UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
x    QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 29, 2018
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 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
47-0351813 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One Valmont Plaza, 
Omaha, Nebraska 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
68154-5215 
(Zip Code)

(402) 963-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
________________________

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 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”company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non‑accelerated filer o 
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company  o

(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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
22,552,07322,088,480
Outstanding shares of common stock as of April 20,October 25, 2018


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 Page No. Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
  
  
March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017
  
weeks ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 29, 2018 and December 30, 
20172017
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirteen weeks ended Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended 
March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the thirteen Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the thirty-nine 
weeks ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial StatementsNotes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of ProceedsUnregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 5.Other Information
Item 6.
  
  
  



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
March 31,
2018
 April 1,
2017
September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
Product sales$620,486
 $572,952
$597,469
 $602,080
 $1,816,597
 $1,807,539
Services sales78,198
 64,521
81,223
 78,699
 243,184
 223,450
Net sales698,684
 637,473
678,692
 680,779
 2,059,781
 2,030,989
Product cost of sales476,264
 426,847
460,547
 462,854
 1,389,832
 1,366,875
Services cost of sales53,180
 46,021
53,805
 54,331
 161,370
 152,635
Total cost of sales529,444
 472,868
514,352
 517,185
 1,551,202
 1,519,510
Gross profit169,240

164,605
164,340

163,594

508,579

511,479
Selling, general and administrative expenses105,280
 99,949
110,200
 103,504
 326,809
 308,283
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets15,780
 
 15,780
 
Operating income63,960
 64,656
38,360
 60,090
 165,990
 203,196
Other income (expenses):          
Interest expense(11,074) (11,304)(10,954) (11,190) (33,819) (33,312)
Interest income1,267
 927
1,000
 1,311
 3,713
 3,205
Costs associated with refinancing of debt(14,820) 
 (14,820) 
Loss from divestiture of grinding media business
 
 (6,084) 
Other(1,141) 1,045
2,496
 350
 3,199
 1,203
(10,948) (9,332)(22,278) (9,529) (47,811) (28,904)
Earnings before income taxes53,012
 55,324
16,082
 50,561
 118,179
 174,292
Income tax expense:   
Income tax expense (benefit):       
Current7,713
 1,298
10,777
 21,163
 35,214
 50,264
Deferred4,819
 14,065
(1,686) (7,268) 814
 79
12,532
 15,363
9,091
 13,895
 36,028
 50,343
Net earnings40,480
 39,961
6,991
 36,666
 82,151
 123,949
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(1,199) (982)(2,543) (1,458) (5,462) (4,098)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$39,281
 $38,979
$4,448
 $35,208
 $76,689
 $119,851
Earnings per share:          
Basic$1.74
 $1.73
$0.20
 $1.56
 $3.42
 $5.33
Diluted$1.72
 $1.72
$0.20
 $1.55
 $3.40
 $5.28
Cash dividends declared per share$0.375
 $0.375
$0.375
 $0.375
 $1.125
 $1.125
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (000 omitted)22,609
 22,472
22,215
 22,527
 22,421
 22,505
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (000 omitted)22,796
 22,660
22,352
 22,751
 22,574
 22,717
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Thirteen Weeks Ended
 March 31,
2018
 April 1,
2017
Net earnings$40,480
 $39,961
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:   
Foreign currency translation adjustments:   
Unrealized translation gain6,804
 19,390
Gain/(loss) on hedging activities:   
      Net investment hedge, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($263) in 2018 and ($200) in 2017(789) (526)
Amortization cost included in interest expense19
 19
     Cash flow hedges(93) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)5,941
 18,883
Comprehensive income46,421
 58,844
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests(4,747) 241
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$41,674
 $59,085



 Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
 September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
Net earnings$6,991
 $36,666
 $82,151
 $123,949
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Foreign currency translation adjustments:       
Unrealized translation gain (loss)(10,632) 19,530
 (50,781) 60,471
     Realized loss on divestiture of grinding media business recorded in earnings
 
 9,203
 
         Gain (loss) on hedging activities:       
      Net investment hedges1,223
 (740) 2,830
 (1,816)
Realized loss on net investment hedge for grinding media business recorded in earnings
 
 1,215
 
Amortization cost included in interest expense395
 19
 439
 56
     Deferred loss on interest rate hedges
 
 (2,467) 
     Commodity hedges226
 
 1,571
 
     Realized gain on commodity hedges recorded in earnings(717) 
 (717) 
     Cross currency swaps(2,037) 
 (2,037) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(11,542) 18,809
 (40,744) 58,711
Comprehensive income (loss)(4,551) 55,475
 41,407
 182,660
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests(2,389) (2,570) (8,250) (4,552)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$(6,940) $52,905
 $33,157
 $178,108













See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
March 31,
2018
 December 30,
2017
September 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$479,663
 $492,805
$295,622
 $492,805
Receivables, net467,010
 503,677
500,406
 503,677
Inventories370,005
 420,948
399,905
 420,948
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings112,620
 16,165
Prepaid expenses and other assets127,251
 43,643
40,655
 27,478
Assets held for sale72,665
 
Refundable income taxes6,749
 11,492
13,182
 11,492
Total current assets1,523,343
 1,472,565
1,362,390
 1,472,565
Property, plant and equipment, at cost1,137,152
 1,165,687
1,153,843
 1,165,687
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization633,440
 646,759
646,122
 646,759
Net property, plant and equipment503,712
 518,928
507,721
 518,928
Goodwill327,874
 337,720
389,594
 337,720
Other intangible assets, net129,540
 138,599
178,693
 138,599
Other assets133,595
 134,438
124,680
 134,438
Total assets$2,618,064
 $2,602,250
$2,563,078
 $2,602,250
      
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Current installments of long-term debt$951
 $966
$829
 $966
Notes payable to banks377
 161
3,328
 161
Accounts payable190,902
 227,906
200,468
 227,906
Accrued employee compensation and benefits67,928
 84,426
80,843
 84,426
Accrued expenses92,651
 81,029
106,929
 81,029
Liabilities held for sale12,960
 
Dividends payable8,493
 8,510
8,310
 8,510
Total current liabilities374,262
 402,998
400,707
 402,998
Deferred income taxes39,669
 34,906
45,076
 34,906
Long-term debt, excluding current installments753,647
 753,888
736,185
 753,888
Defined benefit pension liability195,490
 189,552
179,877
 189,552
Deferred compensation48,597
 48,526
48,174
 48,526
Other noncurrent liabilities21,043
 20,585
19,311
 20,585
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
27,900
 27,900
Retained earnings1,996,474
 1,954,344
2,022,538
 1,954,344
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(276,629) (279,022)(322,554) (279,022)
Treasury stock(602,504) (590,386)(670,667) (590,386)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity1,145,241
 1,112,836
1,057,217
 1,112,836
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries40,115
 38,959
76,531
 38,959
Total shareholders’ equity1,185,356
 1,151,795
1,133,748
 1,151,795
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,618,064
 $2,602,250
$2,563,078
 $2,602,250
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirty-nine Weeks Ended
March 31,
2018
 April 1,
2017
September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net earnings$40,480
 $39,961
$82,151
 $123,949
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:      
Depreciation and amortization21,178
 20,827
62,018
 63,500
Noncash loss on trading securities71
 70
Noncash (gain) loss on trading securities(62) 395
Impairment of property, plant and equipment1,145
 
4,197
 
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets15,780
 
Loss on divestiture of grinding media business6,084
 
Stock-based compensation2,775
 2,494
8,076
 7,300
Defined benefit pension plan expense(594) 154
Defined benefit pension plan expense (benefit)(1,713) 481
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan(731) (25,379)(1,555) (26,064)
(Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment(280) (102)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment(353) (732)
Deferred income taxes4,819
 14,065
814
 79
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Receivables29,794
 (12,729)(612) (39,584)
Inventories(1,201) (34,817)(33,004) (41,545)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(32,025) (9,798)(18,486) (12,331)
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings(33,029) 695
Accounts payable(29,449) 14,124
(19,069) 28,895
Accrued expenses(6,407) 14,020
7,288
 20,157
Other noncurrent liabilities440
 612
(1,249) (1,627)
Income taxes refundable3,033
 (87)(9,223) (1,732)
Net cash flows from operating activities33,048
 23,415
68,053
 121,836
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(16,248) (14,168)(48,919) (39,898)
Proceeds from sale of assets714
 302
64,786
 1,575
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(4,800) 
(125,309) (5,362)
Loss from settlement of net investment hedge(863) 
Settlement of net investment hedges(1,621) 5,123
Other, net(1,782) (1,715)(2,371) (3,462)
Net cash flows from investing activities(22,979) (15,581)(113,434) (42,024)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Borrowings under short-term agreements219
 198
Proceeds/(payments) under short-term agreements3,217
 (549)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings236,936
 
Principal payments on long-term borrowings(249) (215)(252,952) (658)
Settlement of financial derivatives(2,467) 
Debt issuance costs(2,322) 
Dividends paid(8,510) (8,445)(25,415) (25,386)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest(1,281) (422)(5,737) (3,895)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest(5,510) 
(5,510) 
Purchase of treasury shares(14,790) 
(86,919) 
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans2,972
 8,894
6,376
 12,446
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises(1,504) (2,870)(1,914) (3,929)
Net cash flows from financing activities(28,653) (2,860)(136,707) (21,971)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents5,442
 7,726
(15,095) 23,133
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(13,142) 12,700
(197,183) 80,974
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of year492,805
 412,516
492,805
 412,516
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of period$479,663
 $425,216
$295,622
 $493,490
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Common
stock
 Additional
paid-in
capital
 Retained
earnings
 Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 Treasury
stock
 Noncontrolling
interest in
consolidated
subsidiaries
 Total
shareholders’
equity
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 31, 2016$27,900
 $
 $1,874,722
 $(346,359) $(612,781) $39,104
 $982,586
$27,900
 $
 $1,874,722
 $(346,359) $(612,781) $39,104
 $982,586
Net earnings
 
 38,979
 
 
 982
 39,961

 
 119,851
 
 
 4,098
 123,949
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 20,106
 
 (1,223) 18,883

 
 
 58,257
 
 454
 58,711
Cash dividends declared
 
 (8,468) 
 
 
 (8,468)
 
 (25,417) 
 
 
 (25,417)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 (422) (422)
 
 
 
 
 (3,895) (3,895)
Stock plan exercises; 17,985 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (2,870) 
 (2,870)
Stock options exercised; 77,336 shares issued
 (2,494) 928
 
 10,460
 
 8,894
Stock plan exercises; 24,672 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (3,929) 
 (3,929)
Stock options exercised; 106,351 shares issued
 (7,300) 5,445
 
 14,301
 
 12,446
Stock option expense
 1,289
 
 
 
 
 1,289

 3,868
 
 
 
 
 3,868
Stock awards; 1,583 shares issued
 1,205
 
 
 222
 
 1,427
Balance at April 1, 2017$27,900
 $
 $1,906,161
 $(326,253) $(604,969) $38,441
 $1,041,280
Stock awards; 6,034 shares issued
 3,432
 
 
 844
 
 4,276
Balance at September 30, 2017$27,900
 $
 $1,974,601
 $(288,102) $(601,565) $39,761
 $1,152,595
Balance at December 30, 2017$27,900
 $
 $1,954,344
 $(279,022) $(590,386) $38,959
 $1,151,795
$27,900
 $
 $1,954,344
 $(279,022) $(590,386) $38,959
 $1,151,795
Net earnings
 
 39,281
 
 
 1,199
 40,480

 
 76,689
 
 
 5,462
 82,151
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 2,393
 
 3,548
 5,941

 
 
 (43,532) 
 2,788
 (40,744)
Cash dividends declared
 
 (8,493) 
 
 
 (8,493)
 
 (25,204) 
 
 
 (25,204)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 (1,281) (1,281)
 
 
 
 
 (5,737) (5,737)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 (5,510) (5,510)
 
 
 
 
 (5,510) (5,510)
Cumulative impact of ASC 606 adoption
 
 9,771
 
 
 
 9,771

 
 9,771
 
 
 
 9,771
Impact of ASU 2016-16 adoption
 
 1,038
 
 
 
 1,038
Addition of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 3,200
 3,200

 
 
 
 
 40,569
 40,569
Purchase of treasury shares; 101,387 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (14,790) 
 (14,790)
Stock plan exercises; 9,548 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (1,504) 
 (1,504)
Stock options exercised; 27,904 shares issued
 (2,545) 1,571
 
 3,946
 
 2,972
Purchase of treasury shares; 614,454 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (86,919) 
 (86,919)
Stock plan exercises; 12,971 shares acquired
 
 
 
 (1,914) 
 (1,914)
Stock options exercised; 52,404 shares issued
 (7,172) 5,900
 
 7,648
 
 6,376
Stock option expense
 1,090
 
 
 
 
 1,090

 3,138
 
 
 
 
 3,138
Stock awards; 1,840 shares issued
 1,455
 
 
 230
 
 1,685
Balance at March 31, 2018$27,900
 $
 $1,996,474
 $(276,629) $(602,504) $40,115
 $1,185,356
Stock awards; 7,774 shares issued
 4,034
 
 
 904
 
 4,938
Balance at September 29, 2018$27,900
 $
 $2,022,538
 $(322,554) $(670,667) $76,531
 $1,133,748









See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,September 29, 2018, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 and April 1,September 30, 2017, and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Shareholders' Equity for the thirteenthirty-nine week periods then ended have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) have been made to present fairly the financial statements as of March 31,September 29, 2018 and for all periods presented.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017. The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in these interim financial statements are the same as those followed in the financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2017 with the exception of the revenue recognition accounting policy which changed from adopting ASU 2014-09 and is discussed later within this footnote. The results of operations for the period ended March 31,September 29, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
Inventories
Approximately 37%35% and 37% of inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market as of March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017. All other inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or market. Finished goods and manufactured goods inventories include the costs of acquired raw materials and related factory labor and overhead charges required to convert raw materials to manufactured and finished goods. The excess of replacement cost of inventories over the LIFO value is approximately $44,808$49,239 and $43,727 at March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively.
Inventories consisted of the following:
March 31,
2018
 December 30,
2017
September 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
Raw materials and purchased parts$176,554
 $183,029
$202,517
 $183,029
Work-in-process20,197
 30,671
24,046
 30,671
Finished goods and manufactured goods218,062
 250,975
222,581
 250,975
Subtotal414,813
 464,675
449,144
 464,675
Less: LIFO reserve44,808
 43,727
49,239
 43,727
$370,005
 $420,948
$399,905
 $420,948


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Income Taxes
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 and April 1,September 30, 2017, were as follows:
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
2018 20172018 2017 2018 2017
United States$41,765
 $35,424
$15,596
 $28,886
 $99,697
 $115,082
Foreign11,247
 19,900
486
 21,675
 18,482
 59,210
$53,012
 $55,324
$16,082
 $50,561
 $118,179
 $174,292
The Company estimated and recognized provisional amounts at December 30, 2017 for the following aspect of the 2017 Tax Act:Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Act") and updated the amounts as of September 29, 2018:

Deemed Repatriation transition tax: The Deemed Repatriation transition tax (“Transition Tax”) is a tax on unremitted foreign earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, which subjected the Company's unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $400,000$393,962 to tax at certain specified rates less associated foreign tax credits.credits, a decrease of $6,038 from the December 30, 2017 estimate. The Company recorded a provisional Transition Tax obligation of $9,890.$9,436, a decrease of $454 from the December 30, 2017 estimate.
Indefinite reinvestment assertion: The Company's position isremains that unremitted foreign earnings subject to the Transition Tax are not indefinitely reinvested. The Company recorded a provisional amount of the deferred income taxes for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $10,373$10,713 and $1,300, respectively. The Company also continuesThis was an increase of $340 from the December 30, 2017 estimate related to gather additional information to determine its permanently reinvested position with respect to future foreign earnings.withholding taxes.
No adjustmentsAdjustments to these 2017 Tax Act amounts, as discussed above, were recognized during the firstthird quarter of 2018. However, the Company may adjust these provisional amounts in future quartersthe fourth quarter of 2018 after assessing additional implementation guidance as it becomes available.

Pension Benefits

The Company incurs expenses in connection with the Delta Pension Plan ("DPP"). The DPP was acquired as part of the Delta plc acquisition in fiscal 2010 and has no members that are active employees. 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.

The components of the net periodic pension (benefit) expense for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 and April 1,September 30, 2017 were as follows:
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
Net periodic (benefit) expense:2018 20172018 2017 2018 2017
Interest cost$4,716
 $4,321
$4,400
 $4,676
 $13,602
 $13,475
Expected return on plan assets(6,114) (4,877)(5,704) (5,277) (17,633) (15,208)
Amortization of actuarial loss804
 710
750
 768
 2,318
 2,214
Net periodic expense (benefit)$(594) $154
$(554) $167
 $(1,713) $481

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
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, non-vestedrestricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At March 31,September 29, 2018, 550,6061,683,908 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans.
Under the plans, the exercise price of each option equals the closing market price at the date of the grant. Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three to six years or on the grant's fifth anniversary.
Expiration of grants is from 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's compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) and associated income tax benefits related to stock options and restricted stock for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 and April 1,September 30, 2017, respectively, were as follows:
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
2018 20172018 2017 2018 2017
Compensation expense$1,090
 $1,289
$2,702
 $2,710
 $8,076
 $7,300
Income tax benefits273
 496
676
 1,043
 2,019
 2,811
Fair Value
The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“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.
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. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Trading Securities: The assets and liabilities recorded for the investments held in the Valmont Deferred Compensation Plan of $39,118$39,521 ($39,091 at December 30, 2017) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as trading securities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 320, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, considering the employee's ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any time.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, considering the employee's ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any time.
The Company's ownership of shares in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (JSE:DTA) is also classified as trading securities. The shares are valued at $1,954 and $1,951 as of March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively, which is the estimated fair value. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market and therefore categorized as a Level 1 input.
  Fair Value Measurement Using:  Fair Value Measurement Using:
Carrying Value
March 31, 2018
 Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Carrying Value
September 29, 2018
 Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:              
Trading Securities$41,072
 $41,072
 $
 $
$41,475
 $41,475
 $
 $
    
   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
 $
 $
Long-Lived Assets
The Company's other non-financial assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, which are classified as Level 3 items. These assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as part of annual impairment testing. Note 5 to these condensed consolidated financial statements contain additional information related to goodwill and intangible asset impairments.

Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes net earnings, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet dates. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following at March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017:
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain/(Loss) on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossForeign Currency Translation Adjustments Gain/(Loss) on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 30, 2017$(171,399) $6,357
 $(113,980) $(279,022)$(171,399) $6,357
 $(113,980) $(279,022)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)3,256
 (863) 
 2,393
(53,569) (381) 
 (53,950)
Balance at March 31, 2018$(168,143) $5,494
 $(113,980) $(276,629)
Divestiture of grinding media business9,203
 1,215
 
 10,418
Balance at September 29, 2018$(215,765) $7,191
 $(113,980) $(322,554)

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Subsequent Events
On October 18, 2018, the Company acquired CSP Coating Systems of Auckland, New Zealand, to further strengthen the Company's Asia-Pacific market position. CSP Coating Systems provides a wide range of coating services. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand and will be included in the Coatings segment.
Revenue Recognition
On December 31, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The Company elected to use the modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new revenue standard. The cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, which impacted the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows:




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Balance SheetDecember 30,
2017
 ASC 606 Adjustments December 31,
2017
December 30,
2017
 ASC 606 Adjustments December 31,
2017
Assets          
Inventories$420,948
 $(36,243) $384,705
$420,948
 $(36,243) $384,705
Prepaid expenses and other current assets43,643
 51,507
 95,150
Contract asset - costs & profits in excess of billings16,165
 51,507
 67,672
Liabilities and shareholders' equity          
Accrued expenses81,029
 2,043
 83,072
81,029
 2,043
 83,072
Deferred income taxes34,906
 3,450
 38,356
34,906
 3,450
 38,356
Retained earnings1,954,344
 9,771
 1,964,115
1,954,344
 9,771
 1,964,115
The adoption of ASC 606 had the following impact on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018:
Balance SheetAs Reported Balance Excluding ASC 606 Effects ChangeAs Reported Balance Excluding ASC 606 Effects Change
Assets          
Inventories$370,005
 $425,956
 $(55,951)$399,905
 $463,184
 $(63,279)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets127,251
 48,767
 78,484
Contract asset - costs & profits in excess of billings112,620
 26,369
 86,251
Liabilities and shareholders' equity          
Accrued expenses92,651
 87,626
 5,025
106,929
 101,878
 5,051
Deferred income taxes39,669
 35,539
 4,130
45,076
 40,451
 4,625
Retained earnings1,996,474
 1,983,096
 13,378
2,022,538
 2,009,242
 13,296
     
Statement of Earnings     
Net Sales$698,684
 $670,874
 $27,810
Operating Income63,960
 58,886
 5,074
 Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2018 Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2018
Statement of EarningsAs Reported Balance Excluding ASC 606 Effects Change As Reported Balance Excluding ASC 606 Effects Change
Net Sales678,692
 $666,095
 $12,597
 2,059,781
 $2,024,921
 $34,860
Operating Income38,360
 $35,697
 $2,663
 165,990
 $161,289
 $4,701
The Company determines the appropriate revenue recognition for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms and conditions of each contract or arrangement with a customer. Contracts with customers for all businesses are fixed-price with sales tax excluded from revenue, and do not include variable consideration. Discounts included in contracts with customers, typically early pay discounts, are recorded as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the sale is recognized. Contract revenues are classified as product when the performance obligation is related to the manufacturing of goods. Contract

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
revenues are classified as service when the performance obligation is the performance of a service. Service revenue is primarily related to the Coatings segment.
Customer acceptance provisions exist only in the design stage of our products and acceptance of the design by the customer is required before the project is manufactured and delivered to the customer. The Company is not entitled to any compensation solely based on design of the product and does not recognize revenue associated with the design stage. There is one performance obligation for revenue recognition. No general rights of return exist for customers once the product has been delivered and the Company establishes provisions for estimated warranties. The Company does not sell extended warranties for any of its products.
Shipping and handling costs associated with sales are recorded as cost of goods sold. The Company elected to use the practical expedient of treating freight as a fulfillment obligation instead of a separate performance obligation and ratably recognize freight expense as the structure is being manufactured, when the revenue from the associated customer contract is being recognized over time. With the exception of the Utility segment and the wireless communication structures product


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
line, the Company’s inventory is interchangeable for a variety of each segment’s customers. The Company elected the practical expedient to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedient to not adjust the amount of consideration to be received in a contract for any significant financing component if payment is expected within twelve months of transfer of control of goods or services; the Company expects all consideration to be received in one year or less at contract inception.
Segment and Product Line Revenue Recognition
The global Utility segment revenues are derived from manufactured steel and concrete structures for the North America utility industry and offshore and other complex structures used in energy generation and distribution outside of the United States. Steel and concrete utility structures are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to-date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to the Company. Since control is transferring over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For our steel and concrete utility and wireless communication structure product lines, we generally recognize revenue on an inputs basis, using total production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit. Production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three months. Revenue from the offshore and other complex structures business is also recognized using an inputs method, based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. External sales agents are used in certain sales of steel and concrete structures; the Company has chosen to use the practical expedient to expense estimated commissions owed to third parties by recognizing them proportionately as the goods are manufactured.
The global ESS segment revenues are derived from the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal, composite structures and components for lighting and traffic and roadway safety, engineered access systems, and wireless communication. For the lighting and traffic and roadway safety product lines, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of goods to the customer depending on contract terms, which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. For Access Systems, revenue is generally recognized upon delivery of goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The wireless communication product line has large regional customers who have unique product specifications for communication structures. When the customer contract includes a cancellation clause that would require them to pay for work completed plus a reasonable margin if an order was canceled, revenue is recognized over time based on hours worked as a percent of total estimated hours to complete production. For the remaining wireless communication product line customers which do not provide a contractual right to bill for work completed on a canceled order, revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The global Coatings segment revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed.
The global Irrigation segment revenues are derived from the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and related parts and services for the agricultural industry and tubular products for industrial customers. Revenue recognition for the irrigation segment is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months.
Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the Segment footnote. A breakdown by segment of revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in time for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 is as follows:


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Point in Time Over TimePoint in Time Over Time Point in Time Over Time
March 31, 2018 March 31, 2018Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2018 Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2018 Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018 Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018
Utility Support Structures$
 $209,859
$6,090
 $211,853
 $6,090
 $618,243
Engineered Support Structures207,194
 8,722
235,948
 12,483
 680,863
 29,525
Coatings68,458
 
74,547
 
 217,544
 
Irrigation183,234
 2,818
134,710
 3,061
 475,744
 8,692
Other18,399
 

 
 23,080
 
Total$477,285
 $221,399
$451,295
 $227,397
 $1,403,321
 $656,460
The Company's contract asset as of March 31,September 29, 2018 is $95,209. This amount is included within prepaid expenses and other assets line item within current assets.$112,620. The contract assets attributable to the cumulative effect from the adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance was $51,507; the contract asset at December 30, 2017, attributable to the offshore and other complex structures product line, was $16,165. Both steel and concrete utility customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer's specified location and there are normally no up-front or progress payments. The offshore and complex steel structures business invoices customers a number of ways including advanced billings, progress billings, and billings upon shipment.

At March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, the contract liability for revenue recognized over time was $6,301$5,088 and $7,368. The contract liability is included in Accrued Expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the quarterthirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018, the Company recognized $2,824$4,456 of revenue that was included in the liability as of December 30, 2017. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for projects completed during the quarter.
Hedging Activities
In the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into a one-year foreign currency forward contract which qualified as a net investment hedge, in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on a portion of our 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 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.
In the third quarter of 2017, the Company entered into two six-month foreign currency forward contracts which qualified as net investment hedges, in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on our grinding media business that is denominated in both Australian dollars and British pounds. The Company announced its intention to divest of this business in August 2017 and regulatory approval in Australia was received at the end of March 2018. The forward contracts had a maturity date of January 2018 and a notional amount to sell British pounds and Australian dollars to receive $24,059 and $21,222, respectively. The two forward contracts matured at the end of January 2018 with a combined loss of $2,671. As regulatory approval was still pending at maturity of the contracts, the Company chose to extend the Australian dollar contract through April 2018 which is the planned date of divestiture. The gain recorded on the contract extended through April at March 31, 2018 is $792. No ineffectiveness has resulted from the hedge and the balance is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income within gain/(loss) on hedging activities. The gain/(loss) will be deferred in Other Comprehensive Income where it will remain until the grinding media business is divested in the second quarter of 2018.
In the first quarter of 2018, the Company entered into a steel hot rolled coil forward contract which qualified as a cash flow hedge of the variability in the cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contract has a notional amount of $7,142 for the hedge of 1,500 short tons for each month from July 2018 to December 2018. The unrealized loss at March 31, 2018 is $93 and is included in Accounts Payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income within gain/(loss) on hedging activities. The gain/(loss) will be recognized in the income statement when the hedged inventory is used in customer orders.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)period.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition. Effective December 31, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The Company elected the modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new revenue standard, resulting in a credit to retained earnings being recognized for $9,771. The Company calculated the cumulative effect on revenue of approximately $51,507 with $13,121 of pre-tax operating income; these were customer orders for the steel utility, concrete utility, and wireless communication structures product lines at various stages of production at December 30, 2017.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Presentation of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Related to Defined Benefit Plans, which amends the income statement presentation requirements for the components of net periodic benefit cost for an entity's defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018, recognizing the DPP net periodic pension expense within Other income (expense). The Company also reclassified $154$167 and $481 of DPP net periodic pension expense for third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2017 out of selling, general, and administrative expense and into Other (expense).expense.
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.
The Company adopted the ASU in the first quarter of 2018, recasting the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total cash and cash equivalent amounts on the statement of cash flows to include the £10,000 restricted cash account for the pension plan at December 31, 2016, thus reducing cash flows from operating activities by $12,568 for the first quarter ofin 2017. The Company did not have any restricted cash at March 31,September 29, 2018 or December 30, 2017.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which improves the financial reporting of hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. ASU 2017-12 is effective for periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for any interim period post issuance. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments in the Statement of Cash Flows, which provides more specific guidance on cash flow presentation for certain transactions. ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory, which requires the Company to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, as opposed to when it is sold to an outside party. The Company adopted this standard in 2018 and the result was an increase to retained earnings of $1,038.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides revised guidance on leases requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but expects the adoption will result in a significant increase in total assets and liabilities.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(2)2) ACQUISITIONS
On August 3, 2018, the Company purchased approximately 72% of the outstanding shares of Walpar, LLC ("Walpar") for $57,805 in cash. Walpar is an industry leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of overhead sign structures for the North America transportation market. Walpar is located in Birmingham, Alabama and its operations are reported in the Engineered Support Structures segment. The transaction was funded with cash on hand and the purchase of the remaining 28% of the business will occur in January 2019. The acquisition of Walpar was completed to expand the Company's product offering in the sign structure market. The preliminary fair value measurement disclosed below is subject to management reviews and completion of the fair value measurements of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Customer relationships will be amortized over 14 years and the trade name has an indefinite life. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company expects the purchase price allocation to be finalized in the second quarter of 2019.
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Walpar as of the date of acquisition:
  At August 3, 2018
Current assets $14,729
Customer relationships 32,000
Trade name 4,300
Goodwill 40,919
     Total fair value of assets acquired $91,948
Current liabilities 2,185
Deferred taxes 9,090
     Total fair value of liabilities assumed $11,275
Non-controlling interests 22,868
     Net assets acquired $57,805
On August 3, 2018, the Company acquired 75% of the outstanding shares of Convert Italia SpA ("Convert") for $43,504 in cash. Additional purchase price will be paid contingent on Convert realizing specific EBITDA and revenue targets in calendar years 2018 and 2020. The Company recorded $18,760 in estimated contingent consideration liability. Convert is a designer and provider of engineered solar tracker solutions that is headquartered in Italy, with offices in Brazil and Argentina. The Company acquired Convert to grow market adjacencies in the Utility Support Structures segment.
The preliminary fair value measurements disclosed below are subject to management reviews and completion of the fair value measurements of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Patents and proprietary technology will be amortized over 15 years and the trade name has an indefinite life. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company expects the fair value measurement process and purchase price allocation to be finalized in the third quarter of 2019. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Convert as of the date of acquisition:





VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


2) ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
  At August 3, 2018
Current assets $18,349
Other assets 3,166
Patent and Proprietary Technology 16,554
Trade name 8,701
Goodwill 41,432
     Total fair value of assets acquired $88,202
Current liabilities 5,376
Contingent consideration liability 18,760
Deferred taxes 6,061
     Total fair value of liabilities assumed $30,197
Non-controlling interests 14,501
     Net assets acquired $43,504
On August 1, 2018, the Company acquired the operational assets of Derit Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. ("Derit") for $14,700 in cash, net of assumed liabilities. The Company acquired the net assets at fair value with no value assigned to intangible assets in the preliminary purchase price allocation. Derit has a manufacturing facility in India with production capabilities for steel lattice structures for power transmission, wireless communication, and a provider of zinc galvanizing services. Derit was acquired to provide the Company with lattice structure manufacturing capabilities and to further expand the geographic footprint of the galvanizing business. The majority of the business will be reported in the Utility Support Structures segment, while the galvanizing business will be reported in the Coatings segment. The preliminary fair value measurement is subject to management review and is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2018. Proforma disclosures were omitted as this business does not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results.
On January 26, 2018, the Company acquired 60% of the assets of Torrent Engineering and Equipment ("Torrent") for $4,800 in cash. Torrent operates in Indiana and is an integrator of prefabricated pump stations that involves designing high pressure water and compressed air process systems. Torrent has annual sales of approximately $9,000. In the preliminary purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,922 and $4,020 of customer relationships and other intangible assets were recorded. A portion of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. Torrent is included in the Irrigation segment and was acquired to expand the Company's water management capabilities. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation was finalized in the second quarter of 2018.
On July 31, 2017, the Company purchased Aircon Guardrails Private Limited ("Aircon") 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. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,327 and $2,109 of customer relationships and other intangible assets were recorded. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. This business is included in the Engineered Support Structures segment and was acquired to expand the Company's geographic presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The purchase price allocation was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2017. Proforma disclosures were omitted as this business does not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


2) ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
The Company's condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018 included net sales of $11,803 and $13,057 and net earnings of $1,198 and $1,055 resulting from the Walpar, Convert, and Torrent acquisitions. The proforma effect of these acquisitions on the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018 and 2017 is as follows:
 Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2018Thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2017Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018Thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2017
Net sales$683,608
$694,713
$2,094,092
$2,078,680
Net earnings4,860
36,482
78,950
123,986
Earnings per share-diluted0.22
1.60
3.50
5.46
Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests
In March 2018, the Company acquired the remaining 10% of Valmont Industria e Commercio Ltda. that it did not own for $5,510. As this transaction was for the acquisition of all of the remaining shares of a consolidated subsidiariessubsidiary with no change in control, they wereit was recorded within shareholders' equity and as a financing cash flowactivity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(3) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALEDIVESTITURE
During the first quarter ofOn April 30, 2018, the Company received regulatory approval to sellcompleted the sale of Donhad, its grinding media business in Australia, which is reported in the Other segment. The grinding media business had pre-tax income/(loss) of ($579) and $2,086 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, respectively. The business is beingwas sold because it doesdid not fit the long-term strategic plans for the Company. The Company expects the sale to close during the second quarter of 2018. The expected proceeds from the sale are greater than its carrying value as of March 31, 2018. The grinding media business historical annual sales, operating profit, and net assets didare not meet the quantitative thresholdssignificant for discontinued operations presentation.
The carrying valuegrinding media business had operating income/(loss) of ($913) for the assetsthirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018, and liabilities are separately presented within$(217) and $3,728 for the captions "Assets held for sale"thirteen and "Liabilities held for sale" inthirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2017. The Company received Australian $82,500 (U.S. $62,518) but is subject to a working capital target settlement with the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.buyer that is expected to be finalized before the end of fiscal 2018.
The assets and liabilities of the grinding media business as of March 31,at closing on April 30, 2018 arewere as follows:
 
Receivables, net$9,978
$9,848
Inventories16,155
15,945
Net property, plant, and equipment14,013
13,815
Goodwill and intangible assets27,607
27,153
Other assets4,912
1,388
Total assets$72,665
$68,149
  
Accounts payable$9,201
$7,125
Accrued expenses1,536
2,484
Deferred income taxes2,223
2,187
Total liabilities$12,960
$11,796
  
Net assets59,705
$56,353
The pre-tax loss from the divestiture is reported in other income (expense). The loss is comprised of the proceeds from buyer, less deal-related costs, less the net assets of the business which resulted in a gain of $4,334. Offsetting this amount is a $(10,418) realized loss on foreign exchange translation adjustments and net investment hedges previously reported in shareholders' equity.
  
Pre-tax gain from divestiture, before recognition of currency translation loss$4,334
Recognition of cumulative currency translation loss and hedges (out of OCI)(10,418)
   Net pre-tax loss from divestiture of the grinding media business$(6,084)
The transaction did not result in a taxable capital gain as the cash proceeds were less than the tax carrying value of the business. There is an insignificant tax benefit from the tax deductibility of deal related expenses.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(4) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES    
In FebruaryDuring 2018, the Company decided upon certain regional restructuring activities (the "2018 Plan") of approximately $10,000, primarily in the ESS segment. The Company expects to incur $7,500$14,500 of pre-tax restructuring expenses in cost of sales and $2,500$12,500 of pre-tax restructuring expense in SG&A in 2018. WithinIncluded in the $10,000$27,000 are expected pre-tax asset impairments of approximately $2,000.$8,000.

The following pre-tax expense were recognized during the firstthird quarter of 2018:
 ESS Utility Total ESS Utility Corporate Total
Severance $423
 $
 $423
 $1,706
 $
 $
 $1,706
Other cash restructuring expenses 
 772
 772
 326
 497
 
 823
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 1,145
 
 1,145
 1,406
 
 
 1,406
Total cost of sales 1,568
 772
 2,340
 3,438
 497
 
 3,935
              
Severance 1,978
 
 1,978
 1,757
 
 
 1,757
Other cash restructuring expenses 82
 
 82
 551
 
 
 551
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 
 
 
 
Total selling, general and administrative expenses 2,060
 
 2,060
 2,308
 
 
 2,308
Consolidated total $3,628
 $772
 $4,400
 $5,746
 $497
 $
 $6,243

In the first nine-months of 2018, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring expenses:
  ESS Utility Corporate Total
Severance $3,732
 $515
 $
 $4,247
Other cash restructuring expenses 478
 2,228
 
 2,706
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 3,812
 
 
 3,812
   Total cost of sales 8,022
 2,743
 
 10,765
         
Severance 5,268
 
 
 5,268
Other cash restructuring expenses 1,118
 
 126
 1,244
Asset impairments/net loss on disposals 385
 
 
 385
  Total selling, general and administrative expenses 6,771
 
 126
 6,897
      Consolidated total $14,793
 $2,743
 $126
 $17,662
    
Liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans and changes therein for the first quarternine-months of fiscal 2018 were as follows:
 Balance at December 30, 2017 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at March 31, 2018 Balance at December 30, 2017 Recognized Restructuring Expense Costs Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at September 29, 2018
Severance $
 $2,401
 $(2,251) $150
 $
 $9,515
 $(9,095) $420
Other cash restructuring expenses 1,216
 772
 (1,988) 
 1,216
 3,950
 (3,983) 1,183
Total $1,216
 $3,173
 $(4,239) $150
 $1,216
 $13,465
 $(13,078) $1,603

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(5) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortized Intangible Assets
The components of amortized intangible assets at March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 were as follows:
March 31, 2018September 29, 2018
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Weighted
Average
Life
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Weighted
Average
Life
Customer Relationships$191,117
 $126,168
 13 years$218,492
 $130,082
 13 years
Proprietary Software & Database3,659
 3,115
 8 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology6,748
 4,115
 11 years23,846
 4,440
 14 years
Other5,035
 4,248
 3 years7,991
 6,868
 5 years
$206,559
 $137,646
 $250,329
 $141,390
 
December 30, 2017December 30, 2017
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Weighted
Average
Life
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Weighted
Average
Life
Customer Relationships$200,810
 $131,062
 13 years$200,810
 $131,062
 13 years
Proprietary Software & Database3,671
 3,107
 8 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology6,693
 3,999
 11 years6,693
 3,999
 11 years
Other4,861
 4,121
 3 years8,532
 7,228
 5 years
$216,035
 $142,289
 $216,035
 $142,289
 
Amortization expense for intangible assets for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 and April 1,September 30, 2017, respectively was as follows:
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
20182018 20172018 2017 2018 2017
3,883
 3,863
3,721
 4,025
 11,176
 11,792
Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows:
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2018$14,167
$15,264
201912,986
16,081
202011,879
14,969
20219,796
12,885
20227,494
10,740
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.


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(5) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
Non-amortized intangible assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. The carrying values of trade names at March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 were as follows:
March 31,
2018
 December 30,
2017
 Year AcquiredSeptember 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
 Year Acquired
Newmark$11,111
 $11,111
 2004
Valmont SM8,283
 9,973
 2014
Webforge$9,793
 $9,432
 20109,105
 9,432
 2010
Valmont SM10,243
 9,973
 2014
Newmark11,111
 11,111
 2004
Convert Italia S.p.A8,703
 
 2018
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products7,985
 7,690
 20107,424
 7,690
 2010
Shakespeare4,000
 4,000
 20144,000
 4,000
 2014
Other17,495
 22,647
 21,128
 22,647
 
$60,627
 $64,853
 $69,754
 $64,853
 
In its determination of these intangible assets as indefinite‑lived, the Company considered such factors as its expected future use of the intangible asset, legal, regulatory, technological and competitive factors that may impact the useful life or value of the intangible asset and the expected costs to maintain the value of the intangible asset. The Company expects that these intangible assets will maintain their value indefinitely. Accordingly, these assets are not amortized.    
The Company’s trade names were tested for impairment in the third quarter of 2017.2018. The values of each trade name was determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, nothe value of the offshore and other complex steel structures (Valmont SM) trade name was deemed to be impaired and the Company recorded a charge of $1,425. No other trade names were determined to be impaired.
Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 was as follows:
Engineered
Support
Structures
Segment
 Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
 Coatings
Segment
 Irrigation
Segment
 Other TotalEngineered
Support
Structures
Segment
 Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
 Coatings
Segment
 Irrigation
Segment
 Other Total
Gross Balance at December 30, 2017$170,076
 $90,248
 $76,696
 $19,778
 $15,814
 $372,612
Gross balance at December 30, 2017$170,076
 $90,248
 $76,696
 $19,778
 $15,814
 $372,612
Accumulated impairment losses(18,670) $
 (16,222) $
 $
 $(34,892)(18,670) 
 (16,222) 
 
 (34,892)
Balance at December 30, 2017$151,406
 $90,248
 $60,474
 $19,778
 $15,814
 $337,720
151,406
 90,248
 60,474
 19,778
 15,814
 337,720
Acquisitions
 
 
 3,922
 
 3,922
40,919
 41,432
 
 5,503
 
 87,854
Assets held for sale
 
 
 
 (16,420) (16,420)
Asset impairment
 (14,355) 
 
 
 (14,355)
Divestiture of grinding media
 
 
 
 (15,814) (15,814)
Foreign currency translation1,984
 402
 (200) (140) 606
 2,652
(4,797) (489) (380) (145) 
 (5,811)
Balance at March 31, 2018$153,390
 $90,650
 $60,274

$23,560
 $
 $327,874
Balance at September 29, 2018$187,528
 $116,836
 $60,094

$25,136
 $
 $389,594

The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed during the third quarter of 2017. As a result of that testing, the Company determined that its goodwill was not impaired, as the valuation of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. The Company's offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit with $15,245 of goodwill, is the reporting unit that did not have a substantial excess of estimated fair value over its carrying value. The Company monitors the outlook for wind energy in Europe which would affect the sales demand assumptions in the five year


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(5) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
The Company’s annual impairment model fortest of goodwill was performed during the third quarter of 2018, using the discounted cash flow method. The Company previously highlighted significant, adverse challenges in the wind energy market in Northern Europe that impacts our offshore and other complex steel structures business. A lack of protective tariffs has led to an extremely competitive environment in that region. Lower near-term financial projections and an approximately 15% decline in the undiscounted terminal value, when compared to the 2017 annual impairment test, is a result of challenging onshore wind and energy transmission structures pricing that is difficult to predict when it will recover. This resulted in an estimated fair value of the offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit below the Company’s investment in this business.  As a result, a goodwill impairment was recorded in the third quarter totaling $14,355, which represents all of the goodwill of the offshore and other complex steel reporting unit. If demand for off and onshore structures for wind energy declines significantly and recent increases to oil prices do not drive demand for new exploration structures,
For the remaining reporting units, the Company may be required to perform an interimdetermined that its goodwill impairment test. The Company continues to monitor changes in global market conditions, including commodity prices, which could impact future resultswas not impaired, as the valuation of any of itsthe reporting units.units exceeded their respective carrying values.
(6) 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 thirteenthirty-nine weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018 and April 1,September 30, 2017 were as follows:
2018 20172018 2017
Interest$439
 $925
$23,624
 $22,732
Income taxes2,912
 1,898
36,855
 52,823

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)



(7) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS):
Basic EPS Dilutive
Effect of
Stock
Options
 Diluted EPSBasic EPS Dilutive
Effect of
Stock
Options
 Diluted EPS
Thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2018:     
Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2018:     
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$39,281
 $
 $39,281
$4,448
 $
 $4,448
Shares outstanding (000 omitted)22,609
 187
 22,796
22,215
 137
 22,352
Per share amount$1.74
 $(0.02) $1.72
$0.20
 $
 $0.20
Thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2017:     
Thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2017:     
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$38,979
 $
 $38,979
$35,208
 $
 $35,208
Shares outstanding (000 omitted)22,472
 188
 22,660
22,527
 224
 22,751
Per share amount$1.73
 $(0.01) $1.72
$1.56
 $(0.01) $1.55
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018:     
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$76,689
 $
 $76,689
Shares outstanding (000 omitted)22,421
 153
 22,574
Per share amount$3.42
 $(0.02) $3.40
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2017:     
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$119,851
 $
 $119,851
Shares outstanding (000 omitted)22,505
 212
 22,717
Per share amount$5.33
 $(0.05) $5.28
Basic and diluted earnings per share in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018 were impacted by the 2018 Restructuring Plan costs of $7,858, after-tax ($0.35 per share) and $17,478, after-tax ($0.77 per share), respectively. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company impaired the goodwill and trade name for its offshore and other complex steel structures business and paid off the 2020 bonds, resulting in a charge of $15,479, after tax ($0.69 per share) and $11,115, after tax ($0.50 per share), respectively. The Company incurred acquisition due diligence costs of $2,349, after tax ($0.11 per share) and $3,155, after tax ($0.14 per share) in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018, respectively. The Company divested of its grinding media business in the second quarter of 2018 resulting in a loss of $5,455, after-tax ($0.24 per share).
At March 31,September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, there were 147,554190,021 and 0 outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.share, respectively.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(8) HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company manages interest rate risk, commodity price risk, and foreign currency risk related to foreign currency denominated transactions and investments in foreign subsidiaries. Depending on the circumstances, the Company may manage these risks by utilizing derivative financial instruments. Some derivative financial instruments are marked to market and recorded in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings, while others may be accounted for as fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedges. Derivative financial instruments have credit and market risk. The Company manages these risks of derivative instruments by monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that can be taken, and by entering into transactions with counterparties who are recognized, stable multinational banks.
Fair value of derivative instruments at September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 are as follows:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:Balance sheet location September 29, 2018 December 30, 2017
Commodity forward contractsPrepaid expenses and other assets $854
 $
Foreign currency forward contractsPrepaid expenses and other assets 4,534
 
Foreign currency forward contractsAccrued expenses 
 (826)
Cross currency swap contractsPrepaid expenses and other assets 206
 
Cross currency swap contractsAccrued expenses (2,715) 
   $2,879
 $(826)
Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 are as follows:
   Thirteen weeks ended Thirty-nine weeks ended
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:Statements of earnings location September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017
Commodity forward contractsProduct cost of sales $717
 $
 $717
 $
Foreign currency forward contractsOther income (expense) 230
 
 230
 
Interest rate hedgesInterest expense (395) (19) (439) (56)
Cross currency swap contractsInterest expense 206
 
 206
 
   $758
 $(19) $714
 $(56)
Cash Flow Hedges
In 2018, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (HRC) forward contracts which qualified as a cash flow hedge of the variability in the cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts have a notional amount of $8,469 for the purchase of 3,500 short tons for each month from July 2018 to September 2018 and a notional amount of $15,563 for the purchase of 6,500 short tons for each month from October 2018 to December 2018. The gain/(loss) realized upon settlement is recorded in product cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings over average inventory turns.




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(8) HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)
On June 19, 2018, the Company issued and sold $200,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% senior notes due 2044 and $55,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.25% senior notes due 2054. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company executed contracts to hedge the risk of potential fluctuations in the treasury rates on the 2044 Notes and 2054 Notes which would change the amount of net proceeds received from the debt offering. These contracts had a combined notional amount of $175,000. On June 8, 2018, these contracts were settled with the Company paying $2,467 to the counterparties which was recorded in OCI and will be amortized as an increase to interest expense over the term of the debt. Due to the retirement of the 2020 bonds in July 2018, the Company wrote off the remaining $411 unamortized loss on the related cash flow hedge.
Net Investment Hedges
The Company previously executed two six-month foreign currency forward contracts which qualified as net investment hedges, in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the grinding media business that is denominated in both Australian dollars and British pounds. Due to the sale of the grinding media business in the second quarter of 2018, the Company reclassified the net investment hedge loss of $1,621 ($1,215 after tax) from OCI to loss from divestiture of grinding media business in the Statements of Earnings.
In the second quarter of 2018, the Company entered into two foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk of the Company's investment in its Australian dollar and Euro denominated businesses. The forward contracts, which qualify as net investment hedges, have a maturity date of May 2020 and notional amounts to sell Australian dollars and Euro to receive $100,000 and $50,000, respectively.
Effective in the third quarter of 2018, in conjunction with the adoption of recently issued hedging accounting guidance (see Note 1 for further information), the Company elected as an accounting policy to change its method of assessing effectiveness for all net investment hedges from the forward method to the spot method. As a result of this election, all existing and future net investment hedges will be accounted for under the spot method. As an additional accounting policy election to be applied to similar hedges under this new standard, the initial value of any component excluded from the assessment of effectiveness will be recognized in income or expense using a systematic and rational method over the life of the hedging instrument.
Due to the change in the method used to assess effectiveness from the forward to the spot method in the third quarter of 2018, the Euro and Australian dollar net investment hedges were de-designated. The forward contracts were then re-designated as net investment hedges under the spot method and the initial excluded component value related to the Australian dollar and Euro net investment hedges were $538 and $3,190, respectively, which the Company has elected to amortize in other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings using the straight-line method over the remaining term of the contracts.
On August 24, 2018, the Company entered into three fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps (“CCS”), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish krone (DKK) and Euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company's Euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. Interest is exchanged twice per year on April 1 and October 1.




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(8) HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)
Key terms of the three CCS are as follows:
CurrencyNotional AmountTermination DateSwapped Interest RateSet Settlement Amount
Danish Kroner, DKK$60,000
October 1, 20232.52%DKK 386,118
Euro$25,000
October 1, 20202.14%€21,580
Euro$10,000
October 1, 20212.29%€8,631
The Company designated the full notional amount of the three CCS ($95,000) as a hedge of the net investment in certain Danish and European subsidiaries under the spot method, with all changes in the fair value of the CCS that are included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to spot foreign exchange rates) are recorded as cumulative foreign currency translation within OCI, and will remain in OCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries. Net interest receipts will be recorded as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the CCS.
(9) LONG-TERM DEBT
On June 19, 2018, the Company issued and sold $200,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% senior notes due 2044 and $55,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.25% senior notes due 2054. On July 9, 2018, the Company redeemed all $250,200 of the 2020 bonds.
Long-term debt is as follows:
 September 29,
2018
 December 30,
2017
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a)$450,000
 $250,000
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b)305,000
 250,000
Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a)(b)(21,547) (4,312)
6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020(c)
 250,200
Unamortized premium on 6.625 senior unsecured notes (c)
 2,545
Revolving credit agreement (d)
 
IDR Bonds(e)8,500
 8,500
Other notes3,199
 4,033
Debt issuance costs(8,138) (6,112)
Long-term debt737,014
 754,854
Less current installments of long-term debt829
 966
Long-term debt, excluding current installments$736,185
 $753,888
(a)The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principal amount of $450,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $13,992 at September 29, 2018. The notes bear interest at 5.000% per annum and are due on October 1, 2044. The discount is 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.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9) LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
(b)The 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054 include an aggregate principal amount of $305,000 on which interest is paid and an unamortized discount balance of $7,555 at September 29, 2018. The notes bear interest at 5.250% per annum and are due on October 1, 2054. The discount is amortized and recognized as interest expense as interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
(c)On June 11, 2018, the Company notified the holders of the 2020 bonds of its plan to redeem all of these bonds. On July 9, 2018, the Company redeemed all $250,200 of the 2020 bonds at a make-whole redemption price equal to approximately $266,000 plus approximately $3,600 of accrued and unpaid interest on the notes from April 20, 2018     to July 8, 2018. The Company recognized $14,820 of redemption related expenses, including the recognition of the unamortized premium, in the third quarter of 2018.
(d)On October 18, 2017, the Company amended and restated its revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto. The credit facility provides for $600,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit loans.  The Company may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $200,000 at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. 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's option, either:
(i)LIBOR (based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or;
(ii)the higher of
the prime lending rate,
the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points, and
LIBOR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 100 basis points,
plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc.
At September 29, 2018, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2022 and contains certain financial covenants that may limit additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At September 29, 2018, the Company had the ability to borrow $585,350 under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $14,650 associated with certain insurance obligations. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $123,613, $120,312 of which was unused at September 29, 2018.
(e)The Industrial Development Revenue Bonds were issued to finance the construction of a manufacturing facility in Jasper, Tennessee. Variable interest is payable until final maturity on June 1, 2025. The effective interest rates at September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 were 2.96% and 2.00%, respectively.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9) LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
The lending agreements include certain maintenance covenants, including financial leverage and interest coverage. The Company was in compliance with all financial debt covenants at September 29, 2018. The minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt for 2018 is $242 and each of the five years following 2018 are: $815, $814, $813, $514 and $0.
The obligations arising under the 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044, the 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054, and the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries PiRod, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.
(10) BUSINESS SEGMENTS
In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company's management structure and reporting was changed to reflect management's expectations of the future growth of certain product lines and to take into consideration the expected divestiture of the grinding media business which historically was reported in the Energy and Mining segment. Grinding media will beis reported in "Other" pendingand was sold in the completionsecond quarter of its divestiture.2018. 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. The segment financial information havehas been accordingly reclassified in this report to reflect these changes, for all periods presented.

The Company has four reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and the allocation of capital within the segment. Net corporate expense is net of certain service‑related expenses that are allocated to business units generally on the basis of employee headcounts.

Reportable segments are as follows:

ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal and composite structurespoles, towers, and components for lighting, traffic, and wireless communication markets, engineered access systems, integrated structure solutions for smart cities, and highway safety products;

UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility transmission, distribution, and generation applications, and on and offshore and other complex steel structures used inrenewable energy generation and distribution outside the United States,equipment, and inspection services;
COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, anodizingpainting, and powder coatinganodizing services; and
IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment, parts, services, and tubular products, water management solutions, and technology for precision agriculture.
In addition to these four reportable segments, the Company had other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry and is reported in the "Other" category.
The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based upon operating income and invested capital. The Company does not allocate LIFO expense, interest expense, non-operating income and deductions, or income taxes to its business segments.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(8)(10) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued)
Summary by Business
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
March 31,
2018
 April 1,
2017
September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 September 29,
2018
 September 30,
2017
SALES:          
Engineered Support Structures segment:          
Lighting, Traffic, and Highway Safety Products$160,444
 $140,802
$183,184
 $165,031
 $522,558
 $467,307
Communication Products34,113
 31,476
35,985
 46,324
 109,690
 121,613
Access Systems30,397
 32,671
32,355
 34,909
 94,941
 99,096
Engineered Support Structures segment224,954
 204,949
251,524
 246,264
 727,189
 688,016
Utility Support Structures segment:          
Steel163,983
 148,354
161,847
 160,952
 471,947
 472,385
Concrete23,662
 26,204
27,715
 18,811
 81,562
 67,921
Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions6,090
 
 6,090
 
Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures22,217
 25,707
22,617
 25,046
 66,251
 75,372
Utility Support Structures segment209,862
 200,265
218,269
 204,809
 625,850
 615,678
Coatings segment84,947
 73,468
90,433
 82,593
 266,952
 235,842
Irrigation segment187,953
 167,224
140,175
 147,428
 491,064
 502,939
Other18,399
 19,594

 19,800
 23,080
 60,466
Total726,115
 665,500
700,401
 700,894
 2,134,135
 2,102,941
INTERSEGMENT SALES:          
Engineered Support Structures segment9,038
 11,873
3,093
 1,589
 16,801
 18,987
Utility Support Structures segment3
 235
326
 1,235
 1,517
 2,452
Coatings segment16,489
 14,136
15,886
 14,913
 49,408
 44,230
Irrigation segment1,901
 1,783
2,404
 2,378
 6,628
 6,283
Other
 

 
 
 
Total27,431
 28,027
21,709
 20,115
 74,354
 71,952
NET SALES:          
Engineered Support Structures segment215,916
 193,076
248,431
 244,675
 710,388
 669,029
Utility Support Structures segment209,859
 200,030
217,943
 203,574
 624,333
 613,226
Coatings segment68,458
 59,332
74,547
 67,680
 217,544
 191,612
Irrigation segment186,052
 165,441
137,771
 145,050
 484,436
 496,656
Other18,399
 19,594

 19,800
 23,080
 60,466
Total$698,684
 $637,473
$678,692
 $680,779
 $2,059,781
 $2,030,989
          
OPERATING INCOME:          
Engineered Support Structures segment$6,947
 $9,464
$16,499
 $16,986
 $36,411
 $46,738
Utility Support Structures segment23,367
 24,207
2,090
 22,845
 46,298
 69,446
Coatings segment11,867
 9,406
14,373
 14,577
 41,108
 36,091
Irrigation segment33,887
 30,291
21,302
 18,235
 82,917
 83,196
Other(579) 2,086

 (217) (913) 3,728
Adjustment to LIFO inventory valuation method(1,081) (779)(2,780) (1,626) (5,512) (2,839)
Corporate(10,448) (10,019)(13,124) (10,710) (34,319) (33,164)
Total$63,960
 $64,656
$38,360
 $60,090
 $165,990
 $203,196

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company has threetwo 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.

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 Thirteen weeks ended March 31,September 29, 2018
Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations TotalParent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$315,992
 $121,171
 $332,136
 $(70,615) $698,684
$293,070
 $132,059
 $319,129
 $(65,566) $678,692
Cost of sales235,596
 94,459
 271,716
 (72,327) 529,444
227,467
 100,130
 252,353
 (65,598) 514,352
Gross profit80,396
 26,712
 60,420
 1,712
 169,240
65,603
 31,929
 66,776
 32
 164,340
Selling, general and administrative expenses46,531
 11,917
 46,832
 
 105,280
51,159
 12,908
 61,913
 
 125,980
Operating income33,865
 14,795
 13,588
 1,712
 63,960
14,444
 19,021
 4,863
 32
 38,360
Other income (expense):                  
Interest expense(10,881) (3,880) (193) 3,880
 (11,074)(10,511) (3,600) (443) 3,600
 (10,954)
Interest income176
 10
 4,961
 (3,880) 1,267
174
 47
 4,379
 (3,600) 1,000
Other(106) 12
 (1,047) 
 (1,141)(13,765) 15
 1,426
 
 (12,324)
(10,811) (3,858) 3,721
 
 (10,948)(24,102) (3,538) 5,362
 
 (22,278)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries23,054
 10,937
 17,309
 1,712
 53,012
(9,658) 15,483
 10,225
 32
 16,082
Income tax expense (benefit):         
Current2,769
 886
 3,921
 137
 7,713
Deferred5,591
 1,791
 (2,563) 
 4,819
8,360
 2,677
 1,358
 137
 12,532
Income tax expense (benefit)(4,497) 4,732
 8,882
 (26) 9,091
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries14,694
 8,260
 15,951
 1,575
 40,480
(5,161) 10,751
 1,343
 58
 6,991
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries24,587
 2,729
 
 (27,316) 
9,609
 4,041
 
 (13,650) 
Net earnings39,281
 10,989
 15,951
 (25,741) 40,480
4,448
 14,792
 1,343
 (13,592) 6,991
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (1,199) 
 (1,199)
 
 (2,543) 
 (2,543)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc$39,281
 $10,989
 $14,752
 $(25,741) $39,281
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$4,448
 $14,792
 $(1,200) $(13,592) $4,448

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the ThirteenThirty-nine weeks ended April 1, 2017September 29, 2018
Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations TotalParent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$293,265
 $117,225
 $295,296
 $(68,313) $637,473
$906,978
 $386,793
 $966,764
 $(200,754) $2,059,781
Cost of sales216,486
 91,489
 232,490
 (67,597) 472,868
683,740
 293,238
 776,254
 (202,030) 1,551,202
Gross profit76,779
 25,736
 62,806
 (716) 164,605
223,238
 93,555
 190,510
 1,276
 508,579
Selling, general and administrative expenses50,217
 11,660
 38,072
 
 99,949
147,949
 37,360
 157,280
 
 342,589
Operating income26,562
 14,076
 24,734
 (716) 64,656
75,289
 56,195
 33,230
 1,276
 165,990
Other income (expense):                  
Interest expense(11,142) (2,266) (162) 2,266
 (11,304)(32,788) (11,229) (1,031) 11,229
 (33,819)
Interest income151
 14
 3,028
 (2,266) 927
655
 62
 14,225
 (11,229) 3,713
Other1,354
 16
 (325) 
 1,045
(15,773) 41
 (1,973) 
 (17,705)
(9,637) (2,236) 2,541
 
 (9,332)(47,906) (11,126) 11,221
 
 (47,811)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries16,925
 11,840
 27,275
 (716) 55,324
27,383
 45,069
 44,451
 1,276
 118,179
Income tax expense (benefit):         
Current(4,887) 5,320
 1,109
 (244) 1,298
Deferred11,327
 
 2,738
 
 14,065
6,440
 5,320
 3,847
 (244) 15,363
Income tax expense (benefit)6,181
 12,260
 17,525
 62
 36,028
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries10,485
 6,520
 23,428
 (472) 39,961
21,202
 32,809
 26,926
 1,214
 82,151
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries28,494
 (980) 
 (27,514) 
55,487
 37,939
 
 (93,426) 
Net earnings38,979
 5,540
 23,428
 (27,986) 39,961
76,689
 70,748
 26,926
 (92,212) 82,151
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (982) 
 (982)
 
 (5,462) 
 (5,462)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc$38,979
 $5,540
 $22,446
 $(27,986) $38,979
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$76,689
 $70,748
 $21,464
 $(92,212) $76,689



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEEARNINGS
For the Thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2018September 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$39,281
 $10,989
 $15,951
 $(25,741) $40,480
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gain (loss)
 (8,680) 15,484
 
 6,804
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:         
     Net investment hedge(789) 
 
 
 (789)
     Amortization cost included in interest expense19
 
 
 
 19
     Cash flow hedges(93) 
 
 
 (93)
Equity in other comprehensive income3,256
 
 
 (3,256) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)2,393
 (8,680) 15,484
 (3,256) 5,941
Comprehensive income (loss)41,674
 2,309
 31,435
 (28,997) 46,421
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (4,747) 
 (4,747)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$41,674
 $2,309
 $26,688
 $(28,997) $41,674
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$284,538
 $113,243
 $343,818
 $(60,820) $680,779
Cost of sales216,039
 88,757
 272,959
 (60,570) 517,185
Gross profit68,499
 24,486
 70,859
 (250) 163,594
Selling, general and administrative expenses46,451
 12,046
 45,007
 
 103,504
Operating income22,048
 12,440
 25,852
 (250) 60,090
Other income (expense):         
Interest expense(10,884) (3,989) (306) 3,989
 (11,190)
Interest income268
 9
 5,023
 (3,989) 1,311
Other1,379
 11
 (1,040) 
 350
 (9,237) (3,969) 3,677
 
 (9,529)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries12,811
 8,471
 29,529
 (250) 50,561
Income tax expense (benefit)5,556
 3,082
 5,265
 (8) 13,895
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries7,255
 5,389
 24,264
 (242) 36,666
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries27,953
 9,965
 
 (37,918) 
Net earnings35,208
 15,354
 24,264
 (38,160) 36,666
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (1,458) 
 (1,458)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$35,208
 $15,354
 $22,806
 $(38,160) $35,208



VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEEARNINGS
For the ThirteenThirty-nine weeks ended April 1,September 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$38,979
 $5,540
 $23,428
 $(27,986) $39,961
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gain (loss)
 69,383
 (49,993) 
 19,390
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activities:         
     Net investment hedge(526) 
 
 
 (526)
     Amortization cost included in interest expense19
 
 
 
 19
Equity in other comprehensive income20,613
 
 
 (20,613) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)20,106
 69,383
 (49,993) (20,613) 18,883
Comprehensive income (loss)59,085
 74,923
 (26,565) (48,599) 58,844
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 241
 
 241
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$59,085
 $74,923
 $(26,324) $(48,599) $59,085
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net sales$893,988
 $352,827
 $967,130
 $(182,956) $2,030,989
Cost of sales666,060
 271,620
 764,607
 (182,777) 1,519,510
Gross profit227,928
 81,207
 202,523
 (179) 511,479
Selling, general and administrative expenses143,590
 35,555
 129,138
 
 308,283
Operating income84,338
 45,652
 73,385
 (179) 203,196
Other income (expense):         
Interest expense(32,672) (10,040) (640) 10,040
 (33,312)
Interest income563
 33
 12,649
 (10,040) 3,205
Other3,900
 42
 (2,739) 
 1,203
 (28,209) (9,965) 9,270
 
 (28,904)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries56,129
 35,687
 82,655
 (179) 174,292
Income tax expense (benefit)21,552
 13,184
 15,626
 (19) 50,343
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries34,577
 22,503
 67,029
 (160) 123,949
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries85,274
 15,281
 
 (100,555) 
Net earnings119,851
 37,784
 67,029
 (100,715) 123,949
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (4,098) 
 (4,098)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$119,851
 $37,784
 $62,931
 $(100,715) $119,851


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2018
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$4,448
 $14,792
 $1,343
 $(13,592) $6,991
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gain (loss)
 4,289
 (14,921) 
 (10,632)
   Realized loss on divestiture of grinding media business recorded in earnings
 
 
 
 
    Gain (loss) on hedging activities(910) 
 
 
 (910)
Equity in other comprehensive income(10,478) 
 
 10,478
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(11,388) 4,289
 (14,921) 10,478
 (11,542)
Comprehensive income (loss)(6,940) 19,081
 (13,578) (3,114) (4,551)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (2,389) 
 (2,389)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$(6,940) $19,081
 $(15,967) $(3,114) $(6,940)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSSTATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
March 31,For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2018
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
ASSETS         
Current assets:         
Cash and cash equivalents$71,423
 $3,409
 $404,831
 $
 $479,663
Receivables, net139,677
 67,545
 259,788
 
 467,010
Inventories135,973
 38,734
 197,998
 (2,700) 370,005
Prepaid expenses and other assets42,926
 37,527
 46,798
 
 127,251
Assets held for sale
 
 72,665
 
 72,665
Refundable income taxes6,749
 
 
 
 6,749
Total current assets396,748
 147,215
 982,080
 (2,700) 1,523,343
Property, plant and equipment, at cost560,719
 165,996
 410,437
 
 1,137,152
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization374,716
 87,080
 171,644
 
 633,440
Net property, plant and equipment186,003
 78,916
 238,793
 
 503,712
Goodwill20,108
 110,562
 197,204
 
 327,874
Other intangible assets117
 30,057
 99,366
 
 129,540
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts1,430,127
 1,178,134
 947,570
 (3,555,831) 
Other assets50,467
 
 83,128
 
 133,595
Total assets$2,083,570
 $1,544,884
 $2,548,141
 $(3,558,531) $2,618,064
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
Current liabilities:         
Current installments of long-term debt$
 $
 $951
 $
 $951
Notes payable to banks
 
 377
 
 377
Accounts payable51,996
 14,047
 124,859
 
 190,902
Accrued employee compensation and benefits33,685
 5,623
 28,620
 
 67,928
Accrued expenses37,633
 6,571
 48,447
 
 92,651
Liabilities held for sale
 
 12,960
 
 12,960
Dividends payable8,493
 
 
 
 8,493
Total current liabilities131,807
 26,241
 216,214
 
 374,262
Deferred income taxes925
 16,883
 21,861
 
 39,669
Long-term debt, excluding current installments750,705
 182,065
 9,601
 (188,724) 753,647
Defined benefit pension liability
 
 195,490
 
 195,490
Deferred compensation42,988
 
 5,609
 
 48,597
Other noncurrent liabilities11,904
 5
 9,134
 
 21,043
Shareholders’ equity:         
Common stock of $1 par value27,900
 457,950
 648,682
 (1,106,632) 27,900
Additional paid-in capital
 162,906
 1,107,536
 (1,270,442) 
Retained earnings1,996,474
 633,032
 630,982
 (1,264,014) 1,996,474
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(276,629) 65,802
 (337,083) 271,281
 (276,629)
Treasury stock(602,504) 
 
 
 (602,504)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity1,145,241
 1,319,690
 2,050,117
 (3,369,807) 1,145,241
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
 
 40,115
 
 40,115
Total shareholders’ equity1,145,241
 1,319,690
 2,090,232
 (3,369,807) 1,185,356
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,083,570
 $1,544,884
 $2,548,141
 $(3,558,531) $2,618,064
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$76,689
 $70,748
 $26,926
 $(92,212) $82,151
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gain (loss)
 2,122
 (52,903) 
 (50,781)
    Realized loss on divestiture of grinding media business recorded in earnings
 
 9,203
 
 9,203
Gain (loss) on hedging activities834
 
 
 
 834
Equity in other comprehensive income(44,366) 
 
 44,366
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(43,532) 2,122
 (43,700) 44,366
 (40,744)
Comprehensive income (loss)33,157
 72,870
 (16,774) (47,846) 41,407
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (8,250) 
 (8,250)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$33,157
 $72,870
 $(25,024) $(47,846) $33,157


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSSTATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
DecemberFor the Thirteen weeks ended September 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 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(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
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$35,208
 $15,354
 $24,264
 $(38,160) $36,666
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gain (loss)
 (3,613) 23,143
 
 19,530
Gain (loss) on hedging activities(721) 
 
 
 (721)
Equity in other comprehensive income18,418
 
 
 (18,418) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)17,697
 (3,613) 23,143
 (18,418) 18,809
Comprehensive income (loss)52,905
 11,741
 47,407
 (56,578) 55,475
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (2,570) 
 (2,570)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$52,905
 $11,741
 $44,837
 $(56,578) $52,905

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2017
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Net earnings$119,851
 $37,784
 $67,029
 $(100,715) $123,949
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:         
Foreign currency translation adjustments:         
        Unrealized translation gain (loss)
 64,411
 (3,940) 
 60,471
Gain (loss) on hedging activities(1,760) 
 
 
 (1,760)
Equity in other comprehensive income60,017
 
 
 (60,017) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)58,257
 64,411
 (3,940) (60,017) 58,711
Comprehensive income (loss)178,108
 102,195
 63,089
 (160,732) 182,660
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (4,552) 
 (4,552)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$178,108
 $102,195
 $58,537
 $(160,732) $178,108


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSBALANCE SHEETS
For the Thirteen Weeks Ended March 31,September 29, 2018
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Cash flows from operating activities:         
Net earnings$39,281
 $10,989
 $15,951
 $(25,741) $40,480
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:         
Depreciation and amortization6,444
 3,478
 11,256
 
 21,178
Noncash loss on trading securities
 
 71
 
 71
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
 
 1,145
 
 1,145
  Stock-based compensation2,775
 
 
 
 2,775
Defined benefit pension plan expense
 
 (594) 
 (594)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
 
 (731) 
 (731)
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment
 4
 (284) 
 (280)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries(24,587) (2,729) 
 27,316
 
Deferred income taxes5,591
 1,791
 (2,563) 
 4,819
Changes in assets and liabilities:         
Receivables10,407
 15,450
 3,937
 
 29,794
Inventories(934) 4,089
 (3,208) (1,148) (1,201)
Prepaid expenses and other assets2,202
 (31,130) (3,097) 
 (32,025)
Accounts payable(17,919) (3,992) (7,538) 
 (29,449)
Accrued expenses(2,606) (6,178) 2,377
 
 (6,407)
Other noncurrent liabilities861
 
 (421) 
 440
Income taxes payable (refundable)(7,862) (514) 11,409
 
 3,033
Net cash flows from operating activities13,653
 (8,742) 27,710
 427
 33,048
Cash flows from investing activities:         
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(3,928) (5,241) (7,079) 
 (16,248)
Proceeds from sale of assets5
 
 709
 
 714
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 (4,800) 
 (4,800)
Loss from settlement of net investment hedge(863) 
 
 
 (863)
Other, net4,551
 8,633
 (14,539) (427) (1,782)
Net cash flows from investing activities(235) 3,392
 (25,709) (427) (22,979)
Cash flows from financing activities:         
Net borrowings under short-term agreements
 
 219
 
 219
Principal payments on long-term borrowings

 
 (249) 
 (249)
Dividends paid(8,510) 
 
 
 (8,510)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
 
 (1,281) 
 (1,281)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 
 (5,510) 
 (5,510)
Intercompany capital contribution(3,492) 3,492
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans2,972
 
 
 
 2,972
Purchase of treasury shares(14,790) 
 
 
 (14,790)
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises(1,504) 
 
 
 (1,504)
Net cash flows from financing activities(25,324) 3,492
 (6,821) 
 (28,653)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 (37) 5,479
 
 5,442
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(11,906) (1,895) 659
 
 (13,142)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year83,329
 5,304
 404,172
 
 492,805
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$71,423
 $3,409
 $404,831
 $
 $479,663
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
ASSETS         
Current assets:         
Cash and cash equivalents$26,292
 $10,628
 $258,702
 $
 $295,622
Receivables, net154,551
 72,521
 273,334
 
 500,406
Inventories140,195
 42,840
 219,765
 (2,895) 399,905
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings49,509
 39,583
 23,528
 
 112,620
Prepaid expenses and other assets11,586
 4,433
 24,636
 
 40,655
Refundable income taxes13,182
 
 
 
 13,182
Total current assets395,315
 170,005
 799,965
 (2,895) 1,362,390
Property, plant and equipment, at cost573,119
 168,519
 412,205
 
 1,153,843
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization386,282
 90,810
 169,030
 
 646,122
Net property, plant and equipment186,837
 77,709
 243,175
 
 507,721
Goodwill20,108
 110,562
 258,924
 
 389,594
Other intangible assets90
 28,271
 150,332
 
 178,693
Investment in subsidiaries and intercompany accounts1,345,874
 1,123,215
 933,195
 (3,402,284) 
Other assets49,952
 
 74,728
 
 124,680
Total assets$1,998,176
 $1,509,762
 $2,460,319
 $(3,405,179) $2,563,078
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
Current liabilities:         
Current installments of long-term debt$
 $
 $829
 $
 $829
Notes payable to banks
 
 3,328
 
 3,328
Accounts payable58,896
 18,050
 123,522
 
 200,468
Accrued employee compensation and benefits42,381
 7,253
 31,209
 
 80,843
Accrued expenses40,948
 (1,987) 67,968
 
 106,929
Dividends payable8,310
 
 
 
 8,310
Total current liabilities150,535
 23,316
 226,856
 
 400,707
Deferred income taxes2,938
 
 42,138
 
 45,076
Long-term debt, excluding current installments733,815
 171,128
 2,370
 (171,128) 736,185
Defined benefit pension liability
 
 179,877
 
 179,877
Deferred compensation43,460
 
 4,714
 
 48,174
Other noncurrent liabilities10,211
 392
 8,708
 
 19,311
Shareholders’ equity:         
Common stock of $1 par value27,900
 457,950
 648,682
 (1,106,632) 27,900
Additional paid-in capital
 162,906
 1,107,536
 (1,270,442) 
Retained earnings2,022,538
 617,466
 510,063
 (1,127,529) 2,022,538
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(322,554) 76,604
 (347,156) 270,552
 (322,554)
Treasury stock(670,667) 
 
 
 (670,667)
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity1,057,217
 1,314,926
 1,919,125
 (3,234,051) 1,057,217
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries
 
 76,531
 
 76,531
Total shareholders’ equity1,057,217
 1,314,926
 1,995,656
 (3,234,051) 1,133,748
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$1,998,176
 $1,509,762
 $2,460,319
 $(3,405,179) $2,563,078

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(9)(11) 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
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings
 
 16,165
 
 16,165
Prepaid expenses and other assets8,607
 970
 17,901
 
 27,478
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(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 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the ThirteenThirty-nine Weeks Ended April 1,September 29, 2018
 Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Cash flows from operating activities:         
Net earnings$76,689
 $70,748
 $26,926
 $(92,212) $82,151
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:         
Depreciation and amortization19,498
 10,564
 31,956
 
 62,018
Noncash gain on trading securities
 
 (62) 
 (62)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
 
 4,197
 
 4,197
  Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets
 
 15,780
 
 15,780
  Loss on divestiture of grinding media business2,518
 
 3,566
 
 6,084
  Stock-based compensation8,076
 
 
 
 8,076
Defined benefit pension plan expense
 
 (1,713) 
 (1,713)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
 
 (1,555) 
 (1,555)
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment7
 (27) (333) 
 (353)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries(55,487) (37,939) 
 93,426
 
Deferred income taxes729
 1,791
 (1,706) 
 814
Changes in assets and liabilities:         
Net working capital(28,948) (40,255) (26,432) (1,277) (96,912)
Other noncurrent liabilities(762) 387
 (874) 
 (1,249)
Income taxes payable (refundable)(23,256) (1,066) 15,099
 
 (9,223)
Net cash flows from operating activities(936) 4,203
 64,849
 (63) 68,053
Cash flows from investing activities:         
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(16,940) (9,546) (22,433) 
 (48,919)
Proceeds from sale of assets39
 232
 64,515
 
 64,786
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(57,805) 
 (67,504) 
 (125,309)
Settlement of net investment hedge(1,621) 
 
 
 (1,621)
Other, net28,299
 (3,683) (27,050) 63
 (2,371)
Net cash flows from investing activities(48,028) (12,997) (52,472) 63
 (113,434)
Cash flows from financing activities:         
Proceeds from short-term agreements
 
 3,217
 
 3,217
Proceeds from long-term borrowings236,936
 
 
 
 236,936
Principal payments on long-term borrowings(252,219) 
 (733) 
 (252,952)
Settlement of financial derivative(2,467) 
 
 
 (2,467)
Debt issuance costs(2,322) 
 
 
 (2,322)
Dividends paid(25,415) 
 
 
 (25,415)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
 
 (5,737) 
 (5,737)
Intercompany dividends123,363
 11,296
 (134,659) 
 
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 
 (5,510) 
 (5,510)
Intercompany capital contribution(3,492) 3,492
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury shares(86,919) 
 
 
 (86,919)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans6,376
 
 
 
 6,376
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises(1,914) 
 
 
 (1,914)
Net cash flows from financing activities(8,073) 14,788
 (143,422) 
 (136,707)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 (670) (14,425) 
 (15,095)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(57,037) 5,324
 (145,470) 
 (197,183)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year83,329
 5,304
 404,172
 
 492,805
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$26,292
 $10,628
 $258,702
 $
 $295,622

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


(11) GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2017
Parent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations TotalParent Guarantors Non-
Guarantors
 Eliminations Total
Cash flows from operating activities:                  
Net earnings$38,979
 $5,540
 $23,428
 $(27,986) $39,961
$119,851
 $37,784
 $67,029
 $(100,715) $123,949
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:                  
Depreciation and amortization6,536
 3,557
 10,734
 
 20,827
19,600
 11,130
 32,770
 
 63,500
Noncash loss on trading securities
 
 70
 
 70

 
 395
 
 395
Stock-based compensation2,494
 
 
 
 2,494
7,300
 
 
 
 7,300
Defined benefit pension plan expense
 
 154
 
 154

 
 481
 
 481
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
 
 (25,379) 
 (25,379)
 
 (26,064) 
 (26,064)
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment(5) (2) (95) 
 (102)(725) 59
 (66) 
 (732)
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries(28,494) 980
 
 27,514
 
(85,274) (15,281) 
 100,555
 
Deferred income taxes11,327
 
 2,738
 
 14,065
2,065
 
 (1,986) 
 79
Changes in assets and liabilities:                  
Receivables1,116
 (13,699) (146) 
 (12,729)
Inventories(17,105) (3,865) (14,563) 716
 (34,817)
Prepaid expenses and other assets3,688
 27
 (13,513) 
 (9,798)
Accounts payable2,278
 1,826
 10,020
 
 14,124
Accrued expenses12,588
 (3,697) 5,129
 
 14,020
Net working capital(5,713) (23,364) (14,815) 179
 (43,713)
Other noncurrent liabilities848
 
 (236) 
 612
(381) 
 (1,246) 
 (1,627)
Income taxes payable (refundable)(9,839) 22
 9,730
 
 (87)(11,403) 802
 8,869
 
 (1,732)
Net cash flows from operating activities24,411
 (9,311) 8,071
 244
 23,415
45,320
 11,130
 65,367
 19
 121,836
Cash flows from investing activities:                  
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(4,547) (1,797) (7,824) 
 (14,168)(14,046) (5,952) (19,900) 
 (39,898)
Proceeds from sale of assets7
 6
 289
 
 302
745
 (48) 878
 
 1,575
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 (5,362) 
 (5,362)
Settlement of net investment hedge5,123
 
 
 
 5,123
Other, net8,474
 12,586
 (22,531) (244) (1,715)15,714
 (8,985) (10,172) (19) (3,462)
Net cash flows from investing activities3,934
 10,795
 (30,066) (244) (15,581)7,536
 (14,985) (34,556) (19) (42,024)
Cash flows from financing activities:                  
Net borrowings under short-term agreements
 
 198
 
 198
Payments under short-term agreements
 
 (549) 
 (549)
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
 
 (215) 
 (215)
 
 (658) 
 (658)
Dividends paid(8,445) 
 
 
 (8,445)(25,386) 
 
 
 (25,386)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
 
 (3,895) 
 (3,895)
Intercompany dividends22,662
 
 (22,662) 
 
Intercompany interest on long-term note
 (2,263) 2,263
 
 

 (5,669) 5,669
 
 
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
 
 (422) 
 (422)
Intercompany capital contribution(7,375) 7,375
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans8,894
 
 
 
 8,894
12,446
 
 
 
 12,446
Purchase of common treasury shares - stock plan exercises(2,870) 
 
 
 (2,870)(3,929) 
 
 
 (3,929)
Net cash flows from financing activities(2,421) (2,263) 1,824
 
 (2,860)(1,582) 1,706
 (22,095) 
 (21,971)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 187
 7,539
 
 7,726

 245
 22,888
 
 23,133
Net change in cash and cash equivalents25,924
 (592) (12,632) 
 12,700
51,274
 (1,904) 31,604
 
 80,974
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year67,225
 6,071
 339,220
 
 412,516
67,225
 6,071
 339,220
 
 412,516
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$93,149
 $5,479
 $326,588
 $
 $425,216
$118,499
 $4,167
 $370,824
 $
 $493,490


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s discussion and analysis contains 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.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto, and the management's discussion and analysis included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017. Segment net sales in the table below and elsewhere are presented net of intersegment sales. See Note 810 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on segment sales and intersegment sales.


Results of Operations (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)    
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 % Incr. (Decr.)September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 % Incr. (Decr.) September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 % Incr. (Decr.)
Consolidated                
Net sales$698.7
 $637.5
 9.6 %$678.7
 $680.8
 (0.3)% $2,059.8
 $2,031.0
 1.4 %
Gross profit169.2
 164.6
 2.8 %164.4
 163.6
 0.5 % 508.6
 511.5
 (0.6)%
as a percent of sales
24.2% 25.8%  24.2% 24.0%   24.7% 25.2%  
SG&A expense105.3
 99.9
 5.4 %126.0
 103.5
 21.7 % 342.6
 308.3
 11.1 %
as a percent of sales
15.1% 15.7%  18.6% 15.2%   16.6% 15.2%  
Operating income64.0
 64.7
 (1.1)%38.4
 60.1
 (36.1)% 166.0
 203.2
 (18.3)%
as a percent of sales
9.2% 10.1%  5.7% 8.8%   8.1% 10.0%  
Net interest expense9.8
 10.4
 (5.8)%10.0
 9.9
 1.0 % 30.1
 30.1
  %
Effective tax rate23.6% 27.8%  56.5% 27.5%   30.5% 28.9%  
Net earnings$39.3
 $39.0
 0.8 %$4.4
 $35.2
 (87.5)% $76.7
 $119.9
 (36.0)%
Diluted earnings per share$1.72
 $1.72
  %$0.20
 $1.55
 (87.1)% $3.40
 $5.28
 (35.6)%
Engineered Support Structures (ESS)                
Net sales$215.9
 $193.1
 11.8 %$248.4
 $244.7
 1.5 % $710.4
 $669.0
 6.2 %
Gross profit49.3
 48.2
 2.3 %58.3
 58.6
 (0.5)% 164.5
 166.4
 (1.1)%
SG&A expense42.4
 38.7
 9.6 %41.8
 41.7
 0.2 % 128.1
 119.7
 7.0 %
Operating income6.9
 9.5
 (27.4)%16.5
 16.9
 (2.4)% 36.4
 46.7
 (22.1)%
Utility Support Structures (Utility)                
Net sales$209.9
 $200.1
 4.9 %$218.0
 $203.5
 7.1 % $624.4
 $613.2
 1.8 %
Gross profit43.6
 43.4
 0.5 %41.1
 42.7
 (3.7)% 127.0
 128.0
 (0.8)%
SG&A expense20.3
 19.2
 5.7 %39.0
 19.9
 96.0 % 80.7
 58.6
 37.7 %
Operating income23.3
 24.2
 (3.7)%2.1
 22.8
 (90.8)% 46.3
 69.4
 (33.3)%
Coatings                
Net sales$68.5
 $59.3
 15.5 %$74.5
 $67.7
 10.0 % $217.5
 $191.6
 13.5 %
Gross profit20.6
 17.7
 16.4 %23.8
 20.4
 16.7 % 68.6
 58.6
 17.1 %
SG&A expense8.7
 8.3
 4.8 %9.4
 5.8
 62.1 % 27.5
 22.5
 22.2 %
Operating income11.9
 9.4
 26.6 %14.4
 14.6
 (1.4)% 41.1
 36.1
 13.9 %
Irrigation                
Net sales$186.0
 $165.4
 12.5 %$137.8
 $145.1
 (5.0)% $484.4
 $496.7
 (2.5)%
Gross profit56.0
 52.8
 6.1 %44.0
 42.2
 4.3 % 153.2
 153.6
 (0.3)%
SG&A expense22.1
 22.5
 (1.8)%22.7
 23.9
 (5.0)% 70.3
 70.4
 (0.1)%
Operating income33.9
 30.3
 11.9 %21.3
 18.3
 16.4 % 82.9
 83.2
 (0.4)%
Other                
Net sales$18.4
 $19.6
 (6.1)%$
 $19.8
 (100.0)% $23.1
 $60.5
 (61.8)%
Gross profit0.8
 3.3
 (75.8)%
 1.2
 (100.0)% 0.8
 7.7
 (89.6)%
SG&A expense1.4
 1.2
 16.7 %
 1.4
 (100.0)% 1.7
 3.9
 (56.4)%
Operating income(0.6) 2.1
 (128.6)%
 (0.2) (100.0)% (0.9) 3.8
 (123.7)%
Adjustment to LIFO inventory valuation method                
Gross profit$(1.1) $(0.8) 37.5 %$(2.8) $(1.6) NM $(5.5) $(2.8) NM
Operating income(1.1) (0.8) 37.5 %(2.8) (1.6) NM (5.5) (2.8) NM
Net corporate expense                
Gross profit$
 $
 NM$
 $0.1
 NM $
 $
 NM
SG&A expense10.4
 10.0
 4.0 %13.1
 10.8
 21.3 % 34.3
 33.2
 3.3 %
Operating loss(10.4) (10.0) (4.0)%(13.1) (10.7) (22.4)% (34.3) (33.2) (3.3)%
NM=Not meaningful


Overview
On a consolidated basis, net sales were slightly lower in the increasethird quarter of 2018, as compared with the third quarter of 2017, due to lower sales in the Irrigation and Other segments that were offset by higher net sales in the Coatings, Utility, and ESS segments. Net sales were higher in the first three quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to increased sales for ESS, Coatings, and Utility that were partially offset by the remaining segments. The changes in net sales in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of fiscal 2018, as compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2017, reflected higher salessame periods in all reportable segments with the exception of Other. The changes in net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared with fiscal 2017, is as follows:
First quarterThird quarter
TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOtherTotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOther
Sales - 2017$637.5
$193.1
$200.1
$59.3
$165.4
$19.6
$680.8
$244.7
$203.5
$67.7
$145.1
$19.8
Volume9.4
6.5
(10.9)2.9
15.2
(4.3)(17.2)(6.0)(2.1)3.5
(12.6)
Pricing/mix31.6
3.6
16.8
5.2
3.6
2.4
31.7
11.9
10.3
4.3
5.2

Acquisitions4.6
3.7


0.9

Acquisition/(divestiture)(4.0)3.7
6.7
0.3
5.1
(19.8)
Currency translation15.6
9.0
3.9
1.1
0.9
0.7
(12.6)(5.9)(0.4)(1.3)(5.0)
Sales - 2018$698.7
$215.9
$209.9
$68.5
$186.0
$18.4
$678.7
$248.4
$218.0
$74.5
$137.8
$
 Year-to-date
 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOther
Sales - 2017$2,031.0
$669.0
$613.2
$191.6
$496.7
$60.5
Volume(62.3)0.8
(41.4)10.5
(27.9)(4.3)
Pricing/mix90.7
19.4
40.5
14.6
13.8
2.4
Acquisition/(divestiture)(8.1)12.3
6.7
0.3
8.8
(36.2)
Currency translation8.5
8.9
5.4
0.5
(7.0)0.7
Sales - 2018$2,059.8
$710.4
$624.4
$217.5
$484.4
$23.1

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. On the first day of fiscal 2018, the Company was required to adopt new revenue recognition guidance. Within the Utility Support Structures segment, the steel and concrete product lines now recognize revenue over time whereas in 2017 and years prior, their revenue was recognized at a point in time, which was typically upon product delivery to the customer. The estimated impact of the adoption of ASC 606 in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018 was an increase in sales of approximately $27.8$34.9 million and an increase in operating income of approximately $5.1$4.7 million primarily in the Utility segment. It is not practical to estimate the sales volumes attributable to the adoption of ASC 606 soand thus it is not a separate line item in the table above. Information on the adoption of the new revenue standard can be found under Critical Accounting Policies starting on page 40.51.

Average steel index prices for both hot rolled coil and plate were higher in North America and China in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, resulting in higher average cost of material. We expect that average selling prices will increase over time to offset the decrease in gross profit realized from the higher cost of steel for the Company.
    
The Company acquired a highway business in India ("Aircon") in the third quarter of 2017 that is included in our ESS segment. The Company acquired a majority interest in the assets of Torrent Engineering and Equipment ("Torrent") in the first quarter of 2018 that is included in our Irrigation segment. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company acquired the assets of Derit Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. ("Derit"), a manufacturing facility located in India that is included in both Utility and Coatings. The Company also acquired a majority ownership stake in Convert Italia SpA ("Convert"), a provider of engineered solar tracker solutions, which is included in the Utility segment. The Company acquired Walpar, a manufacturer of overhead sign structures, in the third quarter of 2018 that is included in the ESS segment.


The Company divested of its grinding media business in the second quarter of 2018, which resulted in a pre-tax loss of approximately $6.1 million. The grinding media business is reported in Other and the loss was recorded in other income (expenses) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Restructuring Plan

In February 2018, the Company announced a restructuring plan related to certain operations in 2018, primarily in the ESS segment, through consolidation and other cost-reduction activities (the "2018 Plan"). The Company incurred pre-tax expenses from the 2018 Plan of $4.4$6.2 million and $17.7 million in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018, respectively. The decrease in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018 gross profit due to restructuring expense by segment is as follows:

Gross ProfitTotalESSUtilityCorporate
Third quarter$3.9
$3.4
$0.5
$
     
Year-to-date$10.8
$8.0
$2.8
$

The decrease in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018 operating income due to restructuring expense by segment is as follows:
Operating IncomeTotalESSUtilityCorporate
Third quarter$6.2
$5.7
$0.5
$
     
Year-to-date$17.7
$14.8
$2.8
$0.1

Goodwill and Trade Name Impairment

The Company recognized a $14.4 million impairment of goodwill of the offshore and other complex steel structures ("Offshore") reporting unit in the third quarter of 2018.2018, which represents all of the remaining goodwill for this reporting unit. The ESS segment incurred $3.6goodwill impairment was a result of adverse challenges in the wind energy market in Northern Europe, including a lack of protective tariffs that has led to an extremely competitive market in the region. The Company also recorded a $1.4 million andimpairment of the Utility segment incurred $0.8 million of restructuring expenses duringrelated Valmont SM trade name in the firstthird quarter of 2018.

Currency Translation

In the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of fiscal 2018, we realized an increasea decrease in operating profit, as compared with fiscal 2017, due to currency translation effects. The U.S. dollar primarily weakened against the Chinese yuan, and the euro, resulting in more operating profit in U.S. dollar terms. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:
 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOtherCorporate
First quarter$0.4
$
$0.1
$0.2
$0.1
$
$




 TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationOtherCorporate
Third quarter$(1.2)$(0.4)$
$(0.1)$(0.7)$
$
 

      
Year-to-date$(1.1)$(0.2)$0.2
$0.2
$(1.3)$
$

Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income

At a consolidated level, the reduction in gross margin (gross profit as a percent of sales) in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with the same period in 2017, was primarily due to higher raw material prices across most of our businesses.restructuring costs incurred. Gross profit was higher in the firstthird quarter of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to increasedrecent acquisitions and improvements in sales volumespricing. In the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periods in most operating segments. All reportable operating segments2017, Coatings realized increasesan increase in gross profit, or were consistentwhile ESS and Utility realized a decrease in gross profit due to restructuring costs incurred. Irrigation realized an increase in gross profit in the third quarter of 2018 and a decrease in gross profit in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017.
  


The Company saw an increase in SG&A in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of fiscal 2018, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2017, primarily due to currency translation effectsimpairment of $2.2the goodwill and trade name of the Offshore business in the third quarter totaling $15.8 million, and restructuring costs incurred of $2.0 million.$2.3 million and $6.9 million, and expenses related to recently acquired businesses of $3.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

    In the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, operating income was higherlower for all reportable segments except for Irrigation in the Irrigationthird quarter and Coatings segments, but lower forin the remaining operating segments.first three quarters. The overall decrease in operating income in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2017, is primarily attributable to the impairment of the goodwill and trade name of the Offshore business, restructuring costs incurred.incurred in the ESS and Utility segments, and the disposal of the grinding media business included in Other.

Net Interest Expense and Debt
    
The Company issued $200.0 million and $55.0 million of senior secured notes in June 2018 at 5.0% and 5.25%, respectively. Proceeds from the debt issuance were subsequently used to pay off the 2020 bonds in July 2018. Net interest expense in the firstthird quarter of 2018, as compared to 2017, was consistentlower due to minimal changes in short and long-term borrowings.retiring $250.2 million senior unsecured notes due 2020 at 6.625%. Interest income increasedwas lower in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to improved returnshaving less cash on hand to invest.

The approximate $14.8 million in costs associated with refinancing of debt is due to the Company's repurchase through tender of $250.2 million in aggregate principal amount of the senior unsecured notes due 2020. This expense was comprised of the following:

Cash prepayment expenses of approximately $15.8 million; plus
Recognition of $1.0 million of expense comprised of the write-offs of unamortized loss on the cash invested.flow hedge and deferred financing costs; less
Recognition of $2.0 million of the unamortized premium originally recorded upon the issuance of the 2020 notes.

Other Income/Expense

The change in other income/expense in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with the same period in 2017, was primarily due to the divestiture of our grinding media business that resulted in a loss of approximately $6.1 million. Excluding the divestiture, higher other income in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, was driven by a periodic pension benefit in 2018 that resulted a beneficial change of $0.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively. In addition, the change in the market value of the Company's shares held of Delta EMD was an improvement of $0.5 million in the third quarter and first three quarters. The improvement was partially offset by a change in valuation of deferred compensation assets. The Company hadassets in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018 which resulted in additional expense of $0.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively. This amount is offset by a $1.4 million gain of the same amount in first quarter 2017 versus a small loss in first quarter 2018.SG&A expense. The remaining change was due to lessmore favorable foreign currency transaction gains/losses due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.losses.

Income Tax Expense
    
Our effective income tax rate in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018 was 23.6%56.5% and 30.5%, compared to 27.8%27.5% and 28.9% in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2017.2017, respectively. The rate reductionincrease can be attributed to the Tax Cutsimpairment of the goodwill and Jobs Acttrade name on the Offshore business recorded in the third quarter of 2017 (the "2017 Tax Act")2018 that reduced the Company's statutory federal corporate incomeis not tax rate from 35% to 21% at the beginning of 2018.deductible.

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests was higher in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to improved earnings for our majority-owned irrigation businesses.businesses and earnings from 2018 acquisitions with minority shareholders.

Cash Flows from Operations
 
Our cash flows provided by operations was $33.0$68.1 million in the first quarterthree quarters of fiscal 2018, as compared with $23.4$121.8 million provided by operations in the first quarterthree quarters of 2017. The increasedecrease in operating cash flow in the first quarterthree quarters of fiscal 2018, as compared with 2017, was primarily the result of lower pension plan contributions that was partially offset by higher net working capital changes.levels and lower net earnings partially offset by lower pension plan contributions.


ESS segment
The increase in sales in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with the same periodperiods in 2017, was primarily due to higher roadway product sales volumes, higher sales pricing for most businesses due to higher costs of steel and $9.0 million of favorable currency translation effects.


sales volume increases due to recent acquisitions.
Global lighting and traffic, and roadwayhighway safety product sales in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018 were $19.6$18.2 million and $55.3 million higher as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2017, primarily due to higher sales pricing and increased sales volumes. In the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, sales volumes and pricing in North America were higher across commercial and transportation markets. BothImproved sales volumes and pricing in Europe contributed to higher sales in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, along with favorable currency translation effects on a year-to-date basis as the value of the euro appreciated against the U.S. dollar. Sales volumes in Asia-Pacific were lower primarilyhigher in India due to improved volumes, partially offset by lower domestic demand in China that was partially offset by currency translation effects. Roadwayfor lighting and traffic products. Highway safety product sales increased significantly in 2018, as compared to 2017, due to higher demand in Australia and the acquisition of Aircon in the third quarter of 2017.
Communication product line sales were $2.6lower by $10.3 million higherand $11.9 million in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, respectively, as compared with 2017. In North America, communication structure and component sales decreased in the third quarter but increased in the first three quarters of 2018 due to higher demand from the continued network expansion by providers. In Asia-Pacific, sales volumes decreased due to much lower domestic demand in China but was partially offset by currency translation effects.for new wireless communication structures.
Access Systems product line net sales decreased in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018 by $2.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively, as compared to the first quarter of 2017, were $2.3 million lower primarilysame periods in 2017. The decrease can be attributed to lower sales volumes in Asia due to less large project work. The decrease in sales volumes werework that was partially offset by currency translation effects.improved market demand in Australia.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, and operating income for the segment were lower in the third quarter and first quarter of 2018, as compared to 2017, primarily due to restructuring costs incurred in 2018. The segment incurred $1.6 million of restructuring costs within product cost of sales and $2.0 million within SG&A. SG&A spending was higher in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to restructuring costs incurred in 2018. In the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018, the segment incurred $3.4 million and $8.0 million of restructuring costs within product cost of sales and $2.3 million and $6.8 million within SG&A, respectively. SG&A spending was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to restructuring costs and foreign currency translation effects.
Utility segment
In the Utility segment, sales increased in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with 2017, due primarilyto sales price increases to cover higher steel costs and the acquisition of Convert and Derit in the third quarter of 2018. In the first three quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, currency translation effects also contributed to the higher cost of steel.sales increase. 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. SalesThe average sales price increase was partially offset by lower sales volumes. Measured in tonnages, sales volumes in tons for concrete and steel utility structures in North America were lower whereas concrete utility structure sales volumes were higher in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2017. The Company adopted new revenue recognition guidance effective the first day of fiscal 2018; steel and concrete reported sales for the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2017 were recognized upon delivery to customers (point in time) whereas reported revenue for the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018 is based on progress of production on customer orders (over time).
Offshore and other complex structures sales decreased $3.5 million in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, due primarily to lower volumes that were partially offset by a $3.9 million positive effecteffects from currency translation.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, due to lower sales volumes and restructuring costs incurred of $0.8 million.$0.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively. In addition, the third quarter of 2018 had an unfavorable sales mix that contributed to the decline. SG&A expense was higher in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with the same periods in 2017, dueprimarily attributed to higher compensationthe goodwill and trade name impairment recorded for offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit of $15.8 million and increased expenses related costs.to the acquisition of Derit and Convert. Excluding restructuring expenses, expenses associated with the acquisitions, and the intangible asset impairment, operating income decreased slightly inwas consistent for the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with 2017, due to the lower sales volumes.same periods in 2017.


Coatings segment
Coatings segment sales increased in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2017, due primarily to increased sales prices to recover higher zinc costs globally and higher sales volumes. Sales pricing and sales volumesvolume demand increased in North America in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017. In the Asia-Pacific region, improved demandcontinued improvements in the Australia market along with overall higher sales pricing provided an increase in net sales.
SG&A expense was higher in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, due to higher compensation costs related to improved business operations and currency translation effects. Operating income was higher in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018 compared to 2017, due to improved sales volumes and the associated operating leverage of fixed costs and favorable currency translation effects.improved sales pricing.
Irrigation segment
The increasedecrease in Irrigation segment net sales in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, wasis primarily due to sales volume increases fordecreases, particularly in the international irrigation. Inmarkets. The decrease in international sales can be attributed to project delays and lower overall large project work across most regions. North America sales amounts were comparable between the years. Volume increases attributable to large projects primarilyvolume increased in the Middle East and Eurasia drovethird quarter, but were lower for the first three quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017. Sales in North America for the year were lower due to continued weak farm income levels. Recent proposed tariffs also caused uncertainly leading farmers to delay irrigation purchases. North America sales increase internationally.decreases were partially offset by higher sales pricing attributed to higher cost of steel.


SG&A was lower in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017. The decrease can primarily be attributed to lower incentives from reduced compensation related costsbusiness operations that arewere partially offset by operating expenses associated with the acquisition of Torrentacquisitions made in January 2018.2018 totaling $1.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Operating income for the segment increased in the firstthird quarter of 2018 over the same period in 2017, primarily due to international irrigation sales volume increases.
Other
Grinding media sales decreased in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the first quarter of 2017, due to lower sales volumes that were partially offset by higher sales pricing and favorable currency translation effects. Gross profit and operating income were lowerfrom the recent acquisitions. Operating income decreased by $0.3 million on a year-to-date basis.
Other
At the end of April 2018, the Company completed its previously announced sale of Donhad, a mining consumable business with operations in 2018, as comparedAustralia. The Company realized an approximate $6.1 million loss on the sale that is recorded in other income/expense, subject to 2017, due to lower sales volumes and the associated operating deleverage of fixed costs.certain post-closing adjustments.
LIFO expense
Steel index prices for both hot rolled coil and plate, and zinc in the U.S. increased at a higher rate in 2018, as compared to 2017, resulting in higher LIFO expense.
Net corporate expense
Corporate SG&A expense was higher in the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2017, due to due diligence costs and higher compensation related costs. Thisexpense. The increase wasin costs were partially offset by $1.4$0.2 million and $2.2 million of lower deferred compensation expenses that is offset by the same amount in other expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
Working Capital and Operating Cash Flows-Net working capital was $1,149.1961.7 million at March 31,September 29, 2018, as compared to $1,069.6 million at December 30, 2017. The increasedecrease in net working capital in 2018 mainly resulted fromis attributed to lower cash due to recent acquisitions and the purchase of treasury shares under our share repurchase program. The decrease was offset by the increase in contract assets which is associated with our utilityUtility segment which recognizednow recognizes revenue over time and lower accounts payable.time. Cash flow provided by operations was $33.0$68.1 million in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared with $23.4$121.8 million in first quarterthree quarters of 2017. The increasedecrease in operating cash flow in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, was primarily the result of higher working capital and lower net earnings that was offset by lower pension contributions that was partially offset by higher working capital.contributions.
Investing Cash Flows-Capital spending in the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 was $16.2$48.9 million, as compared to $14.2$39.9 million for the same period in 2017. We acquired 60% of TorrentThe increase in investing cash outflows in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, for $4.8as


compared to 2017, was primarily due to business acquisitions in 2018 totaling $125.3 million that was partially offset by the proceeds from sale of the grinding media business of $62.5 million. Capital spending projects in 2018 and 2017 related to investments in machinery and equipment across all businesses. We expect our capital spending for the 2018 fiscal year to be approximately $70 million.
Financing Cash Flows-Our total interest‑bearing debt was $755.0740.3 million at March 31,September 29, 2018 and $755.0 at December 30, 2017. Financing cash flows changed from a usean outflow of $2.9$22.0 million in the first quarterthree quarters of 2017 to a usean outflow of $28.6$136.7 million in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018. The increase in financing cash outflows in the first quarterthree quarters of 2018, as compared to 2017, was primarily due to purchasing $14.8the purchase of $86.9 million of treasury shares under our share repurchase program, and the purchase of certain noncontrolling interests totaling $5.5 million, and re-financing of long-term debt that resulted in 2018.net outflows of $16.0 million.
Financing and Capital
We have an open $250 million authorized share purchase program without an expiration date. The share purchases will be 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 share repurchases under the share repurchase program and we may discontinue the share repurchase program at any time. We acquired 101,387309,198 and 614,454 treasury shares for approximately $14.8$42.9 million and $86.9 million under our share repurchase program during the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2018.2018, respectively. As of March 31,September 29, 2018, we have approximately $117.4$45.3 million open under this authorization to repurchase shares in the future.
Our capital allocation philosophy announcement included our intention to manage our capital structure to maintain our investment grade debt rating. Our most recent ratingratings were Baa3 by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and BBB+ rating by Standard and Poor's Rating Services. We expect to maintain a leverage ratio which will support our current investment grade debt rating.


Our debt financing at March 31,September 29, 2018 is primarily long-term debt consisting of:
$250.2450 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 ($248.9436.0 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.00% per annum and are due in October 2044.
$250305 million face value ($246.8297.4 million carrying value) of unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.25% per annum and are due in October 2054.
We are allowed to repurchase the notes at specified prepayment premiums. All threeBoth tranches of these notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.

At March 31,September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit agreement contains certain financial covenants that may limit our additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At March 31,September 29, 2018, we had the ability to borrow $585.3$585.4 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $14.7$14.6 million associated with certain insurance obligations and international sales commitments. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $113.1$123.6 million, $112.9$120.3 million of which was unused at March 31,September 29, 2018.

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.
The debt agreements contain covenants that require us to maintain certain coverage ratios and may limit us with respect to certain business activities, including capital expenditures. The debt agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we did not own the acquired business. The debt agreements also provide for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. For 2018, our covenant calculations do not include any estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses.
Our key debt covenants are as follows:
Leverage ratio - Interest-bearing debt is not to exceed 3.5X Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75X Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions) of the prior four quarters; and


Interest earned ratio - Adjusted EBITDA over the prior four quarters must be at least 2.5X our interest expense over the same period.

At March 31,September 29, 2018, we were in compliance with all covenants related to the debt agreements. The key covenant calculations at March 31,September 29, 2018 were as follows:follows (in 000's):

Interest-bearing debt$754,975
$740,342
Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters353,978
340,823
Leverage ratio2.13
2.17
  
Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters$353,978
$340,823
Interest expense-last four quarters44,415
45,152
Interest earned ratio7.97
7.55
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters (April 2,(October 1, 2017 through March 31,September 29, 2018) is as follows:follows. The last four quarters information ended September 29, 2018 is calculated by taking the full fiscal year ended December 30, 2017, subtracting the three quarters ended September 30, 2017, and adding the three quarters ended September 29, 2018.
Net cash flows from operations$142,781
$79,365
Interest expense44,415
45,152
Income tax expense103,314
91,830
Impairment of property, plant and equipment(1,145)(4,197)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets(15,780)
Loss on investment(238)220
Deferred income tax benefit(30,509)(40,490)
Loss on sale of grinding media business(6,084)
Noncontrolling interest(6,298)(7,444)
Stock-based compensation(10,987)(11,482)
Pension plan expense100
1,546
Contribution to pension plan15,597
15,736
Changes in assets and liabilities88,445
141,617
Other4,103
3,546
EBITDA349,578
293,535
Cash restructuring expenses3,255
13,465
EBITDA from acquisitions (months not owned)7,762
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets15,780
Impairment of property, plant and equipment1,145
4,197
Loss on sale of grinding media business6,084
Adjusted EBITDA$353,978
340,823


Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$116,542
$73,078
Interest expense44,415
45,152
Income tax expense103,314
91,830
Depreciation and amortization expense85,307
83,475
EBITDA349,578
293,535
Cash restructuring expenses3,255
13,465
EBITDA from acquisitions (months not owned)7,762
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets15,780
Impairment of property, plant, and equipment1,145
4,197
Loss on sale of grinding media business6,084
Adjusted EBITDA$353,978
340,823
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.
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. At the end of the third quarter of 2018, the unremitted foreign earnings were approximately $326 million as a result of dividends that were paid. 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$326 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 $479.7$295.6 million at March 31,September 29, 2018, approximately $403.7$259.5 million is held in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Consequently, with the change in our position on unremitted foreign earnings, if we distributed our foreign cash balances certain taxes would be applicable. Therefore, at December 30, 2017,September 29, 2018, we recorded deferred income taxes for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $10.4$4.2 million and $1.3$1.0 million, respectively. The Company's estimates and the overall impact of the 2017 Tax 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. Any updates and changes in the estimates will be communicated in future quarterly financial statements.

Financial Obligations and Financial Commitments
There have been no material changes to our financial obligations and financial commitments as described on page 35-36 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
There have been no changes in our off balance sheet arrangements as described on page 36 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.
Critical Accounting Policies
Other than revenue recognition as a result of our adoption of ASC 606 as described below, there were no other changes in our critical accounting policies as described on pages 37-41 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 during the quarternine months ended March 31,September 29, 2018.



Revenue Recognition     

Effective the first day of fiscal 2018, we adopted the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Please see note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements
for additional information on the new standard and the cumulative effect from the modified retrospective adjustment.

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. With the exception of our Utility segment and the wireless communication structures product line, our inventory is interchangeable for a variety of the product line’s customers. There is one performance obligation for revenue recognition. Our Irrigation and Coatings segments recognize revenue at a point in time, which is when the service has been performed or when the goods ship; this is the same time that the customer is billed. Lighting, traffic, highway safety, and access system product lines within the ESS segment recognize revenue and bill customers at a point in time, which is typically when the product ships or when it is delivered, as stipulated in the customer contract.

The following provides additional information about our contracts with utility and wireless communication structures customers, where the revenue is recognized over time, the judgments we make in accounting for those contracts, and the resulting amounts recognized in our financial statements.

Accounting for utility and wireless communication structures contracts: Steel and concrete utility and wireless communication 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 have certain wireless communication structures customerscustomers' 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. Revenue from the offshore and other complex steel structures business is also recognized 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 steel structure customer orders in a fiscal year that require one or two 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 and other complex steel structures, we update 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 the quarter ended March 31,September 29, 2018, there were no changes to inputs/estimates which resulted in adjustments to revenue for production that occurred prior to the beginning of the quarter. 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.



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There were no material changes in the company's market risk during the quarter ended March 31,September 29, 2018. For additional information, refer to the section "Risk Management" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.

Item 4. 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.
No changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.




PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 Average Price
paid per share
 Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 Approximate Dollar Value of Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Program (1)
December 31, 2017 to January 27, 2018
 $
 
 $132,172,000
January 28, 2018 to March 3, 201834,589
 146.22
 34,589
 127,114,000
March 4, 2018 to March 31, 201866,798
 145.70
 66,798
 117,382,000
Total101,387
 $145.87
 101,387
 $117,382,000
Period Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 Average Price
paid per share
 Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 Approximate Dollar Value of Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Program (1)
July 1, 2018 to July 28, 2018130,972
 $138.82
 130,972
 $68,047,000
July 29, 2018 to September 1, 2018100,331
 139.53
 100,331
 55,303,000
September 2, 2018 to September 29, 201877,895
 137.87
 77,895
 45,253,000
Total309,198
 $138.81
 309,198
 $45,253,000
(1) On May 13, 2014, we announced a new capital allocation philosophy which included 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 an additional purchase of up to $250 million of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of March 31,September 29, 2018, we have acquired 4,689,5185,202,585 shares for approximately $632.6$704.7 million under this share repurchase program.


Item 5. Other Information
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Valmont's annual meeting of stockholders was held on April 24, 2018. The stockholders elected three directors to serve three-year terms, approved, on an advisory basis, a resolution approving Valmont's named executive officer compensation, approved the 2018 Stock Plan, and ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for fiscal 2018. For the annual meeting there were 22,708,426 shares outstanding and eligible to vote of which 21,394,184 were present at the meeting in person or by proxy. The tabulation for each matter voted upon at the meeting was as follows:

Election of Directors:

 For Withheld Broker Non-Votes
Daniel P. Neary19,383,693
 426,603
 1,583,888
Theo Freye19,627,341
 182,955
 1,583,888
Stephen G. Kaniewski19,495,931
 314,365
 1,583,888





Advisory vote on executive compensation:

For19,581,901
Against207,309
Abstain21,086
Broker non-votes1,583,888


Approve Valmont 2018 Stock Plan:

For19,076,535
Against715,994
Abstain17,767
Broker non-votes1,583,888

Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for fiscal 2018:

For21,091,166
Against260,023
Abstain42,995


Compensatory Arrangements

At Valmont’s annual stockholders meeting on April 24, 2018, the stockholders of Valmont approved the Valmont 2018 Stock Plan. The stock plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred stock units and other forms of stock-based compensation to officers and other employees of Valmont and its subsidiaries. The maximum number of shares of Valmont's common stock that may be issued under the stock plan is 1,700,000. The principal features of the plan are summarized on pages 32 to 38 of Valmont’s proxy statement for the annual stockholders meeting held on April 24, 2018. The forgoing description and the proxy statement summary are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Valmont 2018 Stock Plan, filed as an Exhibit 10.1 to Valmont’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2018.























Item 6. Exhibits
(a)Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
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 incorporated herein by this reference.

Form of 2018 Stock Plan Stock Option Agreement
Form of 2018 Stock Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
Form of 2018 Stock Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Directors)
 Section 302 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer
 Section 302 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer
 Section 906 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
101 The following financial information from Valmont's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,September 29, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and (vii) document and entity information.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf and by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Registrant)
 /s/ MARK C. JAKSICH
 
Mark C. Jaksich
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dated this 26th1st day of April,November, 2018.


























4555