Table of Contents


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

or

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                ____________ to

Commission file number 1-31429

Valmont Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

47-0351813

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

47-0351813

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One

15000 Valmont Plaza,

Omaha,

Nebraska

68154

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)


68154-5215

(Zip Code)

(402) 402963-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Symbol

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock $1.00 par value

VMI

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yesx No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes oNo x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filerxAccelerated Filer

Accelerated filer  o

Accelerated filer

Non‑accelerated filero

Smaller reporting company o

Emerging growth company o

Growth Company

(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report Yes     No

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x


At February 20, 201823, 2023 there were 22,693,41621,350,005 of the Company’s common shares outstanding. The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Company based on the closing sale price the common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July 1, 2017June 25, 2022 was $3,296,971,119.

$4,753,258,488.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 24, 20182023 (the “Proxy Statement”), to be filed within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, are incorporated by reference in Part III.


This Introduction





Note, this introduction does not contain Part III information as most of the information will be incorporated by reference from our proxy statement to be filed for the annual shareholders meeting on April 24, 2018.




1 Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
2 Fiscal 2016 GAAP operating income included restructuring expense of $12.4 million (pre-tax). On an adjusted basis, operating income was $255.9 million. Fiscal 2015 GAAP operating income included intangible asset impairments of $42.0 million (pre-tax), restructuring expense of $39.9 million (pre-tax), and other non-recurring expenses of $24.0 million pre-tax on an adjusted basis, operating income was $237.5 million.
3 See Item 6, Selected Financial Data, in this Form 10-K for calculation of invested capital and return on invested capital.
4 Fiscal 2016 included deferred income tax benefit of $30.6 million ($1.35 per share) resulting primarily from the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset for the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. In addition, fiscal 2016 included $9.9 million ($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 $16.6 million ($0.73 per share) which is not taxable.
5 Fiscal 2015 included intangible asset impairment of $40.1 million after tax ($1.72 per share), restructuring expense of $28.2 million after tax ($1.20 per share), other non-recurring expenses of $16.3 million after tax ($0.69 per share) and deferred tax expense of $7.1 million ($0.31 per share) due to a change in the U.K. tax rate. Fiscal 2014 included costs associated with refinancing of our long-term debt of $24.2 million after tax ($0.93 per share), and mark-to-market loss of $3.8 million after tax on shares of Delta Pty. Ltd. ($0.15 per share).
6. Fiscal 2017 included $42.0 million ($1.85 per share) of tax expense attributed to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) enacted in December 2017.
For more information on the footnotes above and the reasons why we believe the non-GAAP measures are useful, please see Item 6, Item 7 and Item 8.







VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017


31, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS


1


PART I

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

(a)General Description of Business

General

We are a diversified global producermanufacturer of highly-engineered fabricated metal products.products and services for infrastructure and agriculture markets. Our Infrastructure products and services create communities that are safer, cleaner, more efficient, and better connected. Our Agriculture products and services help growers produce greater crop yields with fewer inputs. In our Engineered Support Structures (ESS) segment, we are a leading producer of steel, aluminum2022, the Company operated and composite poles, towers, industrial and architectural access systems and other structures. reported its results in the following two reporting segments:

Infrastructure
Agriculture

Our Utilities Support Structures (Utility) segment manufactures steel and concrete pole structures for transmission and distribution primarily within the United States. Outside of the United States, we manufacture complex steel structures used in electrical energy generation and distribution. Our IrrigationInfrastructure segment is a global producercomprised of mechanized irrigation systemsfive primary product lines. Our Transmission, Distribution, and provider of water managementSubstation product line helps deliver power with products to better harden electric grids to make infrastructure more resilient by selling structures to support electrical transmission, distribution lines, and substation conversion and storage. Our Lighting and Transportation offering includes solutions for large-scale production agriculture. Our Coatings segment provides metal coating services, including galvanizing for steelto help make roadways safer, infrastructure smarter, and other applied coatings.

Our ESS segment sellsincreases connectivity through the following products: outdoor lighting, traffic control, and roadway safety structures,structures. Our Coatings product line provides coatings services for Valmont and other industrial customers to assist in extending the lifespan of infrastructure. Our Telecommunications product line offers wireless communication structures and components, and access systems.components. Our Utility segmentRenewable Energy product line sells pole structures to support electrical transmission and distribution lines and related power distribution equipment. solar tracking solutions.

Our IrrigationAgriculture segment produces mechanized irrigation equipment and related services thatto help deliver water, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to agricultural crops. Our Coatings segment provides coatings services for Valmontcrops that save time and conserve water, energy, and other industrial customers. input costs while also assisting in increasing yields. This segment also develops technology for better precision application including predictive, autonomous crop and irrigation management.

Customers and end-users of our Infrastructure products include municipalities and government entities globally, manufacturers of commercial lighting fixtures (OEM)(“OEM”), contractors, and telecommunications and utility companies, and large farms as well ascompanies. Customers of our Agriculture segment in the United States are dealers who resell mechanized irrigation equipment to their end customer, which is the farmer. Both segments service the general manufacturing sector.sector as well. In 2017,2022, approximately 36%32% of our totalnet sales were either sold in markets or produced by our manufacturing plants outside of North America.

We were founded in 1946, went public in 1968, and our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: VMI).

We are headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Business Strategy

Our strategy is to pursue growth opportunities that leverage our existing product portfolio, knowledge of our principal end-markets and customers, and engineering capability to increase our sales, earnings, and cash flow, including:

Increasing the Market Penetration of our Existing Products.Our strategy is to increase our market penetration by differentiating our products from our competitors’ products through superior customer service, engineering proficiency, technological innovation, and consistent high quality. For example, our ESSOur Agriculture segment increased itsexperienced sales volume growth in 2015 through our engineering capability and strong customer service to meet our customers’ requirements on a complex project for specialty decorative street lighting structures on the road leading2022 which we believe was partially due to the Doha international airport in Qatar.

continuing importance of our precision agriculture and technology offerings.

Bringing our Existing Products to New Markets.Our strategy is to expand the sales of our existing products into geographic areas where we do not currently serve and where end-users do not currently purchase our type of product. For example, we have also expanded our geographic presence in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa for lighting structures. We have been successful introducing our monopole products to utility and wireless communication customers that traditionally purchased lattice tower products. This strategy led to usresulted in recently building manufacturing presences in ChinaPoland and India to expand our offering of pole structures for lighting, utility, and wireless communication to these markets and to expand our manufacturing presence in the United Arab Emirates to serve growing Middle East markets. Our IrrigationAgriculture segment has a long history of developing new emerging markets for mechanized irrigation around the world. In recent years, these markets include Eastern Europe and Middle East countries.2020, we secured a $240 million multi-year order for the Egypt market. In January 2023, we secured an $85 million multi-year agreement for projects in Africa.

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Developing New Products for Markets that We Currently Serve.Our strategy is to grow by developing new products for markets using our comprehensive understanding of end-user requirements and leveraging longstanding relationships with key distributors and end-users. For example, inIn recent years, we developed and sold structures for tramway applications in Europe. The customersspun concrete distribution poles for this product line include many ofNorth American utility markets, steel bridge girders for North America, and began offering concealment solutions for the state and local governments that purchase our lighting structures. Another example is the development and expansion of decorative lighting poles that have been introduced to our existing customer base. Our 2014 acquisition of the majority ownership in AgSense allows us to offer expanded remote monitoring services over irrigation equipment and other aspects of a farming operation.



wireless communication markets.

Developing New Products for New Markets or Leveraging Core Competencies to Further Diversify our Business is a pathPath to increase sales.Increase Sales. For example, the establishment and growth of our Coatings segmentproduct line was based on using our expertise in galvanizing to develop what is now a global business segment. Theproduct line. We have grown sales through expanding our presence in the decorative lighting market, which has different requirements and preferences than our traditional transportation and commercial markets. For example,Acquisitions are a key component of our joint venture with Tehomet provided expertisestrategy to expand the markets we serve through new products and services. In 2022, we acquired a majority interest in the decorative wood pole market. The acquisitionConcealFab, a 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions company, expanding our portfolio of Delta in 2010 gave us a presence in highway safety systems and industrial access systems,telecommunications products that support 5G technology. In 2021, we acquired Prospera Technologies, Ltd., an artificial intelligence technology company focused on machine learning and computer vision in agriculture providing an opportunity to grow recurring revenue through agronomy monitoring software solutions. In 2020, we acquired Solbras®, a provider of solar energy solutions for agriculture and during 2018, we acquired Convert Italia S.p.A., a provider of engineered single axis solar tracking solutions. These two acquisitions are furthering our commitment to renewable energy which we believe are complementary to our existing products andwill provide us with future growth opportunities.

opportunities through the ability to bring power to underserved regions and transform unproductive land into efficient cropland.

Acquisitions

We have grown internallyorganically and by acquisition. Our significant business expansions during the past five years include the following (including the segment where the business reports):

2018

Acquisition of an integrator of prepackaged pump stations (Torrent Engineering and Equipment) located in Indiana (Agriculture)
Acquisition of a worldwide provider of parts for agricultural irrigation equipment, Irrigation Components International (ICI), located in the United States (Agriculture)
Acquisition of an engineering and manufacturer of overhead sign structures (Walpar) located in Alabama (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of 75% of a provider of engineered solar tracker solutions (Convert Italia S.p.A.) headquartered in Italy (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of a steel lattice structures producer (Derit) located in India (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of a galvanizing business (CSP Coating Systems) located in New Zealand (Infrastructure)
2013
Acquisition of a manufacturer of perforated, expanded metal for the non-residential market, industrial flooring and handrails for the access systems market, and screening media for applications in the industrial and mining sectors in Australia and Asia (ESS)
Acquisition of the remaining 40% not previously owned of Valley Irrigation South Africa Pty. Ltd (Irrigation)
Acquisition of a distributor holding proprietary intellectual property for products serving the highway safety market located in New Zealand (ESS)
2014
Acquisition of 90% of a manufacturer of heavy complex steel structures (Valmont SM) with two manufacturing locations in Denmark (Utility)
Acquisition of a 51% ownership stake in AgSense, which provides farmers with remote monitoring equipment for their pivots and entire farming operation (Irrigation)
Acquisition of a manufacturer of fiberglass composite support structures with two manufacturing locations in South Carolina (ESS)
2015
Acquisition of a galvanizing business located in Hammonton, New Jersey (Coatings)
2016
Acquisition of the remaining 30% not previously owned of IGC Galvanizing Industries (M) Sdn Bhd (Coatings)
Acquisition of 5.2% of the remaining 10%

2019

Acquisition of a wireless communication concealment solutions provider (Larson Camouflage) headquartered in Arizona (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of the remaining 4.8% not previously owned of Valmont SM (Other)
Acquisition of a galvanizing business (United Galvanizing) located in Texas (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of a manufacturer and distributor of wireless site components and safety products (Connect-It Wireless, Inc.) located in Florida (Infrastructure)

2020

Acquisition of the remaining 49% not previously owned of AgSense, LLC (Agriculture)

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Acquisition of 55% of a provider of solar solutions for Agriculture (Solbras) located in Brazil (Agriculture)
Acquisition of KC Utility Packaging, LLC, a utility substation product provider located in Missouri (Infrastructure)

2021

Acquisition of Prospera Technologies, Ltd., an artificial intelligence company in agriculture located in Israel (Agriculture)
Acquisition of PivoTrac, a remote monitoring irrigation service company located in Texas (Agriculture)

2022

Acquisition of 51% of ConcealFab, a 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions company located in Colorado (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of the remaining 9% not previously owned of Convert Italia S.p.A. (Infrastructure)
Acquisition of the remaining 20% not previously owned of Valmont West Coast Engineering, Ltd. (Infrastructure)

Divestitures

In 2018, the Company divested of Donhad, a grinding media producer in Australia.

In 2022, the Company divested of Valmont SM, (Utility)

2017
Acquisitiona wind energy structures business in Denmark manufacturing both on and offshore structures.

Segments

During the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) changed the Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources, and evaluate performance based on the new structure. As a highway safety business (Aircon) that manufactures guardrails, structural metal products,result, the Company has realigned to a two reportable segment structure organized by market dynamics (Infrastructure and solar structural products in India (ESS)

There have been no significant divestitures of businesses inAgriculture). Three operating segments resulted from the past five years.
(b)    Segments
new management structure and two are aggregated into the Agriculture reportable segment. The Company has fourconsiders gross profit margins, nature of products sold, nature of the production processes, type and class of customer, and methods used to distribute products when assessing aggregation of operating segments. The Infrastructure segment includes the previous reportable segments based on our management structure. Eachof Utility Support Structures, Engineered Support Structures, and Coatings. All prior period segment isinformation has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments.

Both reportable segments are global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and 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.

Our reportable

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Reportable segments are as follows:

Engineered Support Structures:

Infrastructure: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineeredproducts and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, renewable energy, lighting, transportation, and telecommunications, and coatings services to preserve metal and composite structures and components for lighting and traffic, access systems, wireless communication, and roadway safety applications;

Utility Support Structures:products.

Agriculture: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steelcenter pivot components and concrete structures for the utility industry, including on and offshore wind energy, gas and oil exploration structures;



Coatings: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services; and
Irrigation: This segment consists of the manufacture of agriculturallinear irrigation equipment and relatedfor agricultural markets, including parts and services for the agricultural industry as well as tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for a variety of industrial customers.
Other: precision agriculture.

In addition to these fourtwo reportable segments, we have other operationsthe Company had a business and related activities which arethat was not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. These activities include the manufacture of forged steel grinding media.

Amounts of sales, operating income and total assets attributable to each segment for each of the last three years is set forthoffshore wind energy structures business until its divestiture in Note 19 of our consolidated financial statements. In the fourth quarter of 2017, our management and related segment reporting structure was changed; a reflection of where we expect future growth of certain product lines and to take into consideration the expected divestiture of the grinding media business, subject to regulatory approval, which historically was reported in the Energy and Mining segment. The access systems applications product line is now part of the Engineered Support Structures ("ESS") segment and the offshore and other complex structures product line is now part of the Utility segment. In 2017, the Company also changed its reportable segment operating income to separate out the LIFO expense (benefit). Certain inventories are accounted for using the LIFO basis in the consolidated financial statements.
Our segment discussions and segment financial information have been accordingly reclassified in this report to reflect this change, for all periods presented.
(c)Narrative Description of Business
2022.

Information concerning the principal products produced and services rendered, markets, competition, and distribution methods for each of our fourtwo reportable segments is set forth below.

Engineered Support Structures

Infrastructure Segment (ESS)

Products Produced

Transmission, Distribution, and Substation (“TD&S”): We engineer and manufacture steel, pre-stressed concrete, composite, and hybrid structures (concrete base section and steel upper sections). These products are used to support the lines and equipment that carry power for electrical transmission, substation, and distribution applications. Transmission refers to moving power from where it is produced to where it is used. Substations transfer high voltage electricity to low voltage transmission. Electrical distribution carries electricity from the substation to the end-user. These innovative structures are offered to address the growing need for grid hardening across the globe, where fires, storms, and floods have recently occurred with increasing regularity.

Utility structures can be very large, so product design engineering is important to the function and manufacture steel, aluminum,safety of the structure. Our engineering process takes into account weather and composite poles and structures to which lighting and traffic control fixtures are attached for a wide range of outdoor lighting applications,loading conditions, such as streets, highways, parking lots, sports stadiums and commercial and residential developments. The demand for these products is driven by infrastructure, commercial and residential construction and by consumers’ desire for well-lit streets, highways, parking lots and common areas to help make these areas safer at night and to support trends toward more active lifestyles and 24-hour convenience. In addition to safety, customers want products that are visually appealing. In Europe, we are a leader in decorative lighting poles, which are attractive as well as functional. We are leveraging this expertise to expand our decorative product sales in North America, China,wind speeds, ice loads, and the Middle East. Trafficpower lines attached to the structure, in order to arrive at the final design.

Lighting and Transportation: We design, engineer, and manufacture steel, aluminum, wood, and composite poles and structures for a wide range of lighting and highway transportation applications. The demand for these products is driven by infrastructure, commercial, and residential construction and by consumers’ desire for well-lit streets, highways, parking lots, and common areas. Valmont structures help keep these areas safer, provide technologically advanced solutions for smart cities, and support 24-hour convenience. Beyond design, technical, and engineering needs, customers also want products that are visually appealing and meet local aesthetic requirements. In Europe, Valmont is a leader in decorative lighting poles, which provide an attractive yet functional solution for our customers. We are leveraging this expertise to expand our decorative product sales in North America and the Middle East.

Valmont traffic and overhead sign structures contribute to which traffic signals are attached and aid the orderly flow of automobile traffic. While standard designsThese poles, which support traffic signals and overhead signs, are available, poles are often engineered to meet customer specifications to ensure the proper function and safety of the structure. Product engineering takes into account factors such as weather (e.g., wind, ice) and the products loaded on the structure (e.g., lighting fixtures, traffic signals, overhead signs) to determine the design of the pole. ThisValmont has expanded its capabilities in the traffic market with the development of patented vibration mitigation technology which continuously improves the safety of traffic and roadway structures by reducing the effects of wind and fatigue. Our transportation product line also includes highway safety system products that are designed and engineered to enhance roadway safetysafety. These systems includinginclude guard rail barrier systems,barriers, wire rope safety barriers, crash attenuation barriers, and other products. Highway safety products which primarily serve the Australia market. Additionally, Valmont has expanded into the bridge market with the development of our Con-Struct Bridge system. These steel

5

systems are also designedeffective, long-lasting, and engineered to enhance roadway safety.

We also engineer, manufacture, and distribute a broad range of structures (poles and towers) and components serving the wireless communication market. A wireless communication cell site mainly consists of a steel pole or tower, shelter (enclosure where the radio equipment is located), antennas (devices that receive and transmit data and voice information to and from wireless communication devices) and components (items that are used to mount antennas to the structure and to connect cabling and other parts from the antennas to the shelter). Structures are engineered and designed to customer specifications, which include factors such as the number of antennas on the structure and wind and soil conditions. Due to the size of these structures, design is important to ensure each structure meets performance and safety specifications. We do not provide any significant installation services on the structures we sell or manufacture. We produce and distribute access systems that allow people to move safely and effectively in an industrial, infrastructure or commercial facility, Products offered in this product line are usually engineered to specific customer requirements and include floor gratings, handrails, barriers and sunscreens. We also produce a line of products which are used in architectural applications. Examples of these products are perforated metal sun screens and facades that can be used on building structuresinstalled quickly to improve shadingreduce costs and aesthetics. expand the life of the structure.

Coatings: We add finishes to metals that inhibit corrosion, extend service lives, and enhance the aesthetics of a wide range of materials and products. We take unfinished products from our customers and return them with a galvanized, anodized, or painted finish. Hot-dip galvanizing is a process that protects and prolongs the life of steel with a zinc coating that is bonded to the product surface to inhibit rust and corrosion. CorroCote adds a protection to steel for those products that are anchored below ground against the corrosive effects of soil and underground moisture. Anodizing is a process applied to aluminum that oxidizes the surface of the aluminum in a controlled manner, which protects the aluminum from corrosion and allows the material to be dyed a variety of colors. We also paint products using powder coating for a number of industries and markets.
Telecommunications: We engineer, manufacture, and distribute a broad range of structures (poles and towers), camouflage concealment solutions, and components serving the wireless communication market supporting expanded 5G customer needs. A wireless communication cell site mainly consists of a steel pole or tower, shelter (enclosure where the radio equipment is located), antennas (devices that receive and transmit data and voice information to and from wireless communication devices), and components (items that are used to mount antennas to a structure and to connect cabling and other parts from the antennas to the shelter). Larger monopole structures are engineered and designed to customer specifications, which include factors such as the number of antennas on the structure and wind and soil conditions. Due to the size of these monopole structures, design is important to ensure each structure meets performance and safety specifications.
Renewable Energy: Our solar single-axis “tracker” product is an integrated system of steel structures, electric motors, and electronic controllers. Trackers move solar panels throughout the day to maintain an optimal orientation to the sun, which materially increases their energy production. Solar energy projects utilizing trackers generate approximately 20% more energy compared to traditional fixed tilt ground-mounted systems, according to Wood Mackenzie. Our trackers utilize a simple, modular design allowing ease of installation and low operational maintenance. Further, the flexibility of our trackers’ design allows for improved site utilization, which is especially valuable to our customers considering that solar projects are being constructed on increasingly challenging sites today. We sell our products to engineering, procurement, and construction firms (“EPCs”) that build solar energy projects as well as solar developers, independent power producers, and utilities.

Markets

The key markets for our lighting, trafficacross the Infrastructure product lines have a portion of their funding supported through local, state, and roadway safety products are the transportation and commercial lighting markets and public roadway construction and upgrades. The transportation market includes street and highway lighting and traffic control, much of which is driven byfederal government spending programs. For example, the U.S. government funds highway and roadwill fund infrastructure improvement through the federal highway program. This program providesnewly passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as the Inflation Reduction Act. These bills will allocate funding to improvereinforce the nation’s roadway system,bridges, increase safety for the travelling public, update vital infrastructure, improve highway safety, and harden the electrical grid.

The market for our TD&S product line is mainly in North America, where the key drivers in the utility business are significant upgrades in the electrical grid to support enhanced reliability standards, policy changes encouraging more generation from renewable energy sources, and increased electrical consumption, which includes roadwayhas outpaced the transmission investment in the past decades. According to the Edison Electric Institute, the electrical transmission grid in the U.S. requires significant investment in the coming years to respond to the compelling industry drivers and lack of investment prior to 2008. Electrical consumption is also expected to increase within international markets. This will require substantial investment in new electricity generation capacity and growth in transmission grid development. We expect these factors to result in increased demand for electrical utility structures to transport electricity from source to user, as is used in the U.S. markets today.

6

Our lighting and transportation products and solutions serve the transportation, construction, and industrial markets. Many products from our transportation product portfolio will be utilized when making these enhancements including traffic control enhancements.structures, bridge systems, roadway and street lighting, high-mast lighting, etc. Matching funding from the various states may be required as a condition of federal funding. Some states are supplementing infrastructure funding with revenue sources. Publicin the United States. Additionally, public and private partnerships have recently emerged as an additional funding source. The current federal highway program was renewed and extended in late 2015. The current administration has recommended increases to spending on roadway infrastructure. In the United States, there are approximately 4four million miles of public roadways, with approximately 24% carrying over 80% of the traffic. Accordingly, the need to improve traffic flow through traffic controls and lighting is a priority for many communities. Transportation markets in other areas of the world are also heavily funded by local and national governments.

The commercial lightingconstruction market is mostly funded privately and includes lighting for applications such as parking lots, shopping centers, sports stadiums, and business parks. The commercial lightingThis market is driven by macro-economic factors such as general economic growth rates, interest rates, and the commercial construction economy. Valmont has many long-standing relationships with OEM’sOEMs (also manufacture light fixtures and equipment) who also serve this market. Markets for access systemsIndustrial markets are typically driven by infrastructure, industrial, and commercial construction spending. Customers include construction firms

Markets for our coatings products are varied and our profitability is not substantially dependent on any one industry or installers who participateexternal customer. However, a meaningful percentage of demand is internal, driven by Valmont’s other product lines. Demand for coatings services generally follows the local industrial economies. Galvanizing is used in thesea wide variety of industrial applications where corrosion protection of steel is desired. While markets are varied, our markets for anodized or natural gas and mineral exploration companies, and resellers such as steel service centers, and end users. Thesepainted products are more directly dependent on consumer markets can be cyclical depending on economic conditions.

than industrial markets.

The market for our communication products is driven by increased demand for wireless communication and data. CustomersOur customers are wireless network providers and organizations that own cell sites and attach antennas from multiple carriers to the pole or tower structure (build to suit companies). We also sell products to state and federal governments for two-way radio communication, radar, broadcasting, and security applications. We believe long-term growth should mainly be driven by increased usage and technologies such as 5G, (including applications for data).which demand higher network density. Improved emergency response systems, as part of the U.S. Homeland Security initiatives, creates additional demand.

All

The market for our Renewable Energy product line is driven by the transition to clean energy sources globally and incentives for renewable energy investment. As utilities increase development of the products that we manufacture in this segment are parts of customer investments in basic infrastructure. The total cost of these investments canlarge-scale solar power and micro-grid applications, single axis solar tracker solutions will be substantial, so access to capital is often important to fund infrastructure needs. Demand can be cyclical in these markets due to overall economic conditions. Additionally, projects can sometimes be delayed due to funding or other issues.

an essential tool for achieving higher energy production.

Competition

Our competitive strategy in all of the markets we serve is to provide high value solutions to the customer at a reasonablethe appropriate price. We compete on the basis of product quality, engineering expertise, high levels of customer service, and timely, complete, and accurate delivery of the product and design capability to provide the best solutions to our customers.product. There are numerous competitors in our markets, most of which are relatively small companies.North America as well as international markets. Companies compete on the basis of price, product quality, reliable delivery, engineering design, and unique product features.features, and service. Pricing can be very competitive, especially when demand is weak or when strong local currencies result in increased competition from imported products.

Distribution Methods—Sales and distribution activities are handled through a combination of a direct sales force and commissioned agents. Lighting agents represent Valmont as well as lighting fixture companies and sell other related products. Sales are typically to electrical distributors, who provide the pole, fixtures and other equipment to the end user as a complete package. Commercial lighting, access systems and highway safety sales are normally made through Valmont sales employees, who work on a salary plus incentive, although some sales are made through independent, commissioned sales agents.
Utility Support Structures Segment (Utility)
Products Produced—We engineer and manufacture tapered steel, pre-stressed concrete and hybrid structures (concrete base section and steel upper sections). These products are used to support the lines that carry power for electrical transmission, substation and distribution applications. Transmission refers to moving power from where it is produced to where it is used. Substations transfer high voltage electricity to low voltage transmission. Electrical distribution carries electricity from the substation to the end-user.
Utility structures can be very large, so product design engineering is important to the function and safety of the structure. Our engineering process takes into account weather and loading conditions, such as wind speeds, ice loads and the

power lines attached to the structure, in order to arrive at the final design. Outside the U.S., we produce utility structures for offshore and onshore wind energy. We also manufacture complex steel structures such as rotor houses for wind turbines, crown-mounted compensators, winches and cranes for oil and gas exploration, and material handling equipment for manufacturing.
Markets—Our sales in this segment are mainly in North America, where the key drivers in the utility business are significant upgrades in the electrical grid to support enhanced reliability standards, policy changes encouraging more generation from renewable energy sources, interconnection of regional grids to share more efficient generation to the benefit of the consumer and increased electrical consumption which has outpaced the transmission investment in the past decades. According to the Edison Electric Institute, the electrical transmission grid in the U.S. requires significant investment in the coming years to respond to the compelling industry drivers and lack of investment prior to 2008. In international markets, electrical consumption is expected to increase. This will require substantial investment in new electricity generation capacity and growth in transmission grid development. We expect these factors to result in increased demand for electrical utility structures to transport electricity from source to user, as is used in the U.S. markets today. Sales of complex steel structures, wind turbine towers and rotor houses, material handling systems, utility transmission structures, and structures for oil & gas exploration mainly occur within Europe.
Competition—Our competitive strategy in this segment is to provide high value solutions to the customer at a reasonable price. We compete on the basis of product quality, engineering expertise, high levels of customer service and reliable, timely delivery of the product. There are many competitors. Companies compete on the basis of price, quality and service. Utility Infrastructure sales are often made through a competitive bid process, whereby the lowest bidder is awarded the contract, provided the competitor meets all other qualifying criteria. In weak markets, price is a more important criteria in the bid process. We also sell on a preferred-provider basis to certain large utility customers. These contractual arrangements often last between 3three and 5five years and are frequently renewed. For offshore and complex steel structures, we compete based on our ability to co-engineer and design solutions with customers. We are one of a limited number of competitors that can execute advanced order production of complex steel constructions that entail electronics, hydraulics, and highly automated series production for very customized products.
Distribution Methods—Products are normally sold directly to electrical utilities or energy providers with some sales sold through commissioned sales agents.
Coatings Segment (Coatings)
Services Rendered—We add finishes to metals that inhibit corrosion, extend service lives and enhance physical attractiveness of a wide range of materials and products. Among the services provided include:
Hot-dip Galvanizing
Anodizing
Powder Coating
E-Coating
In our Coatings segment, we take unfinished products from our customers and return them with a galvanized, anodized or painted finish. Galvanizing is a process that protects steel with a zinc coating that is bonded to the product surface to inhibit rust and corrosion. Anodizing is a process applied to aluminum that oxidizes the surface of the aluminum in a controlled manner, which protects the aluminum from corrosion and allows the material to be dyed a variety of colors. We also paint products using powder coating and e-coating technology (where paint is applied through an electrical charge) for a numberuse the production capacity at our network of industries and markets.
Markets—Markets for our products are varied and our profitability is not substantially dependent on any one industry or external customer. However, a meaningful percentage of demand is internal, driven by Valmont's other segments. Demand for coatings services generally followsplants to ensure that the local industrial economies. Galvanizing is used in a wide variety of industrial applications where corrosion protection of steel is desired. While markets are varied, our markets for anodized or painted products are more directly dependent on consumer markets than industrial markets.


Competitioncustomer receives quality, timely service.

The Coatings product line markets traditionally have been very fragmented, with a large number of competitors. Most of these competitors are relatively small, privately held companies who compete on the basis of price and personal relationships with their customers. As a result of ongoing industry consolidation, there are also several (public and private) multi-facility competitors. Our strategy is to compete on the basis of quality of the coating finish and timely delivery of the coated product to the customer. We also use

Distribution Methods

For lighting and transportation, sales and distribution activities are handled through a combination of a direct sales force and commissioned agents. Lighting agents represent Valmont as well as lighting fixture and traffic signal lines and sell other related products. Sales are typically to electrical distributors, who provide the production capacity at our networkpole, fixtures, and other equipment to the end user as a complete package. Commercial lighting, wireless communication products and components, access systems, and highway safety sales are normally made through Valmont sales employees, who work on a salary plus incentive,

7

although some sales are made through independent, commissioned sales agents. Our TD&S and Renewable Energy products are normally sold directly to ensure that the customer receives quality, timely service.

Distribution Methodselectrical utilities, developers, or energy providers with some sales sold through commissioned sales agents.

Due to freight costs, a galvanizing location has an effective service area of an approximate 300 to 500 mile300-to-500-mile radius. While we believe that we are globally one of the largest custom galvanizers, our sales are a small percentage of the total market. Sales and customer service are provided directly to the user by a direct sales force, generally assigned to each specific location.

Agriculture Segment

Products

Irrigation Equipment and Parts: We manufacture and distribute mechanical irrigation equipment and related service parts under the “Valley” brand name. A Valley irrigation machine is powered by electricity (via solar, grid, or diesel generator) and propels itself over a farm field and applies water and chemicals to crops. Water and, in some instances, chemicals are applied through sprinklers attached to a pipeline that is supported by a series of towers, each of which is propelled via a drive train and tires. A standard mechanized irrigation machine (also known as a “center pivot”) rotates in a circle, although we also manufacture and distribute center pivot extensions that can irrigate corners of square and rectangular farm fields as well as conform to irregular field boundaries (referred to as a “corner” machine). Our irrigation machines can also irrigate fields by moving up and down the field as opposed to rotating in a circle (referred to as a “linear” machine). Irrigation machines can be configured to irrigate fields in size from four acres to over 500 acres, with a standard size in the U.S. configured for a 160-acre tract of ground. The irrigation machine used in international markets is substantially the same as the one produced for the North American market. We also manufacture tubular products for industrial customers primarily in the agriculture industry as well as in the transportation and other industries.
Technology Products and Services: Our remote management capabilities allow control of pivots and a variety of other farm equipment on any web-connected device and our suite of advanced technology solutions offers capabilities to assist in reducing water and energy use. Our crop anomaly detection can alert growers of pivot-related water issues with artificial intelligence and machine learning (in select markets) to help farmers determine where and how much to irrigate. During fiscal year 2021, we purchased Prospera Technologies, Ltd., a leading global artificial intelligence and machine learning provider of advanced agronomy monitoring solutions. Agriculture net sales in 2022, 2021, and 2020 included technology sales of $115.1 million, $97.9 million, and $67.1 million, respectively. We also sell solar energy solutions for agriculture primarily in international markets.
Irrigation Segment (Irrigation)
Products Produced—We manufacture and distribute mechanical irrigation equipment and related service parts under the “Valley” brand name. A Valley irrigation machine usually is powered by electricity and propels itself over a farm field and applies water and chemicals to crops. Water and, in some instances, chemicals are applied through sprinklers attached to a pipeline that is supported by a series of towers, each of which is propelled via a drive train and tires. A standard mechanized irrigation machine (also known as a “center pivot”) rotates in a circle, although we also manufacture and distribute center pivot extensions that can irrigate corners of square and rectangular farm fields as well as conform to irregular field boundaries (referred to as a “corner” machine). Our irrigation machines can also irrigate fields by moving up and down the field as opposed to rotating in a circle (referred to as a “linear” machine). Irrigation machines can be configured to irrigate fields in size from 4 acres to over 500 acres, with a standard size in the U.S. configured for a 160-acre tract of ground. One of the key components of our irrigation machine is the control system. This is the part of the machine that allows the machine to be operated in the manner preferred by the grower, offering control of such factors as on/off timing, individual field sector control, rate and depth of water and chemical application. We also offer growers options to control multiple irrigation machines through centralized computer control or mobile remote control. A newly-formed water management group is providing product and service sales related to the delivery of water through mechanized irrigation equipment. The irrigation machine used in international markets is substantially the same as the one produced for the North American market.
Other Types of Irrigation — There are other forms of irrigation available to farmers, two of the most prevalent being flood irrigation and drip irrigation. In flood irrigation, water is applied through a pipe or canal at the top of the field and allowed to run down the field by gravity. Drip irrigation involves plastic pipe or tape resting on the surface of the field or buried a few inches below ground level, with water being applied gradually. We estimate that center pivot and linear irrigation comprises 50% of the irrigated acreage in North America. International markets use predominantly flood irrigation.
The Company through its majority ownership in AgSense LLC, develops and markets remote monitoring technology for pivot irrigation systems that is sold on a subscription basis. AgSense technology allows growers to remotely monitor and operate irrigation equipment and other farm implements. Data management and control is achieved using applications running on either a desktop Internet browser or various mobile devices connected to the Internet. We also manufacture tubular products for industrial customers primarily in the agriculture industry as well as in the transportation and other industries.

Markets

Market drivers in North America and international markets are essentially the same. Since the purchase of an irrigation machine is a capital expenditure, the purchase decision is based on the expected return on investment. The benefits a grower may realize through investment in mechanical irrigation include improved yields through better irrigation, cost savings through reduced labor, and lower water and energy usage. The purchase decision is also affected by current and expected net farm income, commodity prices, interest rates, the status of government support programs, and water regulations in local areas. In many international markets, the relative strength or weakness of local currencies as compared with the U.S. dollar may affect net farm income, sinceas export markets are generally denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition, governments are sponsoring irrigation projects for self-sufficiency in food production.

production to help alleviate food security concerns.

The demand for mechanized irrigation comes from the following sources:

conversion from flood irrigation;
replacement of existing mechanized irrigation machines; and
conversion from flood irrigation

8

replacement
converting land that is not irrigated to mechanized irrigation
converting land that is not irrigated to mechanized irrigation.

One of the key drivers in our IrrigationAgriculture segment worldwide is that the usable water supply is limited. We estimate that:

only 2.5% of total worldwide water supply is freshwater;
of that 2.5%, only 30% of freshwater is available to humans; and
the largest user of that freshwater is agriculture.
only 2.5% of total worldwide water supply is freshwater
of that 2.5%, only 30% of freshwater is available to humans
the largest user of that freshwater is agriculture

We believe these factors, along with the trendtrends of a growing worldwide population, and improving diets, and governments’ efforts to address food security, reflect the need to use water more efficiently while increasing food production to feed this growing population. We believe that mechanized irrigation can improve water application efficiency by 40-90%40% to 90% compared with traditional irrigation methods by applying water uniformly near the root zone and reducing water runoff. Furthermore, reduced water runoff improves water quality in nearby rivers, aquifers, and streams, thereby providing environmental benefits in addition to conservation of water.

Competition

In North America, there are a number of entities that provide irrigation products and services to agricultural customers. We believe we are the leader of the four main participants in the mechanized irrigation business. Participants compete for sales on the basis of price, product innovation and features, product durability and reliability, price, quality, and service capabilities of the local dealer. Pricing can become very competitive, especially in periods when market demand is low. In international markets, our competitors are a combination of our major U.S. competitors and privately‑owned local companies. Competitive factors are similar to those in North America, although pricing tends to be a more prevalent competitive strategy in international markets. Since competition in international markets is local, we believe local manufacturing capability is important to competing effectively in international markets and we have that capability in key regions.

Distribution Methods

We market our irrigation machines, technology offerings, and service parts through independent dealers. There are approximately 268270 dealer locations in North America, with another approximately 226400 dealers serving international markets.markets in over 60 countries. The dealer determines the grower’s requirements, designs the configuration of the machine, installs the machine (including providing ancillary products that deliver water and electrical power to the machine), and provides after‑sales service. Our dealer network is supported and trained by our technical and sales teams. Our international dealers are supported through our regional headquartersoperations in South America, South Africa, Western Europe, Australia, China, and the United Arab Emirates as well as the home officemanufacturing facility in Valley, Nebraska.

General

Certain information generally applicable to each of our fourtwo reportable segments is set forth below.

Suppliers and Availability of Raw Materials.

Materials

Hot rolled steel coil and plate, zinc, and other carbon steel products are the primary raw materials utilized in the manufacture of finished products for all segments. We purchase these essential items from steel mills, steel service centers, and zinc producers and these materials are usually readily available. While we may experience increased lead times to acquire materials and volatility in our purchase costs, we do not believe that key raw materials would be unavailable for extended periods. We have not experienced extended or wide-spread shortages of steel during this time,in the past several years, due to what we believe are strong relationships with some of the major steel producers. In the past several years, we experienced volatility in steel, zinc, and natural gas prices, but we did not experience any disruptions to our operations due to availability.

9

Patents, Licenses, Franchises, and Concessions.

Concessions

We have a number of patents for our manufacturing machinery, poles, highway guardrail, and irrigation designs. We also have a number of registered trademarks. We do not believe the loss of any individual patent or trademark would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Seasonal Factors in Business.

Business

Sales can be somewhat seasonal based upon the agricultural growing season and the infrastructure construction season. Sales of mechanized irrigation equipment to farmers are traditionally higher during the spring and fall and lower in the summer. Sales of infrastructure products are traditionally higher in the summer and fall and lower in the winter.


Customers.

Customers

We are not dependent for a material part of any segment’s business upon a single customer or upon very few customers. The loss of any one customer would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Backlog.

Backlog

The backlog of orders for the principal products manufactured and marketed was $670.0$1,656.4 million at the end of the 20172022 fiscal year and $602.9$1,621.9 million at the end of the 20162021 fiscal year. An order is reported in our backlog upon receipt of a purchase order from the customer or execution of a sales order contract. We anticipate that most of the 20172022 backlog of orders will be filled during fiscal year 2018.2023. At year-end, the segments with backlog were as follows (dollar amounts in millions):

 12/30/2017 12/31/2016
Engineered Support Structures$204.1
 $189.8
Utility Support Structures359.1
 336.1
Irrigation100.1
 64.1
Coatings0.1
 0.4
Other6.6
 12.5
 $670.0
 $602.9
Research Activities.
The information called for by this item is included in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements.

    

12/31/2022

    

12/25/2021

Infrastructure

$

1,339.1

$

1,086.3

Agriculture

 

317.3

 

471.0

Other

64.6

$

1,656.4

$

1,621.9

Environmental Disclosure.

Disclosure

We are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to environmental protection and the discharge of materials into the environment. Although we continually incur expenses and make capital expenditures related to environmental protection, we do not anticipate that future expenditures should materially impact our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Number of Employees.

AtEmployees

As of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we had 10,69011,364 employees.

(d)Financial Information About Geographic Areas

Human Capital Resources

Our internationalpolicies and practices with respect to human capital resources are generally set forth in our Code of Business Conduct, our Human Rights Policy, and the principles described on the “About Us” page on our website www.valmont.com. Essential to our success is a company-wide commitment to customer service and innovation, and the ability to provide the best value to our customers for our products and services. Our employees are the cornerstone of our accomplishments, we pride ourselves on being people of passion and integrity who excel and deliver results. Our Code of Business Conduct and our culture require each employee to act responsibly and to treat each other fairly and with the utmost respect.

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Our businesses require skilled workers and management in order to meet our customer’s needs, grow our sales, activities encompass over 100and maintain competitive advantages. We require employees with skills in engineering, welding, equipment maintenance, and the operation of complex manufacturing machinery. Management talent is critical, as well, to help grow our businesses and effectively plan for succession of key employees upon retirement.

As of December 31, 2022, we had 6,599 employees in the United States and 4,765 employees in foreign countries. The information calledCompany places a high value on diversity and inclusion, seeking employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences who share a common interest in profitable development, improving corporate culture, and delivering sustainable business results.

We have adopted a Human Rights Policy which is published on our website. We expect our employees, suppliers, vendors, dealers, and distributors to share our commitment to human rights. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, race, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to voluntary employment, and we strictly prohibit all forms of compulsory labor, including child labor, forced labor, slavery, and human trafficking. We respect internally recognized human rights standards, and this policy is guided by the U.N. Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.

We require full compliance with applicable, wage, work hours, overtime, and benefit laws. We are committed to creating a culture where a healthy and safe workplace is recognized by this itemeveryone as essential to our success. Any employee can always contact our compliance officer, and confidential reporting of a situation or to ask a question is included in Note 19available on a secure website maintained by a third party. Employees are eligible for health insurance, paid and unpaid leaves, retirement plan, and life and disability / accident coverage.

When positions come open at Valmont, we try first to fill them from within. We like to reward the hard-working members of our consolidated financial statements. Australia accountedValmont community with new opportunities that are not only a chance to expand their worlds, but to also recognize and reward their dedication. We have found them to be our richest talent resource.

Our program for approximately 13%succession and management development has our highest level of attention with our net salesCEO responsible for reporting on the program directly to our board of directors.

For additional information, please see the “About Us” and "Sustainability" pages on our website and section titled “Governance, Human Capital and Sustainability Highlights” in 2017; no other foreign country accounted for more than 5% of our net sales. Net sales for purposes of Note 19 and elsewhere exclude intersegment sales.

(e)Available Information
the Company’s 2023 Proxy Statement.

Available Information

We make available, free of charge throughon the Investors page of our Internet web sitewebsite at http://www.valmont.com,, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.



ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The following risk factors describe various risks that may affect our business, financial condition, and operations.

Economic and Business Risks

The ultimate consumers of our products operate in cyclical industries that have been subject to significant downturns which have adversely impacted our sales in the past and may again in the future.

Our sales are sensitive to the market conditions present in the industries in which the ultimate consumers of our products operate, which in some cases have been highly cyclical and subject to substantial downturns. For example, a significant portion of our sales of support structures is to the electric utility industry. Our sales to the U.S. electric utility

11

industry were over $600 million$1.0 billion in 2017 and 2016.2022. Purchases of our products are deferrable to the extent that utilities may reduce capital expenditures for reasons such as unfavorable regulatory environments, a slow U.S. economy, or financing constraints. In the event of weakness in the demand for utility structures due to reduced or delayed spending for electrical generation and transmission projects, our sales and operating income likely will decrease.

The end users of our mechanized irrigation equipment are farmers. Accordingly, economic changes within the agriculture industry, particularly the level of farm income, may affect sales of these products. From time to time, lower levels of farm income resulted in reduced demand for our mechanized irrigation and tubing products. Farm income decreases when commodity prices, acreage planted, crop yields, government subsidies, and export levels decrease. In addition, weather conditions, which may be exacerbated by climate change, such as extreme drought, may result in reduced availability of water for irrigation and can affect farmers’ buying decisions. Farm income can also decrease as farmers’ operating costs increase. Increases in oil and natural gas prices result in higher costs of energy and nitrogen‑based fertilizer (which uses natural gas as a major ingredient).

Furthermore, uncertainty as to future government agricultural policies may cause indecision on the part of farmers. The status and trend of government farm supports, financing aids, and policies regarding the ability to use water for agricultural irrigation can affect the demand for our irrigation equipment. In the United States, certain parts of the country are considering policies that would restrict usage of water for irrigation. All of these factors may cause farmers to delay capital expenditures for farm equipment. Consequently, downturns in the agricultural industry will likely result in a slower, and possibly a negative, rate of growth in irrigation equipment and tubing sales. As ofIn February 2018,2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”(“USDA”) estimatedforecasted U.S. 20172022 net farm income to be $63.8$162.8 billion, up 3.7 percentan increase of $21.9 billion (15.5 percent), relative to 2021. The increase was primarily related to an increase in cash receipts from crops and livestock that is offsetting a portion of the USDA’s finalexpected decrease in government support payments in 2022. If estimates hold, U.S. 2016 net farm income of $61.5 billion. If the USDA's estimate proves accurate, 2017 wouldin 2022 will be the first increase inhighest level since 1973. The USDA also forecasted U.S. 2023 net farm income following three yearsto be $136.9 billion, a decrease of significant declines.

$25.9 billion (15.9 percent), relative to 2022. The forecasted decrease is primarily related to a decrease in cash receipts for crops and livestock along with a decrease in government support payments. Despite this expected decline, net farm income in 2023 would be 26.6 percent above its 20-year average.

We have also experienced cyclical demand for those of our products that we sell to the wireless communications industry. Sales of wireless structures and components to wireless carriers and build-to-suit companies that serve the wireless communications industry have historically been cyclical. These customers may elect to curtail spending on new capacity to focus on cash flow and capital management. Weak market conditions have led to competitive pricing in recent years, putting pressure on our profit margins on sales to this industry. Changes in the competitive structure of the wireless industry, due to industry consolidation or reorganization, may interrupt capital plans of the wireless carriers as they assess their networks.

The engineered access systems and grinding media product lines are partially dependent on investment spending by our customers in the oil, natural gas, and other mined mineral exploration industries, most specifically in the Asia Pacific region. During periods of continued low oil and natural gas prices, these customers may elect to curtail spending on new exploration sites which will cause us to experience lower demand for these specific product lines.

Due to the cyclical nature of these markets, we have experienced, and in the future, we may experience, significant fluctuations in our sales and operating income with respect to a substantial portion of our total product offering, and such fluctuations could be material and adverse to our overall financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.

Changes in prices and reduced availability of key commodities such as steel, aluminum, zinc, natural gas, and fuel may increase our operating costs and likely reduce our net sales and profitability.

Hot rolled steel coil and other carbon steel products have historically constituted approximately one-third of the cost of manufacturing our products. We also use large quantities of aluminum for lighting structures and zinc for the galvanization of most of our steel products. Our facilities use large quantities of natural gas for heating and processing tanks in our galvanizing operations. We use gasoline and diesel fuel to transport raw materials to our locations and to deliver finished

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goods to our customers. The markets for these commodities can be volatile. The following factors increase the cost and reduce the availability of these commodities:

increased demand, which occurs when we and other industries require greater quantities of these commodities, which can result in higher prices and lengthen the time it takes to receive these commodities from suppliers;
lower production levels of these commodities, due to reduced production capacities or shortages of materials needed to produce these commodities (such as coke and scrap steel for the production of steel) which could result in reduced supplies of these commodities, higher costs for us, and increased lead times;
increased cost of major inputs, such as scrap steel, coke, iron ore, and energy;
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates can impact the relative cost of these commodities, which may affect the cost effectiveness of imported materials and limit our options in acquiring these commodities; and
international trade disputes, import duties, tariffs, and quotas since we import some steel and aluminum finished components and products for various product lines.

increased demand, which occurs when we and other industries require greater quantities of these commodities, which can result in higher prices and lengthen the time it takes to receive these commodities from suppliers;
lower production levels of these commodities, due to reduced production capacities or shortages of materials needed to produce these commodities (such as coke and scrap steel for the production of steel) which could result in reduced supplies of these commodities, higher costs for us and increased lead times;
increased cost of major inputs, such as scrap steel, coke, iron ore and energy;
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates can impact the relative cost of these commodities, which may affect the cost effectiveness of imported materials and limit our options in acquiring these commodities; and
international trade disputes, import duties and quotas, since we import some steel for our domestic and foreign manufacturing facilities.

Increases in the selling prices of our products may not fully recover higher commodity costs and generally lag increases in our costs of these commodities. Consequently, an increase in these commodities will increase our operating costs and likely reduce our profitability.

Rising steel prices in 2017,2021 and more modest increases in 2016,early 2022 put pressure on gross profit margins, especially in our Engineered Support Structures segment.Utility product lines. The elapsed time between the quotationrelease of a salescustomer’s purchase order and the manufacturing of the product ordered can be several months. As some of the sales in the Engineered Support Structures and Utility Support Structures segmentsInfrastructure segment are fixed price contracts, rapid increases in steel costs likely will result in lower operating income.

Steel prices for both hot rolled coil and plate decreasedcan also decrease substantially in a given period, which occurred in North America in 2015 as compared to 2014.2019. Decreases in our product sales pricing and volumes in 2019 offset the increase in gross profit realized from the lower steel prices. Steel is most significant for our Utility Support Structures segmentTransmission, Distribution, and Substation product line where the cost of steel has been approximately 50% of the net sales, on average. Assuming a similar sales mix, a hypothetical 20% change in the price of steel would have affected our net sales from our utility support structures segmentin this product line by approximately $66$95 million for the year ended December 30, 2017.
31, 2022.

We believe the volatility over the past several years was due to significant increases in global steel production and rapid changes in consumption (especially in rapidly growing economies, such as China and India). The speed with which steel suppliers impose price increases on us may prevent us from fully recovering these price increases particularly in our lighting and traffic and utility businesses. In the same respect, rapid decreases in the price of steel can also result in reduced operating margins in our utility businesses due to the long production lead times.

Demand for our infrastructure products andincluding coating services is highly dependent upon the overall level of infrastructure spending.

We manufacture and distribute engineered infrastructure products for lighting and traffic, utility, and other specialty applications. Our Coatings segments serveproduct line serves many construction‑related industries. Because these products are used primarily in infrastructure construction, sales in these businesses are highly correlated with the level of construction activity, which historically has been cyclical. Construction activity by our private and government customers is affected by and can decline because of, a number of factors, including (but not limited to):

weakness in the general economy, which may negatively affect tax revenues, resulting in reduced funds available for construction;
interest rate increases, which increase the cost of construction financing; and
adverse weather conditions which slow construction activity.
weakness in the general economy, which may negatively affect tax revenues, resulting in reduced funds available for construction;
interest rate increases, which increase the cost of construction financing; and
adverse weather conditions which slow construction activity.

The current economic uncertainty in the United States and Europe will have some negative effect on our business. In our North American lighting product line, some of our lighting structure sales are for new residential and commercial areas. As

13

When residential and commercial construction remainsis weak, we have experienced some negative impact on our light pole sales to these markets. In a broader sense, in the event of an overall downturn in the economies in Europe, Australia, or China, we may experience decreased demand if our customers in these countries have difficulty securing credit for their purchases from us.


In addition, sales in our Engineered Support StructuresInfrastructure segment, particularly our lighting, traffictransportation, and highway safety products, are highly dependent upon federal, state, local, and foreign government spending on infrastructure development projects,projects. U.S. federal funding initiatives, such as the U.S. federal highway funding.Infrastructure Investment and Job Act (“IIJA”) and the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) support multi-year demand for our infrastructure products, although the timing and amount of funding appropriations from these initiatives can be difficult to predict. The level of spending on such projects may decline for a number of reasons beyond our control, including, among other things, budgetary constraints affecting government spending generally or transportation agencies in particular, decreases in tax revenues, and changes in the political climate, including legislative delays, with respect to infrastructure appropriations. For instance, the lack of long-term U.S. federal highway spending legislation for a significant period of time prior to the 2015 U.S. federal highway bill had a negative impact on our sales in this market. A substantial reduction in the level of government appropriations for infrastructure projects could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or liquidity.

Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in India, New Zealand, and Australia manufacture highway safety products, primarily for sale in non-U.S. markets, and license certain design patents related to guardrails to third parties. There are currently domestic U.S. product liability lawsuits against some companies that manufacture and install certain guardrail products. Such lawsuits, some of which have at times involved a foreign subsidiary based on its design patent, could lead to a decline in demand for such products or approval for use of such products by government purchasers both domestically and internationally, and potentially raise litigation risk for foreign subsidiaries and negatively impact their sales and license fees.

We may lose some of our foreign investment or our foreign sales and profits may reduce because of risks of doing business in foreign markets.

We are an international manufacturing company with operations around the world. At December 30, 2017, we operated over 80 manufacturing plants, located on six continents, and sold our products in more than 100 countries. In 2017, approximately 36% of our total sales were either sold in markets or produced by our manufacturing plants outside of North America. We have operations in geographic markets that have recently experienced political instability, such as the Middle East, and economic uncertainty, such as Western Europe. Our geographic diversity also requires that we hire, train and retain competent management for the various local markets. We also have a significant manufacturing presence in Australia, Europe and China. We expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of our net sales in the future. Accordingly, our foreign business operations and our foreign sales and profits are subject to the following potential risks:
political and economic instability where we have foreign business operations, resulting in the reduction of the value of, or the loss of, our investment;
recessions in economies of countries in which we have business operations, decreasing our international sales;
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing our foreign operations, increasing our foreign operating costs and decreasing profits;
potential violation of local laws or unsanctioned management actions that could affect our profitability or ability to compete in certain markets;
difficulties in enforcing our rights outside the United States for patents on our manufacturing machinery, poles and irrigation designs;
increases in tariffs, export controls, taxes and other trade barriers reducing our international sales and our profit on these sales; and
acts of war or terrorism.
As a result, we may lose some of our foreign investment or our foreign sales and profits may be materially reduced because of risks of doing business in foreign markets.

Failure to comply with any applicable anti-corruption legislation could result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business.
We must comply with all applicable laws, which include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act or other anti-corruption laws. These anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence government officials or private individuals for the purpose of obtaining or retaining a business advantage regardless of whether those practices are legal or culturally expected in a particular jurisdiction. Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the global enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Although we have a compliance program in place designed to reduce the likelihood of potential violations of such laws, violations of these laws could result in criminal or civil sanctions and an adverse effect on the company’s reputation, business and results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to currency fluctuations from our international sales, which can negatively impact our reported earnings.

We sell our products in many countries around the world. Approximately 38%32% of our fiscal 20172022 sales were in markets outside the United States and are often made in foreign currencies, mainly the Australian dollar, euro, Brazilian real, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, and South African rand. Because our financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies have had and will continue to have an impact on our reported earnings. For example, the U.S. dollar appreciated significantly against most currencies in fiscal 2015. The most significant impact involved our Australian sales measured in U.S. dollar terms that decreased by approximately $68 million due to exchange rate translation effects in fiscal 2015. If the U.S. dollar weakens or strengthens versus the foreign currencies mentioned above, the result will be an increase or decrease in our reported sales and earnings, respectively. Currency fluctuations have affected our financial performance in the past and may affect our financial performance in any given period. In 2015, we realized a $17.3 million decrease in operating profit, as compared to 2014, from currency translation effects. In cases where local currencies are strong, the relative cost of goods imported from outside our country of operation becomes lower and affects our ability to compete profitably in our home markets.

We also face risks arising from the imposition of foreign exchange controls and currency devaluations. Exchange controls may limit our ability to convert foreign currencies into U.S. dollars or to remit dividends and other payments by our foreign subsidiaries or businesses located in or conducted within a country imposing controls. Currency devaluations result in a diminished value of funds denominated in the currency of the country instituting the devaluation. Actions of this nature could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition in any given period.

COVID-19 has impacted and is expected to continue to impact our business, including the supply chain, product demand, logistics, and facility operations and the duration, unknown at this time, of the challenges associated with the virus, or future pandemics, may result in significant adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

COVID-19 impacted and may continue to impact our business, including the normal operations of our facilities, overall demand for our products, changes to supply chain availability and costs, logistics delays, including temporary closures as may be mandated or otherwise made necessary by governmental authorities, and any additional carryover of economic effects. All of our operations may be affected by COVID-19 isolation measures. During the height of the previous pandemic, we temporarily implemented domestic and international travel restrictions for our employees, and thousands of our employees worked remotely.

Our businesses require skilled laborsupport critical infrastructure sectors as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (CISA.gov) and similar global agencies. These sectors are deemed vital, such that their incapacitation would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health, or safety, or any combination thereof.

Future challenges associated with the virus, or new pandemics, may result in significant adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition to the discussion above of Economic and Business Risks, please see our further discussion on interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity prices included in “MARKET RISK” within "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 in this report.

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Legal and Regulatory Risks

We may lose some of our foreign investment or our foreign sales and profits may decline because of risks of doing business in foreign markets, including trade relations and tariffs.

We are an international manufacturing company with operations around the world. At December 31, 2022, we operated over 80 manufacturing plants, located on six continents, and sold our products in more than 100 countries. In 2022, approximately 32% of our net sales were either sold in markets or produced by our manufacturing plants outside of North America (primarily the United States, Canada, and Mexico). We have operations in geographic markets that have recently experienced political instability, such as the Middle East, and economic uncertainty, such as Western Europe, and health issues, such as the outbreak and spread of coronavirus in China. Our geographic diversity also requires that we hire, train, and retain competent management talentfor the various local markets, which not only impacts our operational results but our managing and reporting functions.

Demand for our products and our profitability are affected by trade relations between countries. We also have a significant manufacturing presence in Australia, Brazil, Europe, and China. These operations are affected by U.S. trade policies, such as additional tariffs on a broad range of imports, and retaliatory actions by foreign countries, most recently China, which have impacted sales of our products. In addition, there can be a derived indirect impact on demand for our products arising from quotas, restrictions, and retaliatory tariffs (e.g., China tariffs on imported soybeans affects U.S. net farm income).

We expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of our net sales in the future. Accordingly, our foreign business operations and our foreign sales and profits are subject to the following potential risks:

political and economic instability, resulting in the reduction of the value of, or the loss of, our investment;
recessions in economies of countries in which we have business operations, decreasing our international sales;
natural disasters and public health issues in our geographic markets, negatively impacting our workforce, manufacturing capability, and sales;
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing our foreign operations, increasing our foreign operating costs and decreasing profits and with risk to our managing and reporting functions;
potential violation of local laws or unsanctioned management actions that could affect our profitability or ability to compete in certain markets;
difficulties in enforcing our rights outside the United States for patents on our manufacturing machinery, poles, and irrigation designs;
increases in tariffs, export controls, taxes, and other trade barriers reducing our international sales and our profit on these sales; and
acts of war or terrorism.

As a result, we may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.

Our businesses require skilled factory workers and management in order to meetlose some of our customer’s needs, growforeign investment or our foreign sales and maintain competitive advantages. Skills such as welding, equipment maintenance and operating complex manufacturing machineryprofits may be materially reduced because of risks of doing business in short supplyforeign markets.

Failure to comply with any applicable anti-corruption legislation could result in certain geographic areas, leading to shortages of skilled labor and/or increased labor costs. Management talent is critical as well, to help grow our businessesfines, criminal penalties, and effectively plan for succession of key employees upon retirement. In some geographic areas, skilled management talent for certain positions may be difficult to find. To the extent we have difficulty in finding and retaining these skills in the workforce, there may be an adverse effect on our abilitybusiness.

We must comply with all applicable laws, which include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act, and other anti-corruption laws. These anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to grow profitablyimproperly influence government officials or private individuals for the purpose of obtaining or retaining a business advantage regardless of whether those practices are legal or culturally expected in a particular jurisdiction. Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the future.global enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Although we have a compliance program in place designed to reduce the likelihood of potential

We may incur significant warranty or contract management costs.

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In our Utility Support Structures segment, we manufacture large structures for electrical transmission. These products may be highly engineered for very large, complex contracts and subject to terms and conditions that penalize us for late delivery and

violations of such laws, violations of these laws could result in consequentialcriminal or civil sanctions and compensatory damages. From time to time, we may have a product quality issuean adverse effect on a large utility structures orderthe company’s reputation, business, and the costsresults of curing that issue may be significant. For example, we recorded a $17.0 million reserve in the fourth quarter of 2015 for a commercial settlement with a large customer that requires ongoing quality monitoring. Our products in the Engineered Support Structures segment include structures for a wide range of outdoor lightingoperations and wireless communication applications.

Our Irrigation products carry warranty provisions, some of which may span several years. In the event we have wide-spread product reliability issues with certain components, we may be required to incur significant costs to remedy the situation.

We face strong competition in our markets.
We face competitive pressures from a variety of companies in each of the markets we serve. Our competitors include companies who provide the technologies that we provide as well as companies who provide competing technologies, such as drip irrigation. Our competitors include international, national, and local manufacturers, some of whom may have greater financial manufacturing, marketing and technical resources than we do, or greater penetration in or familiarity with a particular geographic market than we have.
In addition, certain of our competitors, particularly with respect to our utility and wireless communication product lines, have sought bankruptcy protection in recent years, and may emerge with reduced debt service obligations, which could allow them to operate at pricing levels that put pressures on our margins. Some of our customers have moved manufacturing operations or product sourcing overseas, which can negatively impact our sales of galvanizing and anodizing services.
To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in manufacturing, product development and customer service, and we may need to reduce our prices, particularly with respect to customers in industries that are experiencing downturns. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to maintain our competitive position in each of the markets that we serve.
condition.

We could incur substantial costs as the result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws.

Our facilities and operations are subject to U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, and the cleanup of contamination. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or with the permits required for our operations, could result in fines or civil or criminal sanctions, third party claims for property damage or personal injury, and investigation and cleanup costs. Potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with environmental laws that regulators may adopt or impose in the future.

Certain of our facilities have been in operation for many years and, over time, we and other predecessor operators of these facilities have generated, used, handled, and disposed of hazardous and other regulated wastes. We detected contaminants at some of our present and former sites, principally in connection with historical operations. In addition, from time to time we have been named as a potentially responsible party under Superfund or similar state laws. While we are not aware of any contaminated sites that are not provided for in our financial statements, including third‑party sites, at which we may have material obligations, the discovery of additional contaminants or the imposition of additional cleanup obligations at these sites could result in significant liability beyond amounts provided for in our financial statements.

Design patent litigation related to guardrails could reduce demand for such products and raise litigation risk.

Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in India, New Zealand, and Australia manufacture highway safety products, primarily for sale in non-U.S. markets, and license certain design patents related to guardrails to third parties. There are currently domestic U.S. product liability lawsuits against some companies that manufacture and install certain guardrail products. Such lawsuits, some of which have at times involved a foreign subsidiary based on its design patent, could lead to a decline in demand for such products or approval for use of such products by government purchasers both domestically and internationally, and potentially raise litigation risk for foreign subsidiaries and negatively impact their sales and license fees.

Liquidity and Capital Resources Risks

We have, from time to time, maintained a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness, which could impair our ability to operate our business and react to changes in our business, remain in compliance with debt covenants, and make payments on our debt.

As of December 31, 2022, we had $878.0 million of total indebtedness outstanding. We had $659.4 million of capacity to borrow under our revolving credit facility at December 31, 2022. We normally borrow money to make business acquisitions and major capital expenditures. From time to time, our borrowings have been significant. Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences, including:

our ability to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements could be affected and any failure to comply with the requirements, including significant financial and other restrictive covenants, of any of our debt agreements and could result in an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness;
a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations will be required to make interest and principal payments and will not be available for operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansion, or general corporate and other purposes, including possible future acquisitions that we believe would be beneficial to our business;
our ability to obtain additional financing in the future may be impaired;
we may be more highly leveraged than our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;
our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry may be limited; and
our degree of leverage may make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business, our industry or the economy in general.

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We had $185.4 million of cash at December 31, 2022. Approximately 79% of our consolidated cash balances are outside the United States and most of our interest‑bearing debt is borrowed by U.S. entities. In the event that we would have to repatriate cash from international operations to meet cash needs in the U.S., we may be subject to legal, contractual, or other restrictions. In addition, as we use cash for acquisitions and other purposes, any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and business prospects.

The restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements could limit our ability to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business, or the economy in general, or otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. These covenants may prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise.

A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the applicable debt agreement. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the agreement and in a default with respect to, and acceleration of, the debt outstanding under our other debt agreements. The accelerated debt would become immediately due and payable. If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are favorable to us.

We assumed an underfunded pension liability as part of the 2010 Delta acquisition and the combined company may be required to increase funding of the plan and/or be subject to restrictions on the use of excess cash.

Delta is the sponsor of a United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan that, as of December 31, 2022, covered approximately 6,500 inactive or retired former Delta employees. The plan has no active employees as members. At December 31, 2022, this plan was, for accounting purposes, overfunded by approximately £20.1 million ($24.2 million). The current agreement with the trustees of the pension plan for annual funding is approximately £13.1 million ($16.0 million) in respect of the funding shortfall and approximately £1.3 million ($1.6 million) in respect of administrative expenses. Although this funding obligation was considered in the acquisition price for the Delta shares, the underfunded position may adversely affect the combined company as follows:

Laws and regulations in the United Kingdom normally require the plan trustees and us to agree on a new funding plan every three years. The last funding plan was developed in 2022. Changes in actuarial assumptions, including future discount, inflation, and interest rates, investment returns, and mortality rates, may increase the underfunded position of the pension plan and cause the combined company to increase its funding levels in the pension plan to cover underfunded liabilities.
The United Kingdom regulates the pension plan, and the trustees represent the interests of covered workers. Laws and regulations, under certain circumstances, could create an immediate funding obligation to the pension plan, which could be significantly greater than the asset recognized for accounting purposes as of December 31, 2022. Such immediate funding is calculated by reference to the cost of buying out liabilities on the insurance market, and could affect our ability to fund the Company’s future growth of the business or finance other obligations.

General Risks

Our businesses require skilled labor and management talent and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.

Our businesses require skilled factory workers and management in order to meet our customers’ needs, grow our sales, and maintain competitive advantages. Skills such as welding, equipment maintenance, and operating complex manufacturing machinery may be in short supply in certain geographic areas, leading to shortages of skilled labor and/or increased labor costs. Management talent is critical, as well, to help grow our businesses and effectively plan for succession of key employees upon retirement. In some geographic areas, skilled management talent for certain positions may be difficult to find. To the extent we have difficulty in finding and retaining these skills in the workforce, there may be an adverse effect on our ability to grow profitably in the future.

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We face strong competition in our markets.

We face competitive pressures from a variety of companies in each of the markets we serve. Our competitors include companies who provide the technologies that we provide as well as companies who provide competing technologies, such as drip irrigation. Our competitors include international, national, and local manufacturers, some of whom may have greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, and technical resources than we do, or greater penetration in or familiarity with a particular geographic market than we have.

In addition, certain of our competitors, particularly with respect to our utility and wireless communication product lines, have sought bankruptcy protection in recent years and may emerge with reduced debt service obligations, which could allow them to operate at pricing levels that put pressures on our margins. Some of our customers have moved manufacturing operations or product sourcing overseas, which can negatively impact our sales of galvanizing and anodizing services.

To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in manufacturing, product development, and customer service, and we may need to reduce our prices, particularly with respect to customers in industries that are experiencing downturns. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to maintain our competitive position in each of the markets that we serve.

We may not realize the improved operating results that we anticipate from acquisitions we may make in the future, and we may experience difficulties in integrating the acquired businesses or may inherit significant liabilities related to such businesses.

We explore opportunities to acquire businesses that we believe are related to our core competencies from time to time, some of which may be material to us. We expect such acquisitions will produce operating results better than those historically experienced or presently expected to be experienced in the future by us in the absence of the acquisition. We cannot provide assurance that this assumption will prove correct with respect to any acquisition.

For example, in 2021, we acquired Prospera Technologies, Ltd., an integrated artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies company that provides real-time crop analysis and anomaly detection solutions in agricultural fields. To provide these services, Prospera develops algorithms that can detect, with a high accuracy, field anomalies caused by pests, disease, or water issues. We store, process, and transmit agricultural field data. A failure to integrate innovative acquisitions such as Prospera could negatively impact future growth in our technology sales.

Any future acquisitions may present significant challenges for our management due to the time and resources required to properly integrate management, employees, information systems, accounting controls, personnel, and administrative functions of the acquired business with those of Valmont and to manage the combined company on a going forward basis. We may not be able to completely integrate and streamline overlapping functions or, if such activities are successfully accomplished, such integration may be more costly to accomplish than presently contemplated. We may also have difficulty in successfully integrating the product offerings of Valmont and acquired businesses to improve our collective product offering. Our efforts to integrate acquired businesses could be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions. In addition, the process of integrating acquired businesses could cause the interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our existing business. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the integration of acquired businesses could adversely impact our business, results of operations, and liquidity, and the benefits we anticipate may never materialize. These factors are relevant to any acquisition we undertake.


In addition, although we conduct reviews of businesses we acquire, we may be subject to unexpected claims or liabilities, including environmental cleanup costs, as a result of these acquisitions. Such claims or liabilities could be costly to defend or resolve and be material in amount, and thus could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations and liquidity.

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We have, from timemay incur significant warranty or contract management costs.

In our Infrastructure segment, we manufacture large structures for electrical transmission. These products may be highly engineered for very large, complex contracts and subject to time, maintained a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness, which could impair our ability to operate our businessterms and react to changesconditions that penalize us for late delivery and result in our business, remain in compliance with debt covenantsconsequential and make payments on our debt.

As of December 30, 2017, we had $755.0 million of total indebtedness outstanding. We had $585.2 million of capacity to borrow under our revolving credit facility at December 30, 2017. We normally borrow money to make business acquisitions and major capital expenditures.compensatory damages. From time to time, our borrowingswe may have beena product quality issue on a large utility structures order and the costs of curing that issue may be significant. Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences, including:
our ability to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements could be affected and any failure to comply with the requirements, including significant financial and other restrictive covenants, of any of our debt agreements and could result in an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness;
a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations will be required to make interest and principal payments and will not be available for operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansion, or general corporate and other purposes, including possible future acquisitions that we believe would be beneficial to our business;
our ability to obtain additional financingproducts in the future may be impaired;
we may be more highly leveraged than our competitors,Infrastructure segment also include structures for a wide range of outdoor lighting, traffic, and wireless communication applications.

Our Agriculture products carry warranty provisions, some of which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;

our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry may be limited; and
our degree of leverage may make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business, our industry or the economy in general.
We had $492.8 million of cash at December 30, 2017, which mitigates a portion of the risk associated with our debt. However, approximately 82% of our consolidated cash balances are outside the United States and most of our interest‑bearing debt is borrowed by U.S. entities.span several years. In the event that we would have to repatriate cash from international operations to meet cash needs in the U.S.,wide-spread product reliability issues with certain components, we may be subject to legal, contractual or other restrictions. In addition, as we use cash for acquisitions and other purposes, any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects.
The restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements could limit our ability to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business, or the economy in general, or otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. These covenants may prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise.
A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the applicable debt agreement. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the agreement and in a default with respect to, and acceleration of, the debt outstanding under our other debt agreements. The accelerated debt would become immediately due and payable. If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are favorable to us.
We assumed an underfunded pension liability as part of the 2010 Delta acquisition and the combined company may be required to increase funding ofincur significant costs to remedy the plan and/or be subject to restrictions on the use of excess cash.
Delta is the sponsor of a United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan that, as of December 30, 2017, covered approximately 6,500 inactive or retired former Delta employees. At December 30, 2017, this plan was, for accounting purposes, underfunded by approximately £140.5 million ($189.6 million). The current agreement with the trustees of the pension plan for annual funding is approximately £10.0 million ($13.5 million) in respect of the funding shortfall and approximately £1.1 million ($1.5 million) in respect of administrative expenses. Although this funding obligation was considered in the acquisition price for the Delta shares, the underfunded position may adversely affect the combined company as follows:

Laws and regulations in the United Kingdom normally require the plan trustees and us to agree on a new funding plan every three years. The next funding plan will be developed in 2019. Changes in actuarial assumptions, including future discount, inflation and interest rates, investment returns and mortality rates, may increase the underfunded position of the pension plan and cause the combined company to increase its funding levels in the pension plan to cover underfunded liabilities.
The United Kingdom regulates the pension plan and the trustees represent the interests of covered workers. Laws and regulations, under certain circumstances, could create an immediate funding obligation to the pension plan which could be significantly greater than the £140.5 million ($189.6 million) assumed for accounting purposes as of December 30, 2017. Such immediate funding is calculated by reference to the cost of buying out liabilities on the insurance market, and could affect our ability to fund the Company’s future growth of the business or finance other obligations.
situation.

Our ability to operateoperations could be adversely affected if our information technology systems are compromised or otherwise subjected to cyber crimes.

Cyber crimecybercrimes.

Cybercrime continually increases in sophistication and may pose a significant risk to the security of our information technology systems and networks, which if breached could materially adversely affect the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. Our operations involve transferring data across national borders, and we must comply with increasingly complex and rigorous standards to protect business and personal data in the U.S. and foreign countries, including members of the European Union. Additionally, our operations also include innovative technologies, such as Prospera Technologies, Ltd., an integrated AI technologies company. Successful cybersecurity attacks or other security incidents could result in the loss of key innovations in artificial intelligence, internet of things (“IoT”), or other disruptive technologies; the loss of access to critical data or systems through ransomware, crypto mining, destructive attacks, or other means; and business delays, service or system disruptions, or denials of service. We protect our sensitive information and confidential and personal data, our facilities, and information technology systems, but we may be vulnerable to future security breaches. This could lead to legal risk, fines and penalties, negative publicity, theft, modification or destruction of proprietary information or key information, manufacture of defective products, production downtimes, and operational disruptions, which could adversely affect our reputation, competitiveness, and results of operations.

Regulatory and business developments regarding climate change could adversely impact our operations and demand for our products.

Regulatory and business developments regarding climate change could adversely impact our operations. We follow the scientific discussion on climate change and related legislative and regulatory enactments, including those under consideration, to deliberate the potential impact on our operations and demand for our products. The scientific discussion on the presence and scope of climate change and the attention that domestic and international legislatures and regulatory authorities have given to enacting or considering laws or rules related to climate change are expected to continue. The production and market for our products are subject to the impact of laws and rules related to climate change. Our customers, and our operating segments, are exposed to risks of increased costs to comply with such laws and rules, including increased costs for raw materials and transportation, as well as exposure to damage to our respective business reputations upon any failure of compliance. Other adverse consequences of climate change could include an increased frequency of severe weather events and rising sea levels that could affect operations at our manufacturing facilities, the price of insuring Company assets, or other unforeseen disruptions of the Company’s operations, systems, property, or equipment.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Our

In 2021, we moved our corporate headquarters are located into a new leased facility in Omaha, Nebraska, under a lease expiring in 2021.2046. The headquarters of the Company’s reportable segmentssegments’ headquarters are also located in Valley, Nebraska.at the corporate headquarters. We also maintain a management headquarters in Sydney, Australia. Most of our significant manufacturing locations are owned or are subject to long-term renewable leases. Our principal manufacturing locations are in Valley, Nebraska,Nebraska; McCook, Nebraska,Nebraska; Tulsa, Oklahoma,

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Oklahoma; Brenham, Texas,Texas; Charmeil, FranceFrance; Uberaba, Brazil; Monterrey, Mexico; Siedlce, Poland; Shanghai, China; and Shanghai, China.Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All of these facilities are owned by us. We believe that our manufacturing capabilities and capacities are adequate for us to effectively serve our customers. Our capital spending programs consist of investment for replacement, achieving operational efficiencies, and expandexpanding capacities where needed. Our principal operating locations by reportable segment are listed below.

Engineered Support Structures

Infrastructure segment North America manufacturing locationsoperations are located in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas, Indiana, Minnesota,New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Canada, and Canada.Mexico. The largest of these operations are in Valley, NebraskaNebraska; Brenham, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Brenham, Texas, bothMonterrey, Mexico, all of which are owned facilities. We have communication componentscomponent distribution locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. International locations are in Australia, China, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, England, Germany, Poland, Morocco, Australia, Indonesia,New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, IndiaPoland, and China.Thailand. The largest of these operations are in Charmeil, France, and Shanghai, China, both of which are owned facilities.

Utility Support Structures segment North America manufacturing locations are in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kansas, Nebraska and Mexico. The largest of these operations are in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Monterrey, Mexico and Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The Tulsa and Monterrey facilities are owned and the Hazleton facility is located on both owned and leased property. The largest principal international manufacturing location is Denmark and there are also manufacturing locations in China and France.
Coatings segment North America operations include U.S. operations located in Nebraska, California, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina and two locations near Toronto, Canada. International operations are located in Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and India.

Irrigation

Agriculture segment North America manufacturing operations are located in ValleyNebraska and McCook, Nebraska.Indiana. Our principal manufacturing operations serving international markets are located in Uberaba, Brazil, Nigel, South Africa, Jebel Ali,Brazil; Dubai, United Arab Emirates,Emirates; Shandong, China; and Shandong, China.a technology R&D center in Israel. All facilities are owned except for China and Israel, which isare leased.

Our operations

Operations in the "other" categoryOther segment, which were divested during 2022, are located in Australia.

Denmark.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are not a party to, nor are any of our properties subject to, any material legal proceedings. We are, from time to time, engaged in routine litigation incidental to our businesses.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not Applicable.

applicable.

Information about our Executive Officers of the Company

Our current executive officers, at February 28, 2018, their ages, positions held, and the business experience of each during the past five years are, as follows:

Mogens C. Bay, age 69, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since December 31, 2017, previously Chief Executive Officer since August 1993.

Stephen G. Kaniewski, age 46,51, President and Chief Executive Officer since December 31, 2017, previously2017. President and Chief Operating Officer sincefrom October 2016 to December 2017. Utility Support Structures Group President from August 2015 to October 2016. Joined Valmont in August 2010 as Vice President-Information Technology, and later in January 2014 moved into the Vice President-GlobalPresident of Global Operations role for the Irrigation segment. In January 2015, he transferred to the Utility Support Structures segment as Senior Vice President and Managing Director andbusiness in August 2015 became Group President of Utility Support Structures segment.

Mark C. Jaksich,2014.

Avner M. Applbaum, age 60,51, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2020. Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Double E Company, an equipment manufacturer, from 2017 to March 2020.

Diane Larkin, age 58, Executive Vice President, Global Operations since June 2020. Senior Vice President of Operations and Global Supply for Pentair from 2017 to June 2020.

Aaron Schapper, age 49, Group President, Infrastructure since February 2014.2020. Utility Support Structures Group President from October 2016 to February 2020. General Manager, International Irrigation from October 2011 to October 2016.

Renee L. Campbell, age 53, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer since February 2022. Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications from 2017 to February 2022.

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Timothy P. Francis, age 46, Senior Vice President and Finance Business Partner – Global Operations since June 2022. Senior Vice President and Controller February 2000from June 2014 to February 2014.

Vanessa K. Brown,June 2022.

Gene Padgett, age 65,52, Senior Vice President-Human ResourcesPresident, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer since July 2011. DirectorNovember 2022. Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of DXP Enterprises, Inc., an industrial products distributor and equipment manufacturer, from 2018 to October 2022.

T. Mitchell Parnell, age 57, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources of North AmericaOfficer since January 2019. Vice President, Human Resources, Valmont Engineered Support Structures division from 1997 until 2011.

Timothy P. Francis,2016 to 2018.

Claudio O. Laterreur, age 41,56, Senior Vice President and ControllerChief Information Officer since June 2014. Chief Financial Officer of Burlington Capital Group LLC (“BCG”)May 2019. US Industrial Products Partner at IBM and North America First Multifamily Investors, L.P. (“ATAX”), a NASDAQ listed Limited Partnership in which BCG serves as the General Partner,Vice President for manufacturing at Neoris from January 20122013 to May 2014.

John A. Kehoe,2019.

R. Andrew Massey, age 48, Senior53, Vice President and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer since 2006.

Ellen S. Dasher, age 53, Vice President, Global Taxation since December 2015, previously Assistant Director of Information Technology since June 2014. Senior information technology executive at Rockwell Collins, an aerospace and defense contractor and manufacturer, from 2004 - 2014.Taxation.

21

Table of Contents


PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER

MATTERS, AND

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VMI”. We had approximately 24,80136,163 shareholders of common stock at December 30, 2017. Other stock information required by this item is included in Note 21 “Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)” to the consolidated financial statements and incorporated herein by reference.

31, 2022.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period (a)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 (b)
Average Price
paid per share
 (c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 (d)
Approximate Dollar Value of Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2017 to October 28, 2017
 $
 
 $132,172,000
October 29, 2017 to December 2, 2017
 
 
 132,172,000
December 3, 2017 to December 30, 2017
 
 
 132,172,000
Total
 $
 
 $132,172,000
On May 13, 2014, we announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered both the quarterly dividend rate as well as a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company's outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. On February 24, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized additional purchases of up to $250 million of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of December 30, 2017, we have acquired 4,588,131 shares for approximately $617.8 million under this share repurchase program.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
SELECTED FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Operating Data  (3)      
Net sales$2,745,967
 $2,521,676
 $2,618,924
 $3,123,143
 $3,304,211
Operating income (1)266,432
 243,504
 131,695
 357,716
 473,069
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. (2)116,240
 173,232
 40,117
 183,976
 278,489
Depreciation and amortization84,957
 82,417
 91,144
 89,328
 77,436
Capital expenditures55,266
 57,920
 45,468
 73,023
 106,753
Per Share Data         
Earnings:         
Basic (2)$5.16
 $7.68
 $1.72
 $7.15
 $10.45
Diluted (2)5.11
 7.63
 1.71
 7.09
 10.35
Cash dividends declared1.500
 1.500
 1.500
 1.375
 0.975
Financial Position         
Working capital$1,069,567
 $903,368
 $860,298
 $995,727
 $1,161,260
Property, plant and equipment, net518,928
 518,335
 532,489
 606,453
 534,210
Total assets2,602,250
 2,391,731
 2,392,382
 2,721,955
 2,773,046
Long-term debt, including current installments754,854
 755,646
 757,995
 760,122
 467,661
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity.1,112,836
 943,482
 918,441
 1,201,833
 1,522,025
Cash flow data:         
Net cash flows from operating activities$145,716
 $219,168
 $272,267
 $174,096
 $396,442
Net cash flows from investing activities(49,615) (53,049) (48,171) (256,863) (131,721)
Net cash flows from financing activities(32,010) (95,158) (220,005) (139,756) (37,380)
Financial Measures         
Invested capital(a)$1,941,716
 $1,774,781
 $1,759,851
 $2,096,276
 $2,110,455
Return on invested capital(a)10.3% 9.5% 4.6% 11.3% 15.0%
Adjusted EBITDA(b)$351,987
 $326,629
 $285,115
 $413,684
 $546,208
Return on beginning shareholders’ equity(c)12.3% 18.9% 3.3% 12.1% 20.6%
Leverage ratio (d)2.15
 2.32
 2.66
 1.87
 0.89
Year End Data         
Shares outstanding (000)22,694
 22,521
 22,857
 24,229
 26,825
Approximate number of shareholders24,801
 26,057
 27,010
 28,225
 28,507
Number of employees10,690
 10,552
 10,697
 11,321
 10,769

(1) Fiscal 2015 operating income included impairments of goodwill and intangible assets of $41,970 and restructuring expenses of $39,852.
(2) Fiscal 2017 included $41,935 of tax expense ($1.85 per share) associated with recording the impact of the 2017 Tax Act. Fiscal 2016 included deferred income tax benefit of $30,590 ($1.35 per share) resulting primarily from the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset for 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. Fiscal 2016 also 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 is not taxable. Fiscal 2015 included impairments of goodwill and intangible assets of $40,140 after-tax ($1.72 per share), restructuring expenses of $28,167 after-tax ($1.20 per share), and deferred income tax expense of $7,120 ($0.31 per share) for a change in U.K. tax rates.Fiscal 2014 included costs associated with refinancing of our long-term debt of $24,171 after tax ($0.93 per share). Fiscal 2013 included $4,569 ($0.17 per share) in after-tax fixed asset impairment losses at Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (EMD) and $12,011 ($0.45 per share) in losses associated with the deconsolidation of EMD.
(3) Fiscal 2016 was a 53 week fiscal year.

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

Approximate Dollar

as Part of

Value of Maximum

Total Number

Publicly

Number of

of

Announced Plans

Shares that may yet

Shares

Average Price

or

be Purchased under the

Period

    

Purchased

    

paid per share

    

Programs

    

Program (1)

September 25, 2022 to October 22, 2022

 

$

 

$

101,371,000

October 23, 2022 to November 26, 2022

 

26,995

 

328.93

 

26,995

 

92,523,000

November 27, 2022 to December 31, 2022

 

33,207

 

334.38

 

33,207

 

81,419,000

Total

 

60,202

$

331.94

 

60,202

$

81,419,000

a)(1)Return on Invested Capital is calculatedOn May 13, 2014, we announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered both the quarterly dividend rate as Operating Income (after-tax) divided bywell as a share repurchase program. The Board of Directors at that time authorized the averagepurchase of beginning and ending Invested Capital. Invested Capital represents total assets minus total liabilities (excluding interest-bearing debt). Return on Invested Capital is one of our key operating ratios, as it allows investorsup to analyze our operating performance in light$500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. On February 24, 2015, and again on October 31, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized additional purchases of up to $250 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date bringing total authorization to $1.0 billion. As of December 31, 2022, we have acquired 6,613,018 shares for approximately $918.6 million under this share repurchase program. Subsequent to year end, on February 27, 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount of investment required to generate our operating profit. Return on Invested Capital is also a measurement used to determine management incentives. Return on Invested Capital is a non-GAAP measure. Accordingly, Invested Capital and Return on Invested Capital should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordanceremaining under the program by an additional $400 million, with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The table below shows how Invested Capital and Return on Invested Capital are calculated from our income statement and balance sheet.no stated expiration date.

22

 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Operating income$266,432
 $243,504
 $131,695
 $357,716
 $473,069
Adjusted effective tax rate (1)28.1% 30.8% 32.0% 33.4% 35.1%
Tax effect on operating income(74,867) (74,999) (42,142) (119,477) (166,047)
After-tax operating income191,565
 168,505
 89,553
 238,239
 307,022
Average invested capital1,858,249
 1,767,316
 1,928,064
 2,103,366
 2,043,983
Return on invested capital10.3% 9.5% 4.6% 11.3% 15.0%
Total assets2,602,250
 2,391,731
 2,392,382
 2,721,955
 2,773,046
Less: Accounts and income taxes payable(227,906) (177,488) (179,983) (196,565) (216,121)
Less: Accrued expenses(165,455) (162,318) (175,947) (176,430) (194,527)
Less: Defined benefit pension liability(189,552) (209,470) (179,323) (150,124) (154,397)
Less: Deferred compensation(48,526) (44,319) (48,417) (47,932) (39,109)
Less: Other noncurrent liabilities(20,585) (14,910) (40,290) (45,542) (51,731)
Less: Dividends payable(8,510) (8,445) (8,571) (9,086) (6,706)
Total Invested capital$1,941,716
 $1,774,781
 $1,759,851
 $2,096,276
 $2,110,455
Beginning of year invested capital$1,774,781
 $1,759,851
 $2,096,276
 $2,110,455
 $1,977,511
Average invested capital$1,858,249
 $1,767,316
 $1,928,064
 $2,103,366
 $2,043,983
(1) The adjusted effective tax rate for 2017 excludes the $41,935 of tax expense associated with recording the impact of the 2017 Tax Act. The effective tax rate in 2017 including these items is 46.5%. The adjusted effective tax rate for 2016 excludes deferred income tax benefit of $30,590 resulting primarily from the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset for the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. In addition, fiscal 2016 excludes $9,888 recorded as a valuation allowance against a tax credit asset. Fiscal 2016 also excludes the reversal of a contingent liability that was recognized as part of the Delta purchase accounting of $16,591, which is not taxable. The effective tax rate in 2016 including these items is 19.1%. The adjusted effective tax rate in 2015 excludes the effects of the goodwill impairments which are not deductible for income tax purposes and the $7,120 million deferred income tax expense recognized as a result of the U.K. corporate tax rate decreasing from 20% to 18%. The effective tax rate in 2015 including these items is 51.0%.
Return on invested capital, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
(b)Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is one of our key financial ratios in that it is the basis for determining our maximum borrowing capacity at any one time. Our bank credit agreements contain a financial covenant that our total interest‑bearing debt not exceed 3.50x Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75x Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions) for the most recent four quarters. These bank credit agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we did not own the acquired businesses. The bank credit agreements also provide for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain specified limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. If this financial covenant is violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Adjusted EBITDA is non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Net cash flows from operations$145,716
 $219,168
 $272,267
 $174,096
 $396,442
Interest expense44,645
 44,409
 44,621
 36,790
 32,502
Income tax expense106,145
 42,063
 47,427
 94,894
 157,781
Loss on investment(237) (586) (4,555) (3,795) 
Non-cash debt refinancing costs
 
 
 2,478
 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
 3,242
 
 4,300
 
Deconsolidation of subsidiary
 
 
 
 (12,011)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 (41,970) 
 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
 (1,099) (19,836) 
 (12,161)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit(39,755) 23,685
 (4,858) (5,251) 10,141
Noncontrolling interest(6,079) (5,159) (5,216) (5,342) (1,971)
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 (247) 29
 835
Stock-based compensation(10,706) (9,931) (7,244) (6,730) (6,513)
Pension plan expense(648) (1,870) 610
 (2,638) (6,569)
Contribution to pension plan40,245
 1,488
 16,500
 18,173
 17,619
Change in restricted cash - pension plan trust(12,568) 13,652
 
 
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions81,305
 13,690
 (71,863) 98,376
 (34,205)
Other3,924
 (631) (2,327) (392) 4,318
EBITDA351,987
 342,121
 223,309
 404,988
 546,208
Reversal of contingent liability
 (16,591) 
 
 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 41,970
 
 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
 1,099
 19,836
 
 
EBITDA from acquisitions (months in 2014 not owned by Company)
 
 
 8,696
 
Adjusted EBITDA$351,987
 $326,629
 $285,115
 $413,684
 $546,208
 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$116,240
 $173,232
 $40,117
 $183,976
 $278,489
Interest expense44,645
 44,409
 44,621
 36,790
 32,502
Income tax expense106,145
 42,063
 47,427
 94,894
 157,781
Depreciation and amortization expense84,957
 82,417
 91,144
 89,328
 77,436
EBITDA351,987
 342,121
 223,309
 404,988
 546,208
Reversal of contingent liability
 (16,591) 
 
 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 41,970
 
 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
 1,099
 19,836
 
 
EBITDA from acquisitions (months in 2014 not owned by Company)
 
 
 8,696
 
Adjusted EBITDA$351,987
 $326,629
 $285,115
 $413,684
 $546,208
(c)Return on beginning shareholders’ equity is calculated by dividing Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. by the prior year’s ending Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity.
(d)Leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of current portion of long-term debt, notes payable to bank, and long-term debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The leverage ratio is one of the key financial ratios in the covenants under our major debt agreements and the ratio cannot exceed 3.5 (or 3.75x after certain material acquisitions) for any reporting period (four quarters). If those covenants are violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of this ratio is as follows:



ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS

OF OPERATION.


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Forward‑Looking Statements

Management’s discussion and analysis, and other sections of this annual report, contain forward‑looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward‑looking statements are based on assumptions that management has made in light of experience in the industries in which the Company operates, as well as management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control), and assumptions. Management believes that these forward‑looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. Many factors could affect the Company’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward‑looking statements. These factors include, among other things, risk factors described from time to time in the Company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as future economic and market circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, operating efficiencies, availability and price of raw materials, availability and market acceptance of new products, product pricing, domestic and international competitive environments, and actions and policy changes of domestic and foreign governments.

The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial position. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes.















General
 2017 2016 Change
2017 - 2016
 2015 Change
2016 - 2015
 Dollars in millions, except per share amounts
Consolidated         
Net sales$2,746.0
 $2,521.7
 8.9 % $2,618.9
 (3.7)%
Gross profit681.8
 656.2
 3.9 % 621.0
 5.7 %
as a percent of sales    
24.8% 26.0%   23.7%  
SG&A expense415.4
 412.7
 0.7 % 489.3
 (15.7)%
as a percent of sales    
15.1% 16.4%   18.7%  
Operating income266.4
 243.5
 9.4 % 131.7
 84.9 %
as a percent of sales    
9.7% 9.7%   5.0%  
Net interest expense39.9
 41.3
 (3.4)% 41.3
  %
Effective tax rate46.5% 19.1% 
 51.0% 
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc116.2
 173.2
 (32.9)% 40.1
 331.9 %
Diluted earnings per share$5.11
 $7.63
 (33.0)% $1.71
 346.2 %
Engineered Support Structures Segment         
Net sales$912.2
 $891.1
 2.4 % $880.8
 1.2 %
Gross profit225.9
 240.0
 (5.9)% 214.0
 12.1 %
SG&A expense162.9
 167.7
 (2.9)% 185.2
 (9.4)%
Operating income63.0
 72.3
 (12.9)% 28.8
 151.0 %
Utility Support Structures Segment         
Net sales$856.3
 $735.6
 16.4 % $777.7
 (5.4)%
Gross profit178.4
 147.3
 21.1 % 130.0
 13.3 %
SG&A expense80.6
 76.1
 5.9 % 91.7
 (17.0)%
Operating income97.8
 71.2
 37.4 % 38.3
 85.9 %
Coatings Segment         
Net sales$256.8
 $243.9
 5.3 % $255.5
 (4.5)%
Gross profit78.4
 77.8
 0.8 % 79.8
 (2.5)%
SG&A expense28.2
 31.2
 (9.6)% 52.4
 (40.5)%
Operating income50.2
 46.6
 7.7 % 27.4
 70.1 %
Irrigation Segment         
Net sales$644.4
 $568.0
 13.5 % $605.8
 (6.2)%
Gross profit197.3
 178.9
 10.3 % 177.2
 1.0 %
SG&A expense95.8
 88.0
 8.9 % 99.0
 (11.1)%
Operating income101.5
 90.9
 11.7 % 78.2
 16.2 %
Other         
Net sales$76.3
 $83.1
 (8.2)% $99.1
 (16.1)%
Gross profit7.4
 14.1
 (47.5)% 7.3
 93.2 %
SG&A expense5.3
 5.4
 (1.9)% 12.1
 (55.4)%
Operating income2.1
 8.7
 (75.9)% (4.8) (281.3)%
Adjustment to LIFO inventory valuation method         
Gross profit(5.7) (3.0) 90.0 % 12.1
 (124.8)%
Operating income(5.7) (3.0) 90.0 % 12.1
 (124.8)%
Net corporate expense         
Gross profit$0.1
 $1.1
 90.9 % $0.6
 83.3 %
SG&A expense42.6
 44.3
 (3.8)% 48.9
 (9.4)%
Operating loss(42.5) (43.2) (1.6)% (48.3) (10.6)%
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL 2017 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2016
Overview
In the fourth quarter

This section of 2017, our managementthis Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and reporting structure changed to reflect management's expectations2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of future growth2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of certain product linesFinancial Conditions and to take into consideration the expected divestitureResults of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the grinding media business, which historically was reported inCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Energy and Mining segment. The access systems applications product line is now part of the Engineered Support Structures ("ESS") segment and the offshore and other complex structures product line is now part of the Utility segment. Grinding media will be reported in "Other" pending the completion of its divestiture. Infiscal year ended December 25, 2021.

During the first quarter of 2017, we also2022, the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) changed ourthe Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources, and evaluate performance based on the new structure. As a result, the Company has realigned to a two reportable segment structure organized by market dynamics (Infrastructure and Agriculture). Three operating incomesegments resulted from the new management structure and two are aggregated into the Agriculture reportable segment. The Company considers gross profit margins, nature of products sold, nature of the production processes, type and class of customer, and methods used to separate outdistribute products when assessing aggregation of operating segments. The Infrastructure segment includes the LIFO expense (benefit). Certain inventories are accounted for using the LIFO method in the consolidated financial statements. Ourprevious reportable segments of Utility Support Structures, Engineered Support Structures, and Coatings. All prior period segment discussions and segment financial information havehas been accordingly reclassified in this reportrecast to reflect this change for all periods presented.in reportable segments.

On a consolidated basis, the

23

General

2022

2021

Change 2022 - 2021

2020

Change 2021 - 2020

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

Consolidated

Net sales

$

4,345.2

$

3,501.6

 

24.1

%  

$

2,895.4

 

20.9

%

Gross profit

 

1,126.3

 

883.9

 

27.4

%  

 

765.5

 

15.5

%

as a percent of sales

 

25.9

%  

 

25.2

%  

  

 

26.4

%  

  

SG&A expense

 

693.0

 

597.1

 

16.1

%  

 

539.6

 

10.7

%

as a percent of sales

 

15.9

%  

 

17.1

%  

  

 

18.6

%  

  

Operating income

 

433.3

 

286.8

 

51.1

%  

 

225.9

 

27.0

%

as a percent of sales

 

10.0

%  

 

8.2

%  

  

 

7.8

%  

  

Net interest expense

 

45.5

 

41.4

 

9.9

%  

 

38.7

 

7.0

%

Effective tax rate

 

29.9

%  

 

23.6

%  

  

 

25.7

%  

  

Net earnings

 

250.9

 

195.6

 

28.3

%  

 

140.7

 

39.0

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

11.62

$

9.10

 

27.7

%  

$

6.57

 

38.5

%

Infrastructure

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net sales

$

2,909.7

$

2,361.5

 

23.2

%  

$

2,135.2

 

10.6

%

Gross profit

 

736.6

 

603.6

 

22.0

%  

 

564.9

 

6.9

%

SG&A expense

 

382.1

 

330.0

 

15.8

%  

 

347.6

 

(5.1)

%

Operating income

 

354.5

 

273.6

 

29.6

%  

 

217.3

 

25.9

%

Agriculture

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net sales

$

1,335.3

$

1,017.1

 

31.3

%  

$

640.1

 

58.9

%

Gross profit

 

381.8

 

297.7

 

28.2

%  

 

197.3

 

50.9

%

SG&A expense

 

202.5

 

160.6

 

26.1

%  

 

114.2

 

40.6

%

Operating income

 

179.3

 

137.1

 

30.8

%  

 

83.1

 

65.0

%

Other

Net sales

$

100.2

$

123.0

(18.5)

%  

$

120.1

2.4

%

Gross profit (loss)

7.9

(18.2)

NM

3.3

NM

SG&A expense

5.6

22.0

(74.5)

%  

11.5

91.3

%

Operating income (loss)

2.3

(40.2)

NM

(8.2)

390.2

%

Net corporate expense

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Gross profit

$

$

0.8

 

$

 

%

SG&A

 

102.8

 

84.5

 

21.7

%  

 

66.3

 

27.5

%

Operating loss

 

(102.8)

 

(83.7)

 

22.8

%  

 

(66.3)

 

26.2

%

24

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FISCAL 2022 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2021

Overview

The increase in net sales in 2017,2022, as compared with 2016, reflected2021, was the result of higher sales in all reportableboth the Infrastructure and Agriculture segments. Fiscal 2022 included 53 weeks, while fiscal 2021 included 52 weeks. The changesestimated impact on the Company's results of operations due to the extra week in fiscal 2022 was additional net sales in 2017, as compared with 2016, were as follows:

 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOther
Sales - 2016$2,521.7
$891.1
$735.6
$243.9
$568.0
$83.1
Volume97.4
10.4
49.5
(9.6)61.5
(14.4)
Pricing/mix102.4
1.6
68.2
21.2
6.3
5.1
Acquisitions4.8
4.8




Currency translation19.7
4.3
3.0
1.3
8.6
2.5
Sales - 2017$2,746.0
$912.2
$856.3
$256.8
$644.4
$76.3
of approximately $80.8 million and additional net earnings of approximately $5.3 million.

    

Total

    

Infrastructure

Agriculture

    

Other

Sales - 2021

$

3,501.6

$

2,361.5

$

1,017.1

$

123.0

Volume

 

184.0

 

108.7

 

88.9

 

(13.6)

Pricing / mix

 

686.5

 

459.4

 

223.1

 

4.0

Acquisition

 

30.1

 

28.8

 

1.3

 

Currency translation

 

(57.0)

 

(48.7)

 

4.9

 

(13.2)

Sales - 2022

$

4,345.2

$

2,909.7

$

1,335.3

$

100.2

Volume effectsimpacts are estimated based on a physical production or sales measure. Since products we sell are not uniform in nature, pricing and mix relate to a combination of changes in sales prices and the attributes of the product sold. Accordingly, pricing and mix changes do not necessarily directly result in operating income changes.


Average

Due to supply chain disruptions and lingering impacts of the pandemic, average steel index prices for both hot rolled coil and plate were highervolatile over the past few years, especially in North America and ChinaAmerica. While hot rolled coil steel has decreased in 2017,price, the steel consumed during 2022 within cost of sales was at a much higher average cost as compared to 2016, resulting2021. Gross profit margin was higher in higher average cost of material. We expect that average2022, as compared to 2021, as customer pricing mechanisms and product selling prices will increase over time to offset the decrease in gross profit realized from the higher cost of steelprice practices allowed for the Company. recovery of price inflation for the Infrastructure and Agriculture reportable segments.

Items Impacting Comparability

Items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for 2022 included the following:

charges totaling $33.3 million (no associated tax benefit) related to the divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business,
incremental stock-based compensation expense of $5.0 million ($4.6 million after-tax) for the employees from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in 2021, and
incremental amortization of identified intangible assets of $3.6 million ($2.4 million after-tax) associated from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in 2021.

Items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for 2021 included the following:

charges totaling pre-tax $27.9 million ($21.7 million after-tax) related to the impairment of the offshore wind energy structures business long-lived assets. In addition, income tax expense of $5.1 million to establish a valuation allowance related to the tax assets of the associated product line, and
charges totaling $5.5 million ($4.3 million after-tax) related to the write-off of a receivable.

Acquisitions

The Company acquired a highwaythe following businesses in 2022 and 2021:

51% of ConcealFab in the second quarter of 2022 for $39.3 million. ConcealFab is a Colorado-based 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions company (Infrastructure),

25

Prospera in the second quarter of 2021 for $300 million. Prospera was a privately-held Israeli-based artificial intelligence company focused on machine learning and computer vision in agriculture (Agriculture), and
PivoTrac in the second quarter of 2021 for $12.5 million. PivoTrac is an agricultural technology company that offers solutions focused on remote monitoring of center pivot irrigation machines (Agriculture).

Divestitures

The Company divested its offshore wind energy structures business in India ("Aircon") in the thirdfourth quarter of 2017 that2022, which resulted in a loss of approximately $33.3 million (no associated tax benefit). The offshore wind energy structures business is included in the ESS segment.


Restructuring Plan

In 2016, we executed a restructuring planOther segment and the loss was recorded in Australia/New Zealand focused primarily“Other income (expenses)” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Macroeconomic Impacts on closingFinancial Results and consolidating locations withinLiquidity

We continue to monitor several macroeconomic and geopolitical trends that impacted our business, including inflationary cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, the ESSstrengthened U.S. dollar, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, changing conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Coatings segments (the "2016 Plan"). We incurred $7.8 million of restructuring expense consisting of $5.0 millionlabor shortages.

Change in cost of goods soldReportable Segments

On December 26, 2021, the Company’s CODM began to manage the business, allocate resources, and $2.8 million in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense in 2016. The Plan was substantially completed in fiscal 2016.


In 2015, we executed a broad restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan") to respondevaluate performance based on changes made to the Company’s management structure. As a result, the Company has realigned its reportable segment structure. The Company reorganized from a four segment structure previously organized by product category (Utility Support Structures, Engineered Support Structures, Coatings, and Irrigation) to a two segment reporting structure organized by market environmentdynamics (Infrastructure and Agriculture). All prior period information has been recast to reflect this change in certainreportable segments. See Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

In addition to these two reportable segments, the Company had a business and related activities that are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This includes the offshore wind energy structures business and was reported in the “Other” segment until its divestiture in 2022.

Currency Translation

The continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar resulted in negative foreign currency impacts for many of our businesses. During 2016, we incurred approximately $4.6 million of restructuring expense to complete the 2015 Plan consisting of $4.1 millionbusinesses located in SG&A expense with the remainder recorded in cost of goods sold.


Currency Translation

foreign jurisdictions. In 2017,2022, we realized a benefit toan increase in operating profit, as compared with fiscal 2016, due to2021, despite these overall negative currency translation effects. The U.S. dollar primarily weakened against the Brazilian real and South African rand, resulting in more operating profit in U.S. dollar terms. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:

 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOtherCorporate
Full year$1.5
$0.1
$
$(0.1)$1.2
$0.4
$(0.1)

    

Total

    

Infrastructure

    

Agriculture

Other

    

Corporate

Full year

$

(2.0)

$

(5.9)

$

3.1

$

0.3

$

0.5

Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income


At a consolidated level, the reduction in gross margin (gross profit as a percent of sales)sales was higher in 2017,2022, as compared with 2016,2021. Gross profit as a percent of sales was primarily due to higher cost ofrelatively flat for both the Infrastructure and Agriculture segments, as increased raw materials across most of our businesses. The Utility segment realizedmaterial and labor costs were offset by an increase in gross marginaverage selling prices. Gross profit was higher for both the Infrastructure and Agriculture segments in 2017, while ESS, Irrigation, and Coatings realized a decrease in gross profit primarily due to sales pricing that did not fully recover higher raw material costs and unfavorable sales mix. Lower volumes for Coatings and Other also contributed to the reduction in gross margin through deleverage of fixed costs.

2022.

The Company saw an increase within in selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A&A”) expense in 2017,2022, as compared to 2016,2021. The increase in SG&A was due to the following:


incremental SG&A from the Prospera acquisition in May 2021 (including intangible asset amortization, stock-based compensation, and research and development costs), higher employee incentives of $5.0 millionand stock-based compensation costs due to improved business operations;
reversaloperations, salary merit increases, and higher travel costs. In 2021, the Other segment recognized a pre-tax $27.9 million impairment charge of $3.2long-lived assets ($21.4 million recognized in cost of goods sold and $6.5 million in SG&A) and a contingent consideration liability in 2016$5.5 million write-off of an accounts receivable related to the former ownersoffshore wind energy structures business that did not recur in 2022.

26

increased project

Net Interest Expense and promotional Debt

Net interest expense in 2022 was higher than 2021 due to higher average borrowings during the year. Interest income was also higher in 2022, as compared to 2021, due to higher interest rates.

Other Income/Expense (including Gain (loss) on investments – unrealized)

The change in other income/expenses in 2022, as compared to 2021, was primarily due to a lower pension benefit of $3.2$4.5 million primarilyand the change in the irrigation segment;

highervaluation of deferred compensation expensesassets which resulted in a lower income of $5.5 million. These decreases were offset by an increase in investment income of $2.7 million which wasand a gain of $2.1 million related to insurance proceeds received associated with windstorm damage at one of our facilities in France. The change related to deferred compensation assets is offset by a decreasean opposite change of the same amount of other expense; and
currency translation effects of $1.9 million (higher SG&A) due to the strengthening of the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, and South African rand against the U.S. dollar.

The above increases were partially offset by the following decreases in SG&A expense in 2017 as compared to 2016:

restructuring expenses incurred in 2016 totaling $6.8 million; and
reversal of an environmental remediation liability of $2.6 million related to land of a former galvanizing operation in Australia that was sold in 2017.

    In 2017, as compared to 2016, operating income for all operating segments were higher except for the ESS segment and Other. The increase in operating income in 2017, as compared to 2016, is primarily attributable to increased sales volumes in the Utility and Irrigation segments, along with restructuring expenses incurred in 2016 and the associated benefits of the restructuring activities.

Net Interest Expense and Debt
Net interest expense in 2017, as compared to 2016, was lower as interest income increased due to more cash on hand to invest. Long-term and short-term borrowings were consistent year-over-year.

Other Income/Expense

The decrease in other income in 2017, as compared to 2016, is primarily due to the reversal of a contingent liability provision of approximately $16.6 million in 2016, out of "Other noncurrent liabilities."

expense.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective income tax rate in 20172022 and 20162021 was 46.5%29.9% and 19.1%23.6%, respectively. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "2017 Tax Act" or “Act”) includes a number of changes toIn 2022, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that impact corporations beginningincrease in 2018; including a reduction in the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, limiting or eliminating certain tax deductions, and changing the taxation of unremitted foreign earnings. Accordingly, the Company recorded a one-time charge of approximately $42 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the transition effects of the Act. Excluding this charge, our effective tax rate would have been 28.1% for 2017. The $42 million charge is comprised of (a) approximately $9.9 million of expense related to the taxation of unremitted foreign earnings, the federal portion of which is payable over eight (8) years beginning in 2018, (b) approximately $20.4 million of expense related to the remeasurement of U.S. deferred tax balances to reflect the new U.S. corporate income tax rate, using a federal and state tax rate of 25.0%, and (c) approximately $11.7 million of deferred expenses related to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes.


These amounts are provisional and our estimates and overall impact of the Act may change for various reasons including, but not limited to, changes in our interpretation and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by governing authorities, and tax planning actions we may undertake. We continue to gather additional information to fully account for the Act. Any updates and changes in the estimates will be communicated in future quarterly financial statements.

Tax expense in 2016 included $30.6 million of deferred income tax benefit attributable to the remeasurement of the deferred tax asset related to the Company's U.K. defined benefit pension plan. In addition, we recorded a $9.9 million valuation allowance against a tax credit for which we believe we are not likely to receive the benefit in 2016. Excluding these items as well as the impact of the reversal of the contingent liability of $16.6 million that is not taxable, our adjusted effective tax rate was 30.8% for 2016 versus the GAAP reportedresult of a change in geographical earnings and the approximately $33.3 million loss from divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business which had no associated income tax benefit. In 2021, the effective tax rate of 19.1%.

was impacted by a U.S. tax benefit related to foreign taxes paid which was offset by a valuation allowance recorded against the offshore wind energy business structures’ deferred tax assets.

Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests waswere higher in 2017, as2022 compared to 2016,with 2021, primarily due to improved earnings for our majority-owned irrigation businesses.


the new noncontrolling interest not acquired as part of the acquisition of 51% ownership of ConcealFab in the first half of 2022.

Cash Flows from Operations

Our cash flows provided by operations was $145.7were $326.3 million in 2017,fiscal 2022, as compared with $219.2$65.9 million provided by operations in 2016.fiscal 2021. The decreaseincrease in operating cash flow in 2022, as compared with 2021, was primarily due to less favorablethe increase in net earnings and a significant increase in working capital changes drivenlevels during 2021 that did not occur in 2022, partially offset by higher receivables and inventory and higheran increase of approximately $15.2 million in contributions to the Delta Pension Plan in 2017.


Engineered Support Structures (ESS) segment
The increase in sales in 2017, as compared with 2016, was due to improved roadway product sales volumes and communication product line sales volumes. Global lighting and traffic, and roadway product sales in 2017 were higher compared to the same periods in fiscal 2016, primarily due to increased sales volumes in roadway product sales, which is a product line outside of North America. In 2017, as compared to 2016, sales volumes in the U.S. were lower across commercial and transportation markets. The 2015 long-term U.S. highway bill has not yet provided a meaningful uplift for our North America structures business. Sales in Europe were lower in 2017 as the domestic markets in general remain subdued. The increase in sales for global lighting and traffic, and roadway product is also attributed to currency translation effects and the acquisition of Aircon in the third quarter of 2017.
Communication product linedefined benefit pension plan.

Infrastructure Segment

Fifty-three and fifty-two weeks ended

Dollar

 

Infrastructure

    

2022

    

2021

    

Change

    

% Change

Sales, gross of intercompany eliminations:

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Transmission, Distribution, and Substation

1,184.7

935.1

 

249.6

 

26.7

%

Lighting & Transportation

940.5

825.9

 

114.6

 

13.9

%

Coatings

356.7

309.7

 

47.0

 

15.2

%

Telecommunications

320.3

238.5

 

81.8

 

34.3

%

Renewable Energy

126.2

62.9

 

63.3

 

100.6

%

Total

$

2,928.4

$

2,372.1

$

556.3

 

23.5

%

Operating Income

$

354.5

$

273.6

$

80.9

 

29.6

%

Net sales were higher in 2017,2022 by approximately $548.2 million as compared with 2016. Into 2021, primarily driven by higher average selling prices across all product lines, partially offset by $48.7 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation effects year over year. The increase in net sales for North America and Asia-Pacific, communication structure and component sales increased duein 2022 versus 2021 was substantially higher than the increase within international markets, partially attributed to higher demand from the continued network expansion by providers.unfavorable currency translation effects (continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar).

Access systems

27

In the TD&S product line, net sales increased in 2017 were higher than in 2016, due to higher average sales prices and favorable currency translation effects.

Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, and operating income for the segment were lower in 2017,2022, as compared with 2016, due to margin contraction from higher raw material costs that the business was not able to fully recover through higher sales pricing. SG&A spending was lower in 2017, as compared to 2016,2021, due primarily to lower commissions owed on communicationa substantial increase in average selling prices for the steel structures product line sales, reduced incentives due to decreased operating performance, and restructuring costs and activities undertaken in 2016 to reduce the cost structure primarily in the access systems business in Australia.
Utility Support Structures (Utility) segment
In the Utility segment, sales increased in 2017, as compared with 2016, due to improved volumes and higher sales prices due to steel cost increases and a favorable sales mix.line. A number of our sales contracts in North America contain provisions that tie the sales price to published steel index pricing at the time our customer issues their purchase order. ImprovedSales volumes increased modestly in 2022 as compared to 2021.

Lighting and transportation net sales demandincreased in 2022, as compared to 2021 from the realization of customer pricing actions. Sales volumes increased in North America resultedbut decreased within international markets in fiscal year 2022, as compared to fiscal year 2021. Reported international sales decreased in 2022, as compared to 2021, by approximately $32.1 million due to unfavorable foreign currency translation effects.

In the Telecommunications product line, net sales increased in 2022, as compared to 2021, due primarily to higher average selling prices and approximately $26.9 million of net sales volumesattributed to the 2022 acquisition of ConcealFab. Higher sales volume in tons2022 for North America, primarily attributed to the 5G deployments across additional markets, was partially offset by lower sales volume within international markets.

Coatings net sales increased in 2022, as compared to 2021, due to higher average selling prices, adjusted throughout the year to reflect higher average zinc costs and production wage inflation. Sales volume increased modestly in both steelNorth America and concrete utility structures that also contributedinternational markets in 2022, as compared to 2021. Reported international sales for the Coatings product line decreased in 2022, as compared to 2021, by approximately $10.1 million due to unfavorable foreign currency translation effects.

Renewable Energy net sales doubled in 2022, as compared to 2021, almost all attributed to an increase in sales volume.

Gross profit was higher in 2022, as compared to 2021. Contractual customer pricing mechanisms and selling price management led to a large increase in average selling prices while maintaining gross profit margins during the highly inflationary environment. SG&A was higher in 2022, as compared to 2021, due to wage inflation, increased incentives due to improved financial performance, increased travel expense, and SG&A attributed to the recent acquisition. Operating income increased in 2022 due the increase in sales. International utility structuresnet sales decreased in 2017 due to lower volumes.

Offshoremore than offsetting the effects of inflation and other complex structuresincreased expenses in both cost of sales decreasedand to SG&A.

Agriculture Segment

Fifty-three and fifty-two weeks ended

Dollar

 

Agriculture

    

2022

    

2021

    

Change

    

% Change

Sales, gross of intercompany eliminations:

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

North America

766.9

545.6

 

221.3

 

40.6

%

International

579.8

483.1

 

96.7

 

20.0

%

Total

$

1,346.7

$

1,028.7

$

318.0

 

30.9

%

Operating Income

$

179.3

$

137.1

$

42.2

 

30.8

%

Agriculture segment net sales increased in 2017,2022 by approximately $318.2 million as compared to 2016,2021, primarily due to lowermuch higher average selling prices of irrigation equipment globally of approximately 22%. In North America, higher sales volumes that were partially offset by favorable currency translation effects.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales increasedfor irrigation systems and parts in 2017,2022, as compared to 2016,2021, were driven by improved agricultural commodity prices. International irrigation experienced a slightly lower sales volume in 2022, as compared to 2021. Overall lower project sales to Egypt for the year 2022 more than offset the sales volume increases in many foreign markets. Partially offsetting that decrease was a sales volume increase in 2022 versus 2021 due to robust demand for irrigation equipment and agriculture solar products in Brazil. Sales of technology-related products increased $17.2 million as growers continued their adoption of technology to reduce costs and enhance profitability.

28

SG&A was higher in 2022, as compared to 2021, due to higher overall compensation costs and higher incentives due to improved pricingbusiness performance, as well as the incremental SG&A from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in the second quarter of 2021 (including the amortization of identified intangible assets, research and sales mixdevelopment costs, and higherstock-compensation expense). Operating income increased in 2022 over 2021, as improved global sales volumes and pricing more than offset increases in North Americathe cost of sales and improved factory performance forSG&A.

Other

In November 2022, the Company completed the sale of Valmont SM, an offshore wind energy structures business with operations in Denmark. The Company realized an approximate $33.3 million loss on the sale that is recorded in “Other income (expenses)” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. In 2021, the offshore wind energy structures business recognized a pre-tax $27.9 million impairment charge of long-lived assets and other complex structures business.a $5.5 million write-off of an accounts receivable that did not recur in 2022.

Net Corporate Expense

Corporate SG&A expense was higher in 2017, as compared with 2016, due to higher incentive expense due to improved


operations and commission expense attributed to the increased sales volumes. Operating income increased in 2017, as compared with 2016, due to the increased sales volumes and improved pricing and sales mix in North America.
Coatings segment
Coatings segment sales increased in 2017,2022 as compared to 2016, due primarily to increased sales prices to recover higher zinc costs globally. External sales volumes decreased while intercompany volumes increased in North America during 2017. In the Asia-Pacific region, improved demand/volume in Australia along with currency transaction effects led to an increase in sales in 2017 as compared to 2016.
SG&A expense was lower in 2017, as compared to 2016, due to lower compensation costs and no restructuring expense in 2017. Both 2017 and 2016 had non-recurring transactions recognized as reductions in SG&A. A former galvanizing operation in Australia was sold in 2017 allowing for a reversal of an environmental remediation liability of $2.6 million. In 2016, a contingent consideration liability to the former owners of an acquired business was reduced $3.2 million due to changes in estimated earnings over the earn-out period. Operating income was higher in 2017, as compared with 2016, due to lower SG&A expenses.
Irrigation segment
The increase in Irrigation segment net sales in 2017, as compared to 2016, was primarily due to sales volume increases for both domestic and international irrigation and currency translation effects. In North America, when comparing 2017 to 2016, sales volumes increased driven by markets outside the traditional corn-belt. In addition, higher equipment running times due to weather conditions resulted in higher service parts sales. International sales increased in 2017, as compared to 2016, due primarily to volume increases in the Middle East and South America and favorable foreign currency translation effects for Brazil and South Africa.
SG&A was higher in 2017, as compared with 2016.2021. The increase can be attributed to higher incentive and commission costsexpenses due to improved business results, increased product development and promotional expenses, and currency translation effects related to the international irrigation business. Gross profit and operating income for the segment increasedperformance, an increase in 2017 over 2016, primarilystock compensation expense, an increase in compensation expense due to North America and international irrigation sales volumesalary merit increases, and favorable foreign currency translation effects.
Other
Grinding media sales decreased from lower volumes. A decrease in sales volumes was partially offset by higher sales pricing and favorable currency translation effects. Gross profit and operating income were lower in 2017, as compared to 2016, due to lower volumes.
LIFO expense
Steel index prices for both hot rolled coil, plate, and zinc in the U.S. increased at a higher rate in 2017, as compared to 2016, which drove higher LIFO expense.
Net corporate expense
Net corporate expense is similar when comparing 2017 to 2016. Approximately $4 million of increased incentive expense was offset by lower pension expense and better performance of the Company's U.S. medical plan as compared to 2016.

FISCAL 2016 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2015
Overview
The Company's reported net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2016 was impacted by a decrease in net sales ($97.2 million) and restructuring expenses (pre-tax $12.4 million). Reported net earnings for the year ended December 26, 2015 included restructuring expenses (pre-tax $39.9 million) and impairments of goodwill and intangible assets (pre-tax $42.0 million).
On a consolidated basis, the decrease in net sales in 2016, as compared with 2015, reflected lower sales in all reportable segments except for the ESS segment. In fiscal 2016, the Company had 53 weeks of operations while fiscal 2015 and 2014 had 52 weeks of operations. 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 million and additional net earnings of approximately $3 million.
The changes in net sales in 2016, as compared with 2015, was due to the following factors:
 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOther
Sales - 2015$2,618.9
$880.8
$777.7
$255.5
$605.8
$99.1
Volume(13.5)38.2
2.5
(10.0)(29.5)(14.7)
Pricing/mix(60.6)(13.3)(44.4)(4.5)1.2
0.4
Acquisitions5.9


5.9


Currency translation(29.0)(14.6)(0.2)(3.0)(9.5)(1.7)
Sales - 2016$2,521.7
$891.1
$735.6
$243.9
$568.0
$83.1
Volume effects are estimated based on a physical production or sales measure. Since products we sell are not uniform in nature, pricing and mix relate to a combination of changes in sales prices and the attributes of the product sold. Accordingly, pricing and mix changes do not necessarily directly result in operating income changes.

Restructuring Plan

In 2016, we executed a restructuring plan in Australia/New Zealand focused primarily on closing and consolidating locations within the ESS and Coatings segments (the "2016 Plan"). We incurred approximately $7.8 million of restructuring expense consisting of $5.0 million in cost of goods sold and $2.8 million in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense in 2016. The Plan was substantially completed in fiscal 2016.

In April 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a broad restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan") to respond to the market environment in certain of our businesses. During 2016, we incurred approximately $4.6 million of restructuring expense to complete the 2015 Plan consisting of $4.1 million in SG&A expense with the remainder recorded in cost of goods sold.

Inclusive of both the 2016 and 2015 Plans, operating income in 2016 was reduced due to restructuring expense by segment as follows:
 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOtherCorporate
 

      
Full year$(12.4)$(8.3)$(0.5)$(0.9)$(0.5)$
$(2.2)

Goodwill and Trade Name Impairment

The Company recognized a $16.2 million impairment of goodwill on the APAC Coatings reporting unit during fiscal 2015, which represented all of the remaining goodwill on this reporting unit. The goodwill impairment was the result of difficulties in the Australian market over the last couple of years, including a general slowdown in manufacturing. In

addition, the Company also recorded a $1.1 million impairment of the Industrial Galvanizing trade name (in the Coatings segment) and a $5.8 million impairment of the Webforge trade name (in the ESS segment) during 2015. The Company also recognized an $18.8 million goodwill impairment of its Access Systems reporting unit due to continued downward pressure on oil and natural gas prices which in turn reduces the prospects for new oil and gas exploration primarily in Australia and Southeast Asia.

Currency Translation

In 2016, we realized a decrease in operating profit of $1.6 million, as compared with 2015, due to currency translation effects. On average, the U.S. dollar strengthened against most currencies and in particular against the Australian dollar, Brazilian Real, Euro, and South African Rand, resulting in less operating profit in U.S. dollar terms. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:
 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOtherCorporate
 

      
Full year$(1.6)$(1.1)$
$(0.2)$(0.3)$
$

Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income

At a consolidated level, the improvement in gross margin (gross profit as a percent of sales) in 2016, as compared with 2015, was due to restructuring activities undertaken in 2015 and the $17 million Utility segment commercial settlement recognized in 2015. Gross profit increased in 2016, as compared to 2015, for all operating segments except for Coatings and Irrigation. Gross profit decreased for Coatings and Irrigation primarily due to lower volumes and unfavorable currency translation effects. Reduced average selling prices also resulted in a decline in gross profit for the Coatings segment.
The Company incurred $6.8 million of restructuring expense in 2016 within SG&A expense, compared to $18.2 million in 2015. Excluding restructuring expense, the Company saw a decrease in SG&A in 2016 of $65.2 million, as compared with 2015, mainly due to the following factors:
$42.0 million of goodwill and intangible impairments recorded in 2015 which did not recur in 2016;
reduced doubtful account provisions of $11.1 million, principally in the Irrigation segment;
currency translation effects of $4.7 million (lower SG&A) due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar primarily against the Australian dollar, Brazilian real, and South African rand;
reversal of $3.2 million of a contingent consideration liability to the former owners of Pure Metal Galvanizing in 2016; and
reductions due to exiting a business development activity, lower project expenses, reduced discretionary spending, and benefits from restructuring activities undertaken in 2015.

The above reductions were partially offset by the following increases in SG&A expense in 2016 as compared with 2015:

increased incentive expenses due to improved operating performance of $13.6 million;
higher deferred compensation expenses of $1.5 million, which was offset by a decrease of the same amount of other expense; and
increased pension expenses of $2.5 million.

In 2016 as compared to 2015, operating income improved for all operating segments. The increase in operating income is primarily attributable to reduced expenses for restructuring activities and the associated benefits of the restructuring activities, no goodwill or intangible asset impairments in 2016, lower doubtful account provisions, and reduced overall SG&A spending.

Net Interest Expense and Debt
Net interest expense in 2016, as compared to 2015, was consistent due to minimal changes in short and long-term borrowings.


Other Expense

The increase in other income in 2016 is a result of the reversal of a contingent liability provision, approximately $16.6 million, out of "Other noncurrent liabilities." This liability was originally recorded as part of the Delta purchase accounting in 2010 to address a certain contingent liability. The statutes of limitation have expired and we now determine this matter to be remote.

Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rates were 19.1% and 51.0% in 2016 and 2015. Fiscal 2016 includes $30.6 million 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. In addition, in fiscal 2016 we recorded a $9.9 million valuation allowance against a tax credit for which we believe we are not likely to receive the benefit. Excluding these items as well as the impactan increase in rent expense of the reversal of the contingent liability of $16.6 million that is not taxable, our adjusted effective tax rate was 30.8% for 2016. The fiscal 2015 rate is unusually high primarily due to the APAC Coatings and Access Systems goodwill impairments recorded that are not deductible for tax purposes. In addition, U.K. corporate tax rates were collectively reduced from 20% to 18% in 2015. Accordingly, we reduced the value of our deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards and certain timing differences by $7.1$2.7 million with a corresponding increasethe new corporate headquarters lease starting in deferred income tax expense. Excluding these items, our adjusted effective tax rate was 32.0% in fiscal 2015.

Noncontrolling Interests

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest was flat in 2016 as compared to 2015.

Cash Flows from Operations
Cash flows provided by operations were $219.2 million in 2016, as compared with $272.3 million provided by operations in 2015.the second quarter of 2021. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2016, as compared with 2015, was the result of higher net working capital and a reduction in noncurrent liabilities that was partially offset by improved net earnings.

Engineered Support Structures (ESS) segment
The increase in sales in 2016 as compared with 2015 was primarily due to improved volumes in our Asia-Pacific Structures businesses. The volume increase was partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects andthe change in valuation of deferred compensation plan assets which resulted in lower average selling prices mostly attributed to average lower costexpense of steel.
Global lighting and traffic, and roadway product sales$5.5 million in 2016 were higher compared to the same periods in fiscal 2015. Sales volumes in the U.S. were higher in the commercial and OEM markets (steel and aluminum), and modestly lower in the transportation markets. We expect the 2015 long-term U.S. highway bill to provide an uplift to the transportation market demand sometime in 2017. Sales in Canada decreased in 20162022, as compared to 2015, from lower volumes due to less large projects and unfavorable currency translation. Sales2021. The change in Europe were lowerdeferred compensation plan assets is offset by the same amount in 2016 compared to 2015, due to unfavorable currency translation effects and lower volumes primarily related to a large project in the Middle East in 2015. The domestic markets in general remain subdued in Europe, as economic conditions have curtailed infrastructure investment. In the Asia-Pacific ("APAC") region,other income/expenses.

FISCAL 2021 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2020

Infrastructure Segment

Net sales were higher in 2016,2021 by approximately $226.3 million as compared to 2015,2020, primarily driven by higher average selling prices across all product lines, as well as $33.3 million of favorable foreign currency translation effects year over year.

In the TD&S product line, net sales increased approximately $139.4 million in 2021, as compared with 2020, due primarily to improved investment activityan increase in Australia and overall market growth in India. Roadway product sales decreased in 2016 due to lower volumes and unfavorable currency translation effects.

Communication product line sales were lower in 2016, as compared with 2015. North America communication structure and component sales decreased, due to lower market demand. In China, sales of wireless communication structures in 2016 increased over the same period in 2015 as the investment levels by the major wireless carriers have remained strong and we have increased our market share through better sales coverage. In Australia, sales for wireless communication structures improved in 2016 due to higher demand from the national broadband network build out.
Access systems product line sales in 2016 were lower when compared to 2015. The sales decrease was primarily due to the negative impact of currency translation effects and lower sales prices in Asia. The decrease in sales price is primarily related to fewer oil and gas related construction projects in the APAC region.

Operating income was higher for the segment in 2016, as compared to 2015, primarily due to goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2015 associated with the Access Systems reporting unit totaling $24.6 million. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, for the segment were higher in 2016, as compared with 2015, due to margin expansion from lower average raw material costs, growth in the Asia-Pacific telecommunication business, and lower costs resulting from the 2015 restructuring activities. These increases were partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects and lower sales volumes in Europe and the North American wireless communication businesses. Favorable LIFO inventory valuation reserve adjustments were approximately $4 million lower in 2016 as compared to 2015. SG&A spending in 2016 decreased over the same period in 2015 due primarily to goodwill and trade name impairment charges in 2015 associated with the Access Systems reporting unit, partially offset by increased commissions owed on the higher telecommunication sales in the Asia-Pacific region and higher compensation costs.
Utility Support Structures (Utility) segment
In the Utility segment, sales decreased in 2016 as compared with 2015, due mainly to decreased average selling prices tied to the lower cost of steel and lower international sales volumes. Declining cost of steel during the second half of 2015 and first quarter of 2016 contributed to lower average selling prices for the first three quarterssteel structures product line, reflecting the significant inflation seen in the cost of 2016.steel during 2021. A number of our sales contracts in North America contain provisions that tie the sales price to published steel index pricing at the time our customer issues their purchase order.
In North America,

Lighting and transportation net sales volumesincreased by approximately $28.6 million in tons for steel utility structures were higher in 2016, as compared with 2015, while concrete sales volumes in tons decreased during 2016. International utility structures sales volumes were lower in 20162021, as compared to 2015.

Offshore and other complex structures sales increased in 2016 as compared to 2015. The increase can be attributed to volume improvements primarily in the wind tower product line. Oil and gas product activity continues to be slow due to low oil prices that caused some previously planned projects to be postponed.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales improved in 2016, as compared to 2015, due to a number of actions taken in 2015 to improve our cost structure and operational efficiency in this segment, including certain restructuring activities involving facility closures. In addition, the segment recorded a $17.0 million reserve in the fourth quarter of 2015 for a commercial settlement with a large customer that requires ongoing quality monitoring. SG&A expense was lower in 2016, as compared with 2015, primarily due to the benefits realized from the 2015 restructuring activities. Operating income increased in 2016, as compared with 2015, primarily due to lower restructuring costs and the related improved cost structure realized in 2016 and the commercial settlement recorded in 2015.
Coatings segment
Coatings segment sales2020. Sales volumes slightly decreased in North America decreasedas declines in 2016, as compared with 2015, due to lower volumes and less favorable sales pricing mostly due to mix. The decrease was partially offset bywithin the acquisition of American Galvanizing that accounted for $5.9 million of sales. Coatings sales in the Asia-Pacific region were lower in 2016 due to reduced volumes, lower pricing and sales mix, and unfavorable currency translation effects primarily related to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar and Malaysian Ringgit.
SG&A expense was lower in 2016, as compared to 2015, due to $17.3 million of goodwill and trade name impairment charges recorded in 2015 associated with the APAC Coatings reporting unit. In addition, the contingent consideration liability to the former owners of Pure Metal Galvanizing (PMG), payable in calendar 2018, was reduced in 2016 by $3.2 million, due to changes in the estimated earnings over the earn out period. The decrease was partially offset by the SG&A of American Galvanizing, acquired in the fourth quarter of 2015. Operating income was higher in 2016, as compared with 2015, due primarily to the impairment charges in 2015 not recurring in 2016, the reduction in the PMG contingent consideration liability in 2016, and income from the American Galvanizing acquisition. These increases were partially offset by reduced volumes in North America and Asia Pacific and less favorable sales mix.    
Irrigation segment
The decrease in Irrigation segment net sales in 2016, as compared with 2015, was mainly due to sales volume decreases in North America for both the irrigation and tubing businesses and unfavorable currency translation effects for our international irrigation business. Volume increases for international irrigation partially offset the decrease. In fiscal 2016, net farm income in the United States is expected to decrease 17.2% from the levels of 2015, due in part to lower market prices for corn and soybeans. The 2016 estimate represents the third consecutive year of a decrease in estimated net farm income. We believe this reduction contributed to lower demand for irrigation machines in North America in 2016 as compared with

2015. In internationaltransportation markets sales volumes increased in 2016 over 2015 due to volume improvements in all regions except for Australia and China. The volume improvements were partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects of $9.5 million primarily related to the South African rand and Brazilian real.
SG&A was lower in 2016 as compared with 2015, and is primarily attributed to approximately $10.5 million of lower provisions for uncollected international receivables. In 2015, the Company recorded a provision of approximately $8.0 million primarily related to delinquent receivables with a Chinese municipal entity. In addition, currency translation and lower overall discretionary spending contributed to lower SG&A. The decreases were partially offset by increased compensationhigher average selling pricing year over year. Sales increased within international markets in fiscal year 2021, as compared to fiscal year 2020, due to favorable foreign currency translation effects of approximately $24 million, slightly higher average selling prices, and incentive expensesslightly lower sales volumes.

In the Telecommunication product line, net sales increased by approximately $52.3 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to improved international irrigation operations. Operating income for the segment improvedhigher net sales in 2016 over 2015,North America, as communication product sales volumes increased due to lower provisions for uncollectedstrong demand from 5G and other connectivity initiatives and an increase in average selling prices. Communication product line sales within international receivables and lower discretionary spending, partially offset by lower volumes and a higher LIFO inventory reservemarkets increased modestly in 2021 mostly attributed to an increase in volume.

Coatings net sales increased approximately $29.5 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to higher steelaverage selling prices and favorable foreign currency translation. In North America, higher average selling prices helped to counteract the higher cost of zinc that incurred throughout the year. North America continued to see decreased industrial production attributed largely to the economic impacts from COVID-19, but not to the severity of 2020. In Asia-Pacific region, sales volumes improved in 2016.all regions, primarily due to sales pricing increases, higher volumes, and favorable foreign currency translation.

Other

29

Grinding media

In the Renewable Energy product line, net sales were downdecreased approximately $23.5 million in 20162021, as compared to 2015,2020, due to a decrease in sales volumes attributed to less large projects.

Gross profit was higher by approximately $38.7 million in 2021, as compared to 2020. Contractual customer pricing mechanisms along with selling price management led to a large increase in average selling prices which more than offset the higher costs of goods sold. The increase in sales volume for Telecommunications product line also contributed to the increase in gross profit. SG&A was lower in 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily due to lower volumesrecording a partial goodwill and unfavorable currency translation effects. The volume decreases are primarily relatedtradename impairment for the Access Systems business of $16.6 million during 2020 and other restructuring costs recognized in 2020 that did not recur in 2021. Operating income increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due the continued slowdownincrease in net sales and the Australia mining sector. Gross profit and operating income improveddecrease in SG&A.

Agriculture Segment

Agriculture segment net sales increased in 2021 by approximately $377.0 million, as compared to 2020, primarily due to an improvedhigher sales mix.

LIFO expense
Steel index prices for both hot rolled coil and platevolumes in the U.S.almost all markets, as well as higher average selling prices. Net sales also increased in 2016 whereas they declined significantly in 2015. As a result, the Company had LIFO benefit in 2015 but LIFO expense recognized in 2016.
Net corporate expense
Net corporate expense in 2016 decreased compared to 2015. The decrease was mainlyslightly due to the following:
lower restructuring expensescontinuing increase in sales of $4.5 million;
lowertechnology-related products and services, strengthened by our acquisitions of Prospera and PivoTrac that occurred in 2021. The sales increase for International irrigation of $215.7 million was primarily due to deliveries on the multi-year Egypt project and higher sales volumes in Brazil. In North America, higher sales volumes for irrigation systems and parts were driven by improved agricultural commodity prices. Average selling prices for the North American tubular product line were up substantially in 2021, versus 2020, to reflect the inflation seen in the cost of steel during 2021.

SG&A was higher in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to approximately $20.0 million of SG&A from the acquisitions of Prospera and PivoTrac, higher compensation expensescosts, and higher incentives due to improved business performance. These increases were somewhat offset by one-time costs associated with the early retirement program incurred in 2020. Operating income increased in 2021 over 2020, as improved global sales volumes and pricing more than offset increases in the cost of $3.8 millionsteel.

Other

The net sales for the offshore wind energy structures business in 2021 was comparable 2020. Gross profit decreased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to lower employment levels; and

reduced discretionary spending.

The above decreases were partially offset by approximately $7.7the $21.4 million impairment of long-lived assets. SG&A expense was higher in 2021, as compared with 2020, primarily due to $6.5 million of higher incentive costsimpairments of intangible assets and a $5.5 million write-off of an accounts receivable. Operating income decreased in 20162021 primarily due to improved operations, $2.5the $27.9 million impairment of higher pension expenselong-lived assets for the Delta Pension Plan, and increased deferred compensation expenses of $1.5 million, which was offset by the same amount of other expense.     
offshore wind energy structures business.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows
Working Capital and Operating Cash Flows-Net working capital was $1,069.6 million at December 30, 2017, as compared with $903.4 million at December 31, 2016. The increase in net working capital in 2017 mainly resulted from higher cash balances, along with higher receivables and inventory due to improved sales, higher costs of materials, and additional inventory on-hand to support sales growth and higher year-end backlogs. Operating cash flow was $145.7 million in 2017, as compared with $219.2 million in 2016 and $272.3 million in 2015. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2017, as compared to 2016, was due to less favorable working capital changes driven by higher receivables and inventory and higher contributions to the Delta Pension Plan in 2017. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2016, as compared to 2015, was due to less favorable working capital changes including receivables, accrued expenses primarily due to a reduced warranty accrual, and other noncurrent liabilities due to the reversal of a contingent liability related to the Delta acquisition. The decreases were partially offset by higher net earnings and a lower pension contribution in 2016 as compared to 2015.
Investing Cash Flows-Capital spending in fiscal 2017 was $55.3 million, as compared with $57.9 million in fiscal 2016 and $45.5 million in fiscal 2015. Capital spending projects in 2017 included investments in machinery and equipment across all businesses. We expect our capital spending for the 2018 fiscal year to be approximately $70 million. Investing cash flows included $5.4 million paid for Aircon in 2017 and $12.8 million paid for American Galvanizing in 2015.

Financing Cash Flows-Our total interest‑bearing debt decreased to $755.0 million at December 30, 2017, from $756.4 million at December 31, 2016. During 2016 and 2015, we acquired approximately 0.4 million shares and 1.4 million shares for approximately $53.8 million and $169.0 million, respectively, under the share repurchase program. No shares were repurchased in 2017.

Capital Allocation Philosophy

We have historically funded our growth, capital spending, and acquisitions through a combination of operating cash flows and debt financing. On May 13, 2014, our Board of Directors approved and publicly announced aThe following are the capital allocation philosophy with the following allocation/priorities for cash generated:

working capital and capital expenditure investments necessary for future sales growth;
dividends on common stock generally in the range of 20% of the prior year’s fully diluted net earnings;
acquisitions; and
return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases.
working capital and capital expenditure investments necessary for future sales growth;
dividends on common stock in the range of 15% of the prior year's fully diluted net earnings;
acquisitions; and
return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases.

We also announced our intention to manage our capital structure to maintain our investment grade debt rating. Our most recent ratings were Baa3 by Moody'sMoody’s Investors Services, Inc., BBB- by Fitch Ratings, and BBB+ by Standard and Poor'sPoor’s Rating Services. We would be willing to allow our debt rating to fall to Baa3 or BBB- to finance a special acquisition or other

30

opportunity. We expect to maintain a ratio of debt to invested capital which will support our current investment grade debt rating.

The Board of Directors in May 2014 authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company'sCompany’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, theThe Board of Directors authorized an additional $250 million of share purchases, without an expiration date.date in both February 2015 and again in October 2018. The purchases will beare funded from available working capital and short-term borrowings and will be made subject to market and economic conditions. We are not obligated to make any repurchases and may discontinue the program at any time. As of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we have acquired approximately 4.66.6 million shares for approximately $617.8$918.6 million under thesethis share repurchase programs.

program. Subsequent to year end, on February 27, 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount remaining under the program by an additional $400 million, with no stated expiration date.

Sources of Financing

Our debt financing at December 30, 201731, 2022 consisted primarily of long‑term debt. During 2014, the Company issued $500 million of new notesdebt and repurchased by partial tender $199.8 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2020 notes.borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Our long‑term debt as of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, principally consistsconsisted of:

$450 million face value ($433.1 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.00% per annum and are due in October 2044.
$305 million face value ($295.0 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.25% per annum and are due in October 2054.
$250.2 million face value ($252.7 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 6.625% per annum and are due in April 2020.
$250 million face value ($248.9 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.00% per annum and are due in October 2044.
$250 million face value ($246.8 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.25% per annum and are due in October 2054.

We are allowed to repurchase the notes subject to the payment of a make-whole premium. All threeBoth tranches of these notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.

On October 18, 2017, we amended and restated our

Our revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto.  thereto, has a maturity date of October 18, 2026. 

The revolving credit facility provides for $600$800 million of committed unsecured revolving credit loans.loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400 million in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200$300 million at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. OurThe Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., along with the Company, are authorized borrowers under the credit facility. The obligations arising under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, PiRod,Valmont Telecommunications, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.


The material amendments to the credit facility, which are set forth in the amended and restated credit agreement, include:
an extension of the maturity date of the credit facility from October 17, 2019 to October 18, 2022;
an increase in the available borrowings in foreign currencies from $200 million to $400 million;
a modification of the definition of "EBITDA" to add-back non-recurring cash and non-cash restructuring costs in an amount that does not exceed $75 million in any trailing twelve month period;
a modification of the leverage ratio permitting it to increase from 3.5X to 3.75X for the four consecutive fiscal quarters after certain material acquisitions; and
updating the credit facility with certain market provisions.

The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our option, either:

(a)LIBORterm SOFR (based on a 1, 2, 31-, 3-, or 6 month6-month interest period, as selected by us)the Company) plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of ourthe Company’s senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor'sPoor’s Rating Services and Moody'sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc.; or
(b)the higher of
(b)    the higher of
the prime lending rate,
the overnight bank rate plus 50 basis points, and
term SOFR (based on a one-month interest period) plus 100 basis points,
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 (inclusive of facility fees),

plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor'sPoor’s Rating Services and Moody'sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc.; or

31

(c)daily simple SOFR plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company’s senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Mood’s Investors Service, Inc.

A commitment fee is also required under the revolving credit facility which accrues at 10 to 25 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured long-term debt published by Standard and Poor'sPoor’s Rating Services and Moody'sMoody’s Investor Services, Inc., on the average daily unused portion of the commitmentcommitments under the revolving credit facility.

Atagreement.

As of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we had no outstanding borrowings of $140.5 million under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 20222026, and contains certaina financial covenantscovenant that may limit our additional borrowing capability under the agreement. AtAs of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we had the ability to borrow $585.2$659.4 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $14.8$0.2 million associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short‑term bank lines of credit totaling $113.4 million; $113.3$125.0 million, of which $119.2 million was unused atas of December 30, 2017.

31, 2022.

Our senior, unsecured notes and revolving credit agreement each contain cross-default provisions which permit the acceleration of our indebtedness to them if we default on other indebtedness that results in, or permits, the acceleration of such other indebtedness.

These

The revolving credit facility requires maintenance of a financial leverage ratio, measured as of the last day of each of our fiscal quarters, of 3.50:1 or less. The leverage ratio is the ratio of: (a) interest-bearing debt agreements contain covenants that require usminus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million); to maintain certain coverage ratios and may limit us with respect to certain business activities, including capital expenditures. These debt agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we did not own the acquired businesses.(b) adjusted EBITDA. The debt agreements also provide a modification of the definition of “EBITDA” to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain specified limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. For 2017, our covenant calculations do not include any estimated EBITDAThe leverage ratio is permitted to increase from acquired businesses.

Our key debt covenants are as follows:
Leverage ratio - Interest-bearing debt is not3.50:1 to exceed 3.50x Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75x Adjusted EBITDA3:75:1 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters after certain material acquisitions)acquisitions.

The revolving credit agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants or credit facilities of this type, including, among others, limitations on us and our subsidiaries with respect to indebtedness, liens, mergers and acquisitions, investments, dispositions of assets, restricted payments, transactions with affiliates and prepayments of indebtedness. The revolving credit agreement also provides for acceleration of the prior four quarters;obligations thereunder and

Interest earned ratio - Adjusted EBITDA over exercise of other enforcement remedies upon the prior four quarters must be at least 2.50x our interest expense over the same period.


Atoccurrence of customary events of default (subject to customary grace periods, as applicable).

As of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we were in compliance with all covenants related to these debt agreements. The key covenant calculations at December 30, 2017 were as follows:

Interest-bearing debt$755,015
Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters351,987
Leverage ratio2.15
  
Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters351,987
Interest expense-last four quarters44,645
Interest earned ratio7.88

The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters is presented underand the columnleverage ratio are in Selected Financial Measures.

Cash Uses

Our principal cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, payments of principal and interest on our debt, payments of taxes, contributions to pension plan, and, if market conditions warrant, occasional investments in, or acquisitions of, business ventures. In addition, we regularly evaluate our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock, all consistent with the terms of our debt agreements.

Cash requirements for fiscal 20172023 are expected to consist primarily of capital expenditures, Delta pension plan contributions, operating leases, and interest on outstanding debt. The Company also has unconditional purchase commitments that relate to purchase orders for zinc, aluminum, and steel, all of which we plan to use in footnote (b)2023. We believe the quantities under contract are reasonable in light of normal fluctuations in business levels and we expect to use the commodities under contract during the contract period. Total capital expenditures for fiscal 2023 are expected to be approximately $105 to $125 million.

32

The following table "Selected Five-Year Financial Data" in Item 6 - Selected Financial Data.

summarizes current and long-term material cash requirements as of December 31, 2022 (in millions of dollars):

Next 12

Contractual Obligations

    

Total

    

months

    

Thereafter

Long‑term debt

$

899.1

$

1.2

$

897.9

Interest1

 

1,070.3

 

40.4

 

1,029.9

Delta pension plan contributions

 

206.8

 

16.0

 

190.8

Operating leases

 

235.4

 

23.2

 

212.2

Total contractual cash obligations

$

2,411.6

$

80.8

$

2,330.8

1 Interest expense amount assumes that long-term debt will be held to maturity.

Our businesses are cyclical, but we have diversity in our markets from a product, customer, and a geographical standpoint. We have demonstrated the ability to effectively manage through business cycles and maintain liquidity. We have consistently generated operating cash flows in excess of our capital expenditures. Based on our available credit facilities, recent issuance of senior unsecured notes, and our history of positive operational cash flows, we believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs for fiscal 2018year 2023 and beyond.

We previously considered the earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, recorded no related deferred income taxes. Prior to the 2017 Tax Act, we had an excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries, including unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $400 million. While the tax on these foreign earnings imposed by the 2017 Tax Act (“Transition Tax”) resulted in the reduction of the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries, an actual repatriation from our non-U.S. subsidiaries may still be subject to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes.


As a result of the 2017 Tax Act, we have reassessed our position with respect to the approximately $400 million of unremitted foreign earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. We have taken the position that our previously deferred earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries that were subject to the Transition Tax are not indefinitely reinvested. Of our cash balances of $492.8$185.4 million atas of December 29, 2017,31, 2022, approximately $405.0$147.2 million is held in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Consequently, with the change in our position on unremitted foreign earnings, ifIf we distributed our foreign cash balances, certain taxes would be applicable. Therefore,As of December 31, 2022, we have recorded deferred income taxeshad a liability for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $10.4$2.0 million and $1.3$0.9 million, respectively. Our estimates

Cash Flows

Dollars in thousands

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Cash flow data:

Net cash flows from operating activities

$

326,265

$

65,938

$

316,294

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(132,080)

 

(417,308)

 

(104,029)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(181,905)

 

133,500

 

(173,756)

Operating Cash Flows and Working Capital – Cash generated from operating activities totaled $326.3 million in 2022 compared with $65.9 million in 2021. Net working capital was $976.6 million as of December 31, 2022, as compared with $946.9 million as of December 25, 2021. The increase in net working capital in 2022 was attributed to the overall increase in net sales and the overallrelated impact on contract asset and receivables, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and other accrued expenses. Overall working capital was also affected by our use of cash to fund our capital spending and acquisition of ConcealFab as well as our various financing activities.

Investing Cash Flows – Cash used in investing activities totaled $132.1 million in 2022, compared to $417.3 million in 2021. Investing activities in 2022 included capital spending of $93.3 million and the Act may changeacquisition of a controlling ownership investment in ConcealFab for various reasons including, but not limited$39.3 million. In 2021, investing activities primarily included capital spending of $107.8 million and the acquisitions of two businesses within the Agriculture segment for $312.5 million.

Financing Cash Flows – Cash used in financing activities totaled $181.9 million in 2022, compared to changescash provided by financing activities of $133.5 million in our interpretation and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by governing authorities, and tax planning actions we may undertake. We continue to gather additional information to fully account for the Act. Any updates and changes in the estimates will be communicated in future quarterly financial statements.


FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
We have future financial obligations related to (1) payment of principal and interest on2021. Our total interest‑bearing debt (2) Delta pension plan contributions, (3) operating leases and (4) purchase obligations. These obligations atdecreased to $878.0 million as of December 30, 2017 were as follows (in millions of dollars):
Contractual ObligationsTotal 2018 2019-2020 2021-2022 After 2022
Long‑term debt$762.8
 $1.0
 $251.7
 $1.4
 $508.7
Interest856.7
 42.4
 73.7
 51.6
 689.0
Delta pension plan contributions136.4
 1.5
 30.0
 30.0
 74.9
Operating leases99.9
 21.6
 31.5
 19.5
 27.3
Unconditional purchase commitments62.4
 62.4
 
 
 
Total contractual cash obligations$1,918.2
 $128.9
 $386.9
 $102.5
 $1,299.9

Long‑term debt mainly31, 2022, from $965.4 million on December 25, 2021. Financing cash outflows in 2022 primarily consisted of $750.2principal payments of long-term borrowings of $336.4, offset by proceeds from long-term debt borrowings of $254.0 million, principal amountdividends paid of $45.8 million, net payments on short-term agreements of $7.6 million, the purchase of treasury shares of $40.5 million, and the purchase of noncontrolling interests of $7.3 million.

During 2021, the Company had proceeds from long-term debt borrowings of $312.5 million, offset by payments on long-term debt of $91.3 million, dividends paid of $41.4 million, net payments on short-term agreements of $20.2 million, and the purchase of treasury shares of $26.1 million.

33

Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

We are providing the following information in compliance with Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X with respect to our two tranches of senior unsecured notes. At December 30, 2017, we had no outstanding borrowings under our bank revolving credit agreement. Obligations under these agreements may be accelerated in eventAll of non‑compliance with debt covenants. The Delta pension plan contributionsthe senior notes are relatedguaranteed, jointly, severally, fully, and unconditionally (subject to certain customary release provisions, including sale of the current cash funding commitments to the plan with the plan's trustees. The Company prepaid its 2018 contribution to the Delta pension plan in December 2017. Operating leases relate mainly to various production and office facilities and are in the normal coursesubsidiary guarantor, or sale of business.

Unconditional purchase commitments relate to purchase orders for zinc, aluminum and steel,all or substantially all of which we planits assets) by certain of the Company’s current and future direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries (collectively the “Guarantors”). The Parent is the Issuer of the notes and consolidates all Guarantors.

The financial information of Issuer and Guarantors is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between Issuer and Guarantors eliminated. The Issuer’s or Guarantors’ amounts due from, amounts due to, useand transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries are separately disclosed.

Combined financial information is as follows:

Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information

For the three-year period ended December 31, 2022

    

Dollars in thousands

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Net sales

$

2,876,425

$

2,139,427

$

1,854,141

Gross Profit

 

695,211

 

574,128

 

512,880

Operating income

 

268,142

 

208,041

 

180,206

Net earnings

 

167,114

 

120,655

 

106,404

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

 

167,220

 

120,458

 

102,266

Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information

December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021

Dollars in thousands

    

2022

    

2021

Current assets

$

769,263

$

801,797

Noncurrent assets

 

925,088

 

807,294

Current liabilities

 

459,961

 

383,394

Noncurrent liabilities

 

1,189,548

 

1,305,756

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries

 

1,612

 

1,844

Included in 2018,noncurrent assets is a due from non-guarantor subsidiaries receivable of $205,424 and certain capital investments planned$93,613 at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021. Included in noncurrent liabilities is a due to non-guarantor subsidiaries payable of $200,522 and $236,577 at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021.

34

Selected Financial Measures

We are including the following financial measures for 2018. We believe the quantities under contractCompany.

Return on Invested Capital is a non-GAAP measure. Accordingly, Invested Capital and Return on Invested Capital should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The table below shows how Invested Capital and Return on Invested Capital are reasonablecalculated from our income statement and balance sheet. Return on Invested Capital is calculated as Operating Income (after-tax) divided by the average of beginning and ending Invested Capital. Invested Capital represents total assets minus total liabilities (excluding interest-bearing debt). Return on Invested Capital is one of our key operating ratios, as it allows investors to analyze our operating performance in light of normal fluctuationsthe amount of investment required to generate our operating profit. Return on Invested Capital is also a measurement used to determine management incentives.

Dollars in thousands

    

2022

2021

2020

Operating income

$

433,249

$

286,785

$

225,953

Adjusted effective tax rate1

 

27.7

%  

 

23.6

%  

 

24.2

%

Tax effect on operating income

 

(119,872)

 

(67,681)

 

(54,681)

After-tax operating income

$

313,377

$

219,104

$

171,272

Average invested capital

$

2,437,232

$

2,176,577

$

1,975,693

Return on invested capital

 

12.9

%  

 

10.1

%  

 

8.7

%

Total assets

$

3,556,996

$

3,447,249

$

2,953,160

Less: Accounts payable

 

(360,312)

 

(347,841)

 

(268,099)

Less: Accrued expenses

 

(248,320)

 

(253,330)

 

(227,735)

Less: Income Tax Payable

 

(3,664)

 

 

Less: Defined benefit pension asset

(24,216)

Less: Defined benefit pension liability

 

 

(536)

 

(118,523)

Less: Deferred compensation

 

(30,316)

 

(35,373)

 

(44,519)

Less: Other noncurrent liabilities

 

(13,480)

 

(89,207)

 

(58,657)

Less: Dividends payable

 

(11,742)

 

(10,616)

 

(9,556)

Less: Lease liability

 

(155,469)

 

(147,759)

 

(80,202)

Less: Contract liability

 

(172,915)

 

(135,746)

 

(130,018)

Less: Deferred tax liability

 

(41,091)

 

(47,849)

 

(41,689)

Total Invested capital

$

2,495,471

$

2,378,992

$

1,974,162

Beginning of year invested capital

$

2,378,992

$

1,974,162

$

1,977,223

Average invested capital

$

2,437,232

$

2,176,577

$

1,975,693

1 The adjusted effective tax rate for 2022 excludes the effects of the $33,273 loss from the divestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business which is not deductible for income tax purposes. The effective tax rate including the loss on the divestiture is 29.9%. The adjusted effective tax rate for 2020 excludes the effects of the $12,575 goodwill impairment which is not deductible for income tax purposes. The effective tax rate in business levels2020 including the impairments is 25.7%.

Return on invested capital, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

35

Adjusted EBITDA. Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is one of our key financial ratios in that it is the basis for determining our maximum borrowing capacity at any one time. Our bank credit agreements contain a financial covenant that our total interest-bearing debt not exceed 3.50x Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75x Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions) for the most recent four quarters. These bank credit agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we expectdid not own the acquired businesses. The bank credit agreements also provide for an adjustment to use the commodities under contract during the contract period.

At December 30, 2017, we had approximately $23.5 million of various long‑term liabilities relatedEBITDA, subject to certain specified limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. If this financial covenant is violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income tax, environmental,or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

Dollars in thousands

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Net cash flows from operations

$

326,265

$

65,938

$

316,294

Interest expense

 

47,534

 

42,612

 

41,075

Income tax expense

 

108,687

 

61,414

 

49,615

Loss on investment

(39)

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

(27,911)

 

(20,389)

Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

 

(33,273)

 

 

Deferred income tax (expense) benefit

 

1,225

 

(71)

 

1,397

Noncontrolling interest

 

(3,388)

 

(2,095)

 

(1,456)

Pension plan expense

 

10,087

 

14,567

 

7,311

Contribution to pension plan

 

17,155

 

1,924

 

35,399

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

 

72,996

 

264,558

 

(98,994)

Other

 

(1,187)

 

17

 

(1,064)

EBITDA

 

546,101

 

420,953

 

329,149

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

27,911

 

20,389

Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

 

33,273

 

 

Cash restructuring expenses

18,955

Adjusted EBITDA

$

579,374

$

448,864

$

368,493

    

2022

    

2021

    

20201

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

$

250,863

$

195,630

$

140,693

Interest expense

 

47,534

 

42,612

 

41,075

Income tax expense

 

108,687

 

61,414

 

49,615

Stock based compensation

 

41,850

 

28,720

 

14,874

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

97,167

 

92,577

 

82,892

EBITDA

 

546,101

 

420,953

 

329,149

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

27,911

 

20,389

Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

 

33,273

 

 

Cash restructuring expenses

18,955

Adjusted EBITDA

$

579,374

$

448,864

$

368,493

1 Calculated in accordance with the terms of the credit facility as in effect on December 25, 2021.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other matters. These itemscompanies. In October 2021, our revolving credit facility was amended to allow the Company to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature.

36

Leverage Ratio. Leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not scheduled above because we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as toexceeding $500 million); divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The leverage ratio is one of the timing of any potential payments.


OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We have operating lease obligations to unaffiliated parties on leases of certain production and office facilities and equipment. These leases arekey financial ratios in the normal coursecovenants under our major debt agreements and the ratio cannot exceed 3.5 (or 3.75x after certain material acquisitions) for any reporting period (four quarters). If those covenants are violated, we may incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of business and generally contain no substantial obligations for us atour operating performance or liquidity.

The calculation of this ratio is as follows:

Dollars in thousands

    

2022

    

2021

    

20201

Interest-bearing debt

$

877,975

$

965,395

$

766,326

Less: Cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50 million

 

135,406

 

127,232

 

350,726

Net indebtedness

 

742,569

 

838,163

 

415,600

Adjusted EBITDA

 

579,374

 

448,864

 

368,493

Leverage Ratio

 

1.28

 

1.87

 

1.13

Leverage ratio, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

1 Calculated in accordance with the endterms of the lease contracts. We also maintain standby letters of credit for contract performancefacility as in effect on certain sales contracts.

December 25, 2021.

MARKET RISK

Changes in Prices

Certain key materials we use are commodities traded in worldwide markets and are subject to fluctuations in price. The most significant materials are steel, aluminum, zinc, and natural gas. Over the last several years, prices for these commodities have been volatile. The volatility in these prices was due to such factors as fluctuations in supply and demand conditions, government tariffs and the costs of steel‑making inputs. Steel is most significant for our utility support structures segmentTD&S product line where the cost of steel has been approximately 50% of the net sales, on average. In 2018, we began using steel hot rolled coil derivative contracts on a limited basis to mitigate the impact of rising steel prices on operating income. Assuming a similar sales mix, a hypothetical 20% change in the price of steel would have affected our net sales from our utility support structures segmentin this product line by approximately $66$95 million for the year ended December 30, 2017.

31, 2022.

We have also experienced volatility in natural gas prices in the past several years. Our main strategies in managing these risks are a combination of fixed price purchase contracts with our vendors to reduce the volatility in our purchase prices and sales price increases where possible. We use natural gas swap contracts on a limited basis to mitigate the impact of rising gas prices on our operating income.

Risk Management

Market Risk—The principal market risks affecting us are exposure to interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and natural gas. We normally do not usecommodity prices. At times, we utilize derivative financial instruments to hedge these exposures, (except as described below), norbut we do wenot use derivatives for trading purposes.

Interest Rates—Our interest‑bearing debt at December 30, 201731, 2022 was mostlyprimarily fixed rate debt.debt and borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Our notes payable, revolving credit facility, and a small portion of our long-term debt accrue interest at a variable rate. Assuming average interest rates and borrowings on variable rate debt, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have affected our interest expense in 20172022 and 20162021 by approximately $0.1 million.$0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Likewise, we have excess cash balances on deposit in interest‑bearing accounts in financial institutions. An increase or decrease in interest rates of ten basis points would have impacted our annual interest earnings in 2017 and 2016 by approximately $0.4$0.2 million in both 2022 and $0.3 million, respectively.2021.

37

Foreign Exchange—Exposures to transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency are not material and, therefore, the potential exchange losses in future earnings, fair value, and cash flows from these transactions are not material. The Company is also exposed to investment risk related to foreign operations. From time to time, as market conditions indicate, we will enter into foreign currency contracts to manage the risks associated with anticipated future transactions, and current balance sheet positions, and foreign subsidiary investments that are in currencies other than the functional currencies of our operations.businesses. At December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the Company had two open foreignone outstanding fixed-for-fixed cross currency


forward contracts that both qualified as net investment hedges. The purpose of the net investment hedges is to mitigate foreign currency risk swap (“CCS”), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of our foreign subsidiary investmentsits 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Euro denominated payments. The CCS was entered into in the grinding media business that are denominated in British pounds and Australian dollars. The divestiture of our grinding media business is currently pending Australia regulatory approval. The forward contracts have a maturity date of January 2018 and a notional amount to sell British pounds and Australian dollars and receive $24.1 million and $21.2 million, respectively. The unrealized loss recorded at December 30, 2017 is $0.8 million and is included in Accounts Payable and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At December 31, 2016, the Company had certain open foreign currency forward contracts, the most significant of which was a one-year foreign currency forward contract which qualified as a net investment hedge,2019 in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on a portion of our foreign subsidiarythe Company’s Euro investments denominated in British pounds.and to reduce interest expense. The notional amount of this forward contract to sell British pounds was $44.0the Euro CCS is $80.0 million and the contract was settledmatures in May 2017. At December 26, 2015,2024. In 2019, the Company hadentered into a number of open foreign currency forward contracts, including one related to thefixed-for-fixed CCS, swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on an intercompany note between two entities with two different functional currencies.a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish krone (“DKK”) denominated payments. The notional amount of this forward contract to sell Australian dollars was $36.6 million and the contract wasDKK CCS, which qualified as net investment hedges, were settled in January 2016.2022 with the Company receiving $3.5 million. Much of our cash in non-U.S. entities is denominated in foreign currencies, where fluctuations in exchange rates will impact our cash balances in U.S. dollar terms. A hypothetical 10% change in the value of the U.S. dollar would impact our reported cash balance by approximately $37.2$11.2 million in 20172022 and $28.7$13.6 million in 2016.
2021.

We manage our investment risk in foreign operations by borrowing in the functional currencies of the foreign entities or by utilizing hedging instruments (as discussed above) where appropriate. The following table indicates the change in the recorded value of our most significant investments at year-end assuming a hypothetical 10% change in the value of the U.S. Dollar.

 2017 2016
 (in millions)
Australian dollar$25.5
 $20.4
Chinese renminbi14.0
 12.3
Danish krone9.2
 10.9
U.K. pound9.5
 9.6
Euro10.7
 5.4
Canadian dollar5.7
 5.9
Brazilian real3.1
 3.4
dollar.

    

2022

    

2021

 

(in millions)

Australian dollar

$

4.3

$

11.6

Euro

 

8.6

 

8.6

Danish krone

 

 

2.4

Chinese renminbi

 

6.0

 

6.2

Canadian dollar

 

3.8

 

3.6

U.K. pound

 

17.5

 

16.8

Brazilian real

 

11.8

 

4.5

Commodity risk—Steel hot rolled coil is a significant commodity input used by each of our segments in the manufacture of our products, with the exception of the Coatings product line. Steel prices are volatile and we may utilize derivative instruments to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price orders. In 2021 and 2022, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil forward contracts which qualified as a cash flow hedge of the variability in the cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. As of December 31, 2022, we had open forward contracts with a notional amount of $9.8 million for the total purchase of 10,300 short tons from January 2023 to March 2023.

Natural gas is a significant commodity used in our factories, especially in our Coatings segmentproduct line galvanizing operations, where natural gas is used to heat tanks that enable the hot-dipped galvanizing process. Natural gas prices are volatile and we mitigate some of this volatility through the use of derivative commodity instruments. Our current policy is to manage this commodity price risk for 0-50%0 to 75% of our U.S. natural gas requirements for the upcoming 6-126 to 18 months through the purchase of natural gas swaps based on NYMEX futures prices for delivery in the month being hedged. The objective of this policy is to mitigate the impact on our earnings of sudden, significant increases in the price of natural gas. AtAs of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we have open natural gas swaps with a notional value of $7.0 million for 80,0001,230,000 MMBtu.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The following accounting policies involve judgments and estimates used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements. There is a substantial amount of management judgment used in preparing financial statements. We must make estimates on a number of items, such as provisions for bad debts, warranties, contingencies, impairments of long-lived assets, income taxes, revenue recognition for the product lines recognized over time, inventory obsolescence, and inventory obsolescence.pension benefits. We base our estimates on our experience and on other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Further, we re-evaluate our

38

estimates from time to time and as circumstances change. Actual results may differ under different assumptions or conditions. The selection and application of our critical accounting policies are discussed annually with our audit committee.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
In determining an allowance for accounts receivable that will not ultimately be collected in full, we consider:

age of the accounts receivable
customer credit history
customer financial information
reasons for non-payment (product, service or billing issues).
If our customer's financial condition was to deteriorate, resulting in an impaired ability to make payment, additional allowances may be required. 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. Receivables that are not reasonably expected to be realized in cash within the next twelve months are classified as long-term receivables within other assets. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts related to both current and long-term accounts receivables is $9.8 million at December 30, 2017.
Warranties
All of our businesses must meet certain product quality and performance criteria. We rely on historical product claims data to estimate the cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. In determining the accrual for the estimated cost of warranty claims, we consider our experience with:
costs to correct the product problem in the field, including labor costs
costs for replacement parts
other direct costs associated with warranty claims
the number of product units subject to warranty claims
In addition to known claims or warranty issues, we estimate future claims on recent sales. The key assumptions in our estimates are the rates we apply to those recent sales (which is based on historical claims experience) and our expected future warranty costs for products that are covered under warranty for an extended period of time. Our provision for various product warranties was approximately $20.1 million at December 30, 2017. If our estimate changed by 50%, the impact on operating income would be approximately $10.1 million. If our cost to repair a product or the number of products subject to warranty claims is greater than we estimated, then we would have to increase our accrued cost for warranty claims.
Inventories
We use the last-in first-out (LIFO) method to determine the value of approximately 37% of our inventory. The remaining 63% of our inventory is valued on a first-in first-out (FIFO) basis. In periods of rising costs to produce inventory, the LIFO method will result in lower profits than FIFO, because higher more recent costs are recorded to cost of goods sold than under the FIFO method. Conversely, in periods of falling costs to produce inventory, the LIFO method will result in higher profits than the FIFO method.
In 2017 and 2016, we experienced higher average costs to produce inventory than in the prior year, due mainly to higher cost for steel and steel-related products. This resulted in higher costs of goods sold of approximately $5.7 million in 2017 and $3.0 million in 2016, than if our entire inventory had been valued on the FIFO method. In 2015, we experienced lower costs to produce inventory than in the prior year, due mainly to lower cost for steel and steel‑related products. This resulted in lower cost of goods sold (and higher operating income) of approximately $12.0 million in 2015, than had our entire inventory been valued on the FIFO method.
We write down slow-moving and obsolete inventory by the difference between the value of the inventory and our estimate of the reduced value based on potential future uses, the likelihood that overstocked inventory will be sold and the expected selling prices of the inventory. If our ability to realize value on slow-moving or obsolete inventory is less favorable than assumed, additional inventory write downs may be required.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Our long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant, and equipment, right-of-use (lease) assets, and goodwill and intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions. We have assigned useful lives to our property, plant, and equipment and certain intangible assets ranging from 3 to 40 years. In 2015, we 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. We had the fixed assets valued by an appraisal firm and recognized anA pre-tax $27.9 million impairment of approximately $4.1 million. Other impairment losses were recordedthe long-lived assets (customer relationship intangible asset, trade name, and property, plant, and equipment) was recognized in 2015 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with our restructuring plans.

fiscal year 2021.

We identified thirteen reporting units for purposes of evaluating goodwill and we annually evaluate our reporting units for goodwill impairment during the third fiscal quarter, which usually coincides with our strategic planning process. We assessFor twelve of the reporting units, we estimate the value of ourthe reporting units using after-tax cash flows from operations (less capital expenses) discounted to present value and as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)("discounted cash flows"). The key assumptions in the discounted cash flow analysis are the discount rate and the projected cash flows. We also use sensitivity analysis to determine the impact of changes in discount rates and cash flow forecasts on the valuation of the reporting units. As allowed for under current accounting standards,For our solar tracking structure reporting unit, we rely on our previous valuationsproject meaningful annual revenue growth for the foreseeable future due to strong market conditions. Therefore, we valued this reporting unit using a blend of both the discounted cash flows and a market approach. The market valuation approach estimates the value for this reporting unit using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”). We analyze EBITDA multiples for other industrial companies with similar product lines in determining what to use in the model. The key assumption in the market approach analysis is the selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA.

For both the 2022 and 2021 annual impairment testing provided that the following criteria for each reporting unit are met: (1) the assets and liabilities that make up the reporting unit have not changed significantly since the most recent fair value determination and (2) the most recent fair value determination resulted in an amount that exceeded the carrying amount of the reporting unit by a substantial margin.

Our most recent impairment test during the third quarter of 2017 showed thattests, the estimated fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying value, so no goodwill was impaired. Our offshore and other complex steel structuresimpaired in 2022 or 2021. A $12.6 million impairment of our access systems reporting unit with $14.8 millionwas recognized as a result of goodwill, is the reporting unit that did not have a substantial excess of estimated fair value over its carrying value. The 2017 model assumes continued expansion into other highly engineered steel product offerings, such as utility support structures, where the reporting unit completed profitable projects in the past. We will continue to monitor the outlook for wind energy in Europe which would affect the sales demand assumptions in the five year model for this reporting unit. If demand for off and onshore structures for wind energy declines significantly and oil and natural gas prices do not increase to a level to drive new extraction investment, we will be required to perform an interim impairment test for goodwill. A hypothetical 1% change in the discount rate would increase/decrease the fair value of this reporting unit by approximately $10 million, which approximates the cushion between the estimated fair value and carrying value of this reporting unit.
2020.

If our assumptions on discount rates and future cash flows change as a result of events or circumstances, and we believe these assets may have declined in value, then we may record impairment charges, resulting in lower profits. Our reporting units are all cyclical and their sales and profitability may fluctuate from year to year. The Company continuesWe continue to monitor changes in the global economy that could impact future operating results of its reporting units. If such conditions arise, the Companywe will test a given reporting unit for impairment prior to the annual test. In the evaluation of our reporting units, we look at the long-term prospects for the reporting unit and recognize that current performance may not be the best indicator of future prospects or value, which requires management judgment.

In fiscal 2015, we recognized a $16.2 million 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. We recognized an $18.7 million impairment of goodwill as a result of that test.

Our indefinite‑lived intangible assets consist of trade names. We assess the values of these assets apart from goodwill as part of the annual impairment testing. We use the relief-from-royalty method to evaluate our trade names, under which the value of a trade name is determined based on a royalty that could be charged to a third party for using the trade name in question. The royalty, which is based on a reasonable rate applied against estimated future sales, is tax-effected and discounted to present value. The most significant assumptions in this evaluation include estimated future sales, the royalty rate and the after-tax discount rate. For

We performed our evaluation purposes, the royalty rates used vary between 0.5% and 1.5%annual impairment test of sales and the after-tax discount rate of 13.0% to 16.0%, which we estimate to be the after-tax cost of capital for such assets.

Ourall trade names were tested for impairment in the third quarter of 2017 where we2022 and determined no trade namesnone were impaired. In fiscal 2015, two of our trade names, Webforge (in the ESS segment) and Industrial Galvanizing (in the Coatings segment), were estimated to have a fair value lower than carrying value during the impairment tests. As such, weWe recognized a $5.8 millionan impairment of approximately $2 million of the WebforgeValmont SM trade name during fiscal year 2021.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. We write down slow-moving and a $1.1 million impairmentobsolete inventory by the difference between the value of the Industrial Galvanizing trade name.inventory and our estimate of the reduced value based on potential future uses, the likelihood that overstocked inventory will be sold and the expected selling prices of the inventory. If our ability to realize value on slow-moving or obsolete inventory is less favorable than assumed, additional inventory write downs may be required.


39

Income Taxes

We record valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. We consider future taxable income expectations and tax-planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. If we estimate a deferred tax asset is not likely to be fully realized in the future, a valuation allowance to decrease the amount of the deferred tax asset would decrease net earnings in the period the determination was made. Likewise, if we subsequently determine that we are able to realize all or part of a net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment reducing the valuation allowance would increase net earnings in the period such determination was made.

At December 30, 2017,31, 2022, we had approximately $54.5$67.2 million in deferred tax assets relating to tax credits and loss carryforwards, with a valuation allowance of $27.9$43.4 million, including $2.4$7.1 million in valuation allowances remaining in the Delta entities related to capital loss carryforwards, which are unlikely ever to be realized. If circumstances related to our deferred tax assets change in the future, we may be required to increase or decrease the valuation allowance on these assets, resulting in an increase or decrease in income tax expense and a reduction or increase in net income. For example,Also, we recorded a full $9.9 million valuation allowance against a tax credit asset in fiscal 2016 as we determined it is not more likely than not these credits will be utilized before they expire.

We previously consideredconsider the earnings in our greater than 50% owned non-U.S. subsidiaries to not be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, recorded no relatedwe have a deferred income tax liabilities. The 2017 Tax Act, enacted in December 2017, subjected our unremitted foreign earningsliability of approximately $400 million to tax at certain specified rates. We made a reasonable estimate of the Transition Tax and recorded a provisional transition tax obligation of $9.9 million. However, we are continuing to gather additional information to more precisely compute the amount of the transition tax. In addition, deferred taxes of $11.7$3.0 million related to these unremitted foreign earnings were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 for future taxes that will be incurred when cash is repatriated. This amount is provisional and our estimate and overall impact of the Act may change for various reasons including, but not limited to, changes in our interpretation and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by governing authorities, and tax planning actions we may undertake. We continue to gather additional information to fully account for the 2017 Tax Act and to determine our position with respect to future earnings. Any updates to our position will be communicated in future quarterly financial statements and may result in the recording of additional income tax expense.

We are subject to examination by taxing authorities in the various countries in which we operate. The tax years subject to examination vary by jurisdiction. We regularly consider the likelihood of additional income tax assessments in each of these taxing jurisdictions based on our experiences related to prior audits and our understanding of the facts and circumstances of the related tax issues. We include in current income tax expense any changes to accruals for potential tax deficiencies. If our judgments related to tax deficiencies differ from our actual experience, our income tax expense could increase or decrease in a given fiscal period.

Pension Benefits

Delta Ltd. maintains a defined benefit pension plan for qualifying employees in the United Kingdom. There are no active employees as members in the plan. Independent actuaries assist in properly measuring the liabilities and expenses associated with accounting for pension benefits to eligible employees. In order to use actuarial methods to value the liabilities and expenses, we must make several assumptions. The critical assumptions used to measure pension obligations and expenses are the discount rate and expected rate of return on pension assets.


We evaluate our critical assumptions at least annually. Key assumptions are based on the following factors:

Discount rate is based on the yields available on AA-rated corporate bonds with durational periods similar to that of the pension liabilities.
Expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking into consideration current and expected market conditions. Most of the assets in the pension plan are invested in corporate bonds, the expected return of which are estimated based on the yield available on AA rated corporate bonds. The long-term expected returns on equities are based on historic performance over the long-term.
Inflation is based on the estimated change in the consumer price index (“CPI”) or the retail price index (“RPI”), depending on the relevant plan provisions.
Discount rate is based on the yields available on AA-rated corporate bonds with durational periods similar to that of the pension liabilities.
Expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking into consideration current and expected market conditions. Most of the assets in the pension plan are invested in corporate bonds, the expected return of which are estimated based on the yield available on AA rated corporate bonds. The long-term expected returns on equities are based on historic performance over the long-term.

Inflation is based on the estimated change in the consumer price index (“CPI”) or the retail price index (“RPI”), depending on the relevant plan provisions.
We modified the method used to estimate the interest cost components of the net periodic pension expense in 2017. The new method uses the full yield curve approach to estimate the interest cost by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used to determine the present value of the benefit plan obligations to relevant projected cash outflows for the corresponding year. Prior to 2017, the interest cost components were determined using a single weighted-average discount rate. The change does not affect the measurement of the total benefit plan obligation at year-end as the change in interest cost will be offset by an equivalent but opposite change in the actuarial gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

The discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation was 2.55%4.80% at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. The following tables present the key assumptions used to measurein the measurement of the pension expensebenefit for 20182023 and the estimated impact on 2018 pension expense relative to a change in those assumptions:

assumptions for 2023:

Assumptions

Pension

Assumptions

Discount rate

Pension

4.80

%

Discount rate2.55%

Expected return on plan assets

4.29

4.85

%

Inflation - CPI

2.20

2.35

%

Inflation - RPI

3.15

3.25

%


40

    

Decrease

in Pension

Assumptions In Millions of Dollars

Benefit

0.25% increase in discount rate

$

0.4

0.25% decrease in expected return on plan assets

$

1.3

0.25% increase in inflation

$

1.0

Revenue Recognition

We determine the appropriate revenue recognition for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms, and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. We have no contracts with customers, under any product line, where we could earn variable consideration.

The following provides additional information about our contracts with transmission, distribution, and substation structures (“TD&S”) and certain telecommunication structures customers, where the revenue recognition is over time, the judgments we make in accounting for those contracts, and the resulting amounts recognized in our financial statements.

Accounting for utility structures and telecommunication monopole contracts: TD&S and telecommunication monopole structures are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to us. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. We also have certain telecommunication structures customers’ contracts where we do not have the right to payment for work performed. In those instances, we recognize revenue at a point in time which is time of shipment of the structure.

The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For our steel and concrete utility and wireless communication structure product lines, we recognize revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit. Our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system captures the total costs incurred to-date and the total production hours, both incurred to-date and forecast to complete. The recently divested offshore wind energy structures business also recognized revenue using an inputs method, based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation.

Management must make assumptions and estimates regarding manufacturing labor hours and wages, the usage and cost of materials, and manufacturing burden / overhead recovery rates for each production facility. For our steel, concrete and wireless communication structures, production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Projected profitability on open production orders is reviewed and updated monthly. We elected the practical expedient to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less.

We also have a few TD&S customer orders in a fiscal year that require one to three years to complete, due to the quantity of structures. Burden rates and routed production hours, per structure, will be adjusted if and when actual costs incurred are significantly higher than what had been originally projected. This resets the timing of revenue recognition for future periods so it is better aligned with the new production schedule. For our offshore wind energy structures business prior to its divestiture in 2022, we updated the estimates of total costs to complete each order quarterly. Based on these updates, revenue in the current period may reflect adjustments for amounts that had been previously recognized. During fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, there were no changes to inputs or estimates which resulted in adjustments to revenue for production that occurred prior to the beginning of the year. A provision for loss on the performance obligation is recognized if and when an order is projected to be at a loss, whether or not production has started.

41

Assumptions In Millions of DollarsIncrease
in Pension
Expense
0.25% decrease in discount rate$
0.25% decrease in expected return on plan assets$1.5
0.25% increase in inflation$1.2

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The information required is included under the captioned paragraph, “MARKET RISK” on page 3634 of this report.

42


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholdersshareholders and the Board of Directors of Valmont Industries, Inc.


Opinion on the Financial Statements


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Valmont Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity, for each of the three fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Control — Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2018March 1, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company'sCompany’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.


We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Goodwill — Refer to Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company has goodwill, which is allocated among thirteen reporting units. The Company evaluates its thirteen reporting units for goodwill impairment during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Twelve reporting units are evaluated using after-tax cash flows from operations (less capital expenses) discounted to present value (“discounted cash flows”). The solar tracking structure reporting unit was valued using a blend of both the discounted cash flows and a market approach. The market valuation


44

approach estimates the value for this reporting unit using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The EBITDA multiples are analyzed against other industrial companies with similar product lines. These valuation methods require management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to projected cash flows, selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA, and discount rates.

We identified goodwill for certain reporting units as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions made by management to estimate fair value and the difference between the fair values and the carrying values of certain reporting units as of August 27, 2022. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to certain assumptions within the projected cash flows, selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA, and discount rates.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the goodwill impairment assessment for certain reporting units included the following, among others:

1.We tested the effectiveness of internal controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over the projected cash flows, selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA, and discount rates.
2.We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast cash flows by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.
3.We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s projected cash flows by comparing to (1) historical results, (2) internal communications to management and the Board of Directors, (3) industry reports and (4) information included in Company press releases to analysts and investors.
4.With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the discount rates, by testing the underlying source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management.
5.With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA and tested the underlying source information and mathematical accuracy of the calculations.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

February 28, 2018

March 1, 2023

We have served as the Company'sCompany’s auditor since 1996.

45


Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 2017 2016 2015
Product sales$2,447,219
 $2,255,860
 $2,338,132
Services sales298,748
 265,816
 280,792
Net sales2,745,967
 2,521,676
 2,618,924
Product cost of sales1,860,087
 1,682,355
 1,804,055
Services cost of sales204,112
 183,078
 193,836
Total cost of sales2,064,199
 1,865,433
 1,997,891
Gross profit681,768
 656,243
 621,033
Selling, general and administrative expenses415,336
 412,739
 447,368
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 41,970
Operating income266,432

243,504

131,695
Other income (expenses):     
Interest expense(44,645) (44,409) (44,621)
Interest income4,737
 3,105
 3,296
Other1,940
 18,254
 2,637
 (37,968) (23,050) (38,688)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries228,464
 220,454
 93,007
Income tax expense (benefit):     
Current66,390
 65,748
 42,569
Deferred39,755
 (23,685) 4,858
 106,145
 42,063
 47,427
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries122,319
 178,391
 45,580
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 (247)
Net earnings122,319
 178,391
 45,333
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(6,079) (5,159) (5,216)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$116,240
 $173,232
 $40,117
Earnings per share:

    
Basic$5.16
 $7.68
 $1.72
Diluted$5.11
 $7.63
 $1.71
Cash dividends declared per share$1.500
 $1.500
 $1.500

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Product sales

$

3,955,320

$

3,159,605

$

2,594,855

Services sales

 

389,930

 

341,970

 

300,500

Net sales

 

4,345,250

 

3,501,575

 

2,895,355

Product cost of sales

 

2,958,208

 

2,395,630

 

1,936,024

Services cost of sales

 

260,818

 

222,056

 

193,817

Total cost of sales

 

3,219,026

 

2,617,686

 

2,129,841

Gross profit

 

1,126,224

 

883,889

 

765,514

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

 

692,975

 

590,608

 

522,923

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

 

 

6,496

 

16,638

Operating income

 

433,249

 

286,785

 

225,953

Other income (expenses):

 

 

Interest expense

 

(47,534)

 

(42,612)

 

(41,075)

Interest income

 

2,015

 

1,192

 

2,374

Gain (loss) on investments - unrealized

 

(3,374)

 

1,920

 

2,443

Loss from divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

(33,273)

Other

 

12,805

 

12,798

 

3,073

 

(69,361)

 

(26,702)

 

(33,185)

Earnings before income taxes

 

363,888

 

260,083

 

192,768

Income tax expense:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current

 

109,912

 

61,343

 

51,012

Deferred

 

(1,225)

 

71

 

(1,397)

 

108,687

 

61,414

 

49,615

Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries

 

255,201

 

198,669

 

143,153

Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries

(950)

(944)

(1,004)

Net earnings

 

254,251

 

197,725

 

142,149

Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(3,388)

 

(2,095)

 

(1,456)

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

$

250,863

$

195,630

$

140,693

Earnings per share:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

11.77

$

9.23

$

6.60

Diluted

$

11.62

$

9.10

$

6.57

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

46


Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands)

 2017 2016 2015
Net earnings$122,319
 $178,391
 $45,333
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:     
Foreign currency translation adjustments:     
Unrealized translation gains (losses)79,279
 (58,315) (96,694)
Gain/(loss) on hedging activities:     
Unrealized gain (loss) on net investment hedge, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($880) in 2017 and $2,646 in 2016(1,695) 4,226
 
Amortization cost included in interest expense74
 74
 74
Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings
 
 (3,130)
     Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
 
 2,855
 (1,621) 4,300
 (201)
Actuarial (loss) on defined benefit pension plan, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($501) in 2017, ($25,778) in 2016, and ($10,732) in 2015(10,871) (24,141) (40,274)
Other comprehensive income (loss)66,787
 (78,156) (137,169)
Comprehensive income (loss)189,106
 100,235
 (91,836)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests(5,529) (6,144) (832)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$183,577
 $94,091
 $(92,668)











2022

    

2021

    

2020

Net earnings

$

254,251

$

197,725

$

142,149

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Unrealized translation gains (losses)

(44,741)

(31,405)

21,483

Realized loss on offshore wind energy structures business recorded in other expense

25,977

$

(18,764)

$

(31,405)

$

21,483

Gain (loss) on hedging activities:

 

Commodity hedges

 

(2,352)

 

20,019

 

Realized (gain) loss on commodity hedges recorded in earnings

 

5,212

 

(25,821)

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on cross currency swaps

5,146

6,093

(5,751)

Unrealized gain on net investment hedges, net of tax expense of $2,428 in 2020

7,289

Realized (gain) on offshore wind energy structures business cross currency swap, net of tax expense of $1,207 in 2022

(3,620)

Cash flow hedges

 

 

 

1,598

Realized gain on cash flow hedges recorded in earnings

(1,598)

Amortization cost included in interest expense

 

(64)

 

(64)

 

(64)

4,322

227

1,474

Net gain (loss) on defined benefit pension plan, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(606) in 2022, $25,736 in 2021, $(4,183) in 2020

 

1,345

 

76,718

 

(17,349)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(13,097)

 

45,540

 

5,608

Comprehensive income

 

241,154

 

243,265

 

147,757

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(2,073)

 

(976)

 

(3,428)

Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

$

239,081

$

242,289

$

144,329

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

47


Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016

25, 2021

(Dollars in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)

 2017 2016
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$492,805
 $399,948
Receivables, less allowance of $9,396 in 2017 and $10,250 in 2016503,677
 439,342
Inventories420,948
 350,028
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets43,643
 57,297
Refundable income taxes11,492
 6,601
Total current assets1,472,565
 1,253,216
Property, plant and equipment, at cost1,165,687
 1,105,736
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization646,759
 587,401
Net property, plant and equipment518,928
 518,335
Goodwill337,720
 321,110
Other intangible assets, net138,599
 144,378
Other assets, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $417 in 2017 and $8,741 in 2016134,438
 154,692
Total assets$2,602,250
 $2,391,731
    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Current installments of long-term debt$966
 $851
Notes payable to banks161
 746
Accounts payable227,906
 177,488
Accrued employee compensation and benefits84,426
 72,404
Accrued expenses81,029
 89,914
Dividends payable8,510
 8,445
Total current liabilities402,998
 349,848
Deferred income taxes34,906
 35,803
Long-term debt, excluding current installments753,888
 754,795
Defined benefit pension liability189,552
 209,470
Deferred compensation48,526
 44,319
Other noncurrent liabilities20,585
 14,910
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 issued27,900
 27,900
Additional paid-in capital
 
Retained earnings1,954,344
 1,874,722
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(279,022) (346,359)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 5,206,474 in 2017 and 5,379,106 in 2016(590,386) (612,781)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity1,112,836
 943,482
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries38,959
 39,104
Total shareholders’ equity1,151,795
 982,586
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,602,250
 $2,391,731

    

2022

    

2021

ASSETS

Current assets:

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

185,406

$

177,232

Receivables, less allowance of $20,890 in 2022 and $18,050 in 2021

 

604,181

 

571,593

Inventories

 

728,762

 

728,834

Contract assets

 

174,539

 

142,643

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

87,697

 

83,646

Refundable income taxes

 

 

8,815

Total current assets

 

1,780,585

 

1,712,763

Property, plant, and equipment, at cost

 

1,433,151

 

1,422,101

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

837,573

 

823,496

Net property, plant and equipment

 

595,578

 

598,605

Goodwill

 

739,861

 

708,566

Other intangible assets, net

 

176,615

 

175,364

Defined pension benefit asset

24,216

 

Other assets

 

240,141

 

251,951

Total assets

$

3,556,996

$

3,447,249

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Current installments of long-term debt

$

1,194

$

4,884

Notes payable to banks

 

5,846

 

13,439

Accounts payable

 

360,312

 

347,841

Accrued employee compensation and benefits

 

124,355

 

144,559

Contract liabilities

 

172,915

 

135,746

Other accrued expenses

 

123,965

 

108,771

Income taxes payable

3,664

Dividends payable

 

11,742

 

10,616

Total current liabilities

 

803,993

 

765,856

Deferred income taxes

 

41,091

 

47,849

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

 

870,935

 

947,072

Operating lease liabilities

 

155,469

 

147,759

Deferred compensation

 

30,316

 

35,373

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

13,480

 

89,743

Shareholders’ equity:

 

  

 

  

Common stock of $1 par value -

 

 

Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued

 

27,900

 

27,900

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,479

Retained earnings

 

2,593,039

 

2,394,307

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(274,909)

 

(263,127)

Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 6,549,833 in 2022 and 6,619,860 in 2021

 

(765,183)

 

(773,712)

Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

1,580,847

 

1,386,847

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries

 

60,865

 

26,750

Total shareholders’ equity

1,641,712

1,413,597

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

3,556,996

$

3,447,249

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

48


Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three-year period ended December 30, 201731, 2022 (Dollars in thousands)

 2017 2016 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net earnings$122,319
 $178,391
 $45,333
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:     
Depreciation and amortization84,957
 82,417
 91,144
Noncash loss on trading securities237
 586
 4,555
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan(40,245) (1,488) (16,500)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash - pension plan trust12,568
 (13,652) 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
 1,099
 19,836
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets
 
 41,970
Stock-based compensation10,706
 9,931
 7,244
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
 (3,242) 
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit)648
 1,870
 (610)
       (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment(3,924) 631
 2,327
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 247
Deferred income taxes39,755
 (23,685) 4,858
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):     
Receivables(49,112) 24,622
 50,267
Inventories(57,442) (11,461) 3,296
Prepaid expenses(6,038) 1,138
 10,844
Accounts payable39,405
 104
 (6,805)
Accrued expenses(1,998) (12,207) 8,918
Other noncurrent liabilities(7,228) (23,880) (1,764)
Income taxes payable (refundable)1,108
 7,994
 7,107
Net cash flows from operating activities145,716
 219,168
 272,267
Cash flows from investing activities:     
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(55,266) (57,920) (45,468)
Proceeds from sale of assets8,185
 5,126
 3,249
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(5,362) 
 (12,778)
Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedge5,123
 
 
Other, net(2,295) (255) 6,826
Net cash flows used in investing activities(49,615) (53,049) (48,171)
Cash flows from financing activities:     
Payments under short-term agreements(585) (200) (12,853)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
 
 68,000
Principal payments on long-term borrowings(887) (2,006) (69,098)
Dividends paid(33,862) (34,053) (35,357)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest(5,674) (2,938) (2,634)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 (11,009) 
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans35,159
 11,153
 13,075
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises
 
 1,699
Purchase of treasury shares
 (53,800) (168,983)
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises(26,161) (2,305) (13,854)
Net cash flows used in financing activities(32,010) (95,158) (220,005)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents28,766
 (20,087) (26,596)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents92,857
 50,874
 (22,505)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year399,948
 349,074
 371,579
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$492,805
 $399,948
 $349,074

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

 

  

 

  

Net earnings

$

254,251

$

197,725

$

142,149

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization

 

97,167

 

92,577

 

82,892

Noncash loss on trading securities

 

 

 

39

Contribution to defined benefit pension plan

 

(17,155)

 

(1,924)

 

(35,399)

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

27,911

 

20,389

Loss on sale of offshore wind energy structures business

33,273

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

41,850

 

28,720

 

14,874

Defined benefit pension plan benefit

 

(10,087)

 

(14,567)

 

(7,311)

Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

 

237

 

(961)

 

60

Equity in loss in nonconsolidated subsidiaries

 

950

 

944

 

1,004

Deferred income taxes

 

(1,225)

 

71

 

(1,397)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

  

 

Receivables

 

(74,163)

 

(69,275)

 

(24,403)

Inventories

 

(3,429)

 

(289,942)

 

(21,888)

Prepaid expenses and other assets (current and non-current)

 

26,625

 

(36,066)

 

(10,633)

Contract assets

 

(53,008)

 

(21,579)

 

19,835

Accounts payable

 

36,990

 

89,418

 

33,044

Accrued expenses

 

624

 

30,556

 

52,548

Contract liabilities

 

(567)

 

6,589

 

12,072

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

(16,904)

 

20,181

 

46,712

Income taxes payable / refundable

 

10,836

 

5,560

 

(8,293)

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

326,265

 

65,938

 

316,294

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of property, plant, and equipment

 

(93,288)

 

(107,790)

 

(106,700)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

1,582

 

1,745

 

10,860

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(39,287)

 

(312,500)

 

(15,862)

Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedge

 

 

 

11,983

Investments in nonconsolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 

(1,283)

Other, net

(1,087)

 

1,237

 

(3,027)

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(132,080)

 

(417,308)

 

(104,029)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

9,665

 

5,821

 

20,990

Payments on short-term borrowings

 

(17,242)

 

(26,062)

 

(7,946)

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

253,999

 

312,485

 

88,872

Principal payments on long-term borrowings

 

(336,403)

 

(91,313)

 

(121,665)

Proceeds from settlement of financial derivatives

 

3,532

 

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(2,267)

 

Dividends paid

 

(45,813)

 

(41,412)

 

(36,930)

Dividends to noncontrolling interest

 

(714)

 

 

(5,642)

Purchase of noncontrolling interests

 

(7,338)

 

 

(59,416)

Purchase of treasury shares

 

(40,474)

 

(26,100)

 

(56,491)

Proceeds from exercises under stock plans

 

16,849

 

23,895

 

18,961

Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises

 

(17,966)

 

(21,547)

 

(14,489)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(181,905)

 

133,500

 

(173,756)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,106)

 

(5,624)

 

8,675

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

8,174

 

(223,494)

 

47,184

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year

 

177,232

 

400,726

 

353,542

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

$

185,406

$

177,232

$

400,726

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

49


Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)

 Common
stock
 Additional
paid-in
capital
 Retained
earnings
 Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 Treasury
stock
 Noncontrolling
interest in
consolidated
subsidiaries
 Total
shareholders’
equity
Balance at December 27, 2014$27,900
 $
 $1,718,662
 $(134,433) $(410,296) $48,572
 $1,250,405
Net earnings
 
 40,117
 
 
 5,216
 45,333
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 (132,785) 
 (4,384) (137,169)
Cash dividends declared ($1.50 per share)
 
 (34,816) 
 
 
 (34,816)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 (2,634) (2,634)
Purchase of treasury shares; 1,435,488 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (168,983) 
 (168,983)
Stock plan exercises; 112,995 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (13,854) 
 (13,854)
Stock options exercised; 169,493 shares issued
 (12,895) 5,716
 
 20,254
 
 13,075
Tax benefit from stock option exercises
 1,699
 
 
 
 
 1,699
Stock option expense
 5,137
 
 
 
 
 5,137
Stock awards; 10,329 shares issued
 6,059
 
 
 959
 
 7,018
Balance at December 26, 201527,900
 
 1,729,679
 (267,218) (571,920) 46,770
 965,211
Net earnings
 
 173,232
 
 
 5,159
 178,391
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 (79,141) 
 985
 (78,156)
Cash dividends declared ($1.50 per share)
 
 (33,921) 
 
 
 (33,921)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 (2,938) (2,938)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 (137) 
 
 
 (10,872) (11,009)
Purchase of treasury shares; 441,494 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (53,800) 
 (53,800)
Stock plan exercises; 16,777 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (2,305) 
 (2,305)
Stock options exercised; 109,893 shares issued
 (7,614) 5,732
 
 13,035
 
 11,153
Tax benefit from stock option exercises
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock option expense
 5,782
 
 
 
 
 5,782
Stock awards; 15,700 shares issued
 1,969
 
 
 2,209
 
 4,178
Balance at December 31, 201627,900
 
 1,874,722
 (346,359) (612,781) 39,104
 982,586
Net earnings
 
 116,240
 
 
 6,079
 122,319
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 67,337
 
 (550) 66,787
Cash dividends declared ($1.50 per share)
 
 (33,927) 
 
 
 (33,927)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 (5,674) (5,674)
Stock plan exercises; 154,437 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (26,161) 
 (26,161)
Stock options exercised; 284,574 shares issued
 (4,666) (2,691) 
 42,516
 
 35,159
Stock option expense
 5,137
 
 
 
 
 5,137
Stock awards; 42,846 shares issued
 (471) 
 
 6,040
 
 5,569
Balance at December 30, 2017$27,900
 $
 $1,954,344
 $(279,022) $(590,386) $38,959

$1,151,795

    

    

    

Accumulated

    

    

Noncontrolling

    

Additional

other

interest in

Total

Common

paid-in

Retained

comprehensive

Treasury

consolidated

shareholders’

stock

capital

earnings

income (loss)

stock

subsidiaries

equity

Balance at December 28, 2019

$

27,900

$

$

2,173,802

$

(313,422)

$

(743,942)

$

45,407

$

1,189,745

Net earnings

 

 

 

140,693

 

 

 

1,456

 

142,149

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

3,636

 

 

1,972

 

5,608

Cash dividends declared ($1.80 per share)

 

 

 

(38,393)

 

 

 

 

(38,393)

Dividends to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,642)

 

(5,642)

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

(31,067)

 

 

 

(22,544)

 

(53,611)

Addition of noncontrolling interest

5,125

5,125

Purchase of treasury shares; 441,119 shares acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(56,491)

 

 

(56,491)

Stock plan exercises, 88,411 shares acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(14,489)

 

 

(14,489)

Stock options exercised; 147,014 shares issued

 

 

(6,335)

 

 

 

25,296

 

 

18,961

Stock option expense

 

 

2,628

 

 

 

 

 

2,628

Stock awards; 65,248 shares issued

 

 

4,042

 

 

 

8,204

 

 

12,246

Balance at December 26, 2020

 

27,900

 

335

 

2,245,035

 

(309,786)

 

(781,422)

 

25,774

 

1,207,836

Net earnings

 

 

 

195,630

 

 

 

2,095

 

197,725

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

46,659

 

 

(1,119)

 

45,540

Cash dividends declared ($2.00 per share)

 

 

 

(42,472)

 

 

 

 

(42,472)

Purchase of treasury shares; 111,833 shares acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(26,100)

 

 

(26,100)

Stock plan exercises; 90,292 shares acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(21,547)

 

 

(21,547)

Stock options exercised; 169,908 shares issued

 

 

(15,357)

 

(3,886)

 

 

43,138

 

 

23,895

Stock option expense

 

 

2,538

 

 

 

 

 

2,538

Stock awards; 88,395 shares issued

 

 

13,963

 

 

 

12,219

 

 

26,182

Balance at December 25, 2021

 

27,900

 

1,479

 

2,394,307

 

(263,127)

 

(773,712)

 

26,750

 

1,413,597

Net earnings

 

 

 

250,863

 

 

 

3,388

 

254,251

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

(11,782)

 

 

(1,315)

 

(13,097)

Cash dividends declared ($2.20 per share)

 

 

 

(46,939)

 

 

 

 

(46,939)

Dividends to noncontrolling interests

(714)

(714)

Addition of noncontrolling interest

41,693

41,693

Reduction of noncontrolling interest

1,599

(8,937)

(7,338)

Purchase of treasury shares; 137,612 shares acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(40,474)

 

 

(40,474)

Stock plan exercises; 60,599 shares acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(17,966)

 

 

(17,966)

Stock options exercised; 121,163 shares issued

 

 

(17,754)

 

(5,192)

 

 

39,795

 

 

16,849

Stock option expense

 

 

3,120

 

 

 

 

 

3,120

Stock awards; 147,075 shares issued

 

 

11,556

 

 

 

27,174

 

 

38,730

Balance at December 31, 2022

$

27,900

$

$

2,593,039

$

(274,909)

$

(765,183)

$

60,865

$

1,641,712

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

50


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)




(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)“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

Overdrafts

Cash book overdrafts totaling $21,537$25,075 and $18,734$19,670 were classified as accounts payable at December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Change in Reportable Segments

During the first quarter of 2022, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as the chief operating decision maker, made changes to the Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources, and evaluate performance under the new structure. As a result, the Company has realigned its reportable segment structure. All prior period segment information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments. Refer to Note 21 for additional information.

The Company has fourtwo 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:

INFRASTRUCTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineeredproducts and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, renewable energy, lighting, transportation, and telecommunications, and coatings services to preserve metal and composite structures and components for lighting and traffic, access systems, wireless communication, and roadway safety;

UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES:products.

AGRICULTURE: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steelcenter pivot components and concrete structures for the utility industry, including on and offshore and other complex steel structures used in the energy generation or distribution industry outside the United States;

COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services; and
IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agriculturallinear irrigation equipment and relatedfor agricultural markets, including parts and services for the agricultural industry as well as tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for a variety of industrial customers.
precision agriculture.

In addition to these fourtwo reportable segments, there are other businessesthe Company had a business and related activities that individually arewas not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income, or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industryoffshore wind energy structures business and is reported in the "Other" category.

“Other” segment until its divestiture in 2022.

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 30, 2017 consisted of 52 weeks. The Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 20162022 consisted of 53 weeks and the Company’s fiscal yearyears ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 20152020 consisted of 52 weeks. The estimated impact on the company'sCompany's results of operations due to the extra week in fiscal 2016year 2022 was additional net sales of approximately $50,000$80,800 and additional net earnings of approximately $3,000.



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
$5,300.

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

51

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

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.

52

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

The Company’sfollowing table details the balances of the allowance for doubtful receivables and changes therein:

    

Balance at

    

Charged to

    

Currency

    

Deductions

    

Balance at

Beginning of

Profit and

Translation

from

Close of

For periods ended:

Period

Loss

Adjustment

Reserves

Period

December 31, 2022

$

18,050

$

4,237

$

(522)

$

(875)

$

20,890

December 25, 2021

 

15,952

 

3,379

 

(339)

 

(942)

 

18,050

December 26, 2020

 

9,548

 

7,957

 

260

 

(1,813)

 

15,952

The Company sells trade accounts relatedreceivable at a discount under uncommitted trade accounts receivable sale programs to both currentthird party financial institutions without recourse. As these accounts receivable are sold without recourse, the Company does not retain the associated risks following the transfer of such accounts receivable to the financial institutions.

Transfers of accounts receivable are accounted for as sales and, long-termaccordingly, accounts receivables was $9,813 at December 30, 2017.


Inventories
Approximately 37% and 38% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determinedsold are excluded from “Receivables, less allowance” on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method,Consolidated Balance Sheets and cash proceeds are reflected in “Cash flows from operating activities” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The difference between the carrying amount of the trade accounts receivables sold and the cash received, or market asdiscount, is recorded in “Other” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

At December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, the Company sold trade accounts receivable of $100.0 million and $25.4 million, respectively. All other inventoryThe fees associated with trade accounts receivables sold are immaterial.

Inventories

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO)(“FIFO”) method, or market.net realizable value. 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 $43,727 and $38,047 at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 taxpurposes. 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 2017, 20162022, 2021, and 20152020 was $69,046, $66,482$73,938, $70,223, and $72,805,$63,890, 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 $4,151pre-tax $27,900 impairment of the Melbourne galvanizing site'slong-lived assets (property, plant, and equipment, customer relationship intangible asset, and trade name) in 2015 as the Company2021 when it determined that our galvanizing operation in Melbourne, Australiaits offshore wind energy business reporting unit would not generate sufficient cash flows on an undiscounted cash flow basis to recover itsthe carrying value. Othervalues. An impairment test was required in November 2021 when the Company received clarifying information on the competitive environment of this reporting unit in Europe. Impairment losses were recorded in 2016 and 20152020 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain fixed assets changed in connection with the Company'sCompany’s restructuring plans.

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(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

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.value (“discounted cash flows”). For the solar tracking reporting unit, the Company valued this reporting unit using a blend of the discounted cash flows and multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) approach. 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 seeSee footnote 78 for details of impairments recognized during 2015.2021.

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Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Leases

The Company's operating leases are included in “Other assets” and “Operating lease liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Warranties

The Company'sCompany’s provision for product warranty reflects management'smanagement’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.

Stock Plans

The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock.

Fair Value

The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Derivative Instrument

Instruments

The Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risk associated with fluctuation in interest rates, foreign currency rates, or commodities. Where applicable, the Company may elect to account for such derivatives as either a cash flow, fair value, or net investment hedge.


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Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income,earnings, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity, and changes in net actuarial gains/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 31, 2016$(251,228) $7,978
 $(103,109) $(346,359)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)79,829
 (1,621) (10,871) 67,337
Balance at December 30, 2017$(171,399) $6,357
 $(113,980) $(279,022)

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year

    

Foreign

    

    

    

Accumulated

Currency

Defined

Other

Translation

Hedging

Benefit

Comprehensive

Adjustments

Activities

Pension Plan

Income (Loss)

Balance at December 25, 2021

$

(243,350)

$

15,777

$

(35,554)

$

(263,127)

Current period comprehensive income (loss)

 

(43,426)

 

7,942

 

1,345

 

(34,139)

Divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

25,977

(3,620)

22,357

Balance at December 31, 2022

$

(260,799)

$

20,099

$

(34,209)

$

(274,909)

Revenue Recognition

The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition for contracts by analyzing the type, terms, and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period ended December 30, 2017

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Revenue Recognition
Revenuewhich the sale is recognized upon shipment ofrecognized. Contract revenues are classified as product sales when the product or delivery of the serviceperformance obligation is related to the customer, which coincides with passagemanufacturing of title and riskgoods. Contract revenues are classified as service sales when the performance obligation is the performance of lossa service. Service revenue is primarily related to the customer. Coatings and Technology Products and Services product lines.

Customer acceptance provisions exist onlyprimarily in the design stage of our products. Acceptanceproducts (on a limited basis, the Company may agree to other acceptance terms), and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the productproject is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize anythis service as a separate performance obligation and, therefore, no revenue associatedis recognized with the design stage. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered. delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products.

Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as costs of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the transmission, distribution, and substation structures ("TD&S") product line, the renewable energy product line, and the telecommunication structures product line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company has elected to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. In addition, the Company does not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services.

The Company’s contract assets as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 totaled $174,539 and $142,643, respectively.

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(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

While most of the Infrastructure segment customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer’s specified location, certain customers are also invoiced by advanced billings or progress billings. At December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, total contract liabilities were $178,531 and $213,203, respectively. At December 31, 2022, $172,915 was recorded as contract liabilities and $5,616 was recorded as other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Additional details are as follows:

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Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, the Company recognized $96,373 and $105,406 of revenue that was included in the total contract liability as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations completed during the period.
At December 31, 2022, the Company had $11,080 of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more and expects to complete the remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 24 months.

Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition

Infrastructure Segment

Steel and concrete utility structures within the TD&S product lines are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For the TD&S and telecommunication structure product lines, the Company generally recognizes revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold. Sales discountssold, and rebates are estimatedgross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Depending on the product sold, revenue from renewable energy is recognized both upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, or by using an inputs method, based on past experiencethe ratio of costs incurred to-date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain TD&S sales and the Company has chosen to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are recordedmanufactured.

For the structures sold for lighting and transportation and for the majority of telecommunication products, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. There are also large regional customers who have unique product specifications for telecommunication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a reductionpercent of net salestotal estimated hours to complete production.

The Coatings product line revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed.

Agriculture Segment

Revenue recognition from the manufacture of irrigation equipment and related parts and services (including tubular products for industrial customers) is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services recognized as part of technology services product line are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months (contract terms).

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Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the period“Business Segments” footnote. A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in whichtime for the salefiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 is recognized. Service revenues predominantly consist of coatings services provided by our Coatings segment to its customers. Revenue from the 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.

as follows:

Fiscal Year 2022

Fiscal Year 2021

Fiscal Year 2020

Point in

Over

Point in

Over

Point in

Over

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

    

Time

Infrastructure

$

1,687,458

$

1,222,288

$

1,388,297

$

973,227

$

1,296,497

$

838,703

Agriculture

 

1,307,681

 

27,604

 

996,278

 

20,772

 

624,831

 

15,261

Other

100,219

123,001

120,063

Total

$

2,995,139

$

1,350,111

$

2,384,575

$

1,117,000

$

1,921,328

$

974,027

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"“Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Sheets.

Treasury Stock

Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock”“Cost of treasury stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.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.”

paid-in capital”.

In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program. Specifically, the Board of Directors at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 of the Company'sCompany’s outstanding common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated transactions. In February 2015 and again in October 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to $250,000 of the Company'sCompany’s outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the Company has acquired 4,588,1316,613,018 shares for approximately $617,800$918,600 under this share repurchase program.

Subsequent to year end, on February 27, 2023, the Board of Directors increased the amount remaining under the program by an additional $400,000, with no stated expiration date.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to operations in the year incurred. These costs are a component of “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Research and development expenses were approximately $11,600$46,000 in 2017, $8,3002022, $37,000 in 2016,2021, and $11,600$21,400 in 2015.2020.

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– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Recently IssuedAdopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014,March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")(FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with CustomersNo. 2020-04 (ASU 2020-04), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 606)848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) 605, Revenue Recognition. The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expectsor another reference rate expected to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or servicesdiscontinued due to customers.reference rate reform. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and canguidance was able to 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.

During 2017, the Company performed an evaluation of the effect from adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position. When the terms and conditions allow the Company to bill a customer for full compensation on a canceled order for the performance completed to date, and the inventory is custom engineered to a single customer's specifications, revenue will be recognized over the production period and not the historical practice which is upon shipment or time of delivery to the customer. The Company has certain product linesprospective basis no later than December 31, 2022, with customer engineering specifications resulting in limited ability for the asset to be used for another customer; this resides in the Utility segment and a small product line of the Engineered Support Structures segment.  The Company estimates that approximately $52,000 of sales and $13,100 of pre-tax operating income would have been recognized prior toearly adoption permitted. In December 30, 2017 if the Company followed the new accounting guidance instead of the previously applied revenue recognition guidance.
The Company will adopt the new standard using the modified retrospective approach effective the first day of fiscal 2018, resulting in a credit to retained earnings being recognized for approximately $9,800. From a balance sheet perspective, a contract asset will be recorded for the amount of revenue recognized over the production period in excess of billings to that customer. A large portion of the increase to total assets from the recognition of a contract asset will be offset by lower reported inventory; the effect on the balance sheet will not be material. Although there were no significant changes to the Company's accounting systems or controls upon adoption of Topic 606, certain existing controls were modified to incorporate the revisions made to our accounting policies and practices.
In February 2016,2022, 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 allNo 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of their leases (other than leases that meet the definitionSunset Date of a short-term lease)Topic 848 (ASU 2022-06). ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim2022-06 defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. As the Company no longer has any LIBOR based contracts, ASU 2020-04 and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating theASU 2022-06 did not have a material effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but expects the adoption will result in a significant increase in total assets and liabilities.
In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included within cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt in the first quarter of 2018, recasting the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total cash and cash equivalent amounts on the Company’s current financial position, results of operations or financial statement of cash flows to include the £10,000 restricted cash account for the pension plan at December 31, 2016, thus changing cash flows from operations for fiscal years 2017 and 2016.disclosures.


60

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 is effective for periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this standard in the third quarter of 2017 which is the same period as it performs the annual goodwill impairment testing.    



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Not Yet Adopted)

In March 2017,September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, PresentationAccounting Standards Update No. 2022-04 (ASU 2022-04), Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 450-50): Disclosure of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Related to Defined Benefit PlansSupplier Finance Program Obligations, which amendsrequires all buyers that use supplier finance programs to enhance the incometransparency of such programs to allow financial statement presentationusers to understand the effect on working capital, liquidity, and cash flows. The new guidance requires disclosure of key terms of the program, including a description of the payment terms, payment timing, and assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees provided to the finance provider or intermediary. Other requirements forinclude the componentsdisclosure of net periodic benefit cost for an entity's defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans. ASU 2017-07 is effective for periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permittedthe amount that remains unpaid as of the beginningend of anythe reporting period, a description of where these obligations are presented in the balance sheet, and a rollforward of the obligation during the annual period for which an entity's financial statements have not been issued.period. The Company does not believe this ASU will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and plans to adopt this ASUguidance is effective in the first quarter of 2018.2023, except for the rollforward, which is effective in 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations as the changes are primarily disclosure related. The Company intends to adopt the new standard in 2023 with enhanced disclosure where required.

(2) ACQUISITIONS

Acquisitions of Businesses

On June 1, 2022, the Company acquired approximately 51% of ConcealFab for $39,287 in cash (net of cash acquired) and subject to working capital adjustments. Approximately $1,850 of the purchase price is contingent on seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 18 months of the acquisition date. ConcealFab is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and its operations are reported in the Infrastructure segment. The acquisition was made to allow the Company to incorporate innovative 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions into the Company’s advanced infrastructure portfolio. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation early in the first quarter of 2023.

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of ConcealFab as of the date of acquisition:


61

In August 2017,

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

    

As of June 1,

2022

Current assets

$

21,133

Customer relationships

 

26,200

Trade name

 

5,000

Property, plant & equipment

 

3,813

Other assets

 

9,108

Goodwill

 

42,465

Total fair value of assets acquired

$

107,719

Current liabilities

 

6,658

Long-term debt

 

2,038

Operating lease liabilities

 

7,812

Deferred taxes

 

5,464

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

12

Total fair value of liabilities assumed

$

21,984

Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries

 

41,693

Net assets acquired

$

44,042

On May 12, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted ImprovementsCompany acquired the outstanding shares of Prospera Technologies, Ltd. ("Prospera"), an artificial intelligence company focused on machine learning and computer vision in agriculture, for $300,000 in cash (net of cash acquired). The acquisition of Prospera, located in Tel Aviv, Israel, was made to Accountingallow the Company to accelerate innovation with machine learning for Hedging Activities, which improvesagronomy and is reported in the financial reportingAgriculture segment. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes, the trade name will be amortized over seven years, and the developed technology asset will be amortized over five years. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of hedging relationships through changes2021.

(2) ACQUISITIONS – CONTINUED

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Prospera as of the date of acquisition:

    

As of May 12,

2021

Current assets

$

647

Developed technology

 

32,900

Trade name

 

2,850

Property, plant & equipment

 

1,063

Goodwill

 

273,453

Total fair value of assets acquired

$

310,913

Current liabilities

 

2,690

Deferred taxes

 

8,223

Total fair value of liabilities assumed

$

10,913

Net assets acquired

$

300,000

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Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

On April 20, 2021 the Company acquired the assets of PivoTrac for $12,500 in cash. The agreed upon purchase price was $14,000, with $1,500 being held back for seller representations and warranties. The acquisition of PivoTrac, located in Texas, was made to bothallow the designationCompany to advance its technology strategy and measurement guidanceincrease its number of connected agricultural devices and is reported in the Agriculture segment. The fair values assigned were $10,800 for qualifying hedginggoodwill, $2,627 for customer relationships, and the presentation of hedge results. ASU 2017-12remainder is effectivenet working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for periodstax purposes and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permittedthe customer relationship will be amortized over eight years. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for any interim period post issuance.separate recognition. The Company does not believefinalized the adoptionpurchase price allocation in the second quarter of this ASU will have a material impact2022.

On May 29, 2020, the Company acquired 55% of Energia Solar do Brasil ("Solbras") for $4,308. Approximately $646 of the purchase price was contingent on the consolidated financial statements.


On December 22, 2017 the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accountingseller representations and warranties and was settled for the tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act.  SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, Income Taxes. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of 2017 Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act is incomplete but for which they are able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisionalfull amount in the financial statements. Provisional treatmentsecond quarter of 2021. Solbras is proper in lighta leading provider of anticipated additional guidance from various taxing authorities, the SEC, the FASB, and even the Joint Committee on Taxation.  

(2) ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions of Businesses
On July 31, 2017, the Company purchased Aircon Guardrails Private Limited ("Aircon")solar energy solutions for $5,362 in cash, net of cash acquired, plus assumed liabilities. Aircon produces highway safety systems including guardrails, structural metal products, and solar structural products in India with annual sales of approximately $10,000.agriculture. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,327$3,341 and $2,109 of customer relationships of $3,718 were recorded and other intangible assets were recorded.the remainder to net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. This business is includedpurposes and the customer relationship will be amortized over eight years. The acquisition of Solbras, located in Brazil, was made to allow the Company to expand its product offerings in the Engineered Support StructuresAgriculture segment to include not only pivots, but also a sustainable and was acquiredlow-cost energy source to expandprovide electricity to the Company's geographic presence inunits. The Company finalized the Asia-Pacific region. The purchase price allocation was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2017. 2020.

On March 6, 2020, the Company acquired 75% of KC Utility Packaging, LLC for $4,200. Approximately $400 of the purchase price was contingent on seller representations and warranties and was settled for the full amount in the first quarter of 2021. The Company name was subsequently changed to Valmont Substations, LLC. The acquisition was made to expand the Company’s utility substation product offering. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $1,100, customer relationships of $4,000, and other intangibles of $500 were recorded. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Proforma disclosures were omitted for these acquisitions as this business doesthey do not have a significant impact on the Company'sCompany’s financial results.

On September 30, 2015,

Acquisition-related costs incurred for the Company purchased American Galvanizingabove acquisitions were insignificant 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.

all years presented.

Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests

In April 2016,August 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 30%9% of IGC Galvanizing Industries (M) Sdn Bhd that it did not ownConvert Italia S.p.A. for $5,841. In June 2016,$3,046. As this transaction was for the Company acquired 5.2%acquisition 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 subsidiariessubsidiary with no change in control, they wereit was recorded within shareholders'shareholders’ equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In May 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 20% of Valmont West Coast Engineering, Ltd. for $4,292. As this transaction was for the acquisition of all of the remaining shares of consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, it was recorded within shareholders’ equity and as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

(2) ACQUISITIONS – CONTINUED

In February 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 49% of AgSense that it did not own for $43,983, which includes a holdback payment of $2,200 that was made in the second quarter of 2020. The accounting for owning 100% of AgSense resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax asset of approximately $7,700.

In December 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 40% of Torrent Engineering and Equipment that it did not own for $3,500. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company acquired 16% of the remaining 25% that it did not own of Convert Italia S.p.A. for a cash payment of $11,750. The purchase agreement also settled the escrow funds which the Company had paid at date of acquisition.

63


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(3) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

2016 Plan

In July 2016,DIVESTITURES

On November 30, 2022, the Company identifiedcompleted the sale of Valmont SM, the offshore wind energy structures business in Denmark, reported in the Other segment. The business was sold because it did not align with the long-term strategic plans for the Company. The offshore wind energy structures business’ historical annual sales, operating profit, and net assets are not significant for discontinued operations presentation.

The offshore wind energy structures business had operating income of $2,259 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and an operating loss of $40,192 (inclusive of a restructuring plan (the "2016 Plan")$27,900 impairment of long-lived assets) for the year ended December 25, 2021. The Company received Danish Krone 90,000 (U.S. $12,570) at closing with an additional Danish Krone 28,000 (U.S. $4,027) held in Australia/New Zealand focused primarilyan escrow account subject to normal closing conditions before it will be released to the Company.

The assets and liabilities of the offshore wind energy structures business at closing on closing and consolidating locations within the ESS and Coatings segments. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company decided to close a structures facilityNovember 30, 2022 were as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

12,420

Receivables, net

35,407

Inventories

 

1,144

Contract assets

19,127

Prepaid expenses and other assets

1,852

Net property, plant, and equipment

 

12,915

Intangible assets

5,579

Other assets

1,103

Total assets

$

89,547

Accounts payable

$

23,611

Contract liabilities

34,814

Accrued expenses

4,737

Deferred income taxes

1,375

Total liabilities

$

64,537

Net assets

$

25,010

The pre-tax loss from divestiture is reported in Canada. The 2016 Plan was mostly completed by the end of fiscal 2016. During the last six months of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded the following pre-tax expenses from the 2016 Plan:



  Coatings ESS Other/ Corporate TOTAL
Severance $69
 $1,620
 $
 $1,689
Other cash restructuring expenses 
 2,257
 
 2,257
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 
 1,099
 
 1,099
   Total cost of sales 69
 4,976
 
 5,045
         
Severance 236
 349
 
 585
Other cash restructuring expenses 
 1,961
 234
 2,195
  Total selling, general and administrative expenses 236
 2,310
 234
 2,780
      Consolidated total $305
 $7,286
 $234
 $7,825
2015 Plan
In April 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a broad restructuring plan (the "2015 Plan")“Other income (expenses)”. The following pre-tax expenses wereloss is comprised of the proceeds and an asset recognized for the escrow funds not yet released from buyer, less deal-related costs and the net assets of the business, which resulted in 2015:a loss of $12,123. In addition to this amount is a $21,150 realized loss on foreign exchange translation adjustments and net investment hedges previously reported in shareholders’ equity.

Pre-tax loss from divestitures, before recognition of currency translation loss

$

12,123

Recognition of cumulative currency translation loss and hedges (reclassified from OCI)

 

21,150

Net pre-tax loss from divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

$

33,273

The transaction did not result in a taxable capital loss.


64

  ESS Utility Coatings Irrigation Other/ Corporate TOTAL
Severance $4,417
 $1,555
 $508
 $724
 $
 $7,204
Other cash restructuring expenses 2,349
 1,853
 175
 
 
 4,377
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 3,694
 1,142
 5,291
 
 
 10,127
   Total cost of sales 10,460
 4,550
 5,974
 724
 
 21,708
             
Severance 3,665
 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 5,888
 642
 606
 553
 10,455
 18,144
      Consolidated total $16,348
 $5,192
 $6,580
 $1,277
 $10,455
 $39,852




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(3)

(4) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Continued)


During fiscal 2016,2020, the Company recognizedexecuted certain regional restructuring activities (the "2020 Plan") and a U.S. specific early retirement program. The 2020 Plan included the closure of one U.S. galvanizing facility. All 2020 restructuring activities were completed by December 26, 2020. The Company recorded 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)

Change in the liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows:
  Balance at December 31, 2016 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at December 30, 2017
Severance $1,597
 $
 $(1,597) $
Other cash restructuring expenses 4,581
 
 (3,365) 1,216
   Total $6,178
 $
 $(4,962) $1,216

A significant change in market conditions in any of the Company's segments may affect the Company's assessment of the restructuring activities.
expenses:

Infrastructure

Agriculture

Other

Corporate

Total

Severance

$

1,139

$

$

$

$

1,139

Other cash restructuring expenses

 

1,847

 

 

 

 

1,847

Impairments of fixed assets/net loss on disposals

 

3,751

 

 

 

 

3,751

Total cost of sales

 

6,737

 

 

 

 

6,737

Severance

 

7,873

 

2,968

 

1,192

 

1,761

 

13,794

Other cash restructuring expenses

 

1,852

 

 

79

 

244

 

2,175

Impairments of assets / net loss on disposals

 

349

 

 

94

 

 

443

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

 

10,074

 

2,968

 

1,365

 

2,005

 

16,412

Consolidated total

$

16,811

$

2,968

$

1,365

$

2,005

$

23,149

(4)

(5) 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-twofifty-three weeks ended December 30, 2017, the fifty-three weeks ended December 31, 2016,2022 and the fifty-two weeks ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 20152020 were as follows:

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Interest

$

46,653

$

41,159

$

40,209

Income taxes

 

93,109

 

60,366

 

54,801

The sale of the offshore wind energy structures business in 2022 included a hold back receivable contingent on normal closing conditions that is expected to be resolved in the first half of 2023. The acquisitions in 2020 included hold back payments contingent on seller representations and warranties of $1,046. The 2020 hold back payments were released from a trust in the first half of 2021 and the 2019 hold back payments were paid in the first quarter of 2020 and are shown as an investing use of cash in the acquisitions line item of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

(6) INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021:

December 31,

December 25,

2022

    

2021

Raw materials and purchased parts

$

258,814

$

278,107

Work-in-process

 

44,453

 

63,628

Finished goods and manufactured goods

 

425,495

 

387,099

$

728,762

$

728,834

65

 2017 20162015
Interest$44,528
 $45,683
$44,974
Income taxes63,791
 48,203
33,046

Table of Contents


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(5) INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 2017 2016
Raw materials and purchased parts$183,029
 $143,659
Work-in-process30,671
 27,291
Finished goods and manufactured goods250,975
 217,125
Subtotal464,675
 388,075
Less: LIFO reserve43,727
 38,047
 $420,948
 $350,028

(6)

(7) PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, consist of the following:

 2017 2016
Land and improvements$93,258
 $85,724
Buildings and improvements350,937
 325,813
Machinery and equipment588,439
 564,171
Transportation equipment23,682
 22,423
Office furniture and equipment82,025
 77,453
Construction in progress27,346
 30,152
 $1,165,687
 $1,105,736

    

2022

    

2021

Land and improvements

$

113,188

$

112,236

Buildings and improvements

 

390,435

 

413,884

Machinery and equipment

 

721,223

 

672,319

Transportation equipment

 

30,610

 

27,020

Office furniture and equipment

 

128,922

 

117,757

Construction in progress

 

48,773

 

78,885

$

1,433,151

$

1,422,101

(8) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Amortized Intangible Assets

The Company leases certain facilities, machinery, computer equipmentcomponents of amortized intangible assets at December 31, 2022 and transportation equipment under operating leases with unexpired terms ranging from one to fifteen years. RentalDecember 25, 2021 were as follows:

December 31, 2022

Gross

Weighted

Carrying

Accumulated

Average

    

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Life

Customer Relationships

$

222,716

$

145,502

13 years

Patents & Proprietary Technology

 

58,404

 

21,291

 

9 years

Trade Name

 

2,850

 

645

 

7 years

Other

 

2,462

 

2,164

 

5 years

$

286,432

$

169,602

December 25, 2021

Gross

Weighted

Carrying

Accumulated

Average

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Life

Customer Relationships

$

224,597

$

160,626

13 years

Patents & Proprietary Technology

 

58,699

 

13,955

 

9 years

Trade Name

2,850

183

7 years

Other

 

4,534

 

3,959

 

6 years

$

290,680

$

178,723

Amortization expense for operating leases amounted to $25,612, $24,756,intangible assets was $22,120, $21,320, and $25,546$18,147 for the fiscal 2017, 2016,years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021, and 2015,December 26, 2020, respectively. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an impairment test was required when the Company received clarifying information on the competitive environment of the offshore wind energy structures business. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $4,483 was recognized against the remaining net book value of the related customer relationships.

Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 30, 2017 are:

66

Fiscal year ending 
2018$21,562
201915,839
202015,639
202112,227
20227,325
Subsequent27,325
Total minimum lease payments$99,917




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(7)

(8) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Amortized Intangible Assets
The components of amortized intangible assets at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 December 30, 2017
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Weighted
Average
Life
Customer Relationships$200,810
 $131,062
 13 years
Proprietary Software & Database3,671
 3,107
 8 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology6,693
 3,999
 11 years
Other4,861
 4,121
 3 years
 $216,035
 $142,289
  
 December 31, 2016
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Weighted
Average
Life
Customer Relationships$191,316
 $111,342
 13 years
Proprietary Software & Database3,616
 3,056
 8 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology6,434
 3,420
 11 years
Other3,713
 3,668
 3 years
 $205,079
 $121,486
  
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $15,911, $15,935 and $18,339 for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively.
– CONTINUED

Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows:

 Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2018$14,537
201913,761
202012,647
202110,525
20227,550

    

Estimated

Amortization

Expense

2023

$

20,825

2024

 

18,888

2025

 

17,454

2026

 

12,933

2027

 

9,695

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

Non-Amortized Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. The carrying values of these trade names at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 20162022 and December 25, 2021 were as follows:


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
 December 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 Year Acquired
Webforge$9,432
 $8,624
 2010
Valmont SM9,973
 8,765
 2014
Newmark11,111
 11,111
 2004
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products7,690
 7,032
 2010
Donhad5,801
 5,305
 2010
Shakespeare4,000
 4,000
 2014
Other16,846
 15,948
  
 $64,853
 $60,785
  

    

December 31,

    

December 25,

    

Year

2022

2021

Acquired

Newmark

$

11,111

$

11,111

 

2004

Convert Italia S.p.A.

 

8,024

 

8,479

 

2018

Webforge

7,107

7,877

2010

Ingal EPS / Ingal Civil Products

 

6,891

 

7,637

 

2010

Valmont SM

 

 

6,082

 

2014

ConcealFab

 

5,000

 

 

2022

Shakespeare

 

4,000

 

4,000

 

2014

Walpar

 

3,500

 

3,500

 

2018

Other

 

14,152

 

14,721

 

Various

$

59,785

$

63,407

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.

Indefinite-lived intangibles, although not amortized, are still subject to annual impairment assessments, and interim date assessments should events arise that suggest their value may be diminished. The Company'sCompany’s trade names were tested for impairment separately from goodwill in the third quarteras of 2017.August 27, 2022. The values of theeach trade namesname were determined using the relief-from-royalty method. The Company determined that the value of itsBased on this evaluation, no trade names were notdetermined to be impaired.The increase in certain During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, an impairment test was required when the Company received clarifying information on the competitive environment of the offshore wind energy structures business. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $2,013 was recognized against the related trade name. In conjunction with an interim second quarter 2020 goodwill impairment test, impairment indicators were noted for the Webforge and Locker trade names requiring an interim impairment test. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $3,900 was recognized against these two trade names in 2017 was due to currency translation effects.fiscal year 2020.

In 2015, the Company recorded a $5,830 impairment

67

Table of the Webforge trade name (in ESS segment)Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and a $1,100 impairment of the Industrial Galvanizing trade name (in Coatings segment).Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(8) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS – CONTINUED

Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 20162022 and December 25, 2021 was as follows:

 Engineered
Support Structures
Segment
 Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
 Coatings
Segment
 Irrigation
Segment
 Other Total
Gross Balance at December 31, 2016$157,689
 $88,680
 $75,791
 $19,359
 $17,487
 $356,002
Accumulated impairment losses(18,670) 
 (16,222) 
 
 (34,892)
Balance at December 31, 2016$139,019
 $88,451
 $59,569
 $19,611
 $14,460
 $321,110
Acquisitions3,449
 
 
 
 
 3,449
Foreign currency translation8,938
 1,797
 905
 167
 1,354
 13,161
Balance at December 30, 2017$151,406
 $90,248
 $60,474
 $19,778
 $15,814
 $337,720

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
 Engineered
Support Structures
Segment
 Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
 Coatings
Segment
 Irrigation
Segment
 Other Total
Gross Balance at December 26, 2015$170,341
 $88,680
 $75,941
 $19,359
 $17,487
 $371,808
Accumulated impairment losses(18,670) 
 (16,222) 
 
 (34,892)
Balance at December 26, 2015151,671
 88,680
 59,719
 19,359
 17,487
 336,916
Foreign currency translation(12,652) (229) (150) 252
 (3,027) (15,806)
Balance at December 31, 2016$139,019
 $88,451
 $59,569
 $19,611
 $14,460
 $321,110

Infrastructure

Agriculture

Other

Total

Gross balance at December 25, 2021

$

442,521

$

313,512

$

14,355

$

770,388

Accumulated impairment losses

 

(47,467)

 

 

(14,355)

 

(61,822)

Balance at December 25, 2021

 

395,054

 

313,512

 

$

708,566

Acquisitions

 

42,465

 

 

 

42,465

Foreign currency translation

 

(11,435)

 

265

 

 

(11,170)

Balance at December 31, 2022

$

426,084

$

313,777

$

$

739,861

Infrastructure

Agriculture

Other

Total

Gross balance at December 26, 2020

$

447,612

$

30,177

$

14,355

$

492,144

Accumulated impairment losses

 

(47,467)

 

 

(14,355)

 

(61,822)

Balance at December 26, 2020

 

400,145

 

30,177

 

 

430,322

Acquisitions

 

 

284,253

 

 

284,253

Foreign currency translation

 

(5,091)

 

(918)

 

 

(6,009)

Balance at December 25, 2021

$

395,054

$

313,512

$

$

708,566

The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed duringas of August 27, 2022, using primarily the third quarter of 2017 and it was determined thatdiscounted cash flow method. The solar tracking structure reporting unit projects meaningful annual revenue growth for the goodwill on the consolidated balance sheet was not impaired.

In fiscal 2015,foreseeable future due to strong market conditions. Therefore, 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 Systemsvalued this reporting unit duringusing a blend of both the fourth quarterdiscounted cash flows and a market approach. The market valuation approach estimates the terminal value for this reporting unit using a multiple of 2015. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $18,670earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”). During fiscal year 2022, no goodwill impairment of Access System's goodwill.
was recorded.

(8)

(9) BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

The Company maintains various lines of credit for short-term borrowings totaling $113,437$125,034 available at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. As of December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016, $16125, 2021, $5,846 and $0$13,439 was outstanding and recorded as notes payable to banks in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The interest rates charged on these lines of credit vary in relation to the banks’ costs of funds. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 6.52% at December 31, 2022. The unused and available borrowings under the lines of credit were $113,276$119,188 at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. The lines of credit can be modified at any time at the option of the banks. The Company pays no fees in connection with theseunused 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 5.00% at December 30, 2017. Other notes payable of $161 and $746 were outstanding at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(9)

(10) INCOME TAXES

Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries are as follows:

2022

    

2021

    

2020

United States

$

224,370

$

202,051

$

169,281

Foreign

 

139,518

 

58,032

 

23,487

$

363,888

$

260,083

$

192,768

68

 2017 2016 2015
United States$152,372
 $136,682
 $99,175
Foreign76,092
 83,772
 (6,168)
 $228,464
 $220,454
 $93,007

The 2017 Tax Act was enacted in December 2017 which comprised a number

Table of changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that impact corporations beginning in 2018; 1) a reduction in the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, 2) limiting or eliminating certain tax deductions,Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and 3) changing the taxation of unremitted foreign earnings. The Company estimated and recognized approximately $41,935 of tax expense for the 2017 Tax Act. The SEC staff issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act (see footnote 1).


The Company's accounting for the following element of the 2017 Tax Act is complete:

Reduction of U.S. federal corporate tax rate: The 2017 Tax Act reduces the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. Consequently, we have recorded a decrease related to deferred taxes of $20,372, with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax expense for the year ended December 30, 2017.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(9)

(10) INCOME TAXES (Continued)

The Company's accounting for the following elements of the 2017 Tax Act is provisional. However, reasonable estimates of certain effects were made and, therefore, the Company recorded the following:

Deemed Repatriation transition tax: The Deemed Repatriation transition tax (“Transition Tax”) is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits (“E&P”) of certain of our foreign subsidiaries, which subjected the Company's unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $400,000 to tax at certain specified rates less associated foreign tax credits. To determine the amount of the Transition Tax, the Company determined, in addition to other factors, the amount of post-1986 E&P of the relevant subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings. The Company was able to make a reasonable estimate of the Transition Tax and recorded a provisional Transition Tax obligation of $9,890. The federal portion of this is payable over eight (8) years. However, the Company may adjust this amount in 2018 to more precisely compute the amount of the Transition Tax after assessing additional implementation guidance from the IRS, state tax authorities, the SEC, the FASB, or the Joint Committee on Taxation. The Company previously considered the earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, recorded no related deferred income taxes.

Indefinite reinvestment assertion: The Company reassessed its position with respect to previously untaxed accumulated foreign earnings in its non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company has taken the position that earnings subject to the Transition Tax are not indefinitely reinvested. The Company was able to make a reasonable estimate and recorded a provisional amount of the deferred income taxes for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $10,373 and $1,300, respectively. However, the Company may adjust this amount in 2018 to more precisely compute the amount of the Transition Tax after assessing additional implementation guidance. The Company also continues to gather additional information to determine its permanently reinvested position with respect to future foreign earnings.

– CONTINUED

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of:

 2017 2016 2015
Current:     
Federal$49,324
 $41,539
 $23,130
State4,415
 5,467
 4,431
Foreign12,880
 19,123
 15,077
 66,619
 66,129
 42,638
Non-current:(229) (381) (69)
Deferred:     
Federal(9,626) 8,504
 3,382
State(385) 202
 (333)
Foreign49,766
 (32,391) 1,809
 39,755
 (23,685) 4,858
 $106,145
 $42,063
 $47,427







VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(9) INCOME TAXES (Continued)

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Current:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Federal

$

48,309

$

30,031

$

30,431

State

 

11,888

 

8,891

 

8,302

Foreign

 

48,273

 

20,644

 

12,730

 

108,470

 

59,566

 

51,463

Non-current:

 

1,442

 

1,777

 

(451)

Deferred:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Federal

 

(7,544)

 

4,587

 

(6,086)

State

 

(1,973)

 

558

 

(822)

Foreign

 

8,292

 

(5,074)

 

5,511

 

(1,225)

 

71

 

(1,397)

$

108,687

$

61,414

$

49,615

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

 2017 2016 2015
Statutory federal income tax rate35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit1.4
 1.7
 3.1
Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances(1.4) 2.9
 (0.1)
Foreign tax rate differences(4.1) (4.8) (5.7)
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits(0.1) (0.2) (0.1)
Domestic production activities deduction(2.1) (2.0) (3.8)
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) 
Effects of 2017 Tax Act18.4
 
 
Other(0.6) 2.3
 3.6
 46.5 % 19.1 % 51.0 %

    

2022

2021

2020

Statutory federal income tax rate

 

21.0

%  

21.0

%  

21.0

%

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

2.3

 

2.9

 

3.5

Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances

 

1.0

 

1.5

 

(1.6)

Foreign jurisdictional tax rate differences

 

4.2

 

(0.1)

 

(1.7)

Changes in unrecognized tax benefits

 

0.3

 

0.7

 

0.2

Goodwill and intangible impairment

 

 

 

2.4

Loss on divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business

2.2

 

 

Other

 

(1.1)

 

(2.4)

 

1.9

 

29.9

%  

23.6

%  

25.7

%

Fiscal 2016year 2022 includes $32,450$8,166 of deferred income tax benefit attributable to the re-measurement of the deferred tax assetexpense related to the Company's U.K. defineddivestiture of the offshore wind energy structures business for which no benefit pension plan. This item arose from a 2016 international legal reorganization executedhas been recorded. Fiscal year 2021 includes $1,894 of U.S. tax benefits related 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 $9,888foreign taxes paid offset by $5,102 of valuation allowance recorded against athe offshore wind energy structures business deferred tax creditassets. Fiscal year 2020 includes $4,651 of tax expense related to non-tax deductible impairment of goodwill. Fiscal year 2020 also includes $1,100 of tax expense primarily related to restructuring charges for which is not more likely than notno tax benefits have been recorded due to be realized. The reversalthe increase in valuation allowance.

69

Table of a $16,591 contingent non-current liabilityContents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in 2016 was not taxable.thousands, except per share amounts)

(10) INCOME TAXES – CONTINUED

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 assets/liabilities are as follows:















VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(9) INCOME TAXES (Continued)
 2017 2016
Deferred income tax assets:   
Accrued expenses and allowances$13,373
 $16,549
Accrued insurance818
 1,071
Tax credits and loss carryforwards54,521
 104,439
Defined benefit pension liability47,459
 80,425
Inventory allowances3,433
 1,385
Accrued warranty4,602
 9,436
Deferred compensation29,421
 37,988
Gross deferred income tax assets153,627
 251,293
Valuation allowance(27,864) (81,923)
Net deferred income tax assets125,763
 169,370
Deferred income tax liabilities:   
Work in progress1,805
 2,161
Property, plant and equipment26,826
 37,961
Intangible assets39,613
 50,405
Withholding taxes11,673
 
Other liabilities1,819
 6,164
Total deferred income tax liabilities81,736
 96,691
Net deferred income tax asset$44,027
 $72,679

    

2022

    

2021

Deferred income tax assets:

 

  

 

  

Accrued expenses and allowances

$

33,577

$

21,241

Tax credits and loss carryforwards

 

67,249

 

83,690

Defined benefit pension liability

 

 

134

Inventory allowances

 

7,912

 

2,818

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

24,398

 

24,302

Lease liabilities

 

40,709

 

41,128

Deferred compensation

 

16,308

 

10,893

Gross deferred income tax assets

 

190,153

 

184,206

Valuation allowance

 

(48,974)

 

(54,256)

Net deferred income tax assets

 

141,179

 

129,950

Deferred income tax liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Property, plant and equipment

 

45,300

 

37,686

Intangible assets

 

52,750

 

48,244

Defined benefit pension asset

 

6,054

 

Lease assets

 

40,708

 

41,128

Other deferred tax liabilities

 

4,941

 

5,041

Total deferred income tax liabilities

 

149,753

 

132,099

Net deferred income tax asset (liability)

$

(8,574)

$

(2,149)

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

Balance Sheet Caption

    

2022

    

2021

Other assets

$

32,517

$

45,700

Deferred income taxes

 

(41,091)

 

(47,849)

Net deferred income tax asset (liability)

$

(8,574)

$

(2,149)

     Balance Sheet Caption
2017 2016
Other assets$78,933
 $108,482
Deferred income taxes(34,906) (35,803)
Net deferred income tax asset$44,027
 $72,679

Management of the Company has reviewed recent operating results and projected future operating results. The Company'sCompany’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 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 201625, 2021 respectively, there were $54,521$67,249 and $104,439$83,690 relating to tax credits and loss carryforwards. During 2017, several dormant UK legal entities were placed in liquidation resulting in a reduction of the capital loss carryforward of $60,691. This reduction was fully offset by a reduction in the related valuation allowance.


Valuation allowances have been established for certain losses that reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will, more likely than not, be realized. During fiscal 2021, it was determined no longer more likely than not that the offshore wind energy structures business, based in Denmark, would generate future taxable income so a valuation allowance of $5,102 was recognized against their tax loss carryforwards. During fiscal year 2022, the offshore wind energy structures business was sold. Also in 2021, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $6,472 against the tax attributes related to the acquisition of Prospera. The deferred tax assets at December 30, 201731, 2022 that are associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards not reduced by valuation allowances expire in periods starting 2018.in 2023.

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

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.

71


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(9)

(10) INCOME TAXES (Continued)

– CONTINUED

The following summarizes the activity related to ourthe unrecognized tax benefits in 20172022 and 2016, in thousands:

 2017 2016
Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year$3,400
 $3,876
Gross increases—tax positions in prior period5
 99
Gross increases—current‑period tax positions1,044
 695
Settlements with taxing authorities(65) (105)
Lapse of statute of limitations(1,188) (1,165)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year$3,196
 $3,400
2021:

    

2022

    

2021

Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year

$

2,664

$

1,864

Gross increases—tax positions in prior period

 

1,133

 

1,315

Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period

 

 

(6)

Gross increases—current‑period tax positions

 

523

 

240

Settlements with taxing authorities

 

(1,576)

 

Lapse of statute of limitations

 

(208)

 

(749)

Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year

$

2,536

$

2,664

There are approximately $777$1,141 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 2017,2022, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $1,188$208 with $772$165 recorded as a reduction of income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. During 2016,2021, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $1,165,$749 with $810$592 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 $187$172 and $192$1,758 of interest and penalties at December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, 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 20142019 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 $3,059$2,447 and $3,328$4,324 at December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, respectively.



(10)

(11) LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is as follows:

 December 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
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)(4,312) (4,360)
6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020(c)250,200
 250,200
Unamortized premium on 6.625% senior unsecured notes(c)2,545
 3,557
Revolving credit agreement (d)
 
IDR Bonds(e)8,500
 8,500
Other notes4,033
 4,395
Debt issuance costs(6,112) (6,646)
Long-term debt754,854
 755,646
Less current installments of long-term debt966
 851
Long-term debt, excluding current installments$753,888
 $754,795



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(10) LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)

December 31,

    

December 25,

    

2022

    

2021

5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 (a)

$

450,000

$

450,000

5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054 (b)

 

305,000

 

305,000

Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a) (b)

 

(20,053)

 

(20,436)

Revolving credit agreement (c)

 

140,513

 

218,897

Other notes

 

3,587

 

5,684

Debt issuance costs

 

(6,918)

 

(7,189)

Long-term debt

 

872,129

 

951,956

Less: Current installments of long-term debt

 

1,194

 

4,884

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

$

870,935

$

947,072

(a)The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principal amount of $250,000$450,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $1,102$12,820 at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. 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.

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(b)The 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054 include an aggregate principal amount of $250,000$305,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $3,210$7,233 at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. 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.

73

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(11) LONG-TERM DEBT – CONTINUED

(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 $2,545 at December 30, 2017. The notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum and are due on April 1, 2020. 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 18, 2017,2021, the Company amendedalong with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and restated itsValmont Group Pty. Ltd., as borrowers, entered into an amendment and restatement of the revolving credit agreement with the Company’s lenders. The maturity date of the revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto.was extended to October 18, 2026. The credit facility provides for $600,000$800,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit loans.loans with available borrowings thereunder to $400,000 in foreign currencies. The Company may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200,000$300,000 at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. This amendment extends the maturity date of the credit facility from October 17, 2019 to October 18, 2022 and increases the available borrowings in foreign currencies from $200 million to $400 million. The interest rate on the borrowings will be, at the Company'sCompany’s option, either:
(i)LIBORterm SOFR (based on a 1, 2, 31-, 3-, or 6 month6-month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company'sCompany’s senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor'sPoor’s Rating Services and Moody'sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc., or;;
(ii)the higher of
the prime lending rate,
the prime lending rate,
the overnight bank rate plus 50 basis points, and
term SOFR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 100 basis points,
the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points, and
LIBOR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 100 basis points,

plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company'sCompany’s senior, unsecured, debt published by Standard & Poor'sPoor’s Rating Services and Mood'sMood’s Investors Service, Inc.; or

(iii)daily simple SOFR plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company’s senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Mood’s Investors Service, Inc.




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(10) LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)

At December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the Company had no$140,513 outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 20222026, and contains certaina financial covenantscovenant that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the Company had the ability to borrow $585,238$659,401 under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $14,762$162 associated with certain insurance obligations. WeThe Company also maintainmaintains certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $113,437, $113,276$125,034, of which $119,188 was unused at December 30, 2017.

(e)The Industrial Development Revenue Bonds were issued to finance the construction of31, 2022.

The revolving credit facility includes a manufacturing facility in Jasper, Tennessee. Variable interest is payable until final maturity on June 1, 2025. The effective interest rates at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were 2.00% and 1.48% respectively.

The lending agreements include certain maintenance covenants, including financial leverage and interest coverage.covenant. The Company was in compliance with all financial debt covenantsthis covenant at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. The minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following 20172022 are: $966, $765, $250,969, $773$1,194, $860, $679, $141,081, and $582.
$10.

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-ownedwholly owned subsidiaries PiRod,Valmont Telecommunications, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.

(11)

(12) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company maintains stock‑based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At December 30, 2017, 529,35631, 2022, 1,722,643 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans. Shares and options issued and available are subject to changes in

74

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

capitalization. The Company’s policy is to issue shares upon exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units or issuance of restricted stock from treasury shares held by the Company.

Under the stock option plans, the exercise price of each option equals the market price at the time of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three years or on the fifth anniversary of the grant. Expiration of grants is seven to ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. The Company recorded $5,137, $5,782$41,850, $28,720, and $5,137$14,874 of compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) in the 2017, 20162022, 2021, and 20152020 fiscal years for all share-based compensation programs, respectively. The associated tax benefits recorded in the 2017, 20162022, 2021, and 20152020 fiscal years was $1,952, $2,197$10,463, $7,180, and $1,952,$3,719, respectively.

(12) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION – CONTINUED

At December 30, 2017,31, 2022, the amount of unrecognized stock option compensation expense, to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.032.37 years, was approximately $7,588.

$6,814. Compensation expense for stock options was $3,120 in 2022, $2,538 in 2021, and $2,628 in 2020.

The Company uses a binomial option pricing model to value its stock options. The fair value of each option grant made in 2017, 20162022, 2021 and 20152020 was estimated using the following assumptions:

    

2022

2021

2020

Expected volatility

 

32.36

%  

33.01

%  

33.72

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.75

%  

1.26

%  

0.43

%

Expected life from vesting date

 

5.4 yrs

 

4.0 yrs

 

4.0 yrs

Dividend yield

 

1.10

%  

1.20

%  

1.24

%

Following is a summary of the stock option activity during 2020, 2021 and 2022:

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Remaining

Aggregate

Number of

Exercise

Contractual

Intrinsic

    

Shares

    

Price

    

Term

    

Value

Outstanding at December 28, 2019

 

488,560

$

133.13

 

  

 

  

Granted

 

66,231

 

168.80

 

  

 

  

Exercised

 

(147,014)

 

125.43

 

  

 

  

Forfeited

 

(8,212)

 

137.49

 

  

 

  

Outstanding at December 26, 2020

 

399,565

$

141.79

 

4.88

$

12,103

Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2020

 

389,633

$

141.56

 

4.81

 

11,890

Options exercisable at December 26, 2020

 

254,498

$

138.64

 

3.38

 

8,510

75

 2017 2016 2015
Expected volatility33.76% 33.88% 34.13%
Risk-free interest rate2.12% 1.83% 1.58%
Expected life from vesting date3.0 yrs
 3.0 yrs
 3.0 yrs
Dividend yield1.17% 1.13% 0.94%


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)
Following is a summary of the activity of the stock plans during 2015, 2016 and 2017:
 Number of
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 27, 2014768,595
 $113.72
    
Granted291,708
 104.89
    
Exercised(169,493) 74.37
    
Forfeited(41,201) 137.02
    
Outstanding at December 26, 2015849,609
 $117.42
 5.18 $4,536
Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2015818,300
 $117.61
 5.13 4,456
Options exercisable at December 26, 2015409,068
 $119.43
 3.74 3,376

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 20152020 was $27.91.

 Number of
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 26, 2015849,609
 $117.42
    
Granted85,092
 151.37
    
Exercised(109,893) 101.69
    
Forfeited(31,635) 129.36
    
Outstanding at December 31, 2016793,173
 $122.77
 4.78 $16,640
Options vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2016774,139
 $124.18
 4.75 16,200
Options exercisable at December 31, 2016469,844
 $123.75
 3.96 9,056
$45.49.

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Remaining

Aggregate

Number of

Exercise

Contractual

Intrinsic

    

Shares

    

Price

    

Term

    

Value

Outstanding at December 26, 2020

 

399,565

$

141.79

 

  

 

  

Granted

 

47,223

 

252.89

 

  

 

  

Exercised

 

(169,908)

 

135.76

 

  

 

  

Forfeited

 

(416)

 

132.84

 

  

 

  

Outstanding at December 25, 2021

 

276,464

$

164.48

 

5.88

$

22,586

Options vested or expected to vest at December 25, 2021

 

268,338

$

163.42

 

5.80

 

22,188

Options exercisable at December 25, 2021

 

154,860

$

142.15

 

4.00

 

15,896

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 20162021 was $40.00.$67.81.

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 Number of
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016793,173
 $122.77
    
Granted67,965
 164.35
    
Exercised(284,574) 121.92
    
Forfeited(5,942) 104.26
    
Outstanding at December 30, 2017570,622
 $128.34
 4.66 $21,806
Options vested or expected to vest at December 30, 2017558,114
 $128.00
 4.63 21,517
Options exercisable at December 30, 2017351,794
 $123.90
 3.94 15,005

(12) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION – CONTINUED

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Remaining

Aggregate

Number of

Exercise

Contractual

Intrinsic

    

Shares

    

Price

    

Term

    

Value

Outstanding at December 25, 2021

 

276,464

$

164.48

 

  

 

  

Granted

 

40,564

 

332.63

 

  

 

  

Exercised

 

(121,163)

 

139.89

 

  

 

  

Forfeited

 

(175)

 

104.47

 

  

 

  

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

 

195,690

$

214.62

 

7.53

$

22,644

Options vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2022

 

189,267

$

212.69

 

7.48

 

22,261

Options exercisable at December 31, 2022

 

90,556

$

172.08

 

6.40

 

14,276

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 20172022 was $43.68.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)
Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding at December 30, 2017:
Outstanding and Exercisable By Price Range
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Exercise Price
Range
 Number Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 Number Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$83.94 - 114.11 239,480
 4.71 years $103.23
 147,216
 $102.42
$120.91 - 136.42 127,901
 3.22 years 133.88
 125,459
 134.07
$142.67 - 164.35 203,241
 5.53 years 154.42
 79,119
 147.73
  570,622
     351,794
  
$104.01.

In accordance with shareholder-approved plans, the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant stock under various stock‑based compensation arrangements, including restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance based restricted stock units, and stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses. Under such arrangements, stock or cash (as applicable) is issued without direct cost to the employee. The restricted stock units are settled in Company stock when the restriction period ends. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. All cash-settled restricted stock units are marked-to-market and presented within other accrued expenses and noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During fiscal 2017, 20162022, 2021 and 2015,2020, the Company granted restricted stock units to directors and certain management employees as follows (which are not included in the above stock plan activity tables):

 2017 2016 2015
Shares issued62,160
 58,961
 47,038
Weighted‑average per share price on grant date$163.18
 $150.48
 $108.97
Recognized compensation expense$5,569
 $4,069
 $4,511

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Restricted stock units granted

 

60,901

 

216,971

 

85,251

Weighted‑average per share price on grant date

$

313.75

$

236.28

$

161.73

Recognized compensation expense

$

22,664

$

16,147

$

9,081

During the second half of 2021, the Company granted 159,982 restricted stock units, worth $36,916, to certain employees of Prospera. These restricted stock units vest in equal installments over four years and require the employees to continue employment over those four years. As such, the related compensation expense will be incurred over the vesting period.

At December 30, 201731, 2022 the amount of deferred stock‑based compensation granted, to be recognized over a weighted‑average period of 2.032.73 years, was approximately $15,971.$50,422.

Performance-based restricted stock units (“PSU”) awards consist of shares of the Company’s stock which are payable upon the determination that the Company achieve certain established performance targets and can range from 0% to 200% of the targeted payout based on the actual results. PSUs granted in 2022 and 2021 have a performance period of three years. The fair value of each PSU granted is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. PSUs granted generally have a three years period cliff vesting schedule; however, according to the grant agreements, if certain conditions are met, the employee (or beneficiary) will receive a prorated amount of the award based on active employment during the service period.

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Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


During fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted PSU awards as follows (which are not included in the above stock plan activity tables):

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

Shares granted

 

33,736

 

41,060

 

35,181

Weighted‑average per share price on grant date

$

215.15

$

230.40

$

125.41

Recognized compensation expense

$

16,066

$

10,035

$

3,165

78


(12)

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(13) EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table provides a reconciliation between Basicbasic and Diluteddiluted earnings per share (EPS)(“EPS”):

 Basic EPS Dilutive
Effect of
Stock
Options
 Diluted EPS
2017:     
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$116,240
 $
 $116,240
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)22,520
 218
 22,738
Per share amount$5.16
 $0.05
 $5.11
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

    

    

Dilutive

    

 Effect of 

Stock 

Diluted 

Basic EPS

Options

EPS

2022:

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

$

250,863

$

$

250,863

Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s)

 

21,311

 

269

 

21,580

Per share amount

$

11.77

$

(0.15)

$

11.62

2021:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

$

195,630

$

$

195,630

Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s)

 

21,193

 

300

 

21,493

Per share amount

$

9.23

$

(0.13)

$

9.10

2020:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.

$

140,693

$

$

140,693

Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s)

 

21,315

 

110

 

21,425

Per share amount

$

6.60

$

(0.03)

$

6.57

Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2017year 2022 were impacted by a loss from the 2017 Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017 bydivestiture of the U.S. government. We remeasured our U.S. deferred incomeoffshore wind energy structures’ business of $33,273 (no associated tax assets using a blended rate of 25.0% recognizing deferred income tax expense of approximately $20,372benefit) ($0.901.54 per share). We also recorded a provision charge of approximately $9,890 ($0.44 per share) of income tax expense for the deemed repatriation transition tax and $11,673 ($0.51 per share) of deferred expenses related to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes.

Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2016 included a deferred income tax benefityear 2021 were impacted by impairments of $30,590long-lived assets (customer relationship intangible asset, trade name, and property, plant and equipment) associated with the offshore wind energy structures business of $21,678 after-tax ($1.351.01 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 asand a valuation allowance against athe deferred tax credit asset. Finally, fiscal 2016 included the reversal of a contingent liability that was recognized as partassets of the Delta purchase accountingoffshore wind energy structures business of $16,591$5,076 after-tax ($0.730.24 per share) which was not taxable. Fiscal 2015 included. Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal year 2020 were impacted by impairments of goodwill and intangible assets in fiscal year 2020 of $40,140$16,220 after-tax ($1.720.76 per share), asset impairments arising from restructuring activities of $14,545 after-tax ($0.62 per share), and $13,622 of cash restructuring expenses of $17,324 after-tax ($0.580.81 per share).

Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not equal the total for the year.

At the end of fiscal years 2017, 2016,2022, 2021, and 20152020 there were 0, 197,303,40,564, 47,223, and 426,3880 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.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(13)

(14) 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%60% of annual pay, on a pretaxpre-tax and/or after-tax basis. The Company also makes contributions to the PlanVERSP and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain Company executives. The 2017, 20162022, 2021, and 20152020 Company contributions to these plans amounted to approximately $11,800, $10,900$18,300, $16,000, and $11,700$14,800, respectively.

The Company sponsors a fully‑funded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain Company executives who otherwise would be limited in receiving company contributions into the VERSP under Internal Revenue Service regulations. The invested assets and related liabilities of these participants were approximately $39,091$25,008 and $35,784$29,982 at December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, respectively. Such amounts are included in “Other assets” and “Deferred compensation” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

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 $2,672$4,691 and $5,317$8,900 at December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, respectively. All distributions were made in cash.

80

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(14)

(15) 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 30, 2017,31, 2022, the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $754,854$872,129 with an estimated fair value of approximately $799,258.$807,281. At December 31, 2016,25, 2021, the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $755,646$951,956 with an estimated fair value of approximately $731,633.

For financial reporting purposes,$1,175,332.

ASC 820 establishes a three‑level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date 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.
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 $39,091$25,008 ($35,78429,982 in 2016)2021) 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'sCompany’s remaining ownership in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (JSE:DTA) of $1,951$0 ($2,01694 in 2016)2021) is recorded at fair value at December 30, 2017.31, 2022. 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“Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward and cross currency contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.

Mutual Funds: The Company has short-term investments in various mutual funds.

Marketable Securities: The Company’s marketable securities consist of short-term investments in certificates of deposit.

Fair Value Measurement Using:

    

Quoted Prices in 

    

Significant Other 

    

Significant 

Active Markets

Observable

Unobservable 

Carrying Value 

 for Identical 

 Inputs 

Inputs 

December 31, 2022

Assets (Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Trading securities

$

25,008

$

25,008

$

$

Derivative financial instruments, net

$

1,404

$

$

1,404

$

Cash and cash equivalents - mutual funds

$

7,205

$

7,205

$

$

Cash and cash equivalents - marketable securities

$

136

$

$

136

$

81


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(14)

(15) DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

   Fair Value Measurement Using:
 Carrying Value
December 30, 2017
 Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:       
Trading Securities$41,042
 $41,042
 $
 $
   Fair Value Measurement Using:
 Carrying Value
December 31, 2016
 Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:       
Trading Securities$37,800
 $37,800
 $
 $
– CONTINUED

Fair Value Measurement Using:

    

Quoted Prices in

    

Significant Other

    

Significant 

Carrying Value 

 Active Markets 

 Observable 

Unobservable 

December 25,

for Identical 

Inputs

Inputs 

2021

Assets (Level 1)

 (Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets (Liabilities):

Trading securities

$

30,076

$

30,076

$

$

Derivative financial instruments, net

$

(4,007)

$

$

(4,007)

$

(15)

(16) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company manages interest rate risk, fromcommodity price risk, and foreign currency rate risk related to foreign currency denominated transactions and from natural gas supply pricing. From time to time,investments in foreign subsidiaries. Depending on the circumstances, the Company managesmay manage these risks usingby utilizing derivative financial instruments. Some of these derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company’s consolidated statementsConsolidated Statements of earnings,Earnings, while others may be accounted for as a fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedge.hedges. The Company had open foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, which are insignificant and thus excluded from the tables below. Derivative financial instruments have credit risk and market risk. To manage creditThe Company manages these risks of derivative instruments by monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk the Company only entersthat can be taken, and by entering into derivative transactions with counterparties who are recognized, stable multinational banks.

Natural Gas Prices: Natural gas supplies to meet production requirements

Fair value of production facilitiesderivative instruments at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 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 financialas follows:

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

    

Balance sheet location

2022

2021

Commodity forward contracts

Accrued expenses

$

(3,854)

$

(5,802)

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

83

 

149

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Accrued expenses

 

(118)

Cross currency swap contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

5,385

 

1,764

Cross currency swap contracts

 

Accrued expenses

(210)

 

$

1,404

$

(4,007)

Gains (losses) on derivatives may not exactly offset the changerecognized in the priceConsolidated Statements of physical gas. The contractsEarnings for the years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021, and December 26, 2020 are traded in months forwardas follows:

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Statements of earnings location

2022

2021

2020

Commodity forward contracts

Product cost of sales

$

(5,212)

$

25,821

$

Foreign currency forward contracts

Product sales

1,598

Foreign currency forward contracts

Other income

(45)

 

(40)

 

187

Interest rate hedge amortization

Interest expense

(64)

 

(64)

 

(64)

Cross currency swap contracts

Loss from divestiture of wind energy structures business

4,827

 

 

Cross currency swap contracts

Interest expense

2,875

 

2,780

 

2,738

$

2,381

$

28,497

$

4,459

82

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and settlement dates are scheduled to coincide with gas purchases during that future period. The financial effects of these derivatives in 2017 and 2016 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 (loss) and at December 30, 2017, the Company has a $2,545 deferred loss and a $4,312 deferred gain 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.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


Cash Flow Hedges

During 2021, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (“HRC”) forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $93,498 for the total purchase of 86,100 short tons. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company entered into additional steel HRC forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $14,010 for the total purchase of 15,000 short tons. As of December 31, 2022, the forward contracts had a notional amount of $9,766 for the total purchase of 10,300 short tons from January 2023 to March 2023. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in product cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings over average inventory turns.

83


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Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(16) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

In July 2017,– CONTINUED

During the third quarter of 2022, the Company entered into two six-monthnatural gas commodity forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future natural gas purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $5,211 for the total purchase of 770,000 mmBtu from October 2022 to October 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company entered into additional natural gas commodity forward contracts that also qualify as a cash flow hedge. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $3,088 for the total purchase of 620,000 mmBtu from January 2023 to October 2024. As of December 31, 2022, the forward contracts had a notional amount of $7,043 for the total purchase of 1,230,000 mmBtu from January 2023 to October 2024. The gain (loss) realized upon settlement will be recorded in “Product cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period consumed.

During the third quarter of 2022, a subsidiary with a euro functional currency entered into a foreign currency forward contract to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contract, which qualifies as a fair value hedge, matures in February 2023 and has a notional amount to sell $1,800 in exchange for a stated amount of euros.

During 2021, a Brazilian subsidiary with a real functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a customer order with components purchased in euros. The forward contracts, which qualified as net investment hedges,a cash flow hedge, matured in July and September 2021 and had notional amounts to buy 3,800 euros in exchange for a stated amount of Brazilian real. During 2021, a subsidiary with a euro functional currency entered into a foreign currency forward contract to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contract, which qualified as a fair value hedge, matured in December 2021 and a notional amount to sell $2,000 in exchange for a stated amount of euros.

In 2020, a Brazilian subsidiary with a real functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a customer order with components purchased in euros. The forward contracts, which qualified as a cash flow hedge, matured in December 2020 and a notional amount to buy 4,500 euros in exchange for a stated amount of Brazilian real. In 2020, a subsidiary with a euro functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contracts, which qualified as a cash flow hedge, matured in June 2021 and a notional amount to sell $27,500 in exchange for a stated amount of euros.

Net Investment Hedges

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company early settled its Australian dollar denominated foreign currency forward contracts and received proceeds of $11,983. Amounts will remain in OCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.

In the second quarter of 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps ("CCS"), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish krone (“DKK”) and euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on our grinding media business thatthe Company’s euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. Interest is denominated in both Australian dollarsexchanged twice per year on April 1 and British pounds. October 1.

The Company announced its intentiondesignated the full notional amount of the two CCS ($130,000) as a hedge of the net investment in certain Danish and European subsidiaries under the spot method, with all changes in the fair value of the CCS that are included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to divestspot foreign exchange rates) are recorded as cumulative foreign currency translation within AOCI. Net interest receipts will be recorded as a reduction of thisinterest expense over the life of the CCS.

During the second half of 2022, the Company settled the DKK CCS and received proceeds of $3,532. Due to the sale of the offshore wind energy structures business in August 2017the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company reclassified the cumulative net investment hedge

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in Australia is currently pending. The forward contracts have a maturity datethousands, except per share amounts)

gain of January 2018 and a notional amount to sell British pounds and Australian dollars and receive $24,059 and $21,222, respectively. The unrealized loss recorded at December 30, 2017 is $826$4,827 ($6193,620 after tax) and is included in Accounts Payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. No ineffectiveness has resulted from the hedge and the balance is recordedOCI to “Loss from divestiture of offshore wind energy structures business” in the Consolidated StatementStatements of Other Comprehensive Income within gain/(loss) on hedging activities. WhenEarnings.

Key terms of the forward contracts mature, the realized gain (loss) will be deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) where it will remain until the grinding media business is divested.

In 2016, the Company entered into a one-year foreign currency forward contract which qualifiedEuro CCS are as a net investment hedge, in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on a portion of our investments denominated in British pounds. The forward contract had a notional amount to sell British pounds and receive $44,000, and matured in May 2017. The realized gain of $5,123 ($3,150 after tax) has been deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) where it will remain until the Company's net investments in its British subsidiaries are divested. No ineffectiveness resulted from the hedge prior to its maturity.
follows:

    

Notional 

Swapped 

Set Settlement 

 

Currency

Amount

Termination Date

Interest Rate

Amount

 

Euro

$

80,000

April 1, 2024

 

2.825%

71,550

(16)

(17) GUARANTEES

The Company’s product warranty accrual reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. Historical product claims data is used to estimate the cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized.

Changes in the product warranty accrual, which is recorded in “Accrued expenses”, for the years ended December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, were as follows:

 2017 2016
Balance, beginning of period$26,538
 $36,653
Payments made(26,097) (20,355)
Change in liability for warranties issued during the period9,787
 9,565
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties9,881
 675
Balance, end of period$20,109
 $26,538

    

2022

    

2021

Balance, beginning of period

$

21,308

$

14,787

Payments made

 

(10,569)

 

(6,444)

Change in liability for warranties issued during the period

 

12,866

 

13,534

Change in liability for pre-existing warranties

 

(3,832)

 

(569)

Balance, end of period

$

19,773

$

21,308

(17)

(18) COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES

Various claims and lawsuits are pending against Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The Company cannot fully determine the effect of all asserted and unasserted claims on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Where asserted and unasserted claims are considered probable and reasonably estimable, a liability has been recorded. We doThe Company does not expect that any known lawsuits, claims, environmental costs, commitments, or contingent liabilities will have a material adverse effect on ourthe 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 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.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(18)

(19) 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 30, 2017.

31, 2022.

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)(“PBO”) and the fair value of the plan assets. The PBO is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants, including the effect of assumed future salary increases (if applicable) and inflation. Plan assets are measured at fair value. Because the pension plan is denominated in British pounds sterling, the Company used exchange rates of $1.234/$1.209/£ and $1.349/$1.356/£ to translate the net pension liability into U.S. dollars at December 31, 20162022 and December 30, 2017,25, 2021, respectively. The PBO was $435,711 at December 31, 2022. The net funded status of $189,552$24,216 at December 30, 201731, 2022 is recorded as a noncurrent liability.asset reflecting, in part, a significant actuarial gain for the period from December 25, 2021 to December 31, 2022 attributed to an increase in the discount rate.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets—The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)(“ABO”) is the present value of benefits earned to date, assuming no future compensation growth.

As there are no active employees in the plan, the ABO is equal to the PBO for all years presented. The underfundedoverfunded ABO represents the difference between the PBO and the fair value of plan assets.

(19) 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, 201526, 2020 to December 31, 201625, 2021 were as follows:

 Projected
Benefit
Obligation
 Plan
Assets
 Funded
status
Fair Value at December 31, 2015$697,449
 $518,126
 $(179,323)
Employer contributions
 1,426
  
Interest cost23,496
 
  
Actual return on plan assets
 80,538
  
Benefits paid(17,792) (17,792)  
Actuarial loss125,765
 
  
Currency translation(132,781) (95,631)  
Fair Value at December 31, 2016$696,137
 $486,667
 $(209,470)




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued)

    

Projected 

    

    

Benefit 

Plan 

Funded 

Obligation

Assets

status

Fair Value at December 26, 2020

$

860,173

$

741,650

$

(118,523)

Employer contributions

1,924

  

Interest cost

 

9,896

 

 

  

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

48,637

 

  

Benefits paid

 

(22,952)

 

(22,952)

 

  

Actuarial gain

 

(77,379)

 

 

  

Currency translation

 

(8,032)

 

(8,089)

 

  

Fair Value at December 25, 2021

$

761,706

$

761,170

$

(536)

Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 31, 201625, 2021 to December 31, 20172022 were as follows:

    

Projected  

    

    

Benefit

Plan 

Funded 

Obligation

Assets

status

Fair Value at December 25, 2021

$

761,706

$

761,170

$

(536)

Employer contributions

17,155

  

Interest cost

 

12,551

 

 

  

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

(228,493)

 

  

Benefits paid

 

(20,175)

 

(20,175)

 

  

Actuarial gain

 

(248,252)

 

 

  

Currency translation

 

(70,119)

 

(69,730)

 

  

Fair Value at December 31, 2022

$

435,711

$

459,927

$

24,216

Actuarial gain decreased the projected benefit obligation resulted from an increase in the discount rate to 4.80% in 2022 versus 1.90%.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 Projected
Benefit
Obligation
 Plan
Assets
 Funded
status
Fair Value at December 31, 2016$696,137
 $486,667
 $(209,470)
Employer contributions
 40,245
  
Interest cost18,152
 
  
Actual return on plan assets
 40,842
  
Benefits paid(22,172) (22,172)  
Actuarial loss25,154
 
  
Currency translation66,030
 48,167
  
Fair Value at December 31, 2017$783,301
 $593,749
 $(189,552)

Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 201625, 2021 consisted of actuarial gains (losses):

Balance December 26, 2015$(106,959)
     Actuarial loss(66,957)
     Currency translation gain17,038
Balance December 31, 2016(156,878)
     Actuarial loss(1,789)
     Currency translation loss(9,583)
Balance December 30, 2017$(168,250)
The estimated amount to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2018 is approximately $2,982.

Balance December 26, 2020

$

(165,258)

Actuarial gain

102,529

Prior service costs amortization

550

Currency translation gain

1,239

Balance December 25, 2021

(60,940)

Actuarial loss

(2,915)

Prior service costs amortization

493

Currency translation gain

5,451

Balance December 31, 2022

$

(57,911)

Assumptions—The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 20172022 and December 31, 201625, 2021 were as follows:

Percentages2017 2016
Discount rate2.55%
2.80%
Salary increaseN/A

N/A
CPI inflation2.20%
2.25%
RPI inflation3.30%
3.15%

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(18)

Percentages

    

2022

    

2021

Discount rate

 

4.80

%  

1.90

%

Salary increase

 

N/A

 

N/A

CPI inflation

 

2.35

%  

2.70

%

RPI inflation

 

3.25

%  

3.30

%

(19) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued)

Expense
– CONTINUED

Expense/(Benefit)

Pension expensebenefit 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 interest cost component is calculated using the full yield curve approach to estimate the interest cost by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used to determine the present value of the benefit plan obligations to relevant cash outflows for the corresponding year. 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 expensebenefit for the fiscal years ended December 30, 201731, 2022 and December 31, 201625, 2021 were as follows:

Net periodic (benefit) expense:

2022

    

2021

Interest cost

$

12,551

$

9,896

Expected return on plan assets

 

(23,131)

 

(27,763)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

493

 

550

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

2,750

Net periodic benefit

$

(10,087)

$

(14,567)

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

  2017 2016
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:   
Interest cost18,152
 23,496
Expected return on plan assets(20,486) (22,986)
Amortization of actuarial loss2,982
 1,360
Net periodic benefit expense (benefit)$648
 $1,870

Assumptions—The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense are as follows for fiscal 2017years 2022 and 2016:

Percentages 2017 2016
Discount rate2.80% 3.75%
Expected return on plan assets4.22% 5.15%
CPI Inflation2.25% 2.15%
RPI Inflation3.35% 3.35%
2021:

Percentages

    

2022

2021

Discount rate for benefit obligations

 

1.90

%  

1.40

%

Discount rate for interest cost

1.80

%  

1.15

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

3.48

%  

3.96

%

CPI Inflation

 

2.70

%  

2.00

%

RPI Inflation

 

3.30

%  

2.90

%

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 ourthe asset allocation mix and ourthe historical return, taking into account current and expected market conditions. The expected return of plan assets decreased from 3.96% to 3.48% for 2022 as the investment composition has more liability matching versus return seeking assets. 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 20162022 regarding annual funding for the Plan. The annual contributions into the Plan are $13,490$16,000 (/£10,000)13,100) per annum as part of the Plan’s recovery plan, along with a contribution to cover the administrative costs of the Plan of approximately $1,484$1,600 (/£1,100)1,300) per annum. The Company deferred its 2016 recovery plan contribution payment of £10,000, placing it into a restricted cash account. The restriction released in March 2017, whenIn December 2020, the Company contributed £10,000 to the Plan. The Company also made its required £10,0002021 annual contribution in March 2017 and prepaid the 2018 £10,000 contribution in December 2017addition to the Plan.







VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollarsrequired 2020 annual contribution that was made earlier in thousands, except per share amounts)


(18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued)
fiscal 2020.

Benefit Payments

The following table details expected pension benefit payments for the years 20182023 through 2027:2032:

2023

    

$

20,432

2024

 

21,036

2025

 

21,641

2026

 

22,366

2027

 

22,970

Years 2028 - 2032

 

125,733

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

2018$23,879
201924,689
202025,500
202126,308
202227,117
Years 2023 - 2027149,078

(19) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN – CONTINUED

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.
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 30, 2017.

31, 2022.

Fair Value Measurements

The pension plan assets are valued at fair value. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Leveraged inflation-linked gilts (LDIs)Inflation-Linked Gilts (“LDIs”)—LDIs are a combination of U.K. government-backed securities (such as bonds or other fixed income securities issued directly by the U.K. Treasury) money market instruments, and derivatives combined to give leveraged exposure to changes in the U.K. long-term interest and inflation rates. These funds are expected to offset a proportion of the impact changes in the long-term interest and inflation rates in the U.K. have on the pension plan'splan’s benefit plan obligation liability. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using net asset value (NAV)(“NAV”) for each investment.

Temporary Cash Investments—These investments consist of British pound sterling, reported in terms of U.S. dollars based on currency exchange rates readily available in active markets. These temporary cash investments are classified as Level 1 investments.

Corporate Bonds—Corporate bonds and debentures consist of fixed income securities issued by U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment.

Corporate Stock—This investment category consists of common and preferred stock, including mutual funds, issued by U.K. and non-U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment, except for one small holding that is actively traded.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN (Continued)
Diversified growth funds - investment.

Secured Income Asset (“SIA”) FundsThis investment category consists of diversified investment funds, whose holdings include common stock, fixed income funds, propertieswhich will have a high level of expected inflation linkage. Examples of underlying assets classes are rental streams and commoditiesinfrastructure debt. Due to the private nature of U.K.these investments, pricing inputs are not readily observable. Asset valuations are developed by the fund manager. These valuations are based on the application of public market multiples to private company cash flows, market transactions that provide valuation information for comparable companies, and non-U.K. securities.other methods. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment.NAV.

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Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(19) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN – CONTINUED

At December 31, 20172022 and December 31, 2016,25, 2021, the pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

    

Quoted Prices in

    

Significant Other

    

Significant

    

Active Markets

Observable

Unobservable

for Identical

Inputs

Inputs

December 31, 2022

Inputs (Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Total

Plan assets at fair value:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Temporary cash investments

$

5,916

$

$

$

5,916

Total plan net assets at fair value

$

5,916

$

$

$

5,916

Plan assets at NAV:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds

 

  

 

  

 

206,555

Corporate bonds

 

  

 

  

 

63,953

Corporate stock

 

  

 

  

 

55,379

Secured income asset funds

 

  

 

  

 

128,124

Total plan assets at NAV

 

  

 

  

 

454,011

Total plan assets

 

  

 

  

$

459,927

    

Quoted Prices in

    

Significant Other

    

Significant

    

Active Markets

Observable

Unobservable

for Identical

Inputs

Inputs

December 25, 2021

Inputs (Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Total

Plan assets at fair value:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Temporary cash investments

$

14,000

$

$

$

14,000

Total plan net assets at fair value

$

14,000

$

$

$

14,000

Plan assets at NAV:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds

 

  

 

  

 

283,288

Corporate bonds

 

  

 

  

 

107,945

Corporate stock

 

  

 

  

 

212,730

Secured income asset funds

 

  

 

  

 

143,207

Total plan assets at NAV

 

  

 

  

 

747,170

Total plan assets

 

  

 

  

$

761,170

(20) LEASES

The Company has operating leases for plant locations, corporate offices, sales offices, and certain equipment. Outstanding leases at December 31, 2022 have remaining lease terms of one year to twenty-five years, some of which include options to extend leases for up to ten years. The Company does not have any financing leases. The Company elected practical expedients not to reassess whether existing contracts are or contain leases, to not reassess the lease classification of any existing leases, to not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases, to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of the right-of-use asset, and to not separate lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in “Other assets”, “Other accrued expenses”, and “Operating lease liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make future lease payments arising from the lease.

90

December 31, 2017Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Inputs (Level 1)
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total
Plan assets at fair value:       
Temporary cash investments$17,915
 $
 $
 $17,915
Corporate stock536
 
 
 536
Total plan net assets at fair value$18,451
 $
 $
 $18,451
Plan assets at NAV:       
Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds

 

 
 158,011
Corporate bonds

 

 
 88,905
Corporate stock

 

 
 212,505
Diversified growth funds
 

 
 115,877
Total plan assets at NAV
 
 
 575,298
  Total plan assets
 
 
 $593,749
December 31, 2016Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Inputs (Level 1)
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total
Plan assets at fair value:       
Temporary cash investments$1,900
 $
 $
 $1,900
Corporate stock480
 
 
 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

Table of Contents


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS
In

Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the fourth quarterpresent value of 2017,lease payments over the Company's management structurelease term. The Company used its collateralized incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of future lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and reporting was changed to reflect management's expectationsexcludes any lease incentives and impairments. Some of the future growth ofCompany’s facility leases include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain product lines and to take into considerationthat the expected divestiture of the grinding media business, subject to regulatory approval, which historically was reported in the Energy and Mining segment. Grinding mediaoption will be reportedexercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company commenced on a new corporate headquarters operating lease with straight-line annual expense of approximately $5,100, a 2% annual increase in "Other" pending the completionlease payment, and a 25-year term during 2021. In recognition of its divestiture. The access systems applications product line is now partthis lease, an operating lease asset of the Engineered Support Structures ("ESS") segment$71,853 and the offshorean operating long-term liability of $71,196 was recognized.

(20) LEASES – CONTINUED

Lease cost and other complex structures product lineinformation related to the Company’s operating leases at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 are as follows:

Fifty-three

Fifty-two

weeks ended

weeks ended

December 31,

December 25,

    

2022

2021

Operating lease cost

$

31,062

$

27,421

Operating cash outflows from operating leases

$

33,150

 

$

27,793

 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations

$

27,480

 

$

86,481

 

Weighted average remaining lease term

 

17 years

 

 

17 years

 

Weighted average discount rate

 

4.2

%  

 

4.0

%

Operating lease cost includes approximately $1,600 for short-term lease costs and approximately $4,400 for variable lease payments in 2022.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 is now partas follows:

    

    

December 31,

    

December 25,

Classification

2022

2021

Operating lease assets

 

Other assets

$

162,930

$

152,664

Operating lease short-term liabilities

 

Other accrued expenses

 

16,857

 

16,754

Operating lease long-term liabilities

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

155,469

 

147,759

Total lease liabilities

$

172,326

$

164,513

91

Table of the Utility segment. InContents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 31, 2022 are as follows:

Fiscal year ending:

    

    

2023

$

23,815

2024

 

20,689

2025

 

19,615

2026

 

17,333

2027

 

13,924

Subsequent

 

147,767

Total minimum lease payments

$

243,143

Less: Interest

$

70,817

Present value of minimum lease payments

$

172,326

92

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(21) BUSINESS SEGMENTS

During the first quarter of 2017,2022, the Company’s CODM changed the Company’s management structure and began to manage the business, allocate resources, and evaluate performance based on the new structure. As a result, the Company also changed itshas realigned to a two reportable segment structure organized by market dynamics (Infrastructure and Agriculture). Three operating incomesegments resulted from the new management structure and two are aggregated into the Agriculture reportable segment. The Company considers gross profit margins, nature of products sold, nature of the production processes, type and class of customer, and methods used to separate outdistribute products when assessing aggregation of operating segments. The Infrastructure segment includes the LIFO expense (benefit). Certain inventories are accounted for using the LIFO basis in the consolidated financial statements. Theprevious reportable segments of Utility Support Structures, Engineered Support Structures, and Coatings. All prior period segment financial information havehas been accordingly reclassified in this reportrecast to reflect these changes, for all periods presented.


this change in reportable segments.

The Company now has fourtwo 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:

INFRASTRUCTURE:This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal,products and composite structuressolutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, renewable energy, lighting, transportation, and components for lightingtelecommunications, and traffic, access systems, wireless communication, and roadway safety;

UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: coatings services to preserve medal products.

AGRICULTURE:This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steelcenter pivot components and concrete structures for the utility industry and on and offshore and other complex steel structures used in energy generation and distribution outside the United States;

COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizing and powder coating services; and
IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agriculturallinear irrigation equipment and relatedfor agricultural markets, including parts and services for the agricultural industry and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for industrial customers.
precision agriculture.

In addition to these fourtwo reportable segments, the Company had other businessesa business and related activities that individually areis not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industryoffshore wind energy structures business and iswas reported in the "Other" category.

“Other” segment until its divestiture in 2022.

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 LIFO expense,Company’s operating income for segment purposes excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense, non-operating income and deductions, or income taxes to its business segments.taxes.

93


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(19)

(21) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Summary by Business

2022

2021

2020

SALES:

Infrastructure

$

2,928,419

$

2,372,100

$

2,141,741

Agriculture

1,346,672

1,028,717

645,831

Other

100,219

123,001

120,063

Total

4,375,310

3,523,818

2,907,635

INTERSEGMENT SALES:

Infrastructure

(18,673)

(10,576)

(6,541)

Agriculture

(11,387)

(11,667)

(5,739)

Other

Total

(30,060)

(22,243)

(12,280)

NET SALES:

Infrastructure

2,909,746

2,361,524

2,135,200

Agriculture

1,335,285

1,017,050

640,092

Other

100,219

123,001

120,063

Total

$

4,345,250

$

3,501,575

$

2,895,355

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):

Infrastructure

354,499

273,598

217,364

Agriculture

179,263

137,027

83,046

Other

2,259

(40,192)

(8,192)

Corporate

(102,772)

(83,648)

(66,265)

Total

$

433,249

$

286,785

$

225,953

    

Fifty-three weeks ended December 31, 2022

Infrastructure

    

Agriculture

Other

    

Intersegment Sales

    

Consolidated

Geographical market:

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

North America

$

2,234,339

$

766,929

$

$

(26,248)

$

2,975,020

International

 

694,080

 

579,743

 

100,219

 

(3,812)

 

1,370,230

Total

$

2,928,419

$

1,346,672

$

100,219

$

(30,060)

$

4,345,250

Product line:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Transmission, Distribution, and Substation

$

1,184,660

$

$

$

$

1,184,660

Lighting and Transportation

 

940,462

 

 

 

 

940,462

Coatings

 

356,707

 

 

 

(15,327)

 

341,380

Telecommunications

 

320,342

 

 

 

 

320,342

Renewable Energy

 

126,248

 

 

100,219

 

(3,346)

 

223,121

Irrigation Equipment and Parts, excluding Technology

 

 

1,231,587

 

 

(11,387)

 

1,220,200

Technology Products and Services

 

 

115,085

 

 

 

115,085

Total

$

2,928,419

$

1,346,672

$

100,219

$

(30,060)

$

4,345,250

94

 2017 2016 2015
SALES:     
Engineered Support Structures segment:     
Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products$633,178
 $612,868
 $580,877
    Communication Products171,718
 162,148
 162,635
Access Systems133,206
 131,703
 138,349
Engineered Support Structures segment938,102
 906,719
 881,861
Utility Support Structures segment:     
Steel658,604
 538,284
 582,930
Concrete99,738
 90,256
 95,581
Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures100,773
 107,824
 103,068
Utility Support Structures segment859,115
 736,364
 781,579
Coatings segment318,891
 289,481
 302,385
Irrigation segment652,430
 575,204
 612,201
Other76,300
 83,110
 103,690
Total2,844,838
 2,590,878
 2,681,716
INTERSEGMENT SALES:     
Engineered Support Structures25,862
 15,620
 1,059
Utility Support Structures2,871
 747
 3,829
Coatings62,080
 45,604
 46,912
Irrigation8,058
 7,231
 6,430
Other
 
 4,562
Total98,871
 69,202
 62,792
NET SALES:     
Engineered Support Structures segment912,240
 891,099
 880,802
Utility Support Structures segment856,244
 735,617
 777,750
Coatings segment256,811
 243,877
 255,473
Irrigation segment644,372
 567,973
 605,771
Other76,300
 83,110
 99,128
Total$2,745,967
 $2,521,676
 $2,618,924



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(19)

(21) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued)– CONTINUED

    

Fifty-two weeks ended December 25, 2021

Infrastructure

    

Agriculture

Other

    

Intersegment Sales

    

Consolidated

Geographical market:

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

North America

$

1,724,531

$

545,574

$

$

(22,243)

$

2,247,862

International

 

647,569

 

483,143

 

123,001

 

 

1,253,713

Total

$

2,372,100

$

1,028,717

$

123,001

$

(22,243)

$

3,501,575

Product line:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Transmission, Distribution, and Substation

$

935,099

$

$

$

$

935,099

Lighting and Transportation

 

825,923

 

 

 

 

825,923

Coatings

 

309,647

 

 

 

(10,575)

 

299,072

Telecommunications

 

238,527

 

 

 

 

238,527

Renewable Energy

 

62,904

 

 

123,001

 

 

185,905

Irrigation Equipment and Parts, excluding Technology

 

 

930,858

 

 

(11,668)

 

919,190

Technology Products and Services

 

 

97,859

 

 

 

97,859

Total

$

2,372,100

$

1,028,717

$

123,001

$

(22,243)

$

3,501,575

    

Fifty-two weeks ended December 26, 2020

Infrastructure

    

Agriculture

Other

    

Intersegment Sales

    

Consolidated

Geographical market:

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

North America

$

1,574,802

$

378,424

$

$

(12,280)

$

1,940,946

International

 

566,939

 

267,407

 

120,063

 

 

954,409

Total

$

2,141,741

$

645,831

$

120,063

$

(12,280)

$

2,895,355

Product line:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Transmission, Distribution, and Substation

$

795,693

$

$

$

$

795,693

Lighting and Transportation

 

797,335

 

 

 

 

797,335

Coatings

 

276,087

 

 

 

(6,541)

 

269,546

Telecommunications

 

186,244

 

 

 

 

186,244

Renewable Energy

 

86,382

 

 

120,063

 

 

206,445

Irrigation Equipment and Parts, excluding Technology

 

 

578,686

 

 

(5,739)

 

572,947

Technology Products and Services

 

 

67,145

 

 

 

67,145

Total

$

2,141,741

$

645,831

$

120,063

$

(12,280)

$

2,895,355

95

 2017 2016 2015
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):     
Engineered Support Structures$62,960
 $72,273
 $28,792
Utility Support Structures97,853
 71,171
 38,324
Coatings50,179
 46,596
 27,369
Irrigation101,498
 90,945
 78,218
Other2,134
 8,730
 (4,767)
Adjustment to LIFO inventory valuation method(5,680) (2,972) 12,103
Corporate(42,512) (43,239) (48,344)
Total266,432
 243,504
 131,695
Interest expense, net(39,908) (41,304) (41,325)
Other1,940
 18,254
 2,637
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries$228,464
 $220,454
 $93,007
      
TOTAL ASSETS:     
Engineered Support Structures$846,881
 $776,161
 $790,004
Utility Support Structures597,231
 544,015
 569,205
Coatings288,890
 274,666
 270,793
Irrigation369,798
 313,982
 310,967
Other68,934
 65,296
 72,646
Corporate430,516
 417,611
 378,767
Total$2,602,250
 $2,391,731
 $2,392,382
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:     
Engineered Support Structures$16,433
 $13,313
 $12,415
Utility Support Structures14,012
 7,969
 13,467
Coatings11,080
 24,873
 6,836
Irrigation7,055
 8,836
 7,756
Other2,376
 1,601
 2,318
Corporate4,310
 1,328
 2,676
Total$55,266
 $57,920
 $45,468







VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

– CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 30, 2017

31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):

Infrastructure

$

354,499

$

273,598

$

217,364

Agriculture

 

179,263

 

137,027

 

83,046

Other

2,259

(40,192)

(8,192)

Corporate

 

(102,772)

 

(83,648)

 

(66,265)

Total

 

433,249

 

286,785

 

225,953

Interest expense, net

 

(45,519)

 

(41,420)

 

(38,701)

Loss from divestiture of wind energy structures business

(33,273)

 

 

Other

 

9,431

 

14,718

 

5,516

Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries

$

363,888

$

260,083

$

192,768

96


(19)

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(21) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued)

 2017 2016 2015
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:     
Engineered Support Structures$27,637
 $27,824
 $30,775
Utility Support Structures25,079
 24,639
 27,305
Coatings15,115
 12,883
 12,962
Irrigation11,173
 12,097
 11,746
Other2,486
 2,502
 3,992
Corporate3,467
 2,472
 4,364
Total$84,957
 $82,417
 $91,144
– CONTINUED

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

TOTAL ASSETS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Infrastructure

$

2,267,800

$

2,102,851

$

1,933,970

Agriculture

 

1,112,588

 

1,027,272

 

465,322

Other

67,592

137,316

Corporate

 

176,608

 

249,534

 

416,552

Total

$

3,556,996

$

3,447,249

$

2,953,160

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:

Infrastructure

 

$

53,228

 

$

72,129

 

$

81,074

Agriculture

 

32,886

 

17,509

 

16,740

Other

345

Corporate

 

7,174

 

17,807

 

8,886

Total

$

93,288

$

107,790

$

106,700

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:

Infrastructure

$

62,398

$

59,748

$

58,985

Agriculture

 

23,681

 

17,813

 

12,098

Other

1,393

5,988

5,848

Corporate

 

9,695

 

9,028

 

5,961

Total

$

97,167

$

92,577

$

82,892

Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities:

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

NET SALES:

United States

$

2,965,673

$

2,260,198

$

1,919,136

Australia

 

292,072

 

297,720

 

252,253

Brazil

 

354,497

 

200,402

 

103,591

Denmark

 

100,219

 

123,001

 

120,063

Other

 

632,789

 

620,254

 

500,312

Total

$

4,345,250

$

3,501,575

$

2,895,355

LONG-LIVED ASSETS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

United States

$

1,246,956

$

1,172,552

$

748,886

Australia

 

82,290

 

173,240

 

179,673

Brazil

 

42,259

 

28,583

 

17,151

Denmark

 

 

21,232

 

61,546

Other

 

404,906

 

338,879

 

391,279

Total

$

1,776,411

$

1,734,486

$

1,398,535

97

Table of Contents

Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – CONTINUED

Three-year period ended December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 2017 2016 2015
NET SALES:     
United States$1,702,826
 $1,535,321
 $1,586,702
Australia356,959
 315,470
 347,975
Denmark100,773
 99,719
 98,628
Other585,409
 571,166
 585,619
Total$2,745,967
 $2,521,676
 $2,618,924
      
LONG-LIVED ASSETS:     
United States$544,724
 $568,085
 $575,737
Australia227,483
 216,416
 259,326
Denmark90,372
 85,654
 90,463
Other267,106
 268,360
 240,004
Total$1,129,685
 $1,138,515
 $1,165,530

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2017, 2016,2022, 2021, or 2015.2020. 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.Company. Brazil and Australia accounted for approximately 13%8% and 7% of the Company'sCompany’s net sales in 2017;2022, respectively; no other foreign country accounted for more than 5%3% 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.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.

98







VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)



(20) 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 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$1,200,181
 $485,448
 $1,312,214
 $(251,876) $2,745,967
Cost of sales898,799
 375,383
 1,042,199
 (252,182) 2,064,199
Gross profit301,382
 110,065
 270,015
 306
 681,768
Selling, general and administrative expenses192,182
 47,955
 175,199
 
 415,336
Operating income109,200
 62,110
 94,816
 306
 266,432
Other income (expense):         
Interest expense(43,642) (13,866) (1,003) 13,866
 (44,645)
Interest income838
 42
 17,723
 (13,866) 4,737
Other5,681
 58
 (3,799) 
 1,940
 (37,123) (13,766) 12,921
 
 (37,968)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries72,077
 48,344
 107,737
 306
 228,464
Income tax expense (benefit):         
Current29,407
 17,928
 18,920
 135
 66,390
Deferred10,307
 
 29,448
 
 39,755
 39,714
 17,928
 48,368
 135
 106,145
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries32,363
 30,416
 59,369
 171
 122,319
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries83,877
 22,146
 
 (106,023) 
Net earnings116,240
 52,562
 59,369
 (105,852) 122,319
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (6,079) 
 (6,079)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc$116,240
 $52,562
 $53,290
 $(105,852) $116,240

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the Year ended December 31, 2016
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$1,126,985
 $390,756
 $1,195,812
 $(191,877) $2,521,676
Cost of sales837,616
 285,924
 932,609
 (190,716) 1,865,433
Gross profit289,369
 104,832
 263,203
 (1,161) 656,243
Selling, general and administrative expenses184,493
 46,244
 182,002
 
 412,739
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 
 
 
Operating income104,876
 58,588
 81,201
 (1,161) 243,504
Other income (expense):         
Interest expense(43,703) (10) (696) 
 (44,409)
Interest income273
 112
 2,720
 
 3,105
Other1,480
 77
 16,697
 
 18,254
 (41,950) 179
 18,721
 
 (23,050)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries62,926
 58,767
 99,922
 (1,161) 220,454
Income tax expense (benefit):         
Current24,539
 20,270
 21,262
 (323) 65,748
Deferred6,216
 
 (29,901) 
 (23,685)
 30,755
 20,270
 (8,639) (323) 42,063
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries32,171
 38,497
 108,561
 (838) 178,391
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries141,061
 66,128
 
 (207,189) 
Net earnings173,232
 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


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the Year ended December 26, 2015
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$1,169,674
 $423,928
 $1,238,609
 $(213,287) $2,618,924
Cost of sales890,242
 332,847
 987,729
 (212,927) 1,997,891
Gross profit279,432
 91,081
 250,880
 (360) 621,033
Selling, general and administrative expenses194,335
 45,549
 207,484
 
 447,368
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 41,970
 
 41,970
Operating income85,097
 45,532
 1,426
 (360) 131,695
Other income (expense):         
Interest expense(43,552) 
 (1,069) 
 (44,621)
Interest income9
 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 subsidiaries39,180
 45,695
 8,492
 (360) 93,007
Income tax expense (benefit):         
Current863
 23,261
 18,446
 (1) 42,569
Deferred10,042
 (6,224) 1,040
 
 4,858
 10,905
 17,037
 19,486
 (1) 47,427
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries28,275
 28,658
 (10,994) (359) 45,580
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries11,842
 (39,418) (247) 27,576
 (247)
Net earnings40,117
 (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



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year ended December 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$116,240
 $52,562
 $59,369
 $(105,852) $122,319
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gains (losses)
 138,795
 (59,516) 
 79,279
Gain (loss) on hedging activity:         
     Unrealized gain (loss) on net investment hedge(1,695) 
 
 
 (1,695)
     Amortization cost included in interest expense74
 
 
 
 74
 (1,621) 
 
 
 (1,621)
Actuarial gain (loss) in defined benefit pension plan liability
 
 (10,871) 
 (10,871)
Equity in other comprehensive income68,958
 
 
 (68,958) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)67,337
 138,795
 (70,387) (68,958) 66,787
Comprehensive income (loss)183,577
 191,357
 (11,018) (174,810) 189,106
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (5,529) 
 (5,529)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$183,577
 $191,357
 $(16,547) $(174,810) $183,577



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year ended December 31, 2016
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 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)
 
 49
 (58,364) 
 (58,315)
Gain (loss) on hedging activity:         
     Amortization cost included in interest expense74
 
 
 
 74
         Unrealized gain on net investment hedge4,226
 
 
 
 4,226
 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

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year ended December 26, 2015
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 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 hedging activity:         
     Amortization cost included in interest expense74
 
 
 
 74
         Realized (gain) loss included in net earnings(3,130) 
 
 
 (3,130)
         Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges2,855
 
 
 
 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(92,668) (25,926) (133,043) 159,801
 (91,836)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (832) 
 (832)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$(92,668) $(25,926) $(133,875) $159,801
 $(92,668)



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
ASSETS         
Current assets:         
Cash and cash equivalents$83,329
 $5,304
 $404,172
 $
 $492,805
Receivables, net149,221
 82,995
 271,461
 
 503,677
Inventories160,444
 46,801
 217,551
 (3,848) 420,948
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets8,607
 970
 34,066
 
 43,643
Refundable income taxes11,492
 
 
 
 11,492
Total current assets413,093
 136,070
 927,250
 (3,848) 1,472,565
Property, plant and equipment, at cost557,371
 160,767
 447,549
 
 1,165,687
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization368,668
 84,508
 193,583
 
 646,759
Net property, plant and equipment188,703
 76,259
 253,966
 
 518,928
Goodwill20,108
 110,562
 207,050
 
 337,720
Other intangible assets130
 30,955
 107,514
 
 138,599
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts1,416,446
 1,181,537
 927,179
 (3,525,162) 
Other assets50,773
 
 83,665
 
 134,438
Total assets$2,089,253
 $1,535,383
 $2,506,624
 $(3,529,010) $2,602,250
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
Current liabilities:         
Current installments of long-term debt$
 $
 $966
 $
 $966
Notes payable to banks
 
 161
 
 161
Accounts payable69,915
 18,039
 139,952
 
 227,906
Accrued employee compensation and benefits44,086
 8,749
 31,591
 
 84,426
Accrued expenses28,198
 9,621
 43,210
 
 81,029
Dividends payable8,510
 
 
 
 8,510
Total current liabilities150,709
 36,409
 215,880
 
 402,998
Deferred income taxes20,885
 
 14,021
 
 34,906
Long-term debt, excluding current installments750,821
 185,078
 9,836
 (191,847) 753,888
Defined benefit pension liability
 
 189,552
 
 189,552
Deferred compensation42,928
 
 5,598
 
 48,526
Other noncurrent liabilities11,074
 6
 9,505
 
 20,585
Shareholders’ equity:         
Common stock of $1 par value27,900
 457,950
 648,682
 (1,106,632) 27,900
Additional paid-in capital
 159,414
 1,107,536
 (1,266,950) 
Retained earnings1,954,344
 622,044
 619,622
 (1,241,666) 1,954,344
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(279,022) 74,482
 (352,567) 278,085
 (279,022)
Treasury stock(590,386) 
 
 
 (590,386)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity1,112,836
 1,313,890
 2,023,273
 (3,337,163) 1,112,836
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
 
 38,959
 
 38,959
Total shareholders’ equity1,112,836
 1,313,890
 2,062,232
 (3,337,163) 1,151,795
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,089,253
 $1,535,383
 $2,506,624
 $(3,529,010) $2,602,250

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2016
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
ASSETS         
Current assets:         
Cash and cash equivalents$67,225
 $6,071
 $326,652
 $
 $399,948
Receivables, net134,351
 60,522
 244,469
 
 439,342
Inventories126,669
 45,457
 182,056
 (4,154) 350,028
Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, and other assets13,271
 880
 43,146
 
 57,297
Refundable income taxes6,601
 
 
 
 6,601
Total current assets348,117
 112,930
 796,323
 (4,154) 1,253,216
Property, plant and equipment, at cost547,076
 153,596
 405,064
 
 1,105,736
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization352,960
 76,776
 157,665
 
 587,401
Net property, plant and equipment194,116
 76,820
 247,399
 
 518,335
Goodwill20,108
 110,561
 190,441
 
 321,110
Other intangible assets184
 35,953
 108,241
 
 144,378
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts1,279,413
 901,758
 1,089,369
 (3,270,540) 
Other assets43,880
 
 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 payable52,272
 15,732
 109,484
 
 177,488
Accrued employee compensation and benefits34,508
 7,243
 30,653
 
 72,404
Accrued expenses30,261
 15,242
 44,411
 
 89,914
Dividends payable8,445
 
 
 
 8,445
Total current liabilities125,486
 38,217
 186,145
 
 349,848
Deferred income taxes22,481
 
 13,322
 
 35,803
Long-term debt, excluding current installments751,251
 
 3,544
 
 754,795
Defined benefit pension liability
 
 209,470
 
 209,470
Deferred compensation39,476
 
 4,843
 
 44,319
Other noncurrent liabilities3,642
 5
 11,263
 
 14,910
Shareholders’ equity:         
Common stock of $1 par value27,900
 457,950
 648,683
 (1,106,633) 27,900
Additional paid-in capital
 159,414
 1,107,536
 (1,266,950) 
Retained earnings1,874,722
 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’ equity943,482
 1,199,800
 2,074,894
 (3,274,694) 943,482
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
 
 39,104
 
 39,104
Total shareholders’ equity943,482
 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

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year ended December 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Cash flows from operating activities:         
Net earnings$116,240
 $52,562
 $59,369
 $(105,852) $122,319
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:         
Depreciation and amortization26,237
 15,003
 43,717
 
 84,957
Noncash loss on trading securities
 
 237
 
 237
Decrease in restricted cash - pension plan trust
 
 12,568
 
 12,568
  Stock-based compensation10,706
 
 
 
 10,706
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit)
 
 648
 
 648
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
 
 (40,245) 
 (40,245)
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment(664) 8
 (3,268) 
 (3,924)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries(83,877) (22,146) 
 106,023
 
Deferred income taxes10,307
 
 29,448
 
 39,755
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):         
Receivables(13,120) (22,473) (13,519) 
 (49,112)
Inventories(33,775) (1,345) (22,016) (306) (57,442)
Prepaid expenses(2,207) (90) (3,741) 
 (6,038)
Accounts payable17,643
 2,307
 19,455
 
 39,405
Accrued expenses7,516
 (4,116) (5,398) 
 (1,998)
Other noncurrent liabilities(140) 
 (7,088) 
 (7,228)
Income taxes payable (refundable)(11,837) 728
 12,217
 
 1,108
Net cash flows from operating activities43,029
 20,438
 82,384
 (135) 145,716
Cash flows from investing activities:         
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(20,460) (9,454) (25,352) 
 (55,266)
Proceeds from sale of assets748
 3
 7,434
 
 8,185
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 (5,362) 
 (5,362)
Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedge5,123
 
 
 
 5,123
Other, net684
 (22,777) 19,663
 135
 (2,295)
Net cash flows from investing activities(13,905) (32,228) (3,617) 135
 (49,615)
Cash flows from financing activities:         
Payments under short-term agreements
 
 (585) 
 (585)
Principal payments on long-term borrowings

 
 (887) 
 (887)
Dividends paid(33,862) 
 
 
 (33,862)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
 
 (5,674) 
 (5,674)
Intercompany dividends22,662
 
 (22,662) 
 
Intercompany capital contribution(10,818) 10,818
     
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans35,159
 
 
 
 35,159
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises(26,161) 
 
 
 (26,161)
Net cash flows from financing activities(13,020) 10,818
 (29,808) 
 (32,010)
          Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 205
 28,561
 
 28,766
          Net change in cash and cash equivalents16,104
 (767) 77,520
 
 92,857
          Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year67,225
 6,071
 326,652
 
 399,948
          Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$83,329
 $5,304
 $404,172
 $
 $492,805

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year ended December 31, 2016
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 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 amortization27,096
 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 compensation9,931
 
 
 
 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 equipment165
 103
 363
 
 631
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries(141,061) (66,128) 
 207,189
 
Deferred income taxes6,216
 
 (29,901) 
 (23,685)
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):         
Receivables(3,610) 5,865
 22,367
 
 24,622
Inventories5,554
 (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 expenses1,423
 (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 activities93,784
 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 assets44
 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:         
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 plans11,153
 
 
 
 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 equivalents4,944
 2,063
 43,867
 
 50,874
          Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year62,281
 4,008
 282,785
 
 349,074
          Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$67,225
 $6,071
 $326,652
 $
 $399,948


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(20) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year ended December 26, 2015
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 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 amortization29,433
 12,611
 49,100
 
 91,144
Noncash loss on trading securities
 
 4,555
 
 4,555
Impairment of property, plant and equipment7,486
 542
 11,808
 
 19,836
  Impairment of goodwill & intangibles assets
 
 41,970
 
 41,970
  Stock-based compensation7,244
 
 
 
 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 equipment983
 319
 1,025
 
 2,327
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries(11,842) 39,418
 247
 (27,576) 247
Deferred income taxes10,042
 (6,224) 1,040
 
 4,858
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):         
Receivables27,576
 3,547
 19,144
 
 50,267
Inventories(4,364) 18,130
 (12,698) 2,228
 3,296
Prepaid expenses2,337
 (172) 8,679
 
 10,844
Accounts payable6,831
 (1,970) (11,666) 
 (6,805)
Accrued expenses(16,485) 17,713
 7,366
 324
 8,918
Other noncurrent liabilities177
 
 (1,941) 
 (1,764)
Income taxes payable (refundable)7,895
 (306) (482) 
 7,107
Net cash flows from operating activities107,430
 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 assets3,996
 302
 (1,049) 
 3,249
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 (12,778) 
 
 (12,778)
Other, net72,866
 (50,447) (13,400) (2,193) 6,826
Net cash flows from investing activities62,500
 (70,641) (37,837) (2,193) (48,171)
Cash flows from financing activities:         
Payments under short-term agreements
 
 (12,853) 
 (12,853)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings68,000
 
 
 
 68,000
Principal payments on long-term borrowings(68,213) 
 (885) 
 (69,098)
Dividends paid(35,357) 
 
 
 (35,357)
Intercompany dividends26,115
 
 (26,115) 
 
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
 
 (2,634) 
 (2,634)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans13,075
 
 
 
 13,075
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises1,699
 
 
 
 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 year69,869
 2,157
 299,553
 
 371,579
          Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$62,281
 $4,008
 $282,785
 $
 $349,074


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


(21) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
     Net Earnings      
   Gross   Per Share Stock Price Dividends
 Net Sales Profit Amount Basic Diluted High Low Declared
2017               
First$637,473
 $164,605
 $38,979
 $1.73
 $1.72
 $165.20
 $135.95
 $0.375
Second712,737
 183,280
 45,664
 2.03
 2.01
 157.60
 144.65
 0.375
Third680,779
 163,594
 35,208
 1.56
 1.55
 160.35
 140.90
 0.375
Fourth (1)714,978
 170,289
 (3,611) (0.16)
(0.16) 176.35
 153.65
 0.375
Year$2,745,967
 $681,768
 $116,240
 $5.16
 $5.11
 $176.35
 $135.95
 $1.50
2016               
First$596,605
 $160,968
 $32,969
 $1.45
 $1.45
 $125.69
 $96.50
 $0.375
Second640,249
 175,117
 42,026
 1.86
 1.85
 145.94
 117.10
 0.375
Third610,247
 155,023
 28,173
 1.25
 1.24
 139.62
 125.60
 0.375
Fourth (2)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
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 2017 was impacted by the 2017 Tax Act. We remeasured our U.S. deferred income tax assets using a blended rate of 25.0% recognizing deferred income tax expense of approximately $20,372 ($0.90 per share). We also recorded a provision charge of approximately $9,890 ($0.44 per share) of income tax expense for the deemed repatriation transition tax and $11,673 ($0.51 per share) of deferred expenses related to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes.

(2)     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).







ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s management used the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO)(“COSO”) to perform this evaluation. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 30, 2017.

31, 2022.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 201731, 2022 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, a copy of which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


99

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholdersshareholders and the Board of Directors of Valmont Industries, Inc.


Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting


We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Valmont Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Control — Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017,31, 2022, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Control — Integrated Framework (2013)issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018March 1, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ DeloitteDELOITTE & ToucheTOUCHE LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

March 1, 2023

February 28, 2018

100


ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

Shareholder Return Performance Graphs

The graphs below compare the yearly change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P Mid Cap 400 Index and the S&P Mid Cap 400 Industrial Machinery Index for the five and ten-year periods ended December 30, 2017.31, 2022. The Company was added to these indexes in 2009 by Standard & Poor’s. The graphs assume that the beginning value of the investment in Valmont Common Stock and each index was $100 and that all dividends were reinvested.

Graphic

101

Graphic

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

Not Applicable.


102

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

Except for the information relating to the executive officers of the Company set forth in Part I of this 10-K Report, the information called for by items 10, 11, and 13 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Certain Shareholders”, “Corporate Governance”, “Board of Directors and Election of Directors”, "Board Committees", “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, "Compensation Risk Assessment", “Human Resources Committee Report”, "Pay Ratio Information", “Summary Compensation Table”, “Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year 2017”2022”, “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End”, “Options Exercised and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2017”2022”, “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation”, “Director Compensation”, and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers that applies to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller and has posted the code on its website at www.valmont.com through the “Investors Relations” link. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K relating to amendments to or waivers from any provision of the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or Controller by posting that information on the Company’s Web site at www.valmont.com through the “Investors Relations” link.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

See Item 10.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND

RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

Incorporated herein by reference to “Certain Shareholders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

INDEPENDENCE.

See Item 10.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The information called for by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the sections titled “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement.

103



PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)(1)(2)  Financial Statements and Schedules.

The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included herein as listed below:


All other schedules have been omitted as the required information is inapplicablenot applicable, not required, or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes. Separate financial statements of the registrant have been omitted because the registrant meets the requirements which permit omission.
(a)

(3)TheIndex to Exhibits

See exhibits listed on the "Index to Exhibits” are filed with this Form 10-K or incorporated by reference as set forthunder Part B below.

(b)     The exhibits listed on the "Index to Exhibits” are filed with this Form 10-K or incorporated by reference as set forth below.
(c)     Additional Financial Statement Schedules


Schedule II

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(Dollars in thousands)

104

 Balance at
beginning of
period
 Charged to
profit and loss
 Currency Translation Adjustment Deductions
from
reserves*
 Balance at
close of
period
Fifty-three weeks ended December 30, 2017         
Reserve deducted in balance sheet from the asset to which it applies—         
Allowance for doubtful receivables$18,991
 2,060
 510
 (11,748) $9,813
Allowance for deferred income tax asset valuation81,923
 7,728
 5,762
 (67,549) 27,864
Fifty-two 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 valuation90,837
 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 valuation104,487
 1,267
 (14,917) 
 90,837

(b)Exhibits

*The deductions from reserves are net of recoveries.



INDEX TO EXHIBITS

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. This document was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 001-31429) for the quarter ended March 28, 2009 and is incorporated herein by this reference.

The Company'sCompany’s By-Laws, as amended. This document was filed as Exhibit 3.13.2 to the Company's QuarterlyCompany’s Current Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 20148-K dated December 13, 2022 and is incorporated herein (Commission file number 001-31429) by reference.reference.

Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2012, among the Company, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., as Borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated August 15, 2012 and is incorporated herein by reference.
First Amendment dated as of October 17, 2014 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2012, among the Company, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., as Borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto. This document was filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated October 17, 2014 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Second Amendment dated as of February 23, 2016 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2012, among the Company, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., as Borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto.  This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated February 23, 2016 and is incorporated herein by reference.

First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2017,2021, among the Company, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., as Borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated October 18, 20172021 and is incorporated herein by reference.

reference.

4.2

Indenture relating to senior debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association., as Trustee. This document was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 12, 2010 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

4.3

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2010, to indenture relating to senior debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. This document was filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 12, 2010 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

4.4

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 22, 2014, to Indenture relating to senior debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. This document was filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company'sCompany’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated September 22, 2014 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.


Exhibit 4.5

Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 22, 2014, to Indenture relating to senior debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. This document was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company'sCompany’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated September 22, 2014 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

4.6

The Company’s 2008 Stock Plan.

Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.54.9 to the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the fiscal year ended December 28, 20132019 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

10.1

The Company'sCompany’s 2013 Stock Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 30, 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.reference.

10.2

2013 Stock Plan Amendment, dated December 17, 2015. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the year ended December 26, 2015 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

Exhibit 10.3

The Company’s 2018 Stock Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated March 12, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit 10.4

The Company’s 2022 Stock Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 14, 2022 (Commission file number 001-1429) and herein incorporated by reference.

105

Exhibit 10.5

Form of Stock Option Agreement. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.810.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the year ended December 31, 201625, 2021 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 30, 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Director). This document was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 30, 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Domestic). This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1110.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the year ended December 31, 201625, 2021 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

10.7

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (International)(Director). This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1210.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the year ended December 26, 201525, 2021 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

10.8

Form of DirectorRestricted Stock Option Agreement.Unit Agreement (International). This document was filed as Exhibit 10.910.7 to the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on formForm 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the year ended December 29, 201225, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.this reference.

10.9

The 2013 Valmont Executive Incentive Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 30, 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.reference.

10.10

The Amended Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.


Exhibit 10.11

VERSP Deferred Compensation Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 and is incorporated herein by this reference.reference.

Subsidiaries of the Company.Company.

Exhibit 22.1

List of Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries. This document was filed as Exhibit 22.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 001-31429) for the quarter ended September 25, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit 23*

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.LLP.

Power of Attorney.Attorney.

Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.Officer.

Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.Officer.

Section 906 Certifications.Certifications.

Exhibit 101

The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017,31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income,(iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vii) document and entity information.

Exhibit 104

Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*

Filed herewith

106

*Filed herewith

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K, certain instruments with respect to the registrant’s long-term debt are not filed with this Form 10-K. Valmont will furnish a copy of such long-term debt agreements to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

Management contracts and compensatory plans are set forth as exhibitsExhibits 10.1 through 10.12.10.11.

107


ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not Applicable.

SIGNATURES

108

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 28th1st day of February, 2018.

March, 2023

Valmont Industries, Inc.

By:

/s/ STEPHEN G. KANIEWSKI

Stephen G. Kaniewski

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

Signature

TitleDate

/s/ StephenSTEPHEN G. Kaniewski

KANIEWSKI

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
(Principal
Executive Officer)

2/28/2018

3/1/2023

Stephen G. Kaniewski

/s/ MARK C. JAKSICH

AVNER M. APPLBAUM

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal
(Principal
Financial Officer)

2/28/2018

3/1/2023

Mark C. Jaksich

Avner M. Applbaum

/s/ TIMOTHY P. FRANCIS

GENE PADGETT

Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal
(Principal
Accounting Officer)

2/28/2018

3/1/2023

Timothy P. Francis

Gene Padgett

Mogens C. Bay*

James B. Milliken*

K.R. den Daas*

Daniel P. Neary*

K.R. den Daas*

Ritu C. Favre*

Catherine J. Paglia*

Theo W. Freye*

Clark T. Randt*Randt, Jr.*

      James B. Milliken*

Richard A. Lanoha*

Walter Scott, Jr.*

Joan Robinson-Berry*

    Donna M. Milrod*

Kenneth E. Stinson*

*

*

Stephen G. Kaniewski, by signing his name hereto, signs the Annual Report on behalf of each of the directors indicated on this 28ththe 1st day of February, 2018.March, 2023. A Power of Attorney authorizing Stephen G. Kaniewski to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K on behalf of each of the indicated directors of Valmont Industries, Inc. has been filed herein as Exhibit 24.

By:

By:

/s/ STEPHEN G. KANIEWSKI

Stephen G. Kaniewski

Attorney-in-Fact


109





102