	122,782
Deferred									5,251	-10,141	3,720
Total income tax expense (benefit)									94,894	157,781	126,502
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									189,289	291,636	232,788
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									29	835	6,128
Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiary										-12,011
Net earnings									189,318	280,460	238,916
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									-5,342	-1,971	-4,844
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	40,461	23,559	63,976	55,980	54,868	56,489	89,563	77,569	183,976	278,489	234,072
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									1,392,509	1,540,266	1,375,238
Cost of sales									1,040,808	1,107,020	1,008,087
Gross profit									351,701	433,246	367,151
Selling, general and administrative expenses									196,987	209,350	178,669
Operating income									154,714	223,896	188,482
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									-34,267	-30,801	-31,121
Interest income									38	55	45
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									-38,705
Other									2,021	4,791	1,938
Total other income (expenses)									-70,913	-25,955	-29,138
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									83,801	197,941	159,344
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									30,330	78,912	59,648
Deferred									-1,474	-8,948	-4,721
Total income tax expense (benefit)									28,856	69,964	54,927
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									54,945	127,977	104,417
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									129,031	150,512	129,655
Net earnings									183,976	278,489	234,072
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									183,976	278,489	234,072
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									496,326	689,230	620,338
Cost of sales									371,639	503,431	489,560
Gross profit									124,687	185,799	130,778
Selling, general and administrative expenses									49,171	59,368	54,305
Operating income									75,516	126,431	76,473
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									-5	-2
Interest income									359	1,032	1,533
Other									-511	9	55
Total other income (expenses)									-157	1,039	1,588
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									75,359	127,470	78,061
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									25,277	45,951	27,736
Deferred									1,866	-19	-496
Total income tax expense (benefit)									27,143	45,932	27,240
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									48,216	81,538	50,821
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									19,509	16,417	37,925
Net earnings									67,725	97,955	88,746
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									67,725	97,955	88,746
Non-Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									1,456,053	1,402,191	1,331,827
Cost of sales									1,124,813	1,078,695	1,026,037
Gross profit									331,240	323,496	305,790
Selling, general and administrative expenses									204,243	203,441	187,186
Operating income									126,997	120,055	118,604
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									-2,518	-1,699	-1,845
Interest income									5,649	5,390	8,035
Other									-5,594	-2,427	-1,646
Total other income (expenses)									-2,463	1,264	4,544
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									124,534	121,319	123,148
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									33,898	42,379	36,098
Deferred									4,859	-1,174	8,937
Total income tax expense (benefit)									38,757	41,205	45,035
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									85,777	80,114	78,113
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									63	494	5,150
Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiary										-12,011
Net earnings									85,840	68,597	83,263
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									-5,342	-1,971	-4,844
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									80,498	66,626	78,419
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									-221,745	-327,476	-297,862
Cost of sales									-222,234	-330,163	-296,599
Gross profit									489	2,687	-1,263
Operating income									489	2,687	-1,263
Other income (expense):
Interest expense											1,341
Interest income											-1,341
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									489	2,687	-1,263
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									138	680	-700
Total income tax expense (benefit)									138	680	-700
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									351	2,007	-563
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									-148,574	-166,588	-166,602
Net earnings									-148,223	-164,581	-167,165
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									($148,223)	($164,581)	($167,165)

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA4

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	$189,318	$280,460	$238,916
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-82,275	-71,698	15,741
Realized loss on sale of investment in foreign entity included in other expense		5,194
Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary		8,559
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-82,275	-57,945	15,741
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Loss arising during the period	983
Gain (deferred) on cash flow hedges	4,837
Amortization cost included in interest expense	594	400	400
Derivative adjustment	6,414	400	400
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability	-13,709	-41,282	-35,020
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-89,570	-98,827	-18,879
Comprehensive income	99,748	181,633	220,037
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,520	-9,174	-6,079
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	97,228	172,459	213,958
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	183,976	278,489	234,072
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Loss arising during the period	983
Gain (deferred) on cash flow hedges	4,837
Amortization cost included in interest expense	594	400	400
Derivative adjustment	6,414	400	400
Equity in other comprehensive income	-93,162	-106,430	-20,514
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-86,748	-106,030	-20,114
Comprehensive income	97,228	172,459	213,958
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	97,228	172,459	213,958
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	67,725	97,955	88,746
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-51,536	-4,772	884
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-51,536	-4,772	884
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-51,536	-4,772	884
Comprehensive income	16,189	93,183	89,630
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	16,189	93,183	89,630
Non-Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	85,840	68,597	83,263
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	-30,739	-66,926	14,857
Realized loss on sale of investment in foreign entity included in other expense		5,194
Realized loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary		8,559
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-30,739	-53,173	14,857
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability	-13,709	-41,282	-35,020
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-44,448	-94,455	-20,163
Comprehensive income	41,392	-25,858	63,100
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,520	-9,174	-6,079
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	38,872	-35,032	57,021
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	-148,223	-164,581	-167,165
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge:
Equity in other comprehensive income	93,162	106,430	20,514
Other comprehensive income (loss)	93,162	106,430	20,514
Comprehensive income	-55,061	-58,151	-146,651
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	($55,061)	($58,151)	($146,651)

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA5

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$371,579	$613,706	$414,129	$362,894
Receivables, net	536,918	515,440
Inventories	359,522	380,000
Prepaid expenses	56,912	22,997
Refundable and deferred income taxes	68,010	65,697
Total current assets	1,392,941	1,597,840
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,139,569	1,017,126
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	533,116	482,916
Net property, plant and equipment	606,453	534,210
Goodwill	385,111	349,632	330,791
Other intangible assets	202,004	170,917
Other assets	143,159	123,895
Total assets	2,729,668	2,776,494	2,568,551
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	1,181	202
Notes payable to banks	13,952	19,024
Accounts payable	196,565	216,121
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	87,950	122,967
Accrued expenses	88,480	71,560
Dividends payable	9,086	6,706
Total current liabilities	397,214	436,580
Deferred income taxes	71,797	78,924
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	766,654	470,907
Defined benefit pension liability	150,124	154,397
Deferred compensation	47,932	39,109
Other noncurrent liabilities	45,542	51,731
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,718,662	1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-134,433	-47,685
Treasury stock	-410,296	-20,860
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,201,833	1,522,025
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	48,572	22,821
Total shareholders' equity	1,250,405	1,544,846	1,407,010	1,197,911
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,729,668	2,776,494
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	69,869	215,576	40,926	27,545
Receivables, net	158,316	139,179
Inventories	127,859	132,953
Prepaid expenses	7,087	4,735
Refundable and deferred income taxes	53,307	41,167
Total current assets	416,438	533,610
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	556,658	522,734
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	319,899	300,066
Net property, plant and equipment	236,759	222,668
Goodwill	20,108	20,108
Other intangible assets	292	346
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	1,446,989	1,417,425
Other assets	46,587	30,759
Total assets	2,167,173	2,224,916
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	213	188
Accounts payable	59,893	62,153
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	48,169	76,370
Accrued expenses	32,616	28,362
Dividends payable	9,086	6,706
Total current liabilities	149,977	173,779
Deferred income taxes	5,584	18,983
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	759,895	470,175
Deferred compensation	41,803	32,339
Other noncurrent liabilities	8,081	7,615
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,718,662	1,562,670
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-134,433	-47,685
Treasury stock	-410,296	-20,860
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,201,833	1,522,025
Total shareholders' equity	1,201,833	1,522,025
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,167,173	2,224,916
Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,157	29,797	6,714	6,883
Receivables, net	68,414	108,600
Inventories	54,914	70,231
Prepaid expenses	502	932
Refundable and deferred income taxes	6,194	8,351
Total current assets	132,181	217,911
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	124,182	125,764
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	65,493	61,520
Net property, plant and equipment	58,689	64,244
Goodwill	107,542	107,542
Other intangible assets	43,644	48,461
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	825,236	791,450
Total assets	1,167,292	1,229,608
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	15,151	20,365
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	5,385	13,713
Accrued expenses	6,052	7,315
Income taxes payable		19,377
Total current liabilities	26,588	60,770
Deferred income taxes	28,988	29,310
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	457,950	457,950
Additional paid-in capital	150,286	150,286
Retained earnings	552,676	528,952
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-49,196	2,340
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,111,716	1,139,528
Total shareholders' equity	1,111,716	1,139,528
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,167,292	1,229,608
Non-Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	299,553	368,333	366,489	328,466
Receivables, net	310,188	267,661
Inventories	177,512	176,816
Prepaid expenses	49,323	17,330
Refundable and deferred income taxes	8,509	16,179
Total current assets	845,085	846,319
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	458,729	368,628
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	147,724	121,330
Net property, plant and equipment	311,005	247,298
Goodwill	257,461	221,982
Other intangible assets	158,068	122,110
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	887,055	827,508
Other assets	96,572	112,513
Total assets	2,555,246	2,377,730
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	968	14
Notes payable to banks	13,952	19,024
Accounts payable	121,521	133,603
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	34,396	32,884
Accrued expenses	49,812	35,883
Total current liabilities	220,649	221,408
Deferred income taxes	37,225	30,631
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	6,759	732
Defined benefit pension liability	150,124	154,397
Deferred compensation	6,129	6,770
Other noncurrent liabilities	37,461	44,116
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	648,682	648,682
Additional paid-in capital	1,098,408	891,236
Retained earnings	397,302	472,162
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-96,065	-115,225
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	2,048,327	1,896,855
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	48,572	22,821
Total shareholders' equity	2,096,899	1,919,676
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,555,246	2,377,730
Eliminations
Current assets:
Inventories	-763
Total current assets	-763
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	-3,159,280	-3,036,383
Other assets		-19,377
Total assets	-3,160,043	-3,055,760
Current liabilities:
Income taxes payable		-19,377
Total current liabilities		-19,377
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	-1,106,633	-1,106,632
Additional paid-in capital	-1,248,694	-1,041,522
Retained earnings	-949,978	-1,001,114
Accumulated other comprehensive income	145,261	112,885
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	-3,160,043	-3,036,353
Total shareholders' equity	-3,160,043	-3,036,353
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	($3,160,043)	($3,055,760)

GUARANTORNONGUARANTOR_FINANCIA6

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$189,318	$280,460	$238,916
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	89,328	77,436	70,218
Deconsolidation of subsidiary		12,011
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0	12,161
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	-2,478
Loss on investment	3,795
Stock-based compensation	6,730	6,513	5,829
Defined benefit pension plan expense	2,638	6,569	4,281
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	-18,173	-17,619	-11,591
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	-4,300
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	392	-4,318	321
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	-29	-835	-6,128
Deferred income taxes	5,251	-10,141	3,720
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables	907	-12,708	-84,890
Inventories	21,458	13,431	-13,613
Prepaid expenses	-13,594	4,115	1,243
Accounts payable	-34,321	12,448	-6,249
Accrued expenses	-34,778	21,698	20,640
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,755	-1,474	-4,350
Income taxes payable (refundable)	-39,803	-3,305	-21,250
Net cash flows from operating activities	174,096	396,442	197,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-73,023	-106,753	-97,074
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-185,710	-63,152	-45,687
Proceeds from sale of assets	2,489	37,582	6,025
Other, net	-619	602	44
Net cash flows from investing activities	-256,863	-131,721	-136,692
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements	-4,472	5,510	1,828
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	652,211	274	39,126
Principal payments on long-term obligations	-357,858	-591	-39,564
Settlement of financial derivative	4,981
Cash decrease due to deconsolidation of subsidiary		-11,615
Dividends paid	-32,443	-25,414	-21,520
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	-2,919	-1,767	-1,944
Proceeds from sale of partial ownership interest			1,404
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		-9,324
Debt issuance fees	-7,644		-1,747
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	14,572	16,348	21,827
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises	4,264	5,306	5,494
Purchase of treasury shares	-395,045
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	-15,403	-16,107	-21,259
Net cash flows from financing activities	-139,756	-37,380	-16,355
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-19,604	-27,764	7,185
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-242,127	199,577	51,235
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	613,706	414,129	362,894
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	371,579	613,706	414,129
Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	183,976	278,489	234,072
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	24,509	21,270	19,121
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	-2,478
Stock-based compensation	6,730	6,513	5,829
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	145	885	89
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	-129,031	-150,512	-129,655
Deferred income taxes	-1,474	-8,948	-4,721
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables	-19,136	6,181	-21,751
Inventories	5,094	12,966	-20,756
Prepaid expenses	-2,352	2,417	-3,705
Accounts payable	-2,260	-10,458	4,446
Accrued expenses	-21,448	19,191	20,339
Other noncurrent liabilities	622	3,201	123
Income taxes payable (refundable)	-24,945	-5,908	-18,979
Net cash flows from operating activities	17,952	175,287	84,452
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-41,260	-76,582	-43,590
Proceeds from sale of assets	43	794	113
Other, net	-34,735	86,258	-10,192
Net cash flows from investing activities	-6,482	10,470	-53,669
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	652,540		39,000
Principal payments on long-term obligations	-356,994	-187	-39,197
Settlement of financial derivative	4,981
Dividends paid	-32,443	-25,414	-21,520
Intercompany dividends	116,995	8,947
Intercompany capital contribution	-143,000
Debt issuance fees	-7,644		-1,747
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	14,572	16,348	21,827
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises	4,264	5,306	5,494
Purchase of treasury shares	-395,045
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	-15,403	-16,107	-21,259
Net cash flows from financing activities	-157,177	-11,107	-17,402
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-145,707	174,650	13,381
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	215,576	40,926	27,545
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	69,869	215,576	40,926
Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	67,725	97,955	88,746
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	12,926	12,862	12,923
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	143	42	-17
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	-19,509	-16,417	-37,925
Deferred income taxes	1,866	-19	-496
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables	40,186	-22,259	-32,833
Inventories	15,317	1,757	5,850
Prepaid expenses	429	98	-20
Accounts payable	-5,212	-1,643	578
Accrued expenses	-9,590	5,824	945
Income taxes payable (refundable)	-19,417	-3,251	350
Net cash flows from operating activities	84,864	74,949	38,101
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-2,823	-4,439	-22,197
Proceeds from sale of assets	126	35	39
Other, net	73,799	-83,327	-18,397
Net cash flows from investing activities	-76,496	-87,731	-40,555
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany dividends	-36,600	20,133
Intercompany interest on long-term note	648	1,229
Intercompany principal payment on long-term note		-22,430
Net cash flows from financing activities	-35,952	43,792
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-56	-7,927	2,285
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-27,640	23,083	-169
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	29,797	6,714	6,883
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	2,157	29,797	6,714
Non-Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	85,840	68,597	83,263
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	51,893	43,304	38,174
Deconsolidation of subsidiary		12,011
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		12,161
Loss on investment	3,795
Defined benefit pension plan expense	2,638	6,569	4,281
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	-18,173	-17,619	-11,591
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	-4,300
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	104	-5,245	249
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	-63	-494	-5,150
Deferred income taxes	4,859	-1,174	8,937
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Receivables	-20,143	3,370	-30,306
Inventories	1,047	-1,292	1,293
Prepaid expenses	-11,671	1,600	4,968
Accounts payable	-26,849	24,549	-11,273
Accrued expenses	-3,740	-3,317	-644
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,133	-4,675	-4,473
Income taxes payable (refundable)	4,559	5,029	-1,921
Net cash flows from operating activities	70,929	143,374	75,807
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-28,940	-25,732	-31,287
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-185,710	-63,152	-45,687
Proceeds from sale of assets	2,320	36,753	5,873
Other, net	-38,796	503	27,370
Net cash flows from investing activities	-173,534	-51,628	-43,731
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under short-term agreements	-4,472	5,510	1,828
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	-329	274	126
Principal payments on long-term obligations	-864	-404	-367
Cash decrease due to deconsolidation of subsidiary		-11,615
Intercompany dividends	-80,395	-29,080
Intercompany interest on long-term note	-648	-1,229
Intercompany principal payment on long-term note		22,430
Intercompany capital contribution	143,000
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	-2,919	-1,767	-1,944
Proceeds from sale of partial ownership interest			1,404
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		-9,324
Net cash flows from financing activities	53,373	-70,065	1,047
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-19,548	-19,837	4,900
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-68,780	1,844	38,023
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	368,333	366,489	328,466
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	299,553	368,333	366,489
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	-148,223	-164,581	-167,165
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	148,574	166,588	166,602
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of the effect from acquisitions):
Income taxes payable (refundable)		825	-700
Net cash flows from operating activities	351	2,832	-1,263
Cash flows from investing activities:
Other, net	351	-2,832	1,263
Net cash flows from investing activities	($351)	($2,832)	$1,263

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_DATA_Unaud2

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Net sales	$763,136	$765,668	$842,599	$751,740	$827,890	$778,032	$878,659	$819,630	$3,123,143	$3,304,211	$3,029,541
Gross profit	181,158	199,500	220,477	206,982	222,824	225,564	261,471	235,369	808,117	945,228	802,456
Net Earnings, Amount	40,461	23,559	63,976	55,980	54,868	56,489	89,563	77,569	183,976	278,489	234,072
Net Earnings, Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.67	$0.93	$2.40	$2.10	$2.06	$2.12	$3.36	$2.92	$7.15	$10.45	$8.84
Net Earnings, Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.66	$0.92	$2.38	$2.08	$2.04	$2.10	$3.33	$2.89	$7.09	$10.35	$8.75
Stock Price, High (in dollars per share)	$139.31	$155.62	$163.23	$155.64	$150.58	$153.16	$157.99	$164.93	$163.23	$164.93
Stock Price, Low (in dollars per share)	$123.44	$131.68	$143.02	$141.74	$129	$133.38	$132.16	$133.40	$123.44	$129
Dividends Declared (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.38	$0.38	$0.25	$0.25	$0.25	$0.25	$0.23	$1.38	$0.98	$0.86
Quarterly Financial Data
Non-cash after-tax loss on deconsolidation										12,011
EMD
Quarterly Financial Data
Non-cash after-tax loss on deconsolidation					12,011
Non-cash after-tax loss on deconsolidation (in dollars per share)					$0.45
Fixed asset impairment loss					$4,569
Fixed asset impairment loss (in dollars per share)					$0.17

Schedule_IIValuation_and_Quali1

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Allowance for doubtful receivables
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$10,369	$7,898	$7,555
Charged to profit and loss	1,780	4,674	1,336
Deductions from reserves	-2,227	-2,203	-993
Balance at close of period	9,922	10,369	7,898
Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	107,767	120,979	123,522
Charged to profit and loss	-3,280	-13,212	-2,543
Balance at close of period	$104,487	$107,767	$120,979