Valmont Industries (VMI) 10-K 1 Mar 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 21, 2017	Jun. 25, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	102,729
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 2,917,069,089
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,521,423
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Product sales	$ 2,255,860	$ 2,338,132	$ 2,824,456
Services sales	265,816	280,792	298,687
Net sales	2,521,676	2,618,924	3,123,143
Product cost of sales	1,682,355	1,804,055	2,118,687
Services cost of sales	183,078	193,836	196,339
Total cost of sales	1,865,433	1,997,891	2,315,026
Gross profit	656,243	621,033	808,117
Selling, general and administrative expenses	412,739	447,368	450,401
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	41,970	0
Operating income	243,504	131,695	357,716
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(44,409)	(44,621)	(36,790)
Interest income	3,105	3,296	6,046
Costs associated with refinancing of debt	0	0	(38,705)
Other	18,254	2,637	(4,084)
Total other income (expenses)	(23,050)	(38,688)	(73,533)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	220,454	93,007	284,183
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	65,748	42,569	89,643
Deferred	(23,685)	4,858	5,251
Total income tax expense (benefit)	42,063	47,427	94,894
Comprehensive income (loss)	100,235	(91,836)	99,748
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	178,391	45,580	189,289
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	(247)	29
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	13,652	0	0
Net earnings	178,391	45,333	189,318
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,159)	(5,216)	(5,342)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 173,232	$ 40,117	$ 183,976
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 7.68	$ 1.72	$ 7.15
Diluted (in dollars per share)	7.63	1.71	7.09
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.500	$ 1.500	$ 1.375
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (in shares)	22,562	23,288	25,719
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	22,709	23,405	25,932

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 178,391	$ 45,333	$ 189,318
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	(58,315)	(96,694)	(82,275)
Gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge, net of tax of $2,646	4,226	0	0
Amortization cost included in interest expense	74	74	594
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings	0	(3,130)	983
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	0	2,855	4,837
Derivative adjustment	4,300	(201)	6,414
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($10,732) in 2015, ($3,450) in 2014, and ($10,143) in 2013	(24,141)	(40,274)	(13,709)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(78,156)	(137,169)	(89,570)
Comprehensive income (loss)	100,235	(91,836)	99,748
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,144)	(832)	(2,520)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 94,091	$ (92,668)	$ 97,228

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge, tax	$ 2,646
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability, tax	$ (25,778)	$ (11)	$ (3,450)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 399,948	$ 349,074
Receivables, less allowance of $10,250 in 2016 and $10,055 in 2015	439,342	466,443
Inventories	350,028	340,672
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	57,297	46,137
Refundable income taxes	6,601	24,526
Total current assets	1,253,216	1,226,852
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,105,736	1,081,056
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	587,401	548,567
Net property, plant and equipment	518,335	532,489
Goodwill	321,110	336,916
Other intangible assets, net	144,378	170,197
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $8,741 in 2016 and $10,953 in 2015	154,692	125,928
Total assets	2,391,731	2,392,382
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	851	1,077
Notes payable to banks	746	976
Accounts payable	177,488	179,983
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	72,404	70,354
Accrued expenses	89,914	105,593
Dividends payable	8,445	8,571
Total current liabilities	349,848	366,554
Deferred income taxes	35,803	35,669
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	754,795	756,918
Defined benefit pension liability	209,470	179,323
Deferred compensation	44,319	48,417
Other noncurrent liabilities	14,910	40,290
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock of $1 par value - Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,874,722	1,729,679
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(346,359)	(267,218)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,379,106 in 2016 and 5,042,775 in 2015	(612,781)	(571,920)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	943,482	918,441
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	39,104	46,770
Total shareholders’ equity	982,586	965,211
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 2,391,731	$ 2,392,382

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 10,250	$ 10,055
Other assets, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 8,741	$ 10,953
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, authorized shares (in shares)	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, issued shares (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, issued shares (in shares)	27,900,000	27,900,000
Common shares in treasury, shares	5,379,106	5,042,775

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			32 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 178,391	$ 45,333	$ 189,318
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	82,417	91,144	89,328
Noncash loss on trading securities	586	4,555	3,795
Non-cash after-tax loss on deconsolidation	(13,652)	0	0
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	1,099	19,836	0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities	(13,652)
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets	0	41,970	0
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	0	0	(2,478)
Stock-based compensation	9,931	7,244	6,730
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(3,242)	0	(4,300)
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit)	1,870	(610)	2,638
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	(1,488)	(16,500)	(18,173)
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	631	2,327	392
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	247	(29)
Deferred income taxes	(23,685)	4,858	5,251
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	24,622	50,267	907
Inventories	(11,461)	3,296	21,458
Prepaid expenses	1,138	10,844	(13,594)
Accounts payable	104	(6,805)	(34,321)
Accrued expenses	(12,207)	8,918	(34,778)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(23,880)	(1,764)	1,755
Income taxes payable (refundable)	7,994	7,107	(39,803)
Net cash flows from operating activities	219,168	272,267	174,096
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(57,920)	(45,468)	(73,023)
Proceeds from sale of assets	5,126	3,249	2,489
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(12,778)	(185,710)
Other, net	(255)	6,826	(619)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(53,049)	(48,171)	(256,863)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under short-term agreements	(200)	(12,853)	(4,472)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	0	68,000	652,211
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	(2,006)	(69,098)	(357,858)
Settlement of financial derivatives	0	0	4,981
Dividends paid	(34,053)	(35,357)	(32,443)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(2,938)	(2,634)	(2,919)
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries	(11,009)	0	0
Debt issuance costs	0	0	(7,644)
Purchase of treasury shares	(53,800)	(168,983)	(395,045)	$ (617,800)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	11,153	13,075	14,572
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises	0	1,699	4,264
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises	(2,305)	(13,854)	(15,403)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(95,158)	(220,005)	(139,756)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20,087)	(26,596)	(19,604)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	50,874	(22,505)	(242,127)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	349,074	371,579	613,706
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$ 399,948	$ 349,074	$ 371,579	$ 399,948

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
Beginning balance at Dec. 28, 2013	$ 1,544,846	$ 27,900	$ 0	$ 1,562,670	$ (47,685)	$ (20,860)	$ 22,821
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings	189,318			183,976			5,342
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(89,570)				(86,748)		(2,822)
Cash dividends declared	35,036			35,036
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(2,919)						(2,919)
Acquisition of DS SM	9,309		0				9,309
Acquisition of AgSense	16,333						16,333
Acquisition	508						508
Purchase of treasury shares	(395,045)					(395,045)
Stock plan exercises	(15,403)					(15,403)
Stock options exercised	14,572		(10,994)	7,052		18,514
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	4,264		4,264
Stock option expense	4,461		4,461
Stock awards	4,767		2,269			2,498
Ending balance at Dec. 27, 2014	1,250,405	27,900	0	1,718,662	(134,433)	(410,296)	48,572
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings	45,333			40,117			5,216
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(137,169)				(132,785)		(4,384)
Cash dividends declared	34,816			34,816
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(2,634)						(2,634)
Purchase of treasury shares	(168,983)					(168,983)
Stock plan exercises	(13,854)					(13,854)
Stock options exercised	13,075		(12,895)	5,716		20,254
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	1,699		1,699
Stock option expense	5,137		5,137
Stock awards	7,018		6,059			959
Ending balance at Dec. 26, 2015	965,211	27,900	0	1,729,679	(267,218)	(571,920)	46,770
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings	178,391			173,232			5,159
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(78,156)				(79,141)		985
Cash dividends declared	33,921			33,921
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(2,938)						(2,938)
Acquisition of DS SM	(11,009)		(137)				(10,872)
Purchase of treasury shares	(53,800)					(53,800)
Stock plan exercises	(2,305)					(2,305)
Stock options exercised	11,153		(7,614)	5,732		13,035
Stock option expense	5,782		5,782
Stock awards	4,178		1,969			2,209
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 982,586	$ 27,900	$ 0	$ 1,874,722	$ (346,359)	$ (612,781)	$ 39,104

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME9

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 1.50	$ 1.375
Number of shares acquired	441,949	1,435,488	2,711,149
Stock plan exercises; shares acquired (in shares)	16,777	112,995	97,974
Stock options exercised; shares issued (in shares)	109,893	169,493	194,627
Stock awards; shares issued (in shares)	15,700	10,329	22,010

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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") is 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 intercompany items have been eliminated. Cash overdrafts Cash book overdrafts totaling $18,734 and $15,536 were classified as accounts payable at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , 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 five reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered metal structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, and roadway safety; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry; ENERGY AND MINING: This segment consists of the manufacture of access systems applications, forged steel grinding media, and offshore oil and gas and wind energy structures. 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 as well as tubular products for industrial customers. In addition to these five reportable segments, there are other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales. These operations include the distribution of industrial fasteners in years prior to 2016. 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 year ended December 31, 2016 consisted of 53 weeks. The Company's fiscal years ended December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 consisted of 52 weeks. The estimated impact on the company's results of operations due to the extra week in fiscal 2016 was additional net sales of approximately $50,000 and additional net earnings of approximately $3,000. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are reported on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the outstanding receivables based on age of the receivable, economic conditions and customer credit quality. As the Company’s international Irrigation business has grown, the exposure to potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas of political instability, or with governments with which the Company has limited experience, or where there is a lack of transparency as to the current credit condition of governmental units. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had approximately $8,741 in delinquent accounts receivable with Chinese municipal entities with a specific allowance recorded against it based on our estimation of what will not be fully collected. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts related to both current and long-term accounts receivables was $18,991 at December 31, 2016 . Inventories Approximately 38% and 39% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , 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 $38,047 and $35,075 at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , 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 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $66,482 , $72,805 and $73,395 , respectively. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. The Company recognized a $4,151 impairment of the Melbourne galvanizing site's equipment in 2015 as the Company determined that our galvanizing operation in Melbourne, Australia would not generate sufficient cash flows on an undiscounted cash flow basis to recover its carrying value. Other impairment losses were recorded in 2016 and 2015 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company's restructuring plans. The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reporting units are evaluated using after-tax operating cash flows (less capital expenditures) discounted to present value. 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. Please see footnote 7 for details of impairments recognized during 2015. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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, fair value, or net investment hedge. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ (191,928 ) $ 3,678 $ (78,968 ) $ (267,218 ) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) (59,300 ) 4,300 (24,141 ) (79,141 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (251,228 ) $ 7,978 $ (103,109 ) $ (346,359 ) (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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. Treasury Stock Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.” When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional Paid-In Capital.” In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. In February 2015, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of December 31, 2016 , we have acquired 4,588,131 shares for approximately $617,800 under this share repurchase program. Research and Development Research and development costs are charged to operations in the year incurred. These costs are a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Research and development expenses were approximately $8,300 in 2016 , $11,600 in 2015 , and $13,900 in 2014 . (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, 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. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and can be adopted either retrospectively or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position but expects to adopt it as a cumulative effect adjustment in fiscal 2018. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory . Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The Company does not believe this inventory measurement change will have a significant effect on its valuation of inventory upon adoption in fiscal 2017. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which provides guidance requiring debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability and further clarification guidance allows the cost of securing a revolving line of credit to be recorded as a deferred asset regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. The Company retrospectively adopted this guidance and reclassified approximately $7,000 of debt issuance cost for its long-term debt (excluding its revolving line of credit) to direct reduction of long-term debt instead of an other asset in the consolidated balance sheet for December 26, 2015. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases , which provides revised guidance on leases requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense (similar to current operating leases) while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern (similar to current capital leases). Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and is to be applied on a modified retrospective transition. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but expects the adoption will result in a significant increase in total assets and liabilities. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which provides revised guidance for employee share-based compensation payments. The ASU requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. It also states excess tax benefits to be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity whereas currently it is classified within a financing cash flow activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company early adopted this guidance prospectively in the second quarter of 2016 which resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $355 in fiscal 2016. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATIO

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION	ACQUISITIONS Acquisitions of Businesses On September 30, 2015, the Company purchased American Galvanizing for $12,778 in cash, net of cash acquired, plus assumed liabilities. American Galvanizing operates a custom galvanizing operation in New Jersey with annual sales of approximately $8,000. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,019 and $2,178 of customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets were recorded. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. This business is included in the Coatings segment and was acquired to expand the Company's geographic presence in the Northeast United States. The purchase price allocation was finalized in the first quarter of 2016. Proforma disclosures were omitted as this business did not have a significant impact on the Company's 2015 or 2016 financial results. 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 operates two manufacturing locations in Denmark and its operations are reported in the Energy and Mining segment. 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 was subject to an earn-out clause that was contingent on meeting future operational metrics for which no liability has been established based on expectations. The earn-out clause expired on December 31, 2016 and no earn-out payment was made. 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. (2) ACQUISITIONS (Continued) The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition, which was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014. 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 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 were approximately $55,000 and its operations are included in the Engineered Support Structures segment. The acquisition of Shakespeare was completed to expand our product offering of composite structure solutions. The fair value measurement process and purchase price allocation for Shakespeare was finalized in the third quarter of 2015. (2) ACQUISITIONS (Continued) The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the Shakespeare acquisition (goodwill is 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 Based on the 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 12.0 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. A portion of the goodwill was deductible for tax purposes. AgSense is included in the Irrigation Segment. The fair value measurement process and purchase price allocation for AgSense were finalized in the second quarter of 2015. Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests In April 2016, the Company acquired the remaining 30% of IGC Galvanizing Industries (M) Sdn Bhd that it did not own for $5,841 . In June 2016, the Company acquired 5.2% of the remaining 10% of Valmont SM that it did not own for $5,168 . As these transactions were for acquisitions of part or all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiaries with no change in control, they were recorded within shareholders' equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES	RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES 2016 Plan In July 2016, the Company identified a restructuring plan (the "2016 Plan") in Australia/New Zealand focused primarily on closing and consolidating locations within the Energy and Mining and Coatings segments. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company decided to close a structures facility in Canada. The 2016 Plan was mostly completed by the end of the fiscal year. During the last six months of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded the following pre-tax expenses from the 2016 Plan: Energy & Mining Coatings ESS Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 665 $ 69 $ 955 $ — $ 1,689 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,490 — 767 — 2,257 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 887 — 212 — 1,099 Total cost of sales 3,042 69 1,934 — 5,045 Severance 175 236 174 — 585 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,961 — — 234 2,195 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 2,136 236 174 234 2,780 Consolidated total $ 5,178 $ 305 $ 2,108 $ 234 $ 7,825 2015 Plan In April 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a broad restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan") of up to $60,000 to respond to the market environment in certain businesses. The following pre-tax expenses were recognized in 2015: ESS Energy & Mining Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 2,305 $ 2,112 $ 1,555 $ 508 $ 724 $ — $ 7,204 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,467 882 1,853 175 — — 4,377 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 333 3,361 1,142 5,291 — — 10,127 Total cost of sales 4,105 6,355 4,550 5,974 724 — 21,708 Severance 2,951 714 404 270 423 1,957 6,719 Other cash restructuring expenses — — 238 336 — 1,142 1,716 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 2,223 — — — 130 7,356 9,709 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 5,174 714 642 606 553 10,455 18,144 Consolidated total $ 9,279 $ 7,069 $ 5,192 $ 6,580 $ 1,277 $ 10,455 $ 39,852 (3) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Continued) During fiscal 2016, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring expense (all cash) of $4,581 related to the 2015 Plan: • Utility segment recognized $528 (cost of sales) • ESS segment recognized $1,040 (SG&A) • Coatings segment recognized $602 (SG&A) • Irrigation segment recognized $468 (SG&A) • Corporate recorded $1,943 (SG&A) The 2015 Plan contemplated that the Company may have to recognize an impairment of goodwill in its APAC galvanizing reporting unit, dependent on future financial projections factoring the restructuring activities taking place in that reporting unit. The Company recognized $17,300 of impairments in the APAC galvanizing reporting unit during fiscal 2015 which was comparable to the amount included in the $60,000 original estimate. Change in the liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows: Balance at December 26, 2015 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at December 31, 2016 Severance $ 1,307 $ 3,660 $ (3,370 ) $ 1,597 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,426 7,647 (4,492 ) 4,581 Total $ 2,733 $ 11,307 $ (7,862 ) $ 6,178 A significant change in market conditions in any of the Company's segments may affect the Company's assessment of the restructuring activities.

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMA

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION	CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the fifty-three weeks ended December 31, 2016 , and the fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2015 , and December 27, 2014 were as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Interest $ 45,683 $ 44,974 $ 32,601 Income taxes 48,203 33,046 111,174

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	(5) INVENTORIES Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 : 2016 2015 Raw materials and purchased parts $ 143,659 $ 162,977 Work-in-process 27,291 25,644 Finished goods and manufactured goods 217,125 187,126 Subtotal 388,075 375,747 Less: LIFO reserve 38,047 35,075 $ 350,028 $ 340,672

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consist of the following: 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 85,724 $ 79,450 Buildings and improvements 325,813 323,469 Machinery and equipment 564,171 565,771 Transportation equipment 22,423 17,774 Office furniture and equipment 77,453 77,054 Construction in progress 30,152 17,538 $ 1,105,736 $ 1,081,056 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 $24,756 , $25,546 , and $28,580 for fiscal 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 31, 2016 are: Fiscal year ending 2017 $ 21,459 2018 16,904 2019 12,874 2020 11,355 2021 7,656 Subsequent 26,910 Total minimum lease payments $ 97,158

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Amortized Intangible Assets The components of amortized intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: December 31, 2016 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 191,316 $ 111,342 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,616 3,056 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,434 3,420 11 years Other 3,713 3,668 3 years $ 205,079 $ 121,486 December 26, 2015 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 201,801 $ 101,614 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,571 2,966 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,815 3,421 11 years Other 3,752 3,671 3 years $ 215,939 $ 111,672 Amortization expense for intangible assets was $ 15,935 , $ 18,339 and $ 18,414 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 , December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 , respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows: Estimated 2017 $ 15,063 2018 13,434 2019 12,694 2020 11,634 2021 9,586 The useful lives assigned to finite‑lived intangible assets included consideration of factors such as the Company’s past and expected experience related to customer retention rates, the remaining legal or contractual life of the underlying arrangement that resulted in the recognition of the intangible asset and the Company’s expected use of the intangible asset. Non-amortized intangible assets Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. The carrying values of trade names at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: (7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) December 31, December 26, Year Acquired Webforge $ 8,624 $ 10,430 2010 Valmont SM 8,765 8,919 2014 Newmark 11,111 11,111 2004 Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products 7,032 8,504 2010 Donhad 5,305 6,415 2010 Shakespeare 4,000 4,000 2014 Industrial Galvanizers 2,201 2,662 2010 Other 13,747 13,889 $ 60,785 $ 65,930 In its determination of these intangible assets as indefinite‑lived, the Company considered such factors as its expected future use of the intangible asset, legal, regulatory, technological and competitive factors that may impact the useful life or value of the intangible asset and the expected costs to maintain the value of the intangible asset. The Company expects that these intangible assets will maintain their value indefinitely. Accordingly, these assets are not amortized. The Company's trade names were tested for impairment separately from goodwill in the third quarter of 2016. 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. The decrease in certain trade names in 2016 was solely due to currency translation effects. In 2015, the Company recorded a $5,830 impairment of the Webforge trade name (in Energy and Mining segment) and a $1,100 impairment of the Industrial Galvanizing trade name (in Coatings segment). Goodwill The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 was as follows: Engineered Energy and Mining Segment Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross Balance at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 99,829 $ 75,404 $ 75,941 $ 19,359 $ 371,808 Accumulated impairment losses — (18,670 ) — (16,222 ) — (34,892 ) Balance at December 26, 2015 101,275 81,159 75,404 59,719 19,359 336,916 Foreign currency translation (6,961 ) (8,947 ) — (150 ) 252 (15,806 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 94,314 $ 72,212 $ 75,404 $ 59,569 $ 19,611 $ 321,110 (7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) Engineered Energy and Mining Segment Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Balance at December 27, 2014 $ 107,868 $ 106,770 $ 75,404 $ 75,533 $ 19,536 $ 385,111 Impairment — (18,670 ) — (16,222 ) — (34,892 ) Acquisition — — — 3,019 — 3,019 Foreign currency translation (4,856 ) (6,941 ) — (2,611 ) (177 ) (14,585 ) Divestiture of business (1,737 ) — — — — (1,737 ) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 81,159 $ 75,404 $ 59,719 $ 19,359 $ 336,916 During the second quarter of 2015, the Company divested of a small business in its ESS segment. The goodwill allocated to that business was $1,737 and was required to be written off based on the selling price of the divested business. The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed during the third quarter of 2016 and it was determined that the goodwill on the consolidated balance sheet was not impaired. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a $16,222 impairment charge which represented all of the goodwill on the APAC Coatings reporting unit. The forecast for lower prices for oil and natural gas required an interim step 2 test for our Access Systems reporting unit during the fourth quarter of 2015. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $18,670 impairment of Access System's goodwill.

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS	(8) BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS The Company maintains various lines of credit for short-term borrowings totaling $109,424 at December 31, 2016 . As of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, $0 and $199 was outstanding, respectively. 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 $109,424 at December 31, 2016 . 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 5.23% at December 26, 2015 . Other notes payable of $746 and $777 were outstanding at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	(9) INCOME TAXES Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries are as follows: 2016 2015 2014 United States $ 136,682 $ 99,175 $ 168,975 Foreign 83,772 (6,168 ) 115,208 $ 220,454 $ 93,007 $ 284,183 (9) INCOME TAXES (Continued) Income tax expense (benefit) consists of: 2016 2015 2014 Current: Federal $ 41,539 $ 23,130 $ 52,588 State 5,467 4,431 5,059 Foreign 19,123 15,077 32,443 66,129 42,638 90,090 Non-current: (381 ) (69 ) (447 ) Deferred: Federal 8,504 3,382 447 State 202 (333 ) 1,376 Foreign (32,391 ) 1,809 3,428 (23,685 ) 4,858 5,251 $ 42,063 $ 47,427 $ 94,894 The reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate follows: 2016 2015 2014 Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 1.7 3.1 1.8 Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances 2.9 (0.1 ) (0.4 ) Foreign tax rate differences (4.8 ) (5.7 ) (4.4 ) Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (0.2 ) (0.1 ) (0.2 ) Domestic production activities deduction (2.0 ) (3.8 ) (1.6 ) Goodwill impairment — 11.3 — UK tax rate reduction 1.0 7.7 — Reversal of contingent liability (2.2 ) — — UK defined benefit pension plan (14.6 ) — — Other 2.3 3.6 3.2 19.1 % 51.0 % 33.4 % Fiscal 2016 includes $32,450 of deferred income tax benefit attributable to the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset related to the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. This item arose from a 2016 international legal reorganization executed to better reflect the Company's operational business strategies. The Company considered many factors in effecting this realignment, including streamlining treasury functions, creating a platform for future growth, and capital allocation considerations. In addition, in fiscal 2016 the Company recorded a $9,888 valuation allowance against a tax credit which is not more likely than not to be realized. In 2016 and 2015, the Company was required to remeasure its U.K. deferred income tax assets to account for a change in the U.K. corporate tax rate. The Company recorded deferred income tax expense of $1,860 and $7,120 for this change in U.K. tax rates. The reversal of a $16,591 contingent non-current liability in 2016 is not taxable. 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: (9) INCOME TAXES (Continued) 2016 2015 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses and allowances $ 16,549 $ 18,320 Accrued insurance 1,071 1,408 Tax credits and loss carryforwards 104,439 130,743 Defined benefit pension liability 80,425 32,278 Inventory allowances 1,385 911 Accrued warranty 9,436 12,818 Deferred compensation 37,988 36,672 Gross deferred income tax assets 251,293 233,150 Valuation allowance (81,923 ) (90,837 ) Net deferred income tax assets 169,370 142,313 Deferred income tax liabilities: Work in progress 2,161 3,087 Property, plant and equipment 37,961 41,147 Intangible assets 50,405 54,162 Other liabilities 6,164 3,517 Total deferred income tax liabilities 96,691 101,913 Net deferred income tax asset/(liability) $ 72,679 $ 40,400 Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented as follows on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Balance Sheet Caption 2016 2015 Other assets $ 108,482 $ 76,069 Deferred income taxes (35,803 ) (35,669 ) Net deferred income tax asset/(liability) $ 72,679 $ 40,400 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 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 respectively, there were $104,439 and $130,743 relating to tax credits and loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances have been established for certain losses that reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will, more likely than not, be realized. The deferred tax assets at December 31, 2016 that are associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards not reduced by valuation allowances expire in periods starting 2017. Uncertain tax positions included in other non-current liabilities are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company would recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. (9) INCOME TAXES (Continued) The following summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits in 2016 and 2015 , in thousands: 2016 2015 Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year $ 3,876 $ 4,268 Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period 99 (173 ) Gross increases—current‑period tax positions 695 687 Settlements with taxing authorities (105 ) (361 ) Lapse of statute of limitations (1,165 ) (545 ) Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year $ 3,400 $ 3,876 There are approximately $1,210 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 2016, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $1,165 with $810 recorded as a reduction of income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. During 2015, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $545 , with $511 recorded as a reduction of its income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. In addition to these amounts, there was an aggregate of $192 and $280 of interest and penalties at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , 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 2013 and forward remain open under U.S. statutes of limitation. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $3,328 and $3,813 at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively. All foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently invested at December 31, 2016 . Provision has not been made for United States income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries (approximately $424,000 at December 31, 2016 and $415,000 at December 26, 2015 , 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. The determination of the additional U.S. federal and state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes have not been provided, as the determination is not practicable. 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.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	(10) LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt is as follows: December 31, December 26, 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a) $ 250,000 $ 250,000 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b) 250,000 250,000 Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a)(b) (4,360 ) (4,405 ) 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020(c) 250,200 250,200 Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes(c) 3,557 4,518 Revolving credit agreement (d) — — IDR Bonds(e) 8,500 8,500 Other notes 4,395 6,228 Debt issuance costs (6,646 ) (7,046 ) Long-term debt 755,646 757,995 Less current installments of long-term debt 851 1,077 Long-term debt, excluding current installments $ 754,795 $ 756,918 ______________________________________________ (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 $1,120 at December 31, 2016. 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 $3,240 at December 31, 2016. 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 $3,557 at December 31, 2016. 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 $400,000 to $600,000 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 $200,000 at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our option, either: (10) LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued) (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 31, 2016, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 17, 2019 and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 31, 2016, the Company had the ability to borrow $584,600 under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $15,400 associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $109,400 , $109,400 of which was unused at December 31, 2016. (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 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were 1.48% and 1.22% 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 31, 2016 . The minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following 2016 are: $894 , $890 , $749 , $250,954 and $762 . 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.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	(11) 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 31, 2016 , 706,298 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 $5,782 , $5,137 and $4,461 of compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) in the 2016 , 2015 and 2014 fiscal years, respectively. The associated tax benefits recorded in the 2016 , 2015 and 2014 fiscal years was $2,197 , $1,952 and $1,695 , respectively. (11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued) At December 31, 2016 , the amount of unrecognized stock option compensation expense, to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.15 years, was approximately $9,872 . The Company uses a binomial option pricing model to value its stock options. The fair value of each option grant made in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was estimated using the following assumptions: 2016 2015 2014 Expected volatility 33.88 % 34.13 % 32.27 % Risk-free interest rate 1.83 % 1.58 % 1.43 % Expected life from vesting date 3.0 yrs 3.0 yrs 3.0 yrs Dividend yield 1.13 % 0.94 % 0.75 % Following is a summary of the activity of the stock plans during 2014 , 2015 and 2016 : Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate 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 . Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 27, 2014 768,595 $ 113.72 Granted 291,708 104.89 Exercised (169,493 ) 74.37 Forfeited (41,201 ) 137.02 Outstanding at December 26, 2015 849,609 $ 117.42 5.18 $ 4,536 Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2015 818,300 $ 117.61 5.13 4,456 Options exercisable at December 26, 2015 409,068 $ 119.43 3.74 3,376 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2015 was $ 27.91 . (11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued) Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 26, 2015 849,609 $ 117.42 Granted 85,092 151.37 Exercised (109,893 ) 101.69 Forfeited (31,635 ) 129.36 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 793,173 $ 122.77 4.78 $ 16,640 Options vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2016 774,139 $ 124.18 4.75 16,200 Options exercisable at December 31, 2016 469,844 $ 123.75 3.96 9,056 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2016 was $ 40.00 . Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016 : Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Exercise Price Number Weighted Weighted Number Weighted $83.94 - 105.44 347,914 5.06 years $ 100.47 162,533 $ 95.93 $110.33 - 132.84 147,717 4.95 years 132.17 94,517 132.44 $136.42 - 151.90 297,542 4.36 years 144.18 212,794 141.15 793,173 469,844 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 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , 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): 2016 2015 2014 Shares issued 58,961 47,038 35,885 Weighted‑average per share price on grant date $ 150.48 $ 108.97 $ 136.91 Recognized compensation expense $ 4,069 $ 4,511 $ 3,978 At December 31, 2016 the amount of deferred stock‑based compensation granted, to be recognized over a weighted‑average period of 1.86 years, was approximately $11,896 .

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS): Basic EPS Dilutive Diluted EPS 2016: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 173,232 $ — $ 173,232 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 22,562 147 22,709 Per share amount $ 7.68 $ 0.05 $ 7.63 2015: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 40,117 $ — $ 40,117 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 23,288 117 23,405 Per share amount $ 1.72 $ 0.01 $ 1.71 2014: 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 Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2016 included a deferred income tax benefit of $30,590 ( $1.35 per share) primarily attributable to the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset related to the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. In addition, fiscal 2016 included $9,888 ( $0.44 per share) recorded as a valuation allowance against a tax credit asset. Finally, fiscal 2016 included the reversal of a contingent liability that was recognized as part of the Delta purchase accounting of $16,591 ( $0.73 per share) which was not taxable. Fiscal 2015 included impairments of goodwill and intangible assets of $40,140 after-tax ( $1.72 per share), asset impairments arising from restructuring activities of $14,545 after-tax ( $0.62 per share), and $13,622 of cash restructuring expenses ( $0.58 per share). Fiscal 2014 included costs associated with refinancing of our long-term debt of $24,171 after tax ( $0.93 per share). Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not equal the total for the year primarily due to the share buyback program that began in the second quarter of 2014. At the end of fiscal years 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 there were approximately 197,303 , 426,338 , and 449,000 outstanding stock options, respectively, with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLA

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	13) 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 2016 , 2015 and 2014 Company contributions to these plans amounted to approximately $10,900 , $11,700 and $12,600 respectively. (13) EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (Continued) 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 $35,784 and $37,963 at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively. Such amounts are included in “Other assets” and “Deferred compensation” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts distributed from the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan to participants under the transition rules of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code were approximately $5,317 and $2,439 at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively. All distributions were made in cash.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALU

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	(14) 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 31, 2016 , the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $755,646 with an estimated fair value of approximately $731,633 . At December 26, 2015 , the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $757,995 with an estimated fair value of approximately $724,020 . For financial reporting purposes, a three‑level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date is used. Inputs refers broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: • Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. • Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Trading Securities: The assets and liabilities recorded for the investments held in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan of $35,784 ( $37,963 in 2015 ) 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 $2,016 ( $4,734 in 2015 ) is recorded at fair value at December 31, 2016 . Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market and therefore categorized as a Level 1 input. These securities are included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (14) DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued) Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 37,800 $ 37,800 $ — $ — Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 42,697 $ 42,697 $ — $ —

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	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. Some of these derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings, while others may be accounted for as a fair value, cash flow, or net investment 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. The financial effects of these derivatives in 2016 and 2015 were minimal. Interest Rate Fluctuations: In prior years, the Company executed contracts to lock in the treasury rate related to the issuance of each of their unsecured notes due in 2020, 2044, and 2054. These contracts 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, each was deemed an effective hedge at inception. The settlement with each of the counterparties was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and at December 31, 2016, the Company has a $3,557 deferred loss and a $4,360 deferred gain remaining in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the past settlement of these forward contracts. The amount is amortized as a reduction of interest expense (for the deferred gain) or an increase in interest expense (for the deferred loss) over the term of the debt. 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 a receivable or payable denominated in a foreign currency, a forecasted transaction or a series of forecasted transactions denominated in a foreign currency, or an investment in foreign operations with a different functional currency. (15) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued) At December 31, 2016 , the Company had a couple of open foreign currency forward contracts, which are generally accounted for as cash flow hedges if hedge accounting is utilized. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into a one-year foreign currency forward contract which qualified as a net investment hedge, in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on a portion of our foreign subsidiary investments denominated in British pounds. The forward contract has a maturity date of May 2017 and a notional amount to sell British pounds and receive $44,000 dollars. The unrealized gain recorded at December 31, 2016 is $6,872 and is included in Other Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. No ineffectiveness has resulted from the hedge and the balance is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income within gain/(loss) on hedging activities. When the forward contract matures, the realized gain (loss) will be deferred in Other Comprehensive Income where it will remain until the net investments in our British subsidiaries are divested. At December 26, 2015 , the Company had one open forward contract related to interest payments on a large intercompany note denominated in Australian dollars. The interest from these notes are used to fund the delta pension plan in the United Kingdom with a functional currency of the British pound. The derivative was accounted for as a cash flow hedge and had a notional amount to sell Australian dollars of $36,590 , which was settled in January 2016. Total gains on the forward contract related to the intercompany note interest payments in fiscal 2015 was $1,821 .

GUARANTEES

GUARANTEES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantees [Abstract]
GUARANTEES	GUARANTEES The Company’s product warranty accrual reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Historical product claims data is used to estimate the cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. The Company recorded a $17,000 provision in the fourth quarter of 2015 for a commercial settlement with a large customer that requires ongoing quality monitoring. Changes in the product warranty accrual, which is recorded in “Accrued expenses”, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , were as follows: 2016 2015 Balance, beginning of period $ 36,653 $ 19,760 Payments made (20,355 ) (11,203 ) Change in liability for warranties issued during the period 9,565 28,608 Change in liability for pre-existing warranties 675 (512 ) Balance, end of period $ 26,538 $ 36,653

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN	(18) 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 31, 2016 . 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. Effective with year-end 2015, the Company early adopted the practical expedient accounting guidance that permits an entity to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end closest to the entity's fiscal year-end consistently going forward. The pension plan obligation recorded on the balance sheet as of December 26, 2015 was measured based on the pension plan assets and obligation as of December 31, 2015. Because the pension plan is denominated in British pounds sterling, the Company used exchange rates of $1.492 /£ and $1.234 /£ to translate the net pension liability into U.S. dollars at December 26, 2015 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The net funded status of $209,470 at December 31, 2016 is recorded as a noncurrent liability. Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets —The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is the present value of benefits earned to date, assuming no future compensation growth. As there are no active employees in the plan, the ABO is equal to the PBO. 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 27, 2014 to December 31, 2015 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 27, 2014 $ 692,283 $ 542,159 $ (150,124 ) Employer contributions — 16,500 Interest cost 24,614 — Actual return on plan assets — (306 ) Benefits paid (18,346 ) (18,346 ) Actuarial loss 28,130 — Currency translation (29,232 ) (21,881 ) Fair Value at December 31, 2015 $ 697,449 $ 518,126 $ (179,323 ) (18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued) Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 31, 2015 $ 697,449 $ 518,126 $ (179,323 ) Employer contributions — 1,426 Interest cost 23,496 — Actual return on plan assets — 80,538 Benefits paid (17,792 ) (17,792 ) Actuarial loss 125,765 — Currency translation (132,781 ) (95,631 ) Fair Value at December 31, 2016 $ 696,137 $ 486,667 $ (209,470 ) Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 consisted of actuarial gains (losses): Balance December 27, 2014 $ (55,953 ) Actuarial loss (53,661 ) Currency translation gain 2,655 Balance December 26, 2015 (106,959 ) Actuarial loss (66,957 ) Currency translation gain 17,038 Balance December 31, 2016 $ (156,878 ) The estimated amount to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2017 is approximately $2,840 . Assumptions —The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows: Percentages 2016 2015 Discount rate 2.80 % 3.75 % Salary increase N/A N/A CPI inflation 2.25 % 2.15 % RPI inflation 3.15 % 3.25 % (18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued) 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 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: 2016 2015 Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Interest cost 23,496 24,614 Expected return on plan assets (22,986 ) (25,224 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 1,360 — Net periodic benefit expense (benefit) $ 1,870 $ (610 ) Assumptions —The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense are as follows for fiscal 2016 and 2015: Percentages 2016 2015 Discount rate 3.75 % 3.65 % Expected return on plan assets 5.15 % 5.00 % CPI Inflation 2.15 % 2.10 % RPI Inflation 3.35 % 3.20 % 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 2016 regarding annual funding for the Plan. The annual contributions into the Plan are $12,340 (/£ 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 $1,357 (/£ 1,100 ) per annum. The Company deferred its 2016 recovery plan contribution payment of £ 10,000 , placing it into a restricted cash account. The restriction will release before March 31, 2017, when the Company contributes the £ 10,000 to the Plan. Benefit Payments The following table details expected pension benefit payments for the years 2017 through 2026: (18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued) 2017 $ 16,650 2018 17,200 2019 17,800 2020 18,250 2021 18,900 Years 2022 - 2026 104,000 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 31, 2016. 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. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using net asset value (NAV) for each investment. Corporate Bonds —Corporate bonds and debentures consist of fixed income securities issued by U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment. Corporate Stock —This investment category consists of common and preferred stock, including mutual funds, issued by U.K. and non-U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment, except for one small holding that is actively traded. 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. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment. (18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued) At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows: December 31, 2016 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 1,900 $ — $ — $ 1,900 Corporate stock 480 — — 480 Total plan net assets at fair value $ 2,380 $ — $ — $ 2,380 Plan assets at NAV: Index-linked gilts 135,141 Corporate bonds 83,834 Corporate stock 165,338 Diversified growth funds 99,974 Total plan assets at NAV 484,287 Total plan assets $ 486,667 December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 4,673 $ — $ — $ 4,673 Corporate stock 508 — — 508 Total plan net assets at fair value $ 5,181 $ — $ — $ 5,181 Plan assets at NAV: Index-linked gilts 123,257 Corporate bonds 100,701 Corporate stock 172,456 Diversified growth funds 116,531 Total plan assets at NAV 512,945 Total plan assets $ 518,126

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	BUSINESS SEGMENTS The Company has five reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and the allocation of capital within the segment. Net corporate expense is net of certain service‑related expenses that are allocated to business units generally on the basis of employee headcounts and sales dollars. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, and roadway safety industries; ENERGY AND MINING: This segment, all outside of the United States, consists of the manufacture of access systems applications, forged steel grinding media, on and off shore oil, gas, and wind energy structures; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry; COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services on a global basis; and IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the global agricultural industry and tubular products for industrial customers. In addition to these five reportable segments, the Company had other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales. Due to the business reorganization that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2015, there are no longer business operations included in Other. 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. (19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) Summary by Business 2016 2015 2014 SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products $ 632,455 $ 600,280 $ 648,352 Communication Products 168,070 171,173 161,618 Engineered Support Structures segment 800,525 771,453 809,970 Energy and Mining segment: Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 107,824 103,068 146,432 Grinding Media 83,110 96,442 116,056 Access Systems 131,703 138,349 181,495 Energy and Mining segment 322,637 337,859 443,983 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 541,295 578,996 714,427 Concrete 90,256 95,581 110,589 Utility Support Structures segment 631,551 674,577 825,016 Coatings segment 289,481 302,385 333,853 Irrigation segment 575,204 612,201 846,326 Other — 7,247 10,108 Total 2,619,398 2,705,722 3,269,256 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures 36,013 23,003 74,963 Energy and Mining 8,105 4,652 295 Utility Support Structures 769 1,239 2,451 Coatings 45,604 46,912 55,418 Irrigation 7,231 6,430 6,609 Other — 4,562 6,377 Total 97,722 86,798 146,113 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 764,512 748,450 735,007 Energy and Mining segment 314,532 333,207 443,688 Utility Support Structures segment 630,782 673,338 822,565 Coatings segment 243,877 255,473 278,435 Irrigation segment 567,973 605,771 839,717 Other — 2,685 3,731 Total $ 2,521,676 $ 2,618,924 $ 3,123,143 (19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) 2016 2015 2014 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS): Engineered Support Structures $ 71,398 $ 59,592 $ 66,024 Energy and Mining 11,851 (18,762 ) 41,342 Utility Support Structures 69,077 37,847 95,118 Coatings 46,596 27,369 60,921 Irrigation 87,835 84,537 151,508 Other — (9,802 ) (1,535 ) Corporate (43,253 ) (49,086 ) (55,662 ) Total 243,504 131,695 357,716 Interest expense, net (41,304 ) (41,325 ) (30,744 ) Costs associated with refinancing of debt — — (38,705 ) Other 18,254 2,637 (4,084 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries $ 220,454 $ 93,007 $ 284,183 TOTAL ASSETS: Engineered Support Structures $ 610,366 $ 611,201 $ 640,132 Energy and Mining 364,658 396,366 500,407 Utility Support Structures 410,448 422,021 470,720 Coatings 274,666 270,793 301,707 Irrigation 313,982 310,967 360,883 Other — 2,267 4,930 Corporate 417,611 378,767 443,176 Total $ 2,391,731 $ 2,392,382 $ 2,721,955 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: Engineered Support Structures $ 16,045 $ 11,445 $ 11,849 Energy and Mining 3,427 3,544 4,893 Utility Support Structures 3,411 11,815 9,014 Coatings 24,873 6,836 14,029 Irrigation 8,836 7,756 21,113 Other — 1,396 1,181 Corporate 1,328 2,676 10,944 Total $ 57,920 $ 45,468 $ 73,023 (19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) 2016 2015 2014 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Engineered Support Structures $ 21,048 $ 22,810 $ 22,363 Energy and Mining 17,425 20,733 22,146 Utility Support Structures 16,492 17,959 17,811 Coatings 12,883 12,962 14,615 Irrigation 12,097 11,746 10,471 Other — 570 123 Corporate 2,472 4,364 1,799 Total $ 82,417 $ 91,144 $ 89,328 Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities: 2016 2015 2014 NET SALES: United States $ 1,535,321 $ 1,586,702 $ 1,808,427 Australia 315,470 347,975 439,530 Denmark 99,719 98,628 146,432 Other 571,166 585,619 728,754 Total $ 2,521,676 $ 2,618,924 $ 3,123,143 LONG-LIVED ASSETS: United States $ 568,085 $ 575,737 $ 609,005 Australia 216,416 259,326 316,382 Denmark 85,654 90,463 111,161 Other 268,360 240,004 292,466 Total $ 1,138,515 $ 1,165,530 $ 1,329,014 No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2016 , 2015 , or 2014 . 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 13% of the Company's net sales in 2016 , no other foreign country accounted for more than 5% of the Company’s net sales. Operating income by business segment are based on net sales less identifiable operating expenses and allocations and includes profits recorded on sales to other operating units of the company. Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation, goodwill, other intangible assets and other assets. Long-lived assets by geographical area are based on location of facilities.

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES	(17) 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. The Company established a provision in 2010 to address a pre-acquisition contingency which arose from the Delta acquisition and was recognized as part of the purchase accounting. The applicable statutes of limitations have expired and the Company determined this contingent liability is remote. Therefore in 2016, the Company reduced "Other noncurrent liabilities" by $16,591 , the amount of the provision, and recognized “Other" income.

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINANCI

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION	GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Company has three tranches of senior unsecured notes. All of the senior notes are guaranteed, jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally (subject to certain customary release provisions, including sale of the subsidiary guarantor, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets) by certain of the Company’s current and future direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries (collectively the “Guarantors”), excluding its other current domestic and foreign subsidiaries which do not guarantee the debt (collectively referred to as the “Non-Guarantors”). All Guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company. The Company is the issuer. Consolidated financial information for the Company ("Parent"), the Guarantor subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor subsidiaries is as follows: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Year ended December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 1,126,985 $ 390,756 $ 1,195,812 $ (191,877 ) $ 2,521,676 Cost of sales 837,616 285,924 932,609 (190,716 ) 1,865,433 Gross profit 289,369 104,832 263,203 (1,161 ) 656,243 Selling, general and administrative expenses 184,493 46,244 182,002 — 412,739 Operating income 104,876 58,588 81,201 (1,161 ) 243,504 Other income (expense): Interest expense (43,703 ) (10 ) (696 ) — (44,409 ) Interest income 273 112 2,720 — 3,105 Other 1,480 77 16,697 — 18,254 (41,950 ) 179 18,721 — (23,050 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 62,926 58,767 99,922 (1,161 ) 220,454 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 24,539 20,270 21,262 (323 ) 65,748 Deferred 6,216 — (29,901 ) — (23,685 ) 30,755 20,270 (8,639 ) (323 ) 42,063 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 32,171 38,497 108,561 (838 ) 178,391 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 141,061 66,128 — (207,189 ) — Net earnings 173,232 104,625 108,561 (208,027 ) 178,391 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,159 ) — (5,159 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 173,232 $ 104,625 $ 103,402 $ (208,027 ) $ 173,232 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Year ended December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 1,169,674 $ 423,928 $ 1,238,609 $ (213,287 ) $ 2,618,924 Cost of sales 890,242 332,847 987,729 (212,927 ) 1,997,891 Gross profit 279,432 91,081 250,880 (360 ) 621,033 Selling, general and administrative expenses 194,335 45,549 207,484 — 447,368 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — — 41,970 — 41,970 Operating income 85,097 45,532 1,426 (360 ) 131,695 Other income (expense): Interest expense (43,552 ) — (1,069 ) — (44,621 ) Interest income 9 103 3,184 — 3,296 Other (2,374 ) 60 4,951 — 2,637 (45,917 ) 163 7,066 — (38,688 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 39,180 45,695 8,492 (360 ) 93,007 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 863 23,261 18,446 (1 ) 42,569 Deferred 10,042 (6,224 ) 1,040 — 4,858 10,905 17,037 19,486 (1 ) 47,427 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 28,275 28,658 (10,994 ) (359 ) 45,580 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 11,842 (39,418 ) (247 ) 27,576 (247 ) Net earnings 40,117 (10,760 ) (11,241 ) 27,217 45,333 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,216 ) — (5,216 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 40,117 $ (10,760 ) $ (16,457 ) $ 27,217 $ 40,117 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Year ended December 27, 2014 Parent Guarantors Non- 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 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year ended December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 173,232 $ 104,625 $ 108,561 $ (208,027 ) $ 178,391 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gains (losses) — 49 (58,364 ) — (58,315 ) Gain (loss) on hedging activity: Unrealized gain on net investment hedge 4,226 — — — 4,226 Amortization cost included in interest expense 74 — — — 74 4,300 — — — 4,300 Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability — — (24,141 ) — (24,141 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (83,252 ) — — 83,252 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (78,952 ) 49 (82,505 ) 83,252 (78,156 ) Comprehensive income (loss) 94,280 104,674 26,056 (124,775 ) 100,235 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (6,144 ) — (6,144 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 94,280 $ 104,674 $ 19,912 $ (124,775 ) $ 94,091 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year ended December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 40,117 $ (10,760 ) $ (11,241 ) $ 27,217 $ 45,333 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gains (losses) — (15,166 ) (81,528 ) — (96,694 ) — (15,166 ) (81,528 ) — (96,694 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedge: Amortization cost included in interest expense 74 — — — 74 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings (3,130 ) — — — (3,130 ) Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges 2,855 — — — 2,855 (201 ) — — — (201 ) Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability — — (40,274 ) — (40,274 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (132,584 ) — — 132,584 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (132,785 ) (15,166 ) (121,802 ) 132,584 (137,169 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (92,668 ) (25,926 ) (133,043 ) 159,801 (91,836 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (832 ) — (832 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ (92,668 ) $ (25,926 ) $ (133,875 ) $ 159,801 $ (92,668 ) (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year ended December 27, 2014 Parent Guarantors Non- 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 translation gains (losses) — (51,536 ) (30,739 ) — (82,275 ) — (51,536 ) (30,739 ) — (82,275 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedge: Amortization cost included in interest expense 594 — — — 594 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings 983 — — — 983 Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges 4,837 — — — 4,837 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 $ 38,872 $ (55,061 ) $ 97,228 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,225 $ 6,071 $ 326,652 $ — $ 399,948 Receivables, net 134,351 60,522 244,469 — 439,342 Inventories 126,669 45,457 182,056 (4,154 ) 350,028 Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets 13,271 880 43,146 — 57,297 Refundable income taxes 6,601 — — — 6,601 Total current assets 348,117 112,930 796,323 (4,154 ) 1,253,216 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 547,076 153,596 405,064 — 1,105,736 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 352,960 76,776 157,665 — 587,401 Net property, plant and equipment 194,116 76,820 247,399 — 518,335 Goodwill 20,108 110,561 190,441 — 321,110 Other intangible assets 184 35,953 108,241 — 144,378 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,279,413 901,758 1,089,369 (3,270,540 ) — Other assets 43,880 — 110,812 — 154,692 Total assets $ 1,885,818 $ 1,238,022 $ 2,542,585 $ (3,274,694 ) $ 2,391,731 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ — $ — $ 851 $ — $ 851 Notes payable to banks — — 746 — 746 Accounts payable 52,272 15,732 109,484 — 177,488 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 34,508 7,243 30,653 — 72,404 Accrued expenses 30,261 15,242 44,411 — 89,914 Dividends payable 8,445 — — — 8,445 Total current liabilities 125,486 38,217 186,145 — 349,848 Deferred income taxes 22,481 — 13,322 — 35,803 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,251 — 3,544 — 754,795 Defined benefit pension liability — — 209,470 — 209,470 Deferred compensation 39,476 — 4,843 — 44,319 Other noncurrent liabilities 3,642 5 11,263 — 14,910 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,683 (1,106,633 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,874,722 646,749 603,338 (1,250,087 ) 1,874,722 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (346,359 ) (64,313 ) (284,663 ) 348,976 (346,359 ) Treasury stock (612,781 ) — — — (612,781 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 943,482 1,199,800 2,074,894 (3,274,694 ) 943,482 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 39,104 — 39,104 Total shareholders’ equity 943,482 1,199,800 2,113,998 (3,274,694 ) 982,586 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,885,818 $ 1,238,022 $ 2,542,585 $ (3,274,694 ) $ 2,391,731 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 62,281 $ 4,008 $ 282,785 $ — $ 349,074 Receivables, net 130,741 66,387 269,315 — 466,443 Inventories 132,222 38,379 173,064 (2,993 ) 340,672 Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets 9,900 766 35,471 — 46,137 Refundable income taxes 24,526 — — — 24,526 Total current assets 359,670 109,540 760,635 (2,993 ) 1,226,852 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 541,536 132,864 406,656 — 1,081,056 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 334,471 69,956 144,140 — 548,567 Net property, plant and equipment 207,065 62,908 262,516 — 532,489 Goodwill 20,108 110,562 206,246 — 336,916 Other intangible assets 238 40,959 129,000 — 170,197 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,239,228 813,779 939,177 (2,992,184 ) — Other assets 40,067 — 85,861 — 125,928 Total assets $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ 215 $ — $ 862 $ — $ 1,077 Notes payable to banks — — 976 — 976 Accounts payable 66,723 13,680 99,580 — 179,983 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 32,272 6,347 31,735 — 70,354 Accrued expenses 31,073 22,802 51,718 — 105,593 Dividends payable 8,571 — — — 8,571 Total current liabilities 138,854 42,829 184,871 — 366,554 Deferred income taxes 9,686 — 25,983 — 35,669 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,765 — 5,153 — 756,918 Defined benefit pension liability — — 179,323 — 179,323 Deferred compensation 43,485 — 4,932 — 48,417 Other noncurrent liabilities 4,145 — 36,145 — 40,290 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,683 (1,106,633 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,729,679 541,917 354,727 (896,644 ) 1,729,679 Accumulated other comprehensive income (267,218 ) (64,362 ) (210,688 ) 275,050 (267,218 ) Treasury stock (571,920 ) — — — (571,920 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,900,258 (2,995,177 ) 918,441 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 46,770 — 46,770 Total shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,947,028 (2,995,177 ) 965,211 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Year ended December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 173,232 $ 104,625 $ 108,561 $ (208,027 ) $ 178,391 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 27,096 13,316 42,005 — 82,417 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 586 — 586 Increase in restricted cash - pension plan trust — — (13,652 ) — (13,652 ) Impairment of property, plant and equipment — — 1,099 — 1,099 Stock-based compensation 9,931 — — — 9,931 Change in fair value of contingent consideration — — (3,242 ) — (3,242 ) Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit) — — 1,870 — 1,870 Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (1,488 ) — (1,488 ) (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 165 103 363 — 631 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (141,061 ) (66,128 ) — 207,189 — Deferred income taxes 6,216 — (29,901 ) — (23,685 ) Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions): Receivables (3,610 ) 5,865 22,367 — 24,622 Inventories 5,554 (7,078 ) (11,097 ) 1,160 (11,461 ) Prepaid expenses (1,250 ) (114 ) 2,502 — 1,138 Accounts payable (14,452 ) 2,052 12,504 — 104 Accrued expenses 1,423 (6,664 ) (6,966 ) — (12,207 ) Other noncurrent liabilities (2,333 ) 5 (21,552 ) — (23,880 ) Income taxes payable (refundable) 32,873 (16,567 ) (8,312 ) — 7,994 Net cash flows from operating activities 93,784 29,415 95,647 322 219,168 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (9,031 ) (22,320 ) (26,569 ) — (57,920 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 44 102 4,980 — 5,126 Other, net (633 ) (5,085 ) 5,785 (322 ) (255 ) Net cash flows from investing activities (9,620 ) (27,303 ) (15,804 ) (322 ) (53,049 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net payments under short-term agreements — — (200 ) — (200 ) Principal payments on long-term borrowings (215 ) — (1,791 ) — (2,006 ) Dividends paid (34,053 ) — — — (34,053 ) Purchase of noncontrolling interest — — (11,009 ) — (11,009 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,938 ) — (2,938 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 11,153 — — — 11,153 Purchase of treasury shares (53,800 ) — — — (53,800 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (2,305 ) — — — (2,305 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (79,220 ) — (15,938 ) — (95,158 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — (49 ) (20,038 ) — (20,087 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 4,944 2,063 43,867 — 50,874 Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 62,281 4,008 282,785 — 349,074 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 67,225 $ 6,071 $ 326,652 $ — $ 399,948 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Year ended December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 40,117 $ (10,760 ) $ (11,241 ) $ 27,217 $ 45,333 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 29,433 12,611 49,100 — 91,144 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 4,555 — 4,555 Impairment of property, plant and equipment 7,486 542 11,808 — 19,836 Impairment of goodwill & intangibles assets — — 41,970 — 41,970 Stock-based compensation 7,244 — — — 7,244 Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit) — — (610 ) — (610 ) Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (16,500 ) — (16,500 ) (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 983 319 1,025 — 2,327 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (11,842 ) 39,418 247 (27,576 ) 247 Deferred income taxes 10,042 (6,224 ) 1,040 — 4,858 Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions): Receivables 27,576 3,547 19,144 — 50,267 Inventories (4,364 ) 18,130 (12,698 ) 2,228 3,296 Prepaid expenses 2,337 (172 ) 8,679 — 10,844 Accounts payable 6,831 (1,970 ) (11,666 ) — (6,805 ) Accrued expenses (16,485 ) 17,713 7,366 324 8,918 Other noncurrent liabilities 177 — (1,941 ) — (1,764 ) Income taxes payable (refundable) 7,895 (306 ) (482 ) — 7,107 Net cash flows from operating activities 107,430 72,848 89,796 2,193 272,267 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (14,362 ) (7,718 ) (23,388 ) — (45,468 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 3,996 302 (1,049 ) — 3,249 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (12,778 ) — — (12,778 ) Other, net 72,866 (50,447 ) (13,400 ) (2,193 ) 6,826 Net cash flows from investing activities 62,500 (70,641 ) (37,837 ) (2,193 ) (48,171 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net payments under short-term agreements — — (12,853 ) — (12,853 ) Proceeds from long-term borrowings 68,000 — — — 68,000 Principal payments on long-term borrowings (68,213 ) — (885 ) — (69,098 ) Dividends paid (35,357 ) — — — (35,357 ) Intercompany dividends 26,115 — (26,115 ) — — Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,634 ) — (2,634 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 13,075 — — — 13,075 Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises 1,699 — — — 1,699 Purchase of treasury shares (168,983 ) — — — (168,983 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (13,854 ) — — — (13,854 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (177,518 ) — (42,487 ) — (220,005 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — (356 ) (26,240 ) — (26,596 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (7,588 ) 1,851 (16,768 ) — (22,505 ) Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 69,869 2,157 299,553 — 371,579 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 62,281 $ 4,008 $ 282,785 $ — $ 349,074 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Year ended December 27, 2014 Parent Guarantors Non- 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 Non-cash loss on trading securities — — 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 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 payments 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

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaud

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	21) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) Net Earnings Gross Per Share Stock Price Dividends Net Sales Profit Amount Basic Diluted High Low Declared 2016 First $ 596,605 $ 160,968 $ 32,969 $ 1.45 $ 1.45 $ 125.69 $ 96.50 $ 0.375 Second 640,249 175,117 42,026 1.86 1.85 145.94 117.10 0.375 Third 610,247 155,023 28,173 1.25 1.24 139.62 125.60 0.375 Fourth (1) 674,575 165,135 70,064 3.12 3.10 156.05 120.65 0.375 Year $ 2,521,676 $ 656,243 $ 173,232 $ 7.68 $ 7.63 $ 156.05 $ 96.50 $ 1.50 2015 First $ 670,398 $ 165,454 $ 30,739 $ 1.29 $ 1.28 $ 130.26 $ 117.56 $ 0.375 Second (2) 682,123 169,548 27,873 1.19 1.19 128.26 118.09 0.375 Third (3) 632,575 156,751 12,066 0.52 0.52 121.23 97.44 0.375 Fourth (4) 633,828 129,280 (30,561 ) (1.34 ) (1.34 ) 117.94 93.99 0.375 Year $ 2,618,924 $ 621,033 $ 40,117 $ 1.72 $ 1.71 $ 130.26 $ 93.99 $ 1.50 Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not equal the total for the year. _______________________________ (1) The fourth quarter of 2016 included a deferred income tax benefit of $30,590 ( $1.35 per share) primarily attributable to the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset related to the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. In addition, fiscal 2016 included $9,888 ( $0.44 per share) recorded as a valuation allowance against a tax credit asset. Finally, the fourth quarter of 2016 included the reversal of a contingent liability that was recognized as part of the Delta purchase accounting of $16,591 ( $0.73 per share). (2) The second quarter of 2015 included costs associated with the restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan") that was approved by the Board of Directors in April 2015 of $9,828 after tax ( $0.42 per share). (3) The third quarter of 2015 included costs associated with the Plan of $6,310 after tax ( $0.27 per share) and non- cash impairments of goodwill and trade names of $13,370 after tax ( $0.58 per share). (4) The fourth quarter of 2015 included costs associated with the Plan of $11,521 after tax ( $0.50 per share) and non-cash impairments of goodwill and intangibles of $ 7,130 and $19,640 after tax (combined $1.16 per share) related to our APAC Coatings and Access Systems businesses, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded a one time increase in its warranty reserve related to one large utility project of $11,135 after tax ( $0.50 per share) and an increase to the bad debt allowance for a large international irrigation receivable of $5,110 after tax ( $0.21 per share). Lastly, U.K. corporate tax rates were collectively reduced from 20% to 18% which reduced the value of our deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards and certain timing differences which increased the Company's tax expense by $7,120 ( $0.31 per share).

Schedule II-Valuation and Quali

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	RIES Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Dollars in thousands) Balance at Charged to Currency Translation Adjustment Deductions Balance at Fifty-three weeks ended December 31, 2016 Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies— Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 21,008 1,273 (734 ) (2,556 ) $ 18,991 Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation 90,837 9,888 (18,129 ) (673 ) 81,923 Fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2015 Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies— Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 9,922 12,420 (1,143 ) (191 ) $ 21,008 Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation 104,487 1,267 (14,917 ) — 90,837 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 (308 ) (1,919 ) $ 9,922 Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation 107,767 958 (4,238 ) — 104,487 ______________________________________________ * The deductions from reserves are net of recoveries.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN32

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and can be adopted either retrospectively or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position but expects to adopt it as a cumulative effect adjustment in fiscal 2018. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory . Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The Company does not believe this inventory measurement change will have a significant effect on its valuation of inventory upon adoption in fiscal 2017. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which provides guidance requiring debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability and further clarification guidance allows the cost of securing a revolving line of credit to be recorded as a deferred asset regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. The Company retrospectively adopted this guidance and reclassified approximately $7,000 of debt issuance cost for its long-term debt (excluding its revolving line of credit) to direct reduction of long-term debt instead of an other asset in the consolidated balance sheet for December 26, 2015. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases , which provides revised guidance on leases requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense (similar to current operating leases) while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern (similar to current capital leases). Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and is to be applied on a modified retrospective transition. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but expects the adoption will result in a significant increase in total assets and liabilities. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which provides revised guidance for employee share-based compensation payments. The ASU requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. It also states excess tax benefits to be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity whereas currently it is classified within a financing cash flow activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company early adopted this guidance prospectively in the second quarter of 2016 which resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $355 in fiscal 2016. (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Principles of Consolidation	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") is 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 intercompany items have been eliminated.
Cash overdrafts	Cash overdrafts Cash book overdrafts totaling $18,734 and $15,536 were classified as accounts payable at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Segments	Segments The Company has five reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment. Reportable segments are as follows: ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered metal structures and components for the global lighting and traffic, wireless communication, and roadway safety; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility industry; ENERGY AND MINING: This segment consists of the manufacture of access systems applications, forged steel grinding media, and offshore oil and gas and wind energy structures. 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 as well as tubular products for industrial customers. In addition to these five reportable segments, there are other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales. These operations include the distribution of industrial fasteners in years prior to 2016. These operations collectively are reported in the “Other” category.
Fiscal Year	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 year ended December 31, 2016 consisted of 53 weeks. The Company's fiscal years ended December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 consisted of 52 weeks.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are reported on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the outstanding receivables based on age of the receivable, economic conditions and customer credit quality. As the Company’s international Irrigation business has grown, the exposure to potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas of political instability, or with governments with which the Company has limited experience, or where there is a lack of transparency as to the current credit condition of governmental units. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had approximately $8,741 in delinquent accounts receivable with Chinese municipal entities with a specific allowance recorded against it based on our estimation of what will not be fully collected. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts related to both current and long-term accounts receivables was $18,991 at December 31, 2016 .
Inventories	Inventories Approximately 38% and 39% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , 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 $38,047 and $35,075 at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 , respectively.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. The Company generally uses the straight-line method in computing depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The annual provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally in accordance with the following ranges of asset lives: buildings and improvements 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment 3 to 12 years, transportation equipment 3 to 24 years, office furniture and equipment 3 to 7 years and intangible assets 5 to 20 years. Depreciation expense in fiscal 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $66,482 , $72,805 and $73,395 , respectively. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. The Company recognized a $4,151 impairment of the Melbourne galvanizing site's equipment in 2015 as the Company determined that our galvanizing operation in Melbourne, Australia would not generate sufficient cash flows on an undiscounted cash flow basis to recover its carrying value. Other impairment losses were recorded in 2016 and 2015 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company's restructuring plans. The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reporting units are evaluated using after-tax operating cash flows (less capital expenditures) discounted to present value. 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. Please see footnote 7 for details of impairments recognized during 2015.
Income Taxes	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	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	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	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, fair value, or net investment hedge.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ (191,928 ) $ 3,678 $ (78,968 ) $ (267,218 ) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) (59,300 ) 4,300 (24,141 ) (79,141 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (251,228 ) $ 7,978 $ (103,109 ) $ (346,359 )
Revenue Recognition	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	Use of Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method Investments The Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries which are recorded within "Other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.” When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional Paid-In Capital.” In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. In February 2015, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date.
Research and Development	Research and 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 $8,300 in 2016 , $11,600 in 2015 , and $13,900 in 2014 .

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN33

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ (191,928 ) $ 3,678 $ (78,968 ) $ (267,218 ) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) (59,300 ) 4,300 (24,141 ) (79,141 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (251,228 ) $ 7,978 $ (103,109 ) $ (346,359 )

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDAT34

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Pro forma results of operations
Valmont SM
Summary of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition, which was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014. 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	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
Shakespeare
Summary of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the Shakespeare acquisition (goodwill is 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
Summary of the major classes of acquired intangible assets and the respective weighted-average amortization periods	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 12.0 Total Intangible Assets $ 13,500

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Table

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Schedule of liabilities recorded for the restructuring plan and changes	iabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows: Balance at December 26, 2015 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at December 31, 2016 Severance $ 1,307 $ 3,660 $ (3,370 ) $ 1,597 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,426 7,647 (4,492 ) 4,581 Total $ 2,733 $ 11,307 $ (7,862 ) $ 6,178
Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Schedule of restructuring activities	he following pre-tax expenses were recognized in 2015: ESS Energy & Mining Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL Severance $ 2,305 $ 2,112 $ 1,555 $ 508 $ 724 $ — $ 7,204 Other cash restructuring expenses 1,467 882 1,853 175 — — 4,377 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 333 3,361 1,142 5,291 — — 10,127 Total cost of sales 4,105 6,355 4,550 5,974 724 — 21,708 Severance 2,951 714 404 270 423 1,957 6,719 Other cash restructuring expenses — — 238 336 — 1,142 1,716 Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 2,223 — — — 130 7,356 9,709 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 5,174 714 642 606 553 10,455 18,144 Consolidated total $ 9,279 $ 7,069 $ 5,192 $ 6,580 $ 1,277 $ 10,455 $ 39,852

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFOR36

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds)	Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the fifty-three weeks ended December 31, 2016 , and the fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2015 , and December 27, 2014 were as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Interest $ 45,683 $ 44,974 $ 32,601 Income taxes 48,203 33,046 111,174

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of inventories	Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 : 2016 2015 Raw materials and purchased parts $ 143,659 $ 162,977 Work-in-process 27,291 25,644 Finished goods and manufactured goods 217,125 187,126 Subtotal 388,075 375,747 Less: LIFO reserve 38,047 35,075 $ 350,028 $ 340,672

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of property, plant and equipment, at cost	Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consist of the following: 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 85,724 $ 79,450 Buildings and improvements 325,813 323,469 Machinery and equipment 564,171 565,771 Transportation equipment 22,423 17,774 Office furniture and equipment 77,453 77,054 Construction in progress 30,152 17,538 $ 1,105,736 $ 1,081,056
Schedule of minimum lease payments under operating leases	Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 31, 2016 are: Fiscal year ending 2017 $ 21,459 2018 16,904 2019 12,874 2020 11,355 2021 7,656 Subsequent 26,910 Total minimum lease payments $ 97,158

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of amortized intangible assets	The components of amortized intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: December 31, 2016 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 191,316 $ 111,342 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,616 3,056 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,434 3,420 11 years Other 3,713 3,668 3 years $ 205,079 $ 121,486 December 26, 2015 Gross Accumulated Weighted Customer Relationships $ 201,801 $ 101,614 13 years Proprietary Software & Database 3,571 2,966 8 years Patents & Proprietary Technology 6,815 3,421 11 years Other 3,752 3,671 3 years $ 215,939 $ 111,672
Schedule of future estimated amortization expense	Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows: Estimated 2017 $ 15,063 2018 13,434 2019 12,694 2020 11,634 2021 9,586
Schedule of non-amortized intangible assets	The carrying values of trade names at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were as follows: (7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) December 31, December 26, Year Acquired Webforge $ 8,624 $ 10,430 2010 Valmont SM 8,765 8,919 2014 Newmark 11,111 11,111 2004 Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products 7,032 8,504 2010 Donhad 5,305 6,415 2010 Shakespeare 4,000 4,000 2014 Industrial Galvanizers 2,201 2,662 2010 Other 13,747 13,889 $ 60,785 $ 65,930
Schedule of carrying amount of goodwill	The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 was as follows: Engineered Energy and Mining Segment Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Gross Balance at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 99,829 $ 75,404 $ 75,941 $ 19,359 $ 371,808 Accumulated impairment losses — (18,670 ) — (16,222 ) — (34,892 ) Balance at December 26, 2015 101,275 81,159 75,404 59,719 19,359 336,916 Foreign currency translation (6,961 ) (8,947 ) — (150 ) 252 (15,806 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 94,314 $ 72,212 $ 75,404 $ 59,569 $ 19,611 $ 321,110 (7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued) Engineered Energy and Mining Segment Utility Coatings Irrigation Total Balance at December 27, 2014 $ 107,868 $ 106,770 $ 75,404 $ 75,533 $ 19,536 $ 385,111 Impairment — (18,670 ) — (16,222 ) — (34,892 ) Acquisition — — — 3,019 — 3,019 Foreign currency translation (4,856 ) (6,941 ) — (2,611 ) (177 ) (14,585 ) Divestiture of business (1,737 ) — — — — (1,737 ) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ 101,275 $ 81,159 $ 75,404 $ 59,719 $ 19,359 $ 336,916

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of income tax expense (benefit)	(9) INCOME TAXES (Continued) Income tax expense (benefit) consists of: 2016 2015 2014 Current: Federal $ 41,539 $ 23,130 $ 52,588 State 5,467 4,431 5,059 Foreign 19,123 15,077 32,443 66,129 42,638 90,090 Non-current: (381 ) (69 ) (447 ) Deferred: Federal 8,504 3,382 447 State 202 (333 ) 1,376 Foreign (32,391 ) 1,809 3,428 (23,685 ) 4,858 5,251 $ 42,063 $ 47,427 $ 94,894
Schedule of reconciliation of statutory federal income tax rate and effective tax rate	The reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate follows: 2016 2015 2014 Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 1.7 3.1 1.8 Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances 2.9 (0.1 ) (0.4 ) Foreign tax rate differences (4.8 ) (5.7 ) (4.4 ) Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (0.2 ) (0.1 ) (0.2 ) Domestic production activities deduction (2.0 ) (3.8 ) (1.6 ) Goodwill impairment — 11.3 — UK tax rate reduction 1.0 7.7 — Reversal of contingent liability (2.2 ) — — UK defined benefit pension plan (14.6 ) — — Other 2.3 3.6 3.2 19.1 % 51.0 % 33.4 %
Schedule of tax effects of significant items comprising net deferred income tax liabilities	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: (9) INCOME TAXES (Continued) 2016 2015 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses and allowances $ 16,549 $ 18,320 Accrued insurance 1,071 1,408 Tax credits and loss carryforwards 104,439 130,743 Defined benefit pension liability 80,425 32,278 Inventory allowances 1,385 911 Accrued warranty 9,436 12,818 Deferred compensation 37,988 36,672 Gross deferred income tax assets 251,293 233,150 Valuation allowance (81,923 ) (90,837 ) Net deferred income tax assets 169,370 142,313 Deferred income tax liabilities: Work in progress 2,161 3,087 Property, plant and equipment 37,961 41,147 Intangible assets 50,405 54,162 Other liabilities 6,164 3,517 Total deferred income tax liabilities 96,691 101,913 Net deferred income tax asset/(liability) $ 72,679 $ 40,400
Schedule of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented as follows on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Balance Sheet Caption 2016 2015 Other assets $ 108,482 $ 76,069 Deferred income taxes (35,803 ) (35,669 ) Net deferred income tax asset/(liability) $ 72,679 $ 40,400
Schedule of activity related to unrecognized tax benefits	The following summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits in 2016 and 2015 , in thousands: 2016 2015 Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year $ 3,876 $ 4,268 Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period 99 (173 ) Gross increases—current‑period tax positions 695 687 Settlements with taxing authorities (105 ) (361 ) Lapse of statute of limitations (1,165 ) (545 ) Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year $ 3,400 $ 3,876

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	December 31, December 26, 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a) $ 250,000 $ 250,000 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b) 250,000 250,000 Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a)(b) (4,360 ) (4,405 ) 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020(c) 250,200 250,200 Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes(c) 3,557 4,518 Revolving credit agreement (d) — — IDR Bonds(e) 8,500 8,500 Other notes 4,395 6,228 Debt issuance costs (6,646 ) (7,046 ) Long-term debt 755,646 757,995 Less current installments of long-term debt 851 1,077 Long-term debt, excluding current installments $ 754,795 $ 756,918 ______________________________________________ (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 $1,120 at December 31, 2016. 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 $3,240 at December 31, 2016. 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 $3,557 at December 31, 2016. 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 $400,000 to $600,000 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 $200,000 at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our option, either: (10) LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued) (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 31, 2016, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 17, 2019 and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 31, 2016, the Company had the ability to borrow $584,600 under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $15,400 associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $109,400 , $109,400 of which was unused at December 31, 2016. (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 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015 were 1.48% and 1.22% respectively.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of assumptions used in estimating fair value of each option grant	2016 2015 2014 Expected volatility 33.88 % 34.13 % 32.27 % Risk-free interest rate 1.83 % 1.58 % 1.43 % Expected life from vesting date 3.0 yrs 3.0 yrs 3.0 yrs Dividend yield 1.13 % 0.94 % 0.75 %
Summary of activity of stock plans	Following is a summary of the activity of the stock plans during 2014 , 2015 and 2016 : Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate 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 . Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 27, 2014 768,595 $ 113.72 Granted 291,708 104.89 Exercised (169,493 ) 74.37 Forfeited (41,201 ) 137.02 Outstanding at December 26, 2015 849,609 $ 117.42 5.18 $ 4,536 Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2015 818,300 $ 117.61 5.13 4,456 Options exercisable at December 26, 2015 409,068 $ 119.43 3.74 3,376 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2015 was $ 27.91 . (11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued) Number of Weighted Weighted Aggregate Outstanding at December 26, 2015 849,609 $ 117.42 Granted 85,092 151.37 Exercised (109,893 ) 101.69 Forfeited (31,635 ) 129.36 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 793,173 $ 122.77 4.78 $ 16,640 Options vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2016 774,139 $ 124.18 4.75 16,200 Options exercisable at December 31, 2016 469,844 $ 123.75 3.96 9,056 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2016 was $ 40.00 .
Summary of status of stock options outstanding	Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016 : Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Exercise Price Number Weighted Weighted Number Weighted $83.94 - 105.44 347,914 5.06 years $ 100.47 162,533 $ 95.93 $110.33 - 132.84 147,717 4.95 years 132.17 94,517 132.44 $136.42 - 151.90 297,542 4.36 years 144.18 212,794 141.15 793,173 469,844
Schedule of non-vested stock and restricted stock units	2016 2015 2014 Shares issued 58,961 47,038 35,885 Weighted‑average per share price on grant date $ 150.48 $ 108.97 $ 136.91 Recognized compensation expense $ 4,069 $ 4,511 $ 3,978

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS)	The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS): Basic EPS Dilutive Diluted EPS 2016: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 173,232 $ — $ 173,232 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 22,562 147 22,709 Per share amount $ 7.68 $ 0.05 $ 7.63 2015: Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 40,117 $ — $ 40,117 Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 23,288 117 23,405 Per share amount $ 1.72 $ 0.01 $ 1.71 2014: 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

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA44

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Trading Securities measured at fair value	Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 37,800 $ 37,800 $ — $ — Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Value Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets: Trading Securities $ 42,697 $ 42,697 $ — $ —

GUARANTEES (Tables)

GUARANTEES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantees [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in the product warranty accrual	2016 2015 Balance, beginning of period $ 36,653 $ 19,760 Payments made (20,355 ) (11,203 ) Change in liability for warranties issued during the period 9,565 28,608 Change in liability for pre-existing warranties 675 (512 ) Balance, end of period $ 26,538 $ 36,653

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PL46

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in PBO and fair value of plan assets for pension plan	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 27, 2014 to December 31, 2015 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 27, 2014 $ 692,283 $ 542,159 $ (150,124 ) Employer contributions — 16,500 Interest cost 24,614 — Actual return on plan assets — (306 ) Benefits paid (18,346 ) (18,346 ) Actuarial loss 28,130 — Currency translation (29,232 ) (21,881 ) Fair Value at December 31, 2015 $ 697,449 $ 518,126 $ (179,323 ) Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 were as follows: Projected Plan Funded Fair Value at December 31, 2015 $ 697,449 $ 518,126 $ (179,323 ) Employer contributions — 1,426 Interest cost 23,496 — Actual return on plan assets — 80,538 Benefits paid (17,792 ) (17,792 ) Actuarial loss 125,765 — Currency translation (132,781 ) (95,631 ) Fair Value at December 31, 2016 $ 696,137 $ 486,667 $ (209,470 )
Schedule of pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Balance December 27, 2014 $ (55,953 ) Actuarial loss (53,661 ) Currency translation gain 2,655 Balance December 26, 2015 (106,959 ) Actuarial loss (66,957 ) Currency translation gain 17,038 Balance December 31, 2016 $ (156,878 )
Schedule of weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation	Percentages 2016 2015 Discount rate 2.80 % 3.75 % Salary increase N/A N/A CPI inflation 2.25 % 2.15 % RPI inflation 3.15 % 3.25 %
Schedule of components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense	2016 2015 Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Interest cost 23,496 24,614 Expected return on plan assets (22,986 ) (25,224 ) Amortization of actuarial loss 1,360 — Net periodic benefit expense (benefit) $ 1,870 $ (610 )
Schedule of weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense	Percentages 2016 2015 Discount rate 3.75 % 3.65 % Expected return on plan assets 5.15 % 5.00 % CPI Inflation 2.15 % 2.10 % RPI Inflation 3.35 % 3.20 %
Schedule of expected pension benefit payments	2017 $ 16,650 2018 17,200 2019 17,800 2020 18,250 2021 18,900 Years 2022 - 2026 104,000
Schedule of pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	December 31, 2016 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 1,900 $ — $ — $ 1,900 Corporate stock 480 — — 480 Total plan net assets at fair value $ 2,380 $ — $ — $ 2,380 Plan assets at NAV: Index-linked gilts 135,141 Corporate bonds 83,834 Corporate stock 165,338 Diversified growth funds 99,974 Total plan assets at NAV 484,287 Total plan assets $ 486,667 December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Total Plan assets at fair value: Temporary cash investments $ 4,673 $ — $ — $ 4,673 Corporate stock 508 — — 508 Total plan net assets at fair value $ 5,181 $ — $ — $ 5,181 Plan assets at NAV: Index-linked gilts 123,257 Corporate bonds 100,701 Corporate stock 172,456 Diversified growth funds 116,531 Total plan assets at NAV 512,945 Total plan assets $ 518,126

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment reporting information of sales and operating income	Summary by Business 2016 2015 2014 SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products $ 632,455 $ 600,280 $ 648,352 Communication Products 168,070 171,173 161,618 Engineered Support Structures segment 800,525 771,453 809,970 Energy and Mining segment: Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 107,824 103,068 146,432 Grinding Media 83,110 96,442 116,056 Access Systems 131,703 138,349 181,495 Energy and Mining segment 322,637 337,859 443,983 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 541,295 578,996 714,427 Concrete 90,256 95,581 110,589 Utility Support Structures segment 631,551 674,577 825,016 Coatings segment 289,481 302,385 333,853 Irrigation segment 575,204 612,201 846,326 Other — 7,247 10,108 Total 2,619,398 2,705,722 3,269,256 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures 36,013 23,003 74,963 Energy and Mining 8,105 4,652 295 Utility Support Structures 769 1,239 2,451 Coatings 45,604 46,912 55,418 Irrigation 7,231 6,430 6,609 Other — 4,562 6,377 Total 97,722 86,798 146,113 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 764,512 748,450 735,007 Energy and Mining segment 314,532 333,207 443,688 Utility Support Structures segment 630,782 673,338 822,565 Coatings segment 243,877 255,473 278,435 Irrigation segment 567,973 605,771 839,717 Other — 2,685 3,731 Total $ 2,521,676 $ 2,618,924 $ 3,123,143 (19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) 2016 2015 2014 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS): Engineered Support Structures $ 71,398 $ 59,592 $ 66,024 Energy and Mining 11,851 (18,762 ) 41,342 Utility Support Structures 69,077 37,847 95,118 Coatings 46,596 27,369 60,921 Irrigation 87,835 84,537 151,508 Other — (9,802 ) (1,535 ) Corporate (43,253 ) (49,086 ) (55,662 ) Total 243,504 131,695 357,716 Interest expense, net (41,304 ) (41,325 ) (30,744 ) Costs associated with refinancing of debt — — (38,705 ) Other 18,254 2,637 (4,084 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries $ 220,454 $ 93,007 $ 284,183 TOTAL ASSETS: Engineered Support Structures $ 610,366 $ 611,201 $ 640,132 Energy and Mining 364,658 396,366 500,407 Utility Support Structures 410,448 422,021 470,720 Coatings 274,666 270,793 301,707 Irrigation 313,982 310,967 360,883 Other — 2,267 4,930 Corporate 417,611 378,767 443,176 Total $ 2,391,731 $ 2,392,382 $ 2,721,955 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: Engineered Support Structures $ 16,045 $ 11,445 $ 11,849 Energy and Mining 3,427 3,544 4,893 Utility Support Structures 3,411 11,815 9,014 Coatings 24,873 6,836 14,029 Irrigation 8,836 7,756 21,113 Other — 1,396 1,181 Corporate 1,328 2,676 10,944 Total $ 57,920 $ 45,468 $ 73,023 (19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) 2016 2015 2014 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Engineered Support Structures $ 21,048 $ 22,810 $ 22,363 Energy and Mining 17,425 20,733 22,146 Utility Support Structures 16,492 17,959 17,811 Coatings 12,883 12,962 14,615 Irrigation 12,097 11,746 10,471 Other — 570 123 Corporate 2,472 4,364 1,799 Total $ 82,417 $ 91,144 $ 89,328
Summary by Geographical Area by Location	Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities: 2016 2015 2014 NET SALES: United States $ 1,535,321 $ 1,586,702 $ 1,808,427 Australia 315,470 347,975 439,530 Denmark 99,719 98,628 146,432 Other 571,166 585,619 728,754 Total $ 2,521,676 $ 2,618,924 $ 3,123,143 LONG-LIVED ASSETS: United States $ 568,085 $ 575,737 $ 609,005 Australia 216,416 259,326 316,382 Denmark 85,654 90,463 111,161 Other 268,360 240,004 292,466 Total $ 1,138,515 $ 1,165,530 $ 1,329,014

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN48

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Year ended December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 1,126,985 $ 390,756 $ 1,195,812 $ (191,877 ) $ 2,521,676 Cost of sales 837,616 285,924 932,609 (190,716 ) 1,865,433 Gross profit 289,369 104,832 263,203 (1,161 ) 656,243 Selling, general and administrative expenses 184,493 46,244 182,002 — 412,739 Operating income 104,876 58,588 81,201 (1,161 ) 243,504 Other income (expense): Interest expense (43,703 ) (10 ) (696 ) — (44,409 ) Interest income 273 112 2,720 — 3,105 Other 1,480 77 16,697 — 18,254 (41,950 ) 179 18,721 — (23,050 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 62,926 58,767 99,922 (1,161 ) 220,454 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 24,539 20,270 21,262 (323 ) 65,748 Deferred 6,216 — (29,901 ) — (23,685 ) 30,755 20,270 (8,639 ) (323 ) 42,063 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 32,171 38,497 108,561 (838 ) 178,391 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 141,061 66,128 — (207,189 ) — Net earnings 173,232 104,625 108,561 (208,027 ) 178,391 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,159 ) — (5,159 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 173,232 $ 104,625 $ 103,402 $ (208,027 ) $ 173,232 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the Year ended December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net sales $ 1,169,674 $ 423,928 $ 1,238,609 $ (213,287 ) $ 2,618,924 Cost of sales 890,242 332,847 987,729 (212,927 ) 1,997,891 Gross profit 279,432 91,081 250,880 (360 ) 621,033 Selling, general and administrative expenses 194,335 45,549 207,484 — 447,368 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — — 41,970 — 41,970 Operating income 85,097 45,532 1,426 (360 ) 131,695 Other income (expense): Interest expense (43,552 ) — (1,069 ) — (44,621 ) Interest income 9 103 3,184 — 3,296 Other (2,374 ) 60 4,951 — 2,637 (45,917 ) 163 7,066 — (38,688 ) Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 39,180 45,695 8,492 (360 ) 93,007 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 863 23,261 18,446 (1 ) 42,569 Deferred 10,042 (6,224 ) 1,040 — 4,858 10,905 17,037 19,486 (1 ) 47,427 Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 28,275 28,658 (10,994 ) (359 ) 45,580 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries 11,842 (39,418 ) (247 ) 27,576 (247 ) Net earnings 40,117 (10,760 ) (11,241 ) 27,217 45,333 Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (5,216 ) — (5,216 ) Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc $ 40,117 $ (10,760 ) $ (16,457 ) $ 27,217 $ 40,117
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year ended December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 173,232 $ 104,625 $ 108,561 $ (208,027 ) $ 178,391 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gains (losses) — 49 (58,364 ) — (58,315 ) Gain (loss) on hedging activity: Unrealized gain on net investment hedge 4,226 — — — 4,226 Amortization cost included in interest expense 74 — — — 74 4,300 — — — 4,300 Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability — — (24,141 ) — (24,141 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (83,252 ) — — 83,252 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (78,952 ) 49 (82,505 ) 83,252 (78,156 ) Comprehensive income (loss) 94,280 104,674 26,056 (124,775 ) 100,235 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (6,144 ) — (6,144 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ 94,280 $ 104,674 $ 19,912 $ (124,775 ) $ 94,091 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year ended December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Net earnings $ 40,117 $ (10,760 ) $ (11,241 ) $ 27,217 $ 45,333 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments: Unrealized translation gains (losses) — (15,166 ) (81,528 ) — (96,694 ) — (15,166 ) (81,528 ) — (96,694 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedge: Amortization cost included in interest expense 74 — — — 74 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings (3,130 ) — — — (3,130 ) Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges 2,855 — — — 2,855 (201 ) — — — (201 ) Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability — — (40,274 ) — (40,274 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (132,584 ) — — 132,584 — Other comprehensive income (loss) (132,785 ) (15,166 ) (121,802 ) 132,584 (137,169 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (92,668 ) (25,926 ) (133,043 ) 159,801 (91,836 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (832 ) — (832 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. $ (92,668 ) $ (25,926 ) $ (133,875 ) $ 159,801 $ (92,668 ) (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year ended December 27, 2014 Parent Guarantors Non- 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 translation gains (losses) — (51,536 ) (30,739 ) — (82,275 ) — (51,536 ) (30,739 ) — (82,275 ) Gain (loss) on cash flow hedge: Amortization cost included in interest expense 594 — — — 594 Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings 983 — — — 983 Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges 4,837 — — — 4,837 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 $ 38,872 $ (55,061 ) $ 97,228
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,225 $ 6,071 $ 326,652 $ — $ 399,948 Receivables, net 134,351 60,522 244,469 — 439,342 Inventories 126,669 45,457 182,056 (4,154 ) 350,028 Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets 13,271 880 43,146 — 57,297 Refundable income taxes 6,601 — — — 6,601 Total current assets 348,117 112,930 796,323 (4,154 ) 1,253,216 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 547,076 153,596 405,064 — 1,105,736 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 352,960 76,776 157,665 — 587,401 Net property, plant and equipment 194,116 76,820 247,399 — 518,335 Goodwill 20,108 110,561 190,441 — 321,110 Other intangible assets 184 35,953 108,241 — 144,378 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,279,413 901,758 1,089,369 (3,270,540 ) — Other assets 43,880 — 110,812 — 154,692 Total assets $ 1,885,818 $ 1,238,022 $ 2,542,585 $ (3,274,694 ) $ 2,391,731 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ — $ — $ 851 $ — $ 851 Notes payable to banks — — 746 — 746 Accounts payable 52,272 15,732 109,484 — 177,488 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 34,508 7,243 30,653 — 72,404 Accrued expenses 30,261 15,242 44,411 — 89,914 Dividends payable 8,445 — — — 8,445 Total current liabilities 125,486 38,217 186,145 — 349,848 Deferred income taxes 22,481 — 13,322 — 35,803 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,251 — 3,544 — 754,795 Defined benefit pension liability — — 209,470 — 209,470 Deferred compensation 39,476 — 4,843 — 44,319 Other noncurrent liabilities 3,642 5 11,263 — 14,910 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,683 (1,106,633 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,874,722 646,749 603,338 (1,250,087 ) 1,874,722 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (346,359 ) (64,313 ) (284,663 ) 348,976 (346,359 ) Treasury stock (612,781 ) — — — (612,781 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 943,482 1,199,800 2,074,894 (3,274,694 ) 943,482 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 39,104 — 39,104 Total shareholders’ equity 943,482 1,199,800 2,113,998 (3,274,694 ) 982,586 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,885,818 $ 1,238,022 $ 2,542,585 $ (3,274,694 ) $ 2,391,731 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 62,281 $ 4,008 $ 282,785 $ — $ 349,074 Receivables, net 130,741 66,387 269,315 — 466,443 Inventories 132,222 38,379 173,064 (2,993 ) 340,672 Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets 9,900 766 35,471 — 46,137 Refundable income taxes 24,526 — — — 24,526 Total current assets 359,670 109,540 760,635 (2,993 ) 1,226,852 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 541,536 132,864 406,656 — 1,081,056 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 334,471 69,956 144,140 — 548,567 Net property, plant and equipment 207,065 62,908 262,516 — 532,489 Goodwill 20,108 110,562 206,246 — 336,916 Other intangible assets 238 40,959 129,000 — 170,197 Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts 1,239,228 813,779 939,177 (2,992,184 ) — Other assets 40,067 — 85,861 — 125,928 Total assets $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ 215 $ — $ 862 $ — $ 1,077 Notes payable to banks — — 976 — 976 Accounts payable 66,723 13,680 99,580 — 179,983 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 32,272 6,347 31,735 — 70,354 Accrued expenses 31,073 22,802 51,718 — 105,593 Dividends payable 8,571 — — — 8,571 Total current liabilities 138,854 42,829 184,871 — 366,554 Deferred income taxes 9,686 — 25,983 — 35,669 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 751,765 — 5,153 — 756,918 Defined benefit pension liability — — 179,323 — 179,323 Deferred compensation 43,485 — 4,932 — 48,417 Other noncurrent liabilities 4,145 — 36,145 — 40,290 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock of $1 par value 27,900 457,950 648,683 (1,106,633 ) 27,900 Additional paid-in capital — 159,414 1,107,536 (1,266,950 ) — Retained earnings 1,729,679 541,917 354,727 (896,644 ) 1,729,679 Accumulated other comprehensive income (267,218 ) (64,362 ) (210,688 ) 275,050 (267,218 ) Treasury stock (571,920 ) — — — (571,920 ) Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,900,258 (2,995,177 ) 918,441 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries — — 46,770 — 46,770 Total shareholders’ equity 918,441 1,094,919 1,947,028 (2,995,177 ) 965,211 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,866,376 $ 1,137,748 $ 2,383,435 $ (2,995,177 ) $ 2,392,382
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Year ended December 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 173,232 $ 104,625 $ 108,561 $ (208,027 ) $ 178,391 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 27,096 13,316 42,005 — 82,417 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 586 — 586 Increase in restricted cash - pension plan trust — — (13,652 ) — (13,652 ) Impairment of property, plant and equipment — — 1,099 — 1,099 Stock-based compensation 9,931 — — — 9,931 Change in fair value of contingent consideration — — (3,242 ) — (3,242 ) Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit) — — 1,870 — 1,870 Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (1,488 ) — (1,488 ) (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 165 103 363 — 631 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (141,061 ) (66,128 ) — 207,189 — Deferred income taxes 6,216 — (29,901 ) — (23,685 ) Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions): Receivables (3,610 ) 5,865 22,367 — 24,622 Inventories 5,554 (7,078 ) (11,097 ) 1,160 (11,461 ) Prepaid expenses (1,250 ) (114 ) 2,502 — 1,138 Accounts payable (14,452 ) 2,052 12,504 — 104 Accrued expenses 1,423 (6,664 ) (6,966 ) — (12,207 ) Other noncurrent liabilities (2,333 ) 5 (21,552 ) — (23,880 ) Income taxes payable (refundable) 32,873 (16,567 ) (8,312 ) — 7,994 Net cash flows from operating activities 93,784 29,415 95,647 322 219,168 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (9,031 ) (22,320 ) (26,569 ) — (57,920 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 44 102 4,980 — 5,126 Other, net (633 ) (5,085 ) 5,785 (322 ) (255 ) Net cash flows from investing activities (9,620 ) (27,303 ) (15,804 ) (322 ) (53,049 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net payments under short-term agreements — — (200 ) — (200 ) Principal payments on long-term borrowings (215 ) — (1,791 ) — (2,006 ) Dividends paid (34,053 ) — — — (34,053 ) Purchase of noncontrolling interest — — (11,009 ) — (11,009 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,938 ) — (2,938 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 11,153 — — — 11,153 Purchase of treasury shares (53,800 ) — — — (53,800 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (2,305 ) — — — (2,305 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (79,220 ) — (15,938 ) — (95,158 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — (49 ) (20,038 ) — (20,087 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 4,944 2,063 43,867 — 50,874 Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 62,281 4,008 282,785 — 349,074 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 67,225 $ 6,071 $ 326,652 $ — $ 399,948 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Year ended December 26, 2015 Parent Guarantors Non- Eliminations Total Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 40,117 $ (10,760 ) $ (11,241 ) $ 27,217 $ 45,333 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations: Depreciation and amortization 29,433 12,611 49,100 — 91,144 Noncash loss on trading securities — — 4,555 — 4,555 Impairment of property, plant and equipment 7,486 542 11,808 — 19,836 Impairment of goodwill & intangibles assets — — 41,970 — 41,970 Stock-based compensation 7,244 — — — 7,244 Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit) — — (610 ) — (610 ) Contribution to defined benefit pension plan — — (16,500 ) — (16,500 ) (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 983 319 1,025 — 2,327 Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries (11,842 ) 39,418 247 (27,576 ) 247 Deferred income taxes 10,042 (6,224 ) 1,040 — 4,858 Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions): Receivables 27,576 3,547 19,144 — 50,267 Inventories (4,364 ) 18,130 (12,698 ) 2,228 3,296 Prepaid expenses 2,337 (172 ) 8,679 — 10,844 Accounts payable 6,831 (1,970 ) (11,666 ) — (6,805 ) Accrued expenses (16,485 ) 17,713 7,366 324 8,918 Other noncurrent liabilities 177 — (1,941 ) — (1,764 ) Income taxes payable (refundable) 7,895 (306 ) (482 ) — 7,107 Net cash flows from operating activities 107,430 72,848 89,796 2,193 272,267 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (14,362 ) (7,718 ) (23,388 ) — (45,468 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 3,996 302 (1,049 ) — 3,249 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (12,778 ) — — (12,778 ) Other, net 72,866 (50,447 ) (13,400 ) (2,193 ) 6,826 Net cash flows from investing activities 62,500 (70,641 ) (37,837 ) (2,193 ) (48,171 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Net payments under short-term agreements — — (12,853 ) — (12,853 ) Proceeds from long-term borrowings 68,000 — — — 68,000 Principal payments on long-term borrowings (68,213 ) — (885 ) — (69,098 ) Dividends paid (35,357 ) — — — (35,357 ) Intercompany dividends 26,115 — (26,115 ) — — Dividends to noncontrolling interest — — (2,634 ) — (2,634 ) Proceeds from exercises under stock plans 13,075 — — — 13,075 Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises 1,699 — — — 1,699 Purchase of treasury shares (168,983 ) — — — (168,983 ) Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises (13,854 ) — — — (13,854 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (177,518 ) — (42,487 ) — (220,005 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — (356 ) (26,240 ) — (26,596 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (7,588 ) 1,851 (16,768 ) — (22,505 ) Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year 69,869 2,157 299,553 — 371,579 Cash and cash equivalents—end of period $ 62,281 $ 4,008 $ 282,785 $ — $ 349,074 (20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Year ended December 27, 2014

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Una49

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of quarterly financial data (Unaudited)	Net Earnings Gross Per Share Stock Price Dividends Net Sales Profit Amount Basic Diluted High Low Declared 2016 First $ 596,605 $ 160,968 $ 32,969 $ 1.45 $ 1.45 $ 125.69 $ 96.50 $ 0.375 Second 640,249 175,117 42,026 1.86 1.85 145.94 117.10 0.375 Third 610,247 155,023 28,173 1.25 1.24 139.62 125.60 0.375 Fourth (1) 674,575 165,135 70,064 3.12 3.10 156.05 120.65 0.375 Year $ 2,521,676 $ 656,243 $ 173,232 $ 7.68 $ 7.63 $ 156.05 $ 96.50 $ 1.50 2015 First $ 670,398 $ 165,454 $ 30,739 $ 1.29 $ 1.28 $ 130.26 $ 117.56 $ 0.375 Second (2) 682,123 169,548 27,873 1.19 1.19 128.26 118.09 0.375 Third (3) 632,575 156,751 12,066 0.52 0.52 121.23 97.44 0.375 Fourth (4) 633,828 129,280 (30,561 ) (1.34 ) (1.34 ) 117.94 93.99 0.375 Year $ 2,618,924 $ 621,033 $ 40,117 $ 1.72 $ 1.71 $ 130.26 $ 93.99 $ 1.50 Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not equal the total for the year. _______________________________ (1) The fourth quarter of 2016 included a deferred income tax benefit of $30,590 ( $1.35 per share) primarily attributable to the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset related to the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. In addition, fiscal 2016 included $9,888 ( $0.44 per share) recorded as a valuation allowance against a tax credit asset. Finally, the fourth quarter of 2016 included the reversal of a contingent liability that was recognized as part of the Delta purchase accounting of $16,591 ( $0.73 per share). (2) The second quarter of 2015 included costs associated with the restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan") that was approved by the Board of Directors in April 2015 of $9,828 after tax ( $0.42 per share). (3) The third quarter of 2015 included costs associated with the Plan of $6,310 after tax ( $0.27 per share) and non- cash impairments of goodwill and trade names of $13,370 after tax ( $0.58 per share). (4) The fourth quarter of 2015 included costs associated with the Plan of $11,521 after tax ( $0.50 per share) and non-cash impairments of goodwill and intangibles of $ 7,130 and $19,640 after tax (combined $1.16 per share) related to our APAC Coatings and Access Systems businesses, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded a one time increase in its warranty reserve related to one large utility project of $11,135 after tax ( $0.50 per share) and an increase to the bad debt allowance for a large international irrigation receivable of $5,110 after tax ( $0.21 per share). Lastly, U.K. corporate tax rates were collectively reduced from 20% to 18% which reduced the value of our deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards and certain timing differences which increased the Company's tax expense by $7,120 ( $0.31 per share).

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN50

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)segment	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2014
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at December 26, 2015 $ (191,928 ) $ 3,678 $ (78,968 ) $ (267,218 ) Current-period comprehensive income (loss) (59,300 ) 4,300 (24,141 ) (79,141 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (251,228 ) $ 7,978 $ (103,109 ) $ (346,359 )
Fiscal year
Length of fiscal year	364 days	371 days	364 days
Cash overdrafts
Cash book overdrafts	$ 18,734	$ 15,536
Segments
Number of reportable segments | segment	5
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)	38.00%	39.00%
Excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value	$ 38,047	$ 35,075
Minimum
Principles of Consolidation
Equity method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	20.00%
Maximum
Principles of Consolidation
Equity method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	50.00%
Cost method investment in affiliates, ownership percentage	20.00%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN51

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Long-lived assets
Depreciation expense	$ 66,482	$ 72,805	$ 73,395
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 ACCOUN52

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum
Intangible assets
Intangible assets lives	5 years
Maximum
Intangible assets
Intangible assets lives	20 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN53

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 4) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ (267,218)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	(79,141)
Balance at the end of the period	(346,359)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	(191,928)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	(59,300)
Balance at the end of the period	(251,228)
Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow Hedge
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,678
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	4,300
Balance at the end of the period	7,978
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	(78,968)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)	(24,141)
Balance at the end of the period	$ (103,109)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN54

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			32 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
Research and Development
Research and development expenses		$ 8,300	$ 11,600	$ 13,900
Stock Repurchase Program
Authorized amount	$ 500,000					$ 250,000
Length of authorization period	12 months
Shares acquired under share repurchase program		441,949	1,435,488	2,711,149	4,588,131
Amount paid for share repurchase		$ 53,800	$ 168,983	$ 395,045	$ 617,800

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDAT55

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 06, 2014USD ($)facility	Aug. 25, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 03, 2014USD ($)facility	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2016	May 31, 2016
Acquisitions
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired							$ 0	$ 12,778,000	$ 185,710,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners											10.00%
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill							$ 321,110,000	$ 336,916,000	$ 385,111,000
American Galvanizing [Member]
Acquisitions
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 12,778,000
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Intangible assets	2,178,000
Goodwill	$ 3,019,000
Valmont SM
Acquisitions
Ownership percentage acquired				90.00%
Cash acquired				$ 56,000
Annual sales
Number of manufacturing locations operated | facility				2
Cash paid to acquire business				$ 120,483,000
Fair value of contingent consideration				0
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 and liabilities assumed				113,858,000
Non-controlling interests				9,309,000
Net assets acquired				$ 83,035,000
Shakespeare
Acquisitions
Annual sales		$ 55,000,000
Number of manufacturing locations operated | facility		2
Cash paid to acquire business		$ 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
AgSense LLC
Acquisitions
Ownership percentage acquired			51.00%
Cash paid to acquire business			$ 17,000,000
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill			17,193,000
Net sales and net earnings included in Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Customer relationships, trade name and other intangible assets			$ 16,083,000
IGC Galvanizing Industries (M) Sdn Bhd [Member]
Acquisitions
Ownership percentage acquired						30.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred						$ 5,841,000
Valmont SM
Acquisitions
Ownership percentage acquired										5.20%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred					$ 5,168,000

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDAT56

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 06, 2014	Mar. 03, 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
Backlog | Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount		$ 3,145
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)		1 year 6 months
Customer Relationships | Valmont SM
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount		$ 15,725
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)		12 years
Customer Relationships | Shakespeare
Major classes of acquired intangible assets and weighted-average amortization periods
Amount	$ 9,500
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	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 DECONSOLIDAT57

ACQUISITIONS AND DECONSOLIDATION (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Deconsolidation
Deconsolidation of subsidiary	$ (13,652)	$ 0	$ 0
Maximum
Deconsolidation
Ownership interest (as a percent)	50.00%

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Detai

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 11,500		$ 11,500	$ 6,300
Goodwill impairment	7,100		34,892
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions		$ 60,000
Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	39,852	4,581	39,852		$ 9,800
Maximum | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining						$ 60,000
Utility Support Structures Segment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment			0
Utility Support Structures Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	5,192		5,192
Engineered Support Structures
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment			0
Engineered Support Structures | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	9,279		9,279
Energy and Mining Segment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	19,000		18,670
Energy and Mining Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	7,069		7,069
APAC Galvanizing Reporting Unit [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment		17,300
Coatings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment			16,222
Coatings | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	6,580		6,580
Irrigation Segment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment			0
Irrigation Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,277		1,277
Other | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	10,455		10,455
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		7,825
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	18,144		18,144
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		585
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	6,719		6,719
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,195
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,716		1,716
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,780
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	9,709		9,709
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility Support Structures Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	642		642
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility Support Structures Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	404		404
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility Support Structures Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	238		238
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Utility Support Structures Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,108
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	5,174	1,040	5,174
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		174
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	2,951		2,951
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		174
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Engineered Support Structures | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	2,223		2,223
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		5,178
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	714		714
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		175
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	714		714
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,961
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,136
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Energy and Mining Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		305
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	606	602	606
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		236
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	270		270
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	336		336
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		236
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	553	468	553
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	423		423
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Irrigation Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	130		130
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	10,455	1,943	10,455
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,957		1,957
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,142		1,142
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Other | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	7,356		7,356
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Corporate and Other [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		234
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Corporate and Other [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Corporate and Other [Member] | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		234
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Corporate and Other [Member] | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		234
Cost of Sales | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		5,045
Cost of Sales | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	21,708		21,708
Cost of Sales | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,689
Cost of Sales | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	7,204		7,204
Cost of Sales | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,257
Cost of Sales | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	4,377		4,377
Cost of Sales | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,099
Cost of Sales | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	10,127		10,127
Cost of Sales | Utility Support Structures Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	4,550	528	4,550
Cost of Sales | Utility Support Structures Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,555		1,555
Cost of Sales | Utility Support Structures Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,853		1,853
Cost of Sales | Utility Support Structures Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,142		1,142
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,934
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	4,105		4,105
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		955
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	2,305		2,305
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		767
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,467		1,467
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		212
Cost of Sales | Engineered Support Structures | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	333		333
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		3,042
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	6,355		6,355
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		665
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	2,112		2,112
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,490
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	882		882
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		887
Cost of Sales | Energy and Mining Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	3,361		3,361
Cost of Sales | Coatings | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		69
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	5,974		5,974
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		69
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	508		508
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	175		175
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Cost of Sales | Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	5,291		5,291
Cost of Sales | Irrigation Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	724		724
Cost of Sales | Irrigation Segment | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	724		724
Cost of Sales | Irrigation Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Cost of Sales | Irrigation Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Cost of Sales | Other | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Cost of Sales | Other | Employee Severance [Member] | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Cost of Sales | Other | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	0		0
Cost of Sales | Other | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 0		$ 0
Cost of Sales | Corporate and Other [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Cost of Sales | Corporate and Other [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Cost of Sales | Corporate and Other [Member] | Other cash restructuring expenses | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Cost of Sales | Corporate and Other [Member] | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | 2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		$ 0

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Det59

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		$ 11,500	$ 6,300
Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 4,581	39,852		$ 9,800
Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		21,708
Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		18,144
Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		7,204
Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		6,719
Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		4,377
Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,716
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		10,127
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		9,709
Engineered Support Structures | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		9,279
Engineered Support Structures | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		4,105
Engineered Support Structures | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	1,040	5,174
Engineered Support Structures | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,305
Engineered Support Structures | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,951
Engineered Support Structures | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,467
Engineered Support Structures | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Engineered Support Structures | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		333
Engineered Support Structures | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,223
Energy and Mining Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		7,069
Energy and Mining Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		6,355
Energy and Mining Segment | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		714
Energy and Mining Segment | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		2,112
Energy and Mining Segment | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		714
Energy and Mining Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		882
Energy and Mining Segment | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Energy and Mining Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		3,361
Energy and Mining Segment | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Utility | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		5,192
Utility | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	528	4,550
Utility | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		642
Utility | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,555
Utility | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		404
Utility | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,853
Utility | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		238
Utility | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,142
Utility | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Coatings | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		6,580
Coatings | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		5,974
Coatings | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	602	606
Coatings | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		508
Coatings | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		270
Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		175
Coatings | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		336
Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		5,291
Coatings | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Irrigation | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,277
Irrigation | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		724
Irrigation | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	468	553
Irrigation | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		724
Irrigation | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		423
Irrigation | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Irrigation | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Irrigation | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Irrigation | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		130
Other | Broad Restructuring Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		10,455
Other | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Other | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 1,943	10,455
Other | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Other | Severance | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,957
Other | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Other | Other cash restructuring expenses | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		1,142
Other | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Cost of Sales
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		0
Other | Asset impairments/net loss on disposals | Broad Restructuring Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining		$ 7,356

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES RESTRU

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Details 3) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,733
Recognized Restructuring Expense	11,307
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(7,862)
Ending balance	6,178
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,307
Recognized Restructuring Expense	3,660
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(3,370)
Ending balance	1,597
Other cash restructuring expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,426
Recognized Restructuring Expense	7,647
Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled	(4,492)
Ending balance	$ 4,581

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFOR61

CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			32 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Maximum amount of common stock authorized to repurchase under share repurchase program	$ 500,000					$ 250,000
Period over which common stock are authorized to repurchase under share repurchase program	12 months
Shares acquired under share repurchase program		441,949	1,435,488	2,711,149	4,588,131
Amount paid for share repurchase		$ 53,800	$ 168,983	$ 395,045	$ 617,800
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest		45,683	44,974	32,601
Income taxes		$ 48,203	$ 33,046	$ 111,174

INVENTORIES (Details)

INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and purchased parts	$ 143,659	$ 162,977
Work-in-process	27,291	25,644
Finished goods and manufactured goods	217,125	187,126
Subtotal	388,075	375,747
Less: LIFO reserve	38,047	35,075
Net inventory	$ 350,028	$ 340,672

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT63

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 1,105,736	$ 1,081,056
Land and improvements
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	85,724	79,450
Buildings and improvements
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	325,813	323,469
Machinery and equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	564,171	565,771
Transportation equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	22,423	17,774
Office furniture and equipment
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	77,453	77,054
Construction in progress
Long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 30,152	$ 17,538

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT64

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Operating leases
Rental expense for operating leases	$ 24,756	$ 25,546	$ 28,580
Minimum lease payments under operating leases
2,016	21,459
2,017	16,904
2,018	12,874
2,019	11,355
2,020	7,656
Subsequent	26,910
Total minimum lease payments	$ 97,158

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET65

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 205,079	$ 215,939
Accumulated Amortization	121,486	111,672
Amortization expense for intangible assets	15,935	18,339	$ 18,414
Estimated amortization expense
2,016	15,063
2,017	13,434
2,018	12,694
2,019	11,634
2,020	9,586
Customer Relationships
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	191,316	201,801
Accumulated Amortization	$ 111,342	$ 101,614
Weighted Average Life	13 years	13 years
Proprietary Software And Database
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 3,616	$ 3,571
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,056	$ 2,966
Weighted Average Life	8 years	8 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 6,434	$ 6,815
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,420	$ 3,421
Weighted Average Life	11 years	11 years
Other
Components of amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 3,713	$ 3,752
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,668	$ 3,671
Weighted Average Life	3 years	3 years

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET66

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Webforge
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$ 8,624	$ 10,430
Valmont SM
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	8,765	8,919
Newmark
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	11,111	11,111
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	7,032	8,504
Donhad
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	5,305	6,415
Shakespeare
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	4,000	4,000
Industrial Galvanizers
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	2,201	2,662
Other
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	13,747	13,889
Trade Names
Non-amortized intangible assets
Carrying value of trade names	$ 60,785	$ 65,930

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET67

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Intangible assets
Impairment		$ 19,600
Engineered Support Structures | Webforge
Intangible assets
Impairment	$ 5,830
Coatings Segment | Industrial Galvanizers
Intangible assets
Impairment	$ 1,100

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET68

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		$ 371,808		$ 371,808
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			$ 336,916	385,111
Accumulated impairment losses		(7,100)		(34,892)
Acquisition				3,019
Foreign currency translation			(15,806)	(14,585)
Divestiture of business				1,737
Balance at the end of the period		336,916	321,110	336,916
Engineered Support Structures
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		101,275		101,275
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			101,275	107,868
Accumulated impairment losses				0
Acquisition				0
Foreign currency translation			(6,961)	(4,856)
Divestiture of business	$ (1,737)			1,737
Balance at the end of the period		101,275	94,314	101,275
Energy and Mining Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		99,829		99,829
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			81,159	106,770
Accumulated impairment losses		(19,000)		(18,670)
Acquisition				0
Foreign currency translation			(8,947)	(6,941)
Divestiture of business				0
Balance at the end of the period		81,159	72,212	81,159
Utility Support Structures Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		75,404		75,404
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			75,404	75,404
Accumulated impairment losses				0
Acquisition				0
Foreign currency translation			0	0
Divestiture of business				0
Balance at the end of the period		75,404	75,404	75,404
Coatings Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		75,941		75,941
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			59,719	75,533
Accumulated impairment losses				(16,222)
Acquisition				3,019
Foreign currency translation			(150)	(2,611)
Divestiture of business				0
Balance at the end of the period		59,719	59,569	59,719
Irrigation Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		19,359		19,359
Carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			19,359	19,536
Accumulated impairment losses				0
Acquisition				0
Foreign currency translation			252	(177)
Divestiture of business				0
Balance at the end of the period		$ 19,359	$ 19,611	$ 19,359

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET69

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Jun. 25, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 26, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets			$ 19,600
Divestiture of business				$ (1,737)
Goodwill impairment			7,100	34,892
Engineered Support Structures
Goodwill [Line Items]
Divestiture of business		$ 1,737		(1,737)
Goodwill impairment				0
Coatings
Goodwill [Line Items]
Divestiture of business				0
Goodwill impairment				16,222
Energy and Mining Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Divestiture of business				0
Goodwill impairment			$ 19,000	$ 18,670
Webforge | Engineered Support Structures
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 5,830
Industrial Galvanizers | Coatings
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 1,100

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Detai

BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Bank Credit Arrangements
Outstanding amount	$ 746	$ 976
Short-term borrowings
Bank Credit Arrangements
Total line of credit facility for short-term borrowings	109,424
Outstanding amount	0	199
Unused and available borrowings	$ 109,424
Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings (as a percent)	5.23%
Other short-term bank loans
Bank Credit Arrangements
Outstanding amount	$ 746	$ 777

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
United States	$ 136,682	$ 99,175	$ 168,975
Foreign	83,772	(6,168)	115,208
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries	220,454	93,007	284,183
Current:
Federal	41,539	23,130	52,588
State	5,467	4,431	5,059
Foreign	19,123	15,077	32,443
Total	66,129	42,638	90,090
Non-current:	(381)	(69)	(447)
Deferred:
Federal	8,504	3,382	447
State	202	(333)	1,376
Foreign	(32,391)	1,809	3,428
Total	(23,685)	4,858	5,251
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ 42,063	$ 47,427	$ 94,894
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)	1.70%	3.10%	1.80%
Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances (as a percent)	2.90%	(0.10%)	(0.40%)
Foreign tax rate differences (as a percent)	(4.80%)	(5.70%)	(4.40%)
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (as a percent)	(0.20%)	(0.10%)	(0.20%)
Domestic production activities deduction (as a percent)	(2.00%)	(3.80%)	(1.60%)
Goodwill impairment (as a percent)	0.00%	11.30%	0.00%
UK tax rate reduction (as a percent)	1.00%	7.70%	0.00%
Reversal of contingent liability (as a percent)	(2.20%)	(0.00%)	(0.00%)
UK defined benefit pension plan (as a percent)	(14.60%)	(0.00%)	(0.00%)
Other (as a percent)	2.30%	3.60%	3.20%
Total (as a percent)	19.10%	51.00%	33.40%
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued expenses and allowances	$ 16,549	$ 18,320
Accrued insurance	1,071	1,408
Tax credits and loss carryforwards	104,439	130,743
Defined benefit pension liability	80,425	32,278
Inventory allowances	1,385	911
Accrued warranty	9,436	12,818
Deferred compensation	37,988	36,672
Gross deferred income tax assets	251,293	233,150
Valuation allowance	(81,923)	(90,837)
Net deferred income tax assets	169,370	142,313
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Work-in-process	2,161	3,087
Property, plant and equipment	37,961	41,147
Intangible assets	50,405	54,162
Other liabilities	6,164	3,517
Total deferred income tax liabilities	96,691	101,913
Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)	72,679	40,400
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities), Balance Sheet Caption
Other assets	108,482	76,069
Deferred income taxes	(35,803)	(35,669)
Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)	72,679	40,400
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Remeasurement of income tax benefit related to UK benefit plans	32,450
Provision for valuation allowance	9,888
Deferred income tax expense related to change in UK tax rates	1,860	7,120
Reversal of non-current contingent liability	16,591
Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards related to the defined benefit pension obligation	104,439	130,743
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits beginning of year	3,876	4,268
Gross decreases tax positions in prior period	99	(173)
Gross increases current period tax positions	695	687
Settlements with taxing authorities	(105)	(361)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,165)	(545)
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits end of year	3,400	3,876	$ 4,268
Uncertain tax positions for which reversal is reasonably possible during the next 12 months	1,210
Reduction of income tax expense, due to expiration of statutes of limitation	810	511
Accrued interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits	192	280
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	3,328	3,813
Income tax expense recorded on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are not considered permanently invested	$ 424,000	$ 415,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Oct. 17, 2014	Sep. 22, 2014
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount		$ 250,200,000	$ 250,200,000
Debt issuance costs		(6,646,000)	(7,046,000)
Total long-term debt		755,646,000	757,995,000
Less current installments of long-term debt		851,000	1,077,000
Long-term debt, excluding current installments		$ 754,795,000	$ 756,918,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)		1.00%	1.00%
Minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt
2,016		$ 894,000
2,017		890,000
2,018		749,000
2,019		250,954,000
2,020		762,000
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount		250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes		$ 1,120,000
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%
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount		$ 250,000,000	250,000,000
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes		$ 3,240,000
Redemption price of notes, stated as a percentage of principal amount (as a percent)		100.00%
Interest rate on notes (as a percent)		5.30%
Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes
Long-term debt:
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes		$ (4,360,000)	(4,405,000)
6.625% senior unsecured notes due in April 2020
Long-term debt:
Aggregate principal amount		250,200,000
Unamortized premium on senior unsecured notes		$ 3,557,000	4,518,000
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)		6.60%
Repurchase amount through partial tender offer					$ 199,800,000
Revolving credit agreement
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt		$ 0	0
Previous borrowing capacity				$ 400,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 600,000,000
Increase in borrowing capacity, maximum		200,000,000
Additional borrowing capacity		584,600,000
Standby letters of credit outstanding		$ 15,400,000
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)		6250.00%
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR
Long-term debt:
Variable interest rate basis		LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company)
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)		10000.00%
Variable interest rate, base period		1 month
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR | Minimum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)		10000.00%
Revolving credit agreement | LIBOR | Maximum
Long-term debt:
Basis points added to variable rate (as a percent)		16250.00%
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)		5000.00%
IDR Bonds
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt		$ 8,500,000	8,500,000
Other notes
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt		4,395,000	$ 6,228,000
Short Term Bank Lines Of Credit
Long-term debt:
Additional borrowing capacity		109,400,000
Balance		$ 109,400,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Stock Based Compensation
Shares of common stock available for issuance	706,000
Number of Shares
Exercised (in shares)	(109,893)	(169,493)	(194,627)
Stock option plans
Stock Based Compensation
Compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)	$ 5,782	$ 5,137	$ 4,461
Tax benefits associated with compensation expense	$ 2,197	$ 1,952	$ 1,695
Weighted average period over which unrecognized stock option compensation cost would be recognized	2 years 1 month 25 days
Unrecognized stock option compensation expense	$ 9,872
Assumptions used in estimating fair value of each option grant
Expected volatility (as a percent)	33.88%	34.13%	32.27%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.83%	1.58%	1.43%
Expected life from vesting date	3 years	3 years	3 years
Dividend yield (as a percent)	1.13%	0.94%	0.75%
Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	849,609	768,595	795,221
Granted (in shares)	85,092	291,708	177,717
Exercised (in shares)	(109,893)	(169,493)	(194,627)
Forfeited (in shares)	(31,635)	(41,201)	(9,716)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	793,173	849,609	768,595
Options vested or expected to vest (in shares)	774,139	818,300	746,974
Options exercisable (in shares)	469,844	409,068	450,539
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 117,420	$ 113,720	$ 99,290
Granted (in dollars per share)	151,370	104,890	132,940
Exercised (in dollars per share)	(101,690)	(74,370)	(71,670)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	(129,360)	(137,020)	(126,230)
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	122,770	117,420	113,720
Options vested or expected to vest (in dollars per share)	124,180	117,610	113,060
Options exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 123,750	$ 119,430	$ 97,290
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding	4 years 9 months 11 days	5 years 2 months 4 days	4 years 8 months 26 days
Options vested or expected to vest	4 years 8 months 31 days	5 years 1 month 16 days	4 years 8 months 8 days
Options exercisable	3 years 11 months 15 days	3 years 8 months 26 days	3 years 7 months 2 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding	$ 16,640	$ 4,536	$ 15,983
Options vested or expected to vest	16,200	4,456	15,981
Options exercisable	$ 9,056	$ 3,376	$ 15,944
Other option disclosures
Weighted average per share fair value of option granted	$ 40	$ 27.91	$ 33.94
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

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Det74

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016$ / sharesshares
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	793,173
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	469,844
Range of exercise price per share from $60.97 and $85.32
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 60.97
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 85.32
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	347,914
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 21 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 100.47
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	162,533
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 95.93
Range of exercise price per share from $104.47 and $110.33
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	104.47
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 110.33
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	147,717
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 11 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 132.17
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	94,517
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 132.44
Range of exercise price per share from $120.91 to $151.45
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range
Exercise price range, low end of range (in dollars per share)	120.91
Exercise price range, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 151.45
Options Outstanding, Number (in shares) | shares	297,542
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 4 months 9 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 144.18
Options Exercisable, Number (in shares) | shares	212,794
Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 141.15

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Det75

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 3) - Directors and certain management employees - Non-vested stock and restricted stock units - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Stock Based Compensation
Shares issued	58,961	47,038	35,885
Weighted average per share price on grant date	$ 150.48	$ 108.97	$ 136.91
Compensation expense	$ 4,069	$ 4,511	$ 3,978
Weighted-average period for grant of stock-based compensation	1 year 10 months 10 days
Deferred stock-based compensation granted	$ 11,896

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 24, 2016	Jun. 25, 2016	Mar. 26, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Basic EPS
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 70,064,000	$ 28,173,000	$ 42,026,000	$ 32,969,000	$ (30,561,000)	$ 12,066,000	$ 27,873,000	$ 30,739,000	$ 173,232,000	$ 40,117,000	$ 183,976,000
Shares outstanding basic (in shares)									22,562	23,288	25,719
Per share amount basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.12	$ 1.25	$ 1.86	$ 1.45	$ (1.34)	$ 0.52	$ 1.19	$ 1.29	$ 7.68	$ 1.72	$ 7.15
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Dilutive effect of stock options number of shares (in shares)									147	117	213
Dilutive effect of stock options (in dollars per share)									$ 0.05	$ 0.01	$ 0.06
Diluted EPS
Diluted EPS									$ 173,232,000	$ 40,117,000	$ 183,976,000
Shares outstanding dilutive (in shares)									22,709	23,405	25,932
Per share amount diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 1.24	$ 1.85	$ 1.45	$ (1.34)	$ 0.52	$ 1.19	$ 1.28	$ 7.63	$ 1.71	$ 7.09

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details 2)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 27, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Deferred income tax benefit				$ 30,590
Deferred income tax benefit (in dollars per share)				$ 1.35
Provision for valuation allowance				$ 9,888
Valuation provision effect (in dollars per share)				$ 0.44
Reversal of contingent liability				$ 16,591
Reversal of contingent liability effect (in dollars per share)				$ 0.73
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets				$ 40,140
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (in dollars per share	$ 1.16	$ 0.58		$ 1.72
Restructuring impairment				$ 14,545
Restructuring impairment (in dollars per share)				$ 0.62
Restructuring expenses				$ 13,622
Restructuring expenses (in dollars per share)				$ 0.58
Refinancing costs for long-term debt					$ 24,171
Refinancing of long-term debt (in dollars per share)					$ 0.93
Outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock, excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)			426,338	197,303	449,000

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS P78

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee contribution limit per calendar year to 401 (k) plan	50.00%
Company contributions	$ 10,900,000	$ 11,700,000	$ 12,600,000
Assets related to non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other assets	35,784,000	37,963,000
Liabilities related to non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other noncurrent liabilities	37,963	36,439
Total amount distributed from non-qualified deferred compensation plan	$ 5,317,000	$ 2,439,000

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA79

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets recorded for the investments held	$ 35,784,000	$ 37,963,000
Liabilities recorded for the investments held	37,963	36,439
Level 1 member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	37,800,000	42,697,000
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	755,646,000	757,995,000
Trading Securities	37,800,000	42,697,000
Estimated fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt	731,633,000	724,020,000
EMD
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of remaining ownership	2,016,000	4,734,000
Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets recorded for the investments held	$ 35,784,000	$ 37,963,000

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME80

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)contract
Derivative Contract, Counterparty One
Derivative Instrument
Deferred gain (loss) on discontinuation of interest rate fair value hedge	$ (3,600)
Derivative Contract, Counterparty Two
Derivative Instrument
Deferred gain (loss) on discontinuation of interest rate fair value hedge	$ 4,400
Forward contracts | Cash flow hedging
Derivative Instrument
Derivative, number of instruments held | contract	1
Notional amount of derivative instrument	$ 36,590
Derivative, gain (loss)	1,821
GBP | Foreign currency forward contract | Cash flow hedging
Derivative Instrument
Notional amount of derivative instrument	44,000
Derivative, gain (loss)	$ 6,872

GUARANTEES (Details)

GUARANTEES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Warranty Reserve	$ 17,000
Changes in the product warranty accrual recorded in accrued expenses
Balance, beginning of period		$ 36,653	$ 19,760
Payments made		(20,355)	(11,203)
Change in liability for warranties issued during the period		9,565	28,608
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties		675	(512)
Balance, end of period	$ 36,653	26,538	$ 36,653
Commercial Settlement [Member]
Changes in the product warranty accrual recorded in accrued expenses
Payments made		(9,800)
Change in liability for warranties issued during the period		$ 2,500

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PL82

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Details) £ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)item$ / £	Dec. 31, 2016GBP (£)item	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)$ / £	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension retirement benefits to qualified employees as percent of final salary per year of service	1.67%	1.67%
Eligibility age	65 years	65 years
Active members of defined benefit retirement income plan | item	0	0
Foreign currency exchange rate used to translate the net pension liability | $ / £	1.2340		1.4920
Defined benefit pension liability	$ 209,470		$ 179,323
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Beginning balance	697,449		692,283
Interest cost	23,496		24,614
Benefits paid	(17,792)		(18,346)
Actuarial loss	(125,765)		(28,130)
Currency translation	(132,781)		(29,232)
Ending balance	696,137		697,449
Plan Assets
Fair value beginning balance	518,126
Employer contributions	1,426		16,500
Actual return on plan assets	80,538		(306)
Settlements			(18,346)
Benefits paid	(17,792)		(18,346)
Currency translation	(95,631)		(21,881)
Fair value ending balance	486,667		518,126
Funded status
Funded status	(209,470)		(179,323)	$ (150,124)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period	(106,959)		(55,953)
Actuarial loss	(66,957)		(53,661)
Currency translation gain (loss)	17,038		2,655
Balance at the end of the period	$ (156,878)		(106,959)
The estimated amount to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2015			$ 2,840
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation
Discount rate (as a percent)	2.80%		3.75%
CPI index (as a percent)	2.25%		2.15%
RPI Inflation (as a percent)	3.15%		3.25%
Net periodic benefit expense:
Interest cost	$ 23,496		$ 24,614
Expected return on plan assets	(22,986)		(25,224)
Net periodic benefit expense	$ 1,870		$ (610)
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.75%	3.75%	3.65%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	5.15%	5.15%	5.00%
RPI index (as a percent)	2.15%	2.15%	2.10%
CPI index (as a percent)	3.35%	3.35%	3.20%
Limit on employer contributions per annum	$ 12,340	£ 10,000
Administrative costs of the Plan	1,357	£ 1,100
Expected pension benefit payments
2,016	16,650
2,017	17,200
2,018	17,800
2,019	18,250
2,020	18,900
2021-2025	$ 104,000
Weighted average maturity period of corporate bond portfolio	13 years	13 years

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PL83

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at fair value	$ 2,380	$ 5,181	$ 542,159
Plan assets at NAV	484,287	512,945
Total plan assets	486,667	518,126
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at fair value	2,380	5,181
Temporary cash investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at fair value	1,900	4,673
Temporary cash investments | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at fair value	1,900	4,673
Index linked gilts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at NAV	135,141	123,257
Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at NAV	83,834	100,701
Corporate stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at fair value	480	508
Plan assets at NAV	165,338	172,456
Corporate stock | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at fair value	480	508
Diversified growth funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets at NAV	$ 99,974	$ 116,531

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 25, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 26, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 26, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 28, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)segment	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)
Business Segments
Number of reportable segments | segment									5
Maximum percentage of sales of other businesses and activities to consolidated sales as basis for aggregation									10.00%
Net sales	$ 674,575,000	$ 610,247,000	$ 640,249,000	$ 596,605,000	$ 633,828,000	$ 632,575,000	$ 682,123,000	$ 670,398,000	$ 2,521,676,000	$ 2,618,924,000	$ 3,123,143,000
Operating Income									243,504,000	131,695,000	357,716,000
Interest expense, net									(41,304,000)	(41,325,000)	(30,744,000)
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									0	0	38,705,000
Other									18,254,000	2,637,000	(4,084,000)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									220,454,000	93,007,000	284,183,000
Total assets	2,391,731,000				2,392,382,000				2,391,731,000	2,392,382,000	2,721,955,000
Capital expenditures									57,920,000	45,468,000	73,023,000
Depreciation and amortization									82,417,000	91,144,000	89,328,000
Engineered Support Structures
Business Segments
Net sales									764,512,000	748,450,000	735,007,000
Operating Income									71,398,000	59,592,000	66,024,000
Total assets	610,366,000				611,201,000				610,366,000	611,201,000	640,132,000
Capital expenditures									16,045,000	11,445,000	11,849,000
Depreciation and amortization									21,048,000	22,810,000	22,363,000
Energy and Mining Segment
Business Segments
Net sales									314,532,000	333,207,000	443,688,000
Operating Income									11,851,000	(18,762,000)	41,342,000
Total assets	364,658,000				396,366,000				364,658,000	396,366,000	500,407,000
Capital expenditures									3,427,000	3,544,000	4,893,000
Depreciation and amortization									17,425,000	20,733,000	22,146,000
Utility Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Net sales									630,782,000	673,338,000	822,565,000
Operating Income									69,077,000	37,847,000	95,118,000
Total assets	410,448,000				422,021,000				410,448,000	422,021,000	470,720,000
Capital expenditures									3,411,000	11,815,000	9,014,000
Depreciation and amortization									16,492,000	17,959,000	17,811,000
Coatings
Business Segments
Net sales									243,877,000	255,473,000	278,435,000
Operating Income									46,596,000	27,369,000	60,921,000
Total assets	274,666,000				270,793,000				274,666,000	270,793,000	301,707,000
Capital expenditures									24,873,000	6,836,000	14,029,000
Depreciation and amortization									12,883,000	12,962,000	14,615,000
Irrigation Segment
Business Segments
Net sales									567,973,000	605,771,000	839,717,000
Operating Income									87,835,000	84,537,000	151,508,000
Total assets	313,982,000				310,967,000				313,982,000	310,967,000	360,883,000
Capital expenditures									8,836,000	7,756,000	21,113,000
Depreciation and amortization									12,097,000	11,746,000	10,471,000
Other
Business Segments
Net sales									0	2,685,000	3,731,000
Operating Income									0	(9,802,000)	(1,535,000)
Total assets	0				2,267,000				0	2,267,000	4,930,000
Capital expenditures									0	1,396,000	1,181,000
Depreciation and amortization									0	570,000	123,000
Corporate
Business Segments
Operating Income									(43,253,000)	(49,086,000)	(55,662,000)
Total assets	417,611,000				378,767,000				417,611,000	378,767,000	443,176,000
Capital expenditures									1,328,000	2,676,000	10,944,000
Depreciation and amortization									2,472,000	4,364,000	1,799,000
Parent
Business Segments
Net sales									1,126,985,000	1,169,674,000	1,392,509,000
Operating Income									104,876,000	85,097,000	154,714,000
Other									1,480,000	(2,374,000)	2,021,000
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									62,926,000	39,180,000	83,801,000
Total assets	$ 1,885,818,000				$ 1,866,376,000				1,885,818,000	1,866,376,000
Capital expenditures									9,031,000	14,362,000	41,260,000
Depreciation and amortization									27,096,000	29,433,000	24,509,000
Operating segment
Business Segments
Sales									2,619,398,000	2,705,722,000	3,269,256,000
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures
Business Segments
Sales									800,525,000	771,453,000	809,970,000
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures | Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products
Business Segments
Sales									632,455,000	600,280,000	648,352,000
Operating segment | Engineered Support Structures | Communication Products
Business Segments
Sales									168,070,000	171,173,000	161,618,000
Operating segment | Energy and Mining Segment
Business Segments
Sales									322,637,000	337,859,000	443,983,000
Operating segment | Energy and Mining Segment | Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures
Business Segments
Sales									107,824,000	103,068,000	146,432,000
Operating segment | Energy and Mining Segment | Grinding Media
Business Segments
Sales									83,110,000	96,442,000	116,056,000
Operating segment | Energy and Mining Segment | Access Systems
Business Segments
Sales									131,703,000	138,349,000	181,495,000
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Sales									631,551,000	674,577,000	825,016,000
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures Segment | Steel
Business Segments
Sales									541,295,000	578,996,000	714,427,000
Operating segment | Utility Support Structures Segment | Concrete
Business Segments
Sales									90,256,000	95,581,000	110,589,000
Operating segment | Coatings
Business Segments
Sales									289,481,000	302,385,000	333,853,000
Operating segment | Irrigation Segment
Business Segments
Sales									575,204,000	612,201,000	846,326,000
Operating segment | Other
Business Segments
Sales									0	7,247,000	10,108,000
Intersegment
Business Segments
Sales									97,722,000	86,798,000	146,113,000
Intersegment | Engineered Support Structures
Business Segments
Sales									36,013,000	23,003,000	74,963,000
Intersegment | Energy and Mining Segment
Business Segments
Sales									8,105,000	4,652,000	295,000
Intersegment | Utility Support Structures Segment
Business Segments
Sales									769,000	1,239,000	2,451,000
Intersegment | Coatings
Business Segments
Sales									45,604,000	46,912,000	55,418,000
Intersegment | Irrigation Segment
Business Segments
Sales									7,231,000	6,430,000	6,609,000
Intersegment | Other
Business Segments
Sales									$ 0	$ 4,562,000	$ 6,377,000

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details 2)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 24, 2016	Jun. 25, 2016	Mar. 26, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales	$ 674,575	$ 610,247	$ 640,249	$ 596,605	$ 633,828	$ 632,575	$ 682,123	$ 670,398	$ 2,521,676	$ 2,618,924	$ 3,123,143
Long-lived assets	1,138,515				1,165,530				1,138,515	1,165,530	1,329,014
United States
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									1,535,321	1,586,702	1,808,427
Long-lived assets	568,085				575,737				568,085	575,737	609,005
Australia
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									315,470	347,975	439,530
Long-lived assets	$ 216,416				259,326				$ 216,416	259,326	316,382
Australia | Foreign country | Net Sales
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Threshold for disclosure as percentage of net sales by customer	13.00%								13.00%
Denmark
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									$ 99,719	98,628	146,432
Long-lived assets	$ 85,654				90,463				85,654	90,463	111,161
Other
Summary by Geographical Area by Location
Net sales									571,166	585,619	728,754
Long-lived assets	$ 268,360				$ 240,004				$ 268,360	$ 240,004	$ 292,466

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES (De

COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Reversal of contingent liability	$ 16,591

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN87

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 24, 2016	Jun. 25, 2016	Mar. 26, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Parent company's percentage ownership of Guarantors	100.00%								100.00%
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales	$ 674,575	$ 610,247	$ 640,249	$ 596,605	$ 633,828	$ 632,575	$ 682,123	$ 670,398	$ 2,521,676	$ 2,618,924	$ 3,123,143
Cost of sales									1,865,433	1,997,891	2,315,026
Gross profit	165,135	155,023	175,117	160,968	129,280	156,751	169,548	165,454	656,243	621,033	808,117
Selling, general and administrative expenses									412,739	447,368	450,401
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets						13,400			0	41,970	0
Operating income									243,504	131,695	357,716
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									(44,409)	(44,621)	(36,790)
Interest income									3,105	3,296	6,046
Costs associated with refinancing of debt									0	0	(38,705)
Other									18,254	2,637	(4,084)
Total other income (expenses)									(23,050)	(38,688)	(73,533)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									220,454	93,007	284,183
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									65,748	42,569	89,643
Deferred income taxes									(23,685)	4,858	5,251
Total income tax expense (benefit)									42,063	47,427	94,894
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									178,391	45,580	189,289
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									0	(247)	29
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax									13,652	0	0
Net earnings									178,391	45,333	189,318
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									(5,159)	(5,216)	(5,342)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 70,064	$ 28,173	$ 42,026	$ 32,969	$ (30,561)	$ 12,066	$ 27,873	$ 30,739	173,232	40,117	183,976
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									(191,877)	(213,287)	(221,745)
Cost of sales									(190,716)	(212,927)	(222,234)
Gross profit									(1,161)	(360)	489
Selling, general and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets									0	0
Operating income									(1,161)	(360)	489
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									0	0	0
Interest income									0	0	0
Costs associated with refinancing of debt											0
Other									0	0	0
Total other income (expenses)									0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									(1,161)	(360)	489
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									(323)	(1)	138
Deferred income taxes									0	0	0
Total income tax expense (benefit)									(323)	(1)	138
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									(838)	(359)	351
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									(207,189)	27,576	(148,574)
Net earnings									(208,027)	27,217	(148,223)
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									(208,027)	27,217	(148,223)
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									1,126,985	1,169,674	1,392,509
Cost of sales									837,616	890,242	1,040,808
Gross profit									289,369	279,432	351,701
Selling, general and administrative expenses									184,493	194,335	196,987
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets									0	0
Operating income									104,876	85,097	154,714
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									(43,703)	(43,552)	(34,267)
Interest income									273	9	38
Costs associated with refinancing of debt											(38,705)
Other									1,480	(2,374)	2,021
Total other income (expenses)									(41,950)	(45,917)	(70,913)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									62,926	39,180	83,801
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									24,539	863	30,330
Deferred income taxes									6,216	10,042	(1,474)
Total income tax expense (benefit)									30,755	10,905	28,856
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									32,171	28,275	54,945
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									141,061	11,842	129,031
Net earnings									173,232	40,117	183,976
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									173,232	40,117	183,976
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									390,756	423,928	496,326
Cost of sales									285,924	332,847	371,639
Gross profit									104,832	91,081	124,687
Selling, general and administrative expenses									46,244	45,549	49,171
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets									0	0
Operating income									58,588	45,532	75,516
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									(10)	0	(5)
Interest income									112	103	359
Costs associated with refinancing of debt											0
Other									77	60	(511)
Total other income (expenses)									179	163	(157)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									58,767	45,695	75,359
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									20,270	23,261	25,277
Deferred income taxes									0	(6,224)	1,866
Total income tax expense (benefit)									20,270	17,037	27,143
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									38,497	28,658	48,216
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									66,128	(39,418)	19,509
Net earnings									104,625	(10,760)	67,725
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									104,625	(10,760)	67,725
Non- Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net sales									1,195,812	1,238,609	1,456,053
Cost of sales									932,609	987,729	1,124,813
Gross profit									263,203	250,880	331,240
Selling, general and administrative expenses									182,002	207,484	204,243
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets										41,970
Operating income									81,201	1,426	126,997
Other income (expense):
Interest expense									(696)	(1,069)	(2,518)
Interest income									2,720	3,184	5,649
Costs associated with refinancing of debt											0
Other									16,697	4,951	(5,594)
Total other income (expenses)									18,721	7,066	(2,463)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									99,922	8,492	124,534
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									21,262	18,446	33,898
Deferred income taxes									(29,901)	1,040	4,859
Total income tax expense (benefit)									(8,639)	19,486	38,757
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									108,561	(10,994)	85,777
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries									0	(247)	63
Net earnings									108,561	(11,241)	85,840
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									(5,159)	(5,216)	(5,342)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.									$ 103,402	$ (16,457)	$ 80,498

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN88

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	$ 178,391	$ 45,333	$ 189,318
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	(58,315)	(96,694)	(82,275)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(96,694)	(82,275)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on cash flow hedge:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	4,226	0	0
Amortization cost included in interest expense	74	74	594
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings	0	(3,130)	983
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	0	2,855	4,837
Derivative adjustment	4,300	(201)	6,414
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan	(24,141)	(40,274)	(13,709)
Equity in other comprehensive income	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(78,156)	(137,169)	(89,570)
Comprehensive income (loss)	100,235	(91,836)	99,748
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,144)	(832)	(2,520)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	94,091	(92,668)	97,228
Eliminations
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	(208,027)	27,217	(148,223)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment		0	0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on cash flow hedge:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	0
Amortization cost included in interest expense	0	0	0
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings	0	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	0	0	0
Derivative adjustment	0	0	0
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan	0	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income	83,252	132,584	93,162
Other comprehensive income (loss)	83,252	132,584	93,162
Comprehensive income (loss)	(124,775)	159,801	(55,061)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	(124,775)	159,801	(55,061)
Parent
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	173,232	40,117	183,976
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment		0	0
Unrealized gain/(loss) on cash flow hedge:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	4,226
Amortization cost included in interest expense	74	74	594
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings	0	(3,130)	983
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	0	2,855	4,837
Derivative adjustment	4,300	(201)	6,414
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan	0	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income	(83,252)	(132,584)	(93,162)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(78,952)	(132,785)	(86,748)
Comprehensive income (loss)	94,280	(92,668)	97,228
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	94,280	(92,668)	97,228
Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	104,625	(10,760)	67,725
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	49	(15,166)	(51,536)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(15,166)	(51,536)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on cash flow hedge:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	0
Amortization cost included in interest expense	0	0	0
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings	0	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	0	0	0
Derivative adjustment	0	0	0
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan	0	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	49	(15,166)	(51,536)
Comprehensive income (loss)	104,674	(25,926)	16,189
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	104,674	(25,926)	16,189
Non- Guarantors
Condensed consolidated financial information for the Company (Parent), the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries
Net earnings	108,561	(11,241)	85,840
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses)	(58,364)	(81,528)	(30,739)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(81,528)	(30,739)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on cash flow hedge:
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	0
Amortization cost included in interest expense	0	0	0
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings	0	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	0	0	0
Derivative adjustment	0	0	0
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan	(24,141)	(40,274)	(13,709)
Equity in other comprehensive income	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(82,505)	(121,802)	(44,448)
Comprehensive income (loss)	26,056	(133,043)	41,392
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,144)	(832)	(2,520)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.	$ 19,912	$ (133,875)	$ 38,872

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN89

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 399,948	$ 349,074	$ 371,579	$ 349,074	$ 613,706
Receivables, less allowance of $10,250 in 2016 and $10,055 in 2015	439,342	466,443
Inventories	350,028	340,672
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	57,297	46,137
Refundable income taxes	6,601	24,526
Total current assets	1,253,216	1,226,852
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,105,736	1,081,056
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	587,401	548,567
Net property, plant and equipment	518,335	532,489
Goodwill	321,110	336,916	385,111
Other intangible assets	144,378	170,197
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	0	0
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $8,741 in 2016 and $10,953 in 2015	154,692	125,928
Total assets	2,391,731	2,392,382	2,721,955
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	851	1,077
Notes payable to banks	746	976
Accounts payable	177,488	179,983
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	72,404	70,354
Accrued expenses	89,914	105,593
Dividends payable	8,445	8,571
Total current liabilities	(349,848)	(366,554)
Deferred income taxes	35,803	35,669
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	754,795	756,918
Defined benefit pension liability	209,470	179,323
Deferred compensation	44,319	48,417
Other noncurrent liabilities	14,910	40,290
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	27,900	27,900
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	1,874,722	1,729,679
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(346,359)	(267,218)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,379,106 in 2016 and 5,042,775 in 2015	(612,781)	(571,920)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	943,482	918,441
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	39,104	46,770
Total shareholders’ equity	982,586	965,211	1,250,405		1,544,846
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,391,731	2,392,382
Eliminations
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0		0
Receivables, less allowance of $10,250 in 2016 and $10,055 in 2015	0	0
Inventories	(4,154)	(2,993)
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	0	0
Refundable income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	(4,154)	(2,993)
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	(3,270,540)	(2,992,184)
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $8,741 in 2016 and $10,953 in 2015	0	0
Total assets	(3,274,694)	(2,995,177)
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	0	0
Notes payable to banks	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	0	0
Defined benefit pension liability	0	0
Deferred compensation	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	(1,106,633)	(1,106,633)
Additional paid-in capital	(1,266,950)	(1,266,950)
Retained earnings	(1,250,087)	(896,644)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	348,976	275,050
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,379,106 in 2016 and 5,042,775 in 2015	0	0
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	(3,274,694)	(2,995,177)
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	(3,274,694)	(2,995,177)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	(3,274,694)	(2,995,177)
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	67,225	62,281	69,869		215,576
Receivables, less allowance of $10,250 in 2016 and $10,055 in 2015	134,351	130,741
Inventories	126,669	132,222
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	13,271	9,900
Refundable income taxes	6,601	24,526
Total current assets	348,117	359,670
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	547,076	541,536
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	352,960	334,471
Net property, plant and equipment	194,116	207,065
Goodwill	20,108	20,108
Other intangible assets	184	238
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	1,279,413	1,239,228
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $8,741 in 2016 and $10,953 in 2015	43,880	40,067
Total assets	1,885,818	1,866,376
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	0	215
Notes payable to banks	0	0
Accounts payable	52,272	66,723
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	34,508	32,272
Accrued expenses	30,261	31,073
Dividends payable	8,445	8,571
Total current liabilities	(125,486)	(138,854)
Deferred income taxes	22,481	9,686
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	751,251	751,765
Defined benefit pension liability	0	0
Deferred compensation	39,476	43,485
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,642	4,145
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	27,900	27,900
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	1,874,722	1,729,679
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(346,359)	(267,218)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,379,106 in 2016 and 5,042,775 in 2015	(612,781)	(571,920)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	943,482	918,441
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	943,482	918,441
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,885,818	1,866,376
Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	6,071	4,008	2,157		29,797
Receivables, less allowance of $10,250 in 2016 and $10,055 in 2015	60,522	66,387
Inventories	45,457	38,379
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	880	766
Refundable income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	112,930	109,540
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	153,596	132,864
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	76,776	69,956
Net property, plant and equipment	76,820	62,908
Goodwill	110,561	110,562
Other intangible assets	35,953	40,959
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	901,758	813,779
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $8,741 in 2016 and $10,953 in 2015	0	0
Total assets	1,238,022	1,137,748
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	0	0
Notes payable to banks	0	0
Accounts payable	15,732	13,680
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	7,243	6,347
Accrued expenses	15,242	22,802
Dividends payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	(38,217)	(42,829)
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	0	0
Defined benefit pension liability	0	0
Deferred compensation	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	5	0
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	457,950	457,950
Additional paid-in capital	159,414	159,414
Retained earnings	646,749	541,917
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(64,313)	(64,362)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,379,106 in 2016 and 5,042,775 in 2015	0	0
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	1,199,800	1,094,919
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Total shareholders’ equity	1,199,800	1,094,919
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,238,022	1,137,748
Non- Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	326,652	282,785	$ 299,553		$ 368,333
Receivables, less allowance of $10,250 in 2016 and $10,055 in 2015	244,469	269,315
Inventories	182,056	173,064
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets	43,146	35,471
Refundable income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	796,323	760,635
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	405,064	406,656
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	157,665	144,140
Net property, plant and equipment	247,399	262,516
Goodwill	190,441	206,246
Other intangible assets	108,241	129,000
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts	1,089,369	939,177
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $8,741 in 2016 and $10,953 in 2015	110,812	85,861
Total assets	2,542,585	2,383,435
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	851	862
Notes payable to banks	746	976
Accounts payable	109,484	99,580
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	30,653	31,735
Accrued expenses	44,411	51,718
Dividends payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	(186,145)	(184,871)
Deferred income taxes	13,322	25,983
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	3,544	5,153
Defined benefit pension liability	209,470	179,323
Deferred compensation	4,843	4,932
Other noncurrent liabilities	11,263	36,145
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value	648,683	648,683
Additional paid-in capital	1,107,536	1,107,536
Retained earnings	603,338	354,727
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(284,663)	(210,688)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,379,106 in 2016 and 5,042,775 in 2015	0	0
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity	2,074,894	1,900,258
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	39,104	46,770
Total shareholders’ equity	2,113,998	1,947,028
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 2,542,585	$ 2,383,435

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN90

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 4) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1

GUARANTOR_NON-GUARANTOR FINAN91

GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			32 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 178,391	$ 45,333	$ 189,318
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	82,417	91,144	89,328
Non-cash after-tax loss on deconsolidation	(13,652)	0	0
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	1,099	19,836	0
Noncash loss on trading securities	586	4,555	3,795
Non-cash debt refinancing costs	0	0	(2,478)
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities	(13,652)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0	41,970	0
Stock-based compensation	9,931	7,244	6,730
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(3,242)	0	(4,300)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	1,870	(610)	2,638
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	(1,488)	(16,500)	(18,173)
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	631	2,327	392
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	247	(29)
Deferred income taxes	(23,685)	4,858	5,251
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	24,622	50,267	907
Inventories	(11,461)	3,296	21,458
Prepaid expenses	1,138	10,844	(13,594)
Accounts payable	104	(6,805)	(34,321)
Accrued expenses	(12,207)	8,918	(34,778)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(23,880)	(1,764)	1,755
Income taxes payable (refundable)	7,994	7,107	(39,803)
Net cash flows from operating activities	219,168	272,267	174,096
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(57,920)	(45,468)	(73,023)
Proceeds from sale of assets	5,126	3,249	2,489
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(12,778)	(185,710)
Other, net	(255)	6,826	(619)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(53,049)	(48,171)	(256,863)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under short-term agreements	(200)	(12,853)	(4,472)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	0	68,000	652,211
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	(2,006)	(69,098)	(357,858)
Settlement of financial derivative	0	0	4,981
Dividends paid	(34,053)	(35,357)	(32,443)
Intercompany dividends	(11,009)	0	0
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany capital contributionn			0
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany interest on long term note		(2,634)	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(2,938)	(2,634)	(2,919)
Debt issuance costs	0	0	(7,644)
Intercompany capital contribution	(11,009)	0	0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	11,153	13,075	14,572
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises	0	1,699	4,264
Purchase of treasury shares	(53,800)	(168,983)	(395,045)	$ (617,800)
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	(2,305)	(13,854)	(15,403)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(95,158)	(220,005)	(139,756)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20,087)	(26,596)	(19,604)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	50,874	(22,505)	(242,127)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	349,074	371,579	613,706
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	399,948	349,074	371,579	399,948
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	(208,027)	27,217	(148,223)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	0	0
Noncash loss on trading securities	0	0	0
Non-cash debt refinancing costs			0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		0
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0		0
Defined benefit pension plan expense	0	0	0
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	0	0	0
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	207,189	(27,576)	148,574
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	0	0	0
Inventories	1,160	2,228	0
Prepaid expenses	0	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	324	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0	0
Income taxes payable (refundable)	0	0	0
Net cash flows from operating activities	322	2,193	351
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0	0
Other, net	(322)	(2,193)	(351)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(322)	(2,193)	(351)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under short-term agreements	0	0	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		0	0
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	0	0	0
Settlement of financial derivative			0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Intercompany dividends	0	0	0
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany capital contributionn			0
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany interest on long term note		0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Debt issuance costs			0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises		0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0	0
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	0	0	0
Net cash flows from financing activities	0	0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	0	0	0	0
Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	173,232	40,117	183,976
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	27,096	29,433	24,509
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	0	7,486
Noncash loss on trading securities	0	0	0
Non-cash debt refinancing costs			(2,478)
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		0
Stock-based compensation	9,931	7,244	6,730
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0		0
Defined benefit pension plan expense	0	0	0
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	0	0	0
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	165	983	145
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(141,061)	(11,842)	(129,031)
Deferred income taxes	6,216	10,042	(1,474)
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	(3,610)	27,576	(19,136)
Inventories	5,554	(4,364)	5,094
Prepaid expenses	(1,250)	2,337	(2,352)
Accounts payable	(14,452)	6,831	(2,260)
Accrued expenses	1,423	(16,485)	(21,448)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(2,333)	177	622
Income taxes payable (refundable)	32,873	7,895	(24,945)
Net cash flows from operating activities	93,784	107,430	17,952
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(9,031)	(14,362)	(41,260)
Proceeds from sale of assets	44	3,996	43
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0	0
Other, net	(633)	72,866	34,735
Net cash flows from investing activities	(9,620)	62,500	(6,482)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under short-term agreements	0	0	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		68,000	652,540
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	(215)	(68,213)	(356,994)
Settlement of financial derivative			4,981
Dividends paid	(34,053)	(35,357)	(32,443)
Intercompany dividends	0	26,115	116,995
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany capital contributionn			(143,000)
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany interest on long term note		0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Debt issuance costs			(7,644)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	11,153	13,075	14,572
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises		1,699	4,264
Purchase of treasury shares	(53,800)	(168,983)	(395,045)
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	(2,305)	(13,854)	(15,403)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(79,220)	(177,518)	(157,177)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	4,944	(7,588)	(145,707)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	62,281	69,869	215,576
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	67,225	62,281	69,869	67,225
Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	104,625	(10,760)	67,725
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	13,316	12,611	12,926
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	0	542
Noncash loss on trading securities	0	0	0
Non-cash debt refinancing costs			0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		0
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0		0
Defined benefit pension plan expense	0	0	0
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	0	0	0
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	103	319	143
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	(66,128)	39,418	(19,509)
Deferred income taxes	0	(6,224)	1,866
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	5,865	3,547	40,186
Inventories	(7,078)	18,130	15,317
Prepaid expenses	(114)	(172)	429
Accounts payable	2,052	(1,970)	(5,212)
Accrued expenses	(6,664)	17,713	(9,590)
Other noncurrent liabilities	5	0	0
Income taxes payable (refundable)	(16,567)	(306)	(19,417)
Net cash flows from operating activities	29,415	72,848	84,864
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(22,320)	(7,718)	(2,823)
Proceeds from sale of assets	102	302	126
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(12,778)	0
Other, net	(5,085)	(50,447)	(73,799)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(27,303)	(70,641)	(76,496)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under short-term agreements	0	0	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		0	0
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	0	0	0
Settlement of financial derivative			0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Intercompany dividends	0	0	(36,600)
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany capital contributionn			0
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany interest on long term note		0	648
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Debt issuance costs			0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises		0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0	0
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	0	0	0
Net cash flows from financing activities	0	0	(35,952)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(49)	(356)	(56)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,063	1,851	(27,640)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	4,008	2,157	29,797
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	6,071	4,008	2,157	6,071
Non- Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	108,561	(11,241)	85,840
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization	42,005	49,100	51,893
Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	1,099	11,808
Noncash loss on trading securities	586	4,555	3,795
Non-cash debt refinancing costs			0
Impairment of assets - restructuring activities	(13,652)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		41,970
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(3,242)		(4,300)
Defined benefit pension plan expense	1,870	(610)	2,638
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan	(1,488)	(16,500)	(18,173)
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	363	1,025	104
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries	0	247	(63)
Deferred income taxes	(29,901)	1,040	4,859
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	22,367	19,144	(20,143)
Inventories	(11,097)	(12,698)	1,047
Prepaid expenses	2,502	8,679	(11,671)
Accounts payable	12,504	(11,666)	(26,849)
Accrued expenses	(6,966)	7,366	(3,740)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(21,552)	(1,941)	1,133
Income taxes payable (refundable)	(8,312)	(482)	4,559
Net cash flows from operating activities	95,647	89,796	70,929
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(26,569)	(23,388)	(28,940)
Proceeds from sale of assets	4,980	(1,049)	2,320
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0	(185,710)
Other, net	5,785	(13,400)	38,796
Net cash flows from investing activities	(15,804)	(37,837)	(173,534)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under short-term agreements	(200)	(12,853)	(4,472)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		0	(329)
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	(1,791)	(885)	(864)
Settlement of financial derivative			0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Intercompany dividends	(11,009)	(26,115)	(80,395)
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany capital contributionn			143,000
Proceeds from repayment of intercompany interest on long term note		(2,634)	(648)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest	(2,938)		(2,919)
Debt issuance costs			0
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises		0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	0	0	0
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises	0	0	0
Net cash flows from financing activities	(15,938)	(42,487)	53,373
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20,038)	(26,240)	(19,548)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	43,867	(16,768)	(68,780)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	282,785	299,553	368,333
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$ 326,652	$ 282,785	$ 299,553	$ 326,652

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Una92

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 24, 2016	Jun. 25, 2016	Mar. 26, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Jun. 27, 2015	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 674,575	$ 610,247	$ 640,249	$ 596,605	$ 633,828	$ 632,575	$ 682,123	$ 670,398		$ 2,521,676	$ 2,618,924	$ 3,123,143
Gross profit	165,135	155,023	175,117	160,968	129,280	156,751	169,548	165,454		656,243	621,033	808,117
Net Earnings, Amount	$ 70,064	$ 28,173	$ 42,026	$ 32,969	$ (30,561)	$ 12,066	$ 27,873	$ 30,739		$ 173,232	$ 40,117	$ 183,976
Net Earnings, Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.12	$ 1.25	$ 1.86	$ 1.45	$ (1.34)	$ 0.52	$ 1.19	$ 1.29		$ 7.68	$ 1.72	$ 7.15
Net Earnings, Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	3.10	1.24	1.85	1.45	(1.34)	0.52	1.19	1.28		7.63	1.71	7.09
Stock Price, High (in dollars per share)	156.05	139.62	145.94	125.69	117.94	121.23	128.26	130.26		156.05	130.26
Stock Price, Low (in dollars per share)	120.65	125.60	117.10	96.50	93.99	97.44	118.09	117.56		96.50	93.99
Dividends Declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375	$ 0.375		$ 1.500	$ 1.500	$ 1.375
Quarterly Financial Data
Deferred income tax benefit										$ 30,590
Deferred income tax benefit (in dollars per share)										$ 1.35
Provision for valuation allowance										$ 9,888
Valuation provision effect (in dollars per share)										$ 0.44
Reversal of contingent liability										$ 16,591
Reversal of contingent liability effect (in dollars per share)										$ 0.73
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining					$ 11,500	$ 6,300					$ 11,500
Restructuring expenses (in dollars per share)										$ 0.58
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets						$ 13,400				$ 0	41,970	$ 0
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (in dollars per share					$ 1.16	$ 0.58				$ 1.72
Goodwill impairment					$ 7,100						$ 34,892
Impairment of intangible assets					19,600
Increase (decrease) in product warranty reserve					$ 11,100
Increase (decrease) in product warranty reserve (in dollars per share)					$ 0.50
Increase (decrease) in allowance for bad debt					$ 5,100
Increase (decrease) in allowance for bad debt (in dollars per share)					$ 0.21
Foreign corporate income tax rate									20.00%		18.00%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes					$ 7,100
Increase (decrease) in income taxes (in dollars per share)					$ 0.31
Refinancing of long-term debt (in dollars per share)												$ 0.93
Broad Restructuring Plan
Quarterly Financial Data
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost remaining	$ 4,581				$ 39,852		$ 9,800			$ 4,581	$ 39,852
Restructuring expenses (in dollars per share)					$ 0.50	$ 0.27	$ 0.42

Schedule II-Valuation and Qua93

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period			$ 9,922
Balance at close of period	$ 9,922			$ 9,922
Allowance for doubtful receivables
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period		$ 21,008	9,922	10,369
Charged to profit and loss	1,780	1,273	12,420
Currency Translation Adjustment	(308)	(734)	(1,143)
Deductions from reserves		2,556	191	1,919
Balance at close of period	9,922	18,991	21,008	9,922
Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation
Movement in Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period		90,837	104,487	107,767
Charged to profit and loss		9,888	1,267	958
Currency Translation Adjustment		(18,129)	(14,917)	(4,238)
Deductions from reserves		673	0	0
Balance at close of period	$ 104,487	$ 81,923	$ 90,837	$ 104,487