CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 427,080	$ 362,894
Receivables, net	470,240	426,683
Inventories	432,689	393,782
Prepaid expenses	30,106	25,765
Refundable and deferred income taxes	49,692	43,819
Total current assets	1,409,807	1,252,943
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	965,326	911,642
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	489,335	456,765
Net property, plant and equipment	475,991	454,877
Goodwill	319,057	314,662
Other intangible assets, net	162,279	168,083
Other assets	127,326	115,511
Total assets	2,494,460	2,306,076
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	226	235
Notes payable to banks	15,730	11,403
Accounts payable	217,688	234,537
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	87,978	83,613
Accrued expenses	85,720	73,515
Dividends payable	5,991	4,767
Total current liabilities	413,333	408,070
Deferred income taxes	80,980	85,497
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	473,227	474,415
Defined benefit pension liability	62,667	68,024
Deferred compensation	34,320	30,741
Other noncurrent liabilities	42,039	41,418
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock of $1 par value - Authorized 500,000 shares; none issued
Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued	27,900	27,900
Retained earnings	1,238,840	1,079,698
Accumulated other comprehensive income	87,149	64,052
Treasury stock	(23,018)	(24,688)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,330,871	1,146,962
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	57,023	50,949
Total shareholders' equity	1,387,894	1,197,911
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,494,460	$ 2,306,076