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VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
    QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2020
or
    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to
Commission file number 1-31429
_____________________________________
Valmont Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
47-0351813
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One Valmont Plaza,
Omaha,Nebraska  68154-5215
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 (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)
________________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock $1.00 par value
VMI
New York Stock Exchange
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filerNon‑accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth 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
No x
21,252,810
Outstanding shares of common stock as of October 22, 2020

1


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019
and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 26, 2020 and December 28,
2019
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended
September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the thirteen and
thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.
Exhibits
Signatures









2




VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
Product sales
$657,703 $605,439 $1,874,199 $1,829,919 
Services sales
76,267 84,901 222,779 253,431 
Net sales
733,970 690,340 2,096,978 2,083,350 
Product cost of sales
494,812 460,549 1,392,595 1,398,775 
Services cost of sales
48,411 56,504 143,450 168,485 
Total cost of sales
543,223 517,053 1,536,045 1,567,260 
Gross profit
190,747 173,287 560,933 516,090 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
129,268 112,223 372,481 338,950 
 Impairment of goodwill and trade names— — 16,638 — 
Operating income
61,479 61,064 171,814 177,140 
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense(10,454)(9,976)(30,566)(29,971)
Interest income430 969 1,931 2,815 
Gain on investments (unrealized)900 402 1,102 4,754 
Other233 768 1,349 1,938 
(8,891)(7,837)(26,184)(20,464)
Earnings before income taxes52,588 53,227 145,630 156,676 
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current14,968 11,675 42,922 31,668 
Deferred(2,884)1,388 (3,750)7,098 
12,084 13,063 39,172 38,766 
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries40,504 40,164 106,458 117,910 
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries(276)— (755)— 
Net earnings40,228 40,164 105,703 117,910 
Less: earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(886)(2,119)(825)(4,042)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$39,342 $38,045 $104,878 $113,868 
Earnings per share:
Basic$1.85 $1.76 $4.91 $5.24 
Diluted$1.84 $1.75 $4.89 $5.22 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks EndedThirty-nine Weeks Ended
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
Net earnings
40,228 40,164 105,703 117,910 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gain (loss)14,391 (23,781)(16,102)(20,466)
         Gain (loss) on hedging activities:
      Net investment hedges— 2,580 7,284 3,360 
Cash flow hedges(26)— 344 — 
Amortization cost included in interest expense(16)(16)(48)(48)
     Commodity hedges— (21)— (2,130)
     Realized gain on commodity hedges recorded in earnings— 1,329 — 1,329 
     Cross currency swaps(3,725)5,443 570 3,771 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
10,624 (14,466)(7,952)(14,184)
Comprehensive income
50,852 25,698 97,751 103,726 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,358)(1,297)(1,785)(3,390)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
$49,494 $24,401 $95,966 $100,336 












See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
September 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$443,055 $353,542 
 Receivables, net
502,004 480,000 
Inventories
448,088 418,370 
Contract assets113,254 141,322 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
51,745 32,043 
     Refundable income taxes
— 6,947 
        Total current assets
1,558,146 1,432,224 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
1,295,639 1,245,261 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
722,286 687,132 
Net property, plant and equipment
573,353 558,129 
Goodwill
421,947 428,864 
Other intangible assets, net
167,681 175,742 
Other assets
202,783 212,257 
Total assets
$2,923,910 $2,807,216 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt
$1,922 $760 
Notes payable to banks
14,227 21,774 
Accounts payable
269,113 197,957 
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
114,310 83,528 
Contract liabilities 116,470 117,945 
Other accrued expenses
97,539 83,736 
Income taxes payable
724 — 
      Dividends payable9,614 8,079 
Total current liabilities
623,919 513,779 
Deferred income taxes
51,280 58,906 
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
779,788 764,944 
Defined benefit pension liability
113,380 140,007 
Operating lease liabilities
77,705 85,817 
Deferred compensation
42,587 45,114 
Other noncurrent liabilities
45,587 8,904 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value -
Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued
27,900 27,900 
Additional paid in capital8,493 — 
Retained earnings2,219,182 2,173,802 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(322,334)(313,422)
Treasury stock(770,802)(743,942)
     Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity1,162,439 1,144,338 
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries27,225 45,407 
Total shareholders’ equity1,189,664 1,189,745 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,923,910 $2,807,216 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Thirty-nine weeks ended
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings
$105,703 $117,910 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
Depreciation and amortization
61,523 60,424 
Noncash loss (gain) on trading securities 39 (48)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment2,811 — 
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets
16,638 — 
Stock-based compensation
8,736 8,889 
Defined benefit pension plan benefit
(5,401)(382)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
(17,398)(17,426)
         Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment(60)(465)
Equity in loss in nonconsolidated subsidiaries
755 — 
Deferred income taxes
(3,750)7,098 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables
(26,298)(21,117)
Inventories
(32,992)9,502 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(19,157)(14,451)
Contract assets28,597 (7,850)
Accounts payable
63,627 (19,256)
Accrued expenses
61,122 10,928 
Contract liabilities(1,475)118,973 
Other noncurrent liabilities
20,982 (4,563)
Income taxes payable/refundable9,044 (8,936)
Net cash flows from operating activities
273,046 239,230 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(70,960)(71,981)
Proceeds from sale of assets
911 1,325 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(15,862)(81,841)
     Settlement of net investment hedges11,983 11,184 
Other, net
2,543 2,117 
Net cash flows from investing activities
(71,385)(139,196)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term agreements
4,251 14,392 
Payments on short-term agreements
(10,713)(5,108)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
88,872 31,000 
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
(76,417)(10,578)
Dividends paid
(27,316)(24,554)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest
(5,642)(6,549)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
(55,916)(27,845)
Purchase of treasury shares
(28,006)(55,172)
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans
980 3,211 
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises
(77)(1,456)
Net cash flows from financing activities
(109,984)(82,659)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2,164)(3,385)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
89,513 13,990 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of year
353,542 313,210 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of period
$443,055 $327,200 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6


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
Balance at 6/29/2019 (1)$27,900 $— $2,123,754 $(303,072)$(728,680)$45,272 $1,165,174 
Net earnings— — 38,045 — — 2,119 40,164 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — (13,645)— (821)(14,466)
Cash dividends declared ($0.375 per share)
— — (8,085)— — — (8,085)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
— — — — — (2,090)(2,090)
Purchase of treasury shares; 126,734 shares acquired
— — — — (16,822)— (16,822)
Stock plan exercises; 4,403 shares acquired
— — — — (629)— (629)
Stock options exercised; 12,586 shares issued
— (2,514)2,190 — 1,791 — 1,467 
Stock option expense
— 600 — — — — 600 
Stock awards; 223 shares issued
— 1,914 — — — 1,919 
Balance at 9/28/2019 (1)$27,900 $— $2,155,904 $(316,717)$(744,335)$44,480 $1,167,232 
Balance at June 27, 2020$27,900 $— $2,194,916 $(332,486)$(763,495)$25,867 1,152,702 
Net earnings— — 39,342 — — 886 40,228 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — 10,152 — 472 10,624 
Cash dividends declared ($0.45 per share)
— — (9,614)— — — (9,614)
Purchase of treasury shares; 60,645 shares acquired
— — — — (7,525)— (7,525)
Stock plan exercises; 580 shares acquired
— — — — (72)— (72)
Stock options exercised; 2,616 shares issued
— 5,461 (5,462)— 257 — 256 
Stock option expense
— 686 — — — — 686 
Stock awards; 253 shares issued
— 2,346 — — 33 — 2,379 
Balance at September 26, 2020$27,900 $8,493 $2,219,182 $(322,334)$(770,802)$27,225 $1,189,664 

(1) The retained earnings balance has been revised from the amounts previously reported as a result of the change in inventory valuation method from              LIFO to FIFO. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.











See accompanying notes to the 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
Balance at 12/29/2018 (1)$27,900 $— $2,067,811 $(303,185)$(692,549)$75,761 $1,175,738 
Net earnings— — 113,868 — — 4,042 117,910 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — (13,532)— (652)(14,184)
Cash dividends declared ($1.125 per share)
— — (24,424)— — — (24,424)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
— — — — — (6,549)(6,549)
Impact of ASC 842 adoption
— — (8,886)— — — (8,886)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
— 277 — — — (28,122)(27,845)
Purchase of treasury shares; 433,463 shares acquired
— — — — (55,172)— (55,172)
Stock plan exercises; 10,499 shares acquired
— — — — (1,456)— (1,456)
Stock options exercised; 28,493 shares issued
— (7,756)7,535 — 3,432 — 3,211 
Stock option expense
— 2,056 — — — — 2,056 
Stock awards; 10,550 shares issued
— 5,423 — — 1,410 — 6,833 
Balance at 9/28/2019 (1)$27,900 $— $2,155,904 $(316,717)$(744,335)$44,480 $1,167,232 
Balance at 12/28/2019 (1)$27,900 $— $2,173,802 $(313,422)$(743,942)$45,407 $1,189,745 
Net earnings— — 104,878 — — 825 105,703 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — (8,912)— 960 (7,952)
Cash dividends declared ($1.35 per share)
— — (28,837)— — — (28,837)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests
— — — — — (5,642)(5,642)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
— (30,661)(19,450)(50,111)
Addition of noncontrolling interest
— — — — — 5,125 5,125 
Purchase of treasury shares; 251,136 shares acquired
— — — — (28,006)— (28,006)
Stock plan exercises; 617 shares acquired
— — — — (77)— (77)
Stock options exercised; 4,100 shares issued
— 244 — — 736 — 980 
Stock option expense
— 1,909 — — — — 1,909 
Stock awards; 8,957 shares issued
— 6,340 — — 487 — 6,827 
Balance at 9/26/2020 (1)$27,900 $8,493 $2,219,182 $(322,334)$(770,802)$27,225 $1,189,664 

(1) The retained earnings balance has been revised from the amounts previously reported as a result of the change in inventory valuation method from              LIFO to FIFO. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.







See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
7


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 September 26, 2020, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Income, and Shareholders' Equity for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirty-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 September 26, 2020 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 28, 2019. 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 28, 2019 with the exception of the change in method of accounting for certain inventory, previously accounted for on the LIFO basis, so that now all inventory is valued on the FIFO basis. In addition, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) and early adopted Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant's Securities as released by the Securities and Exchange Commission that are discussed further at the end of footnote 1. The results of operations for the period ended September 26, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
    Inventories
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.
Inventories consisted of the following:
September 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
Raw materials and purchased parts
$153,708 $158,314 
Work-in-process
25,335 38,088 
Finished goods and manufactured goods
269,045 221,968 
448,088 418,370 

Effective December 29, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020, the Company changed its method of accounting for certain of its inventory, previously accounted for on the LIFO basis, so that now all inventory is valued on the FIFO basis. The Company believes this change is preferable as it provides a better matching of costs with the physical flow of goods, more accurately reflects the current value of inventory presented on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and standardizes the Company’s inventory valuation methodology.

In accordance with ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, this change in method of accounting for certain inventories has been retrospectively applied to the earliest period presented. As a result of the retrospective change, the cumulative effect to retained earnings as of December 29, 2018 and December 28, 2019 was an increase of $40,215 and $32,854, respectively. This change did not affect the Company's previously reported cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities.


8


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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



The impact of the change from LIFO to FIFO on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2019 is as follows:

Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
(in 000's, except earnings per share)As Previously ReportedRetrospectively AdjustedAdjustmentAs Previously ReportedRetrospectively AdjustedAdjustment
Cost of sales514,254517,0532,7991,561,7211,567,2605,539
Operating income63,86361,064(2,799)182,679177,140(5,539)
Income tax expense13,76313,063(700)40,15138,766(1,385)
Net earnings attributed to Valmont Industries, Inc40,14438,045(2,099)118,022113,868(4,154)
Comprehensive (loss) income27,79725,698(2,099)107,880103,726(4,154)
Net earnings per diluted share1.851.75(0.10)5.415.22(0.19)
The Company applied this change retrospectively to the earliest period presented. The resulting impact to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 28, 2019 is as follows:

December 28, 2019
Consolidated Balance SheetAs Previously Reported AdjustmentRetrospectively Adjusted
Inventory374,56543,805418,370
Deferred income tax liability47,95510,95158,906
Retained earnings2,140,94832,8542,173,802

Income Taxes
Earnings before income taxes for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, were as follows:    
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
2020201920202019
United States
$33,610 $42,098 $141,347 $128,878 
Foreign
18,978 11,129 4,283 27,798 
$52,588 $53,227 $145,630 $156,676 
    

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
9


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

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 September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019 were as follows:
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
Net periodic (benefit) expense:2020201920202019
Interest cost
$3,285 $4,075 $9,569 $12,602 
Expected return on plan assets
(5,887)(4,815)(17,149)(14,893)
Amortization of actuarial loss
748 617 2,179 1,909 
Net periodic (benefit) expense
$(1,854)$(123)$(5,401)$(382)


    Stock Plans
The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At September 26, 2020, 1,189,407 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 years to six years or on the grant's fifth anniversary. Expiration of grants is seven 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 September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, respectively, were as follows:
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
2020201920202019
Compensation expense
$3,065 $2,519 $8,736 $8,889 
Income tax benefits
766 630 2,184 2,222 
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.
10


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

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 at September 26, 2020 of $33,709 ($36,290 at December 28, 2019) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as trading securities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 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. The Company's ownership of shares in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (JSE:DTA) is also classified as trading securities. The shares are valued at $172 and $210 as of September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, 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.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward contracts, and cross currency contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Carrying Value September 26, 2020Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Trading Securities
$33,881 $33,881 $— $— 
Derivative financial instruments, net
3,548 — 3,548 — 

Fair Value Measurement Using:
Carrying Value December 28, 2019Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Trading Securities
$36,500 $36,500 $— $— 
Derivative financial instruments, net
3,247 — 3,247 — 

11


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

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 4 to these condensed consolidated financial statements contain additional information related to goodwill and intangible asset impairments recognized in fiscal 2020.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) 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 September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019:
Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentsGain on Hedging ActivitiesDefined Benefit Pension PlanAccumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 28, 2019$(232,575)$14,076 $(94,923)$(313,422)
Current-period comprehensive income (loss)
(17,062)8,150 — (8,912)
Balance at September 26, 2020$(249,637)$22,226 $(94,923)$(322,334)

    Revenue Recognition
    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 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 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.

12


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

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.
    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 at a point in time for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019 is as follows:
13


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

Point in TimeOver TimePoint in TimeOver Time
Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2020Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2020Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020
Utility Support Structures$43,287 $229,192 $56,830 $667,070 
Engineered Support Structures
244,785 10,160 697,491 33,693 
Coatings
68,698 — 199,955 — 
Irrigation
133,999 3,849 430,729 11,210 
  Total
$490,769 $243,201 $1,385,005 $711,973 

Point in TimeOver TimePoint in TimeOver Time
Thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2019Thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2019Thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2019Thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2019
Utility Support Structures$3,418 $200,778 $43,642 $612,821 
Engineered Support Structures
252,501 13,993 713,574 38,454 
Coatings
76,922 — 228,242 — 
Irrigation
139,093 3,635 436,907 9,710 
  Total
$471,934 $218,406 $1,422,365 $660,985 

The Company's contract asset as of September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 was $113,254 and $141,322,
respectively. Both steel and concrete utility customers are generally invoiced upon shipment or delivery of the goods to the customer's specified location with few customers that make 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 September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the contract liabilities for revenue recognized over time was $153,619 and $117,945, respectively. At September 2020, $116,470 is recorded as contract liabilities and $37,149 is recorded as other noncurrent liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020, the Company recognized $16,333 and $55,610 of revenue that was included in the liability as of December 28, 2019. In the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2019, the Company recognized $314 and $2,242 of revenue that was included in the liability as of December 29, 2018. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations completed during the period.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Guarantors Disclosures

    In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This update was intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of the ASU No. 2016-13 did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

14


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

The Company early adopted Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities rules as released by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2020, which simplify the disclosure requirements related to the Company’s registered debt securities, guaranteed by certain of its subsidiaries, under Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X. The final rules permit the simplified disclosures to be provided either in a footnote to the Company’s consolidated financial statements or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. The Company has elected to provide the simplified disclosure within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(2) ACQUISITIONS
    On May 29, 2020, the Company acquired 55% of Energia Solar do Brasil ("Solbras") for $4,308. Approximately $646 of the purchase price is contingent on seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 12 months of the acquisition date. Solbras is a leading provider of solar energy solutions for agriculture. In the preliminary purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,341 and customer relationships of $3,718 were recorded and the remainder is net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and the customer relationship will be amortized over 8 years. The acquisition of Solbras, located in Brazil, allows the Company to expand its product offerings in the Irrigation segment to include not only pivots, but also a sustainable and low-cost energy source to provide electricity to the units. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2020. Proforma disclosures were omitted as this business does not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results.
On May 13, 2019, the Company acquired the assets of Connect-It Wireless, Inc. ("Connect-It") for $6,034 in cash. Connect-It operates in Florida and is a manufacturer and distributor of wireless site components and safety products. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $3,299 and customer relationships of $828 were recorded and the remainder is net working capital. A portion of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. Connect-It is included in the ESS segment and was acquired to expand the Company's wireless component distribution network. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2019.
    On February 11, 2019, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of United Galvanizing ("United"), a provider of coatings services with an agreed upon purchase price of $28,000, with $2,000 being contingent on seller representations and warranties that was settled in the first quarter of 2020 for $1,522. On December 31, 2018, the Company acquired the assets of Larson Camouflage ("Larson"), an industry leading provider of architectural and camouflage concealment solutions for the wireless telecommunication market with an agreed upon purchase price of $34,562, with 10% being held back for seller representations and warranties that was settled in the first quarter of 2020 for $3,481.
Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests
    In February 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 49% of AgSense that it did not own for $43,983, which includes a holdback payment of $2,200 that was made in the second quarter of 2020. The Company finalized the accounting for owning 100% of AgSense in the second quarter of 2020 which resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax asset of approximately $7,700. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company acquired 16% of the remaining 25% that it did not own of Convert Italia for a cash payment of $11,750. The purchase agreement also settled the escrow funds which the Company had paid at date of acquisition. In April 2019, the Company acquired the remaining 4.8% of Valmont SM that it did not own for $4,763.

As these transactions were for the acquisition of all or part of the remaining shares of a consolidated subsidiary with no change in control, they were recorded within shareholders' equity and as a financing activity in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.


15


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

(3) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES    
    The Company is executing a restructuring program focused on certain regional restructuring activities (the "2020 Plan") of up to $20,000 expected to occur across all segments to reduce employment levels (including a U.S. specific early retirement program for administrative employees) and exit under-performing locations.

    The following pre-tax expenses were recognized during the third quarter of 2020:

ESSUtilityCoatingsCorporateTotal
Severance$— $— $289 $— $289 
Other cash restructuring expenses— 267 564 — 831 
Asset impairments— 312 241 — 553 
   Total cost of sales— 579 1,094 — 1,673 
Severance— — 30 — 30 
Other cash restructuring expenses902 — 160145 1,207 
  Total selling, general and administrative expenses902 — 190 145 1,237 
      Consolidated total$902 $579 $1,284 $145 $2,910 

    In the first nine-months of 2020, the Company recognized the following pre-tax restructuring expenses:

ESSUtilityCoatingsCorporateTotal
Severance$399 $— $424 $— $823 
Other cash restructuring expenses48 1,070 596 — 1,714 
Asset impairments— 2,570 241— 2,811 
   Total cost of sales447 3,640 1,261 — 5,348 
Severance242 613 85 221 1,161 
Other cash restructuring expenses1,675 — 160 145 1,980 
  Total selling, general and administrative expenses1,917 613 245 366 3,141 
      Consolidated total$2,364 $4,253 $1,506 $366 $8,489 

    Liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows:
Recognized Restructuring ExpenseCosts Paid or Otherwise Settled Balance at September 26, 2020
Severance$1,984 $1,984 $— 
Other cash restructuring expenses3,694 2,891 803 
   Total $5,678 $4,875 $803 


16


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

(4) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortized Intangible Assets
The components of amortized intangible assets at September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were as follows:
September 26, 2020
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Weighted
Average
Life
Customer Relationships
$232,511 $148,198 13 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology
25,240 7,699 14 years
Other
7,492 6,553 4 years
$265,243 $162,450 

December 28, 2019
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Weighted
Average
Life
Customer Relationships
$237,626 $149,720 13 years
Patents & Proprietary Technology
24,068 6,358 14 years
Other
8,054 7,035 5 years
$269,748 $163,113 
Amortization expense for intangible assets for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, respectively was as follows:
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
2020201920202019
$4,518 $4,484 $13,621 $13,506 
Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2020$17,687 
202115,005 
202213,027 
202311,086 
20249,446 
The useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets included consideration of factors such as the Company’s past and expected experience related to customer retention rates, the remaining legal or contractual life of the underlying arrangement that resulted in the recognition of the intangible asset and the Company’s expected use of the intangible asset.
Non-amortized intangible assets
17


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and consist solely of trade names. The carrying value of trade names at September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are as follows:
September 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
Year Acquired
Newmark$11,111 $11,111 2004
Webforge7,489 9,143 2010
Convert Italia S.p.A8,721 8,378 2018
Valmont SM8,317 7,966 2014
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products7,261 7,454 2010
Walpar3,500 3,500 2018
Shakespeare4,000 4,000 2014
Other14,489 17,555 
$64,888 $69,107 

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 2020. The values of each trade name was determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, no trade names were determined to be impaired. In conjunction with an interim second quarter 2020 goodwill impairment test, impairment indicators were noted for the Webforge and Locker trade names requiring an interim impairment test. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $3,900 was recognized against these two trade names in fiscal 2020.
Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 was as follows:
Engineered
Support
Structures
Segment
Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
Coatings
Segment
Irrigation
Segment
Total
Gross Balance December 28, 2019$228,634 $130,594 $93,747 $25,136 $478,111 
   Accumulated impairment losses(18,670)(14,355)(16,222)— (49,247)
Balance at December 28, 2019209,964 116,239 77,525 25,136 428,864 
   Acquisitions— 1,100 — 5,038 6,138 
Asset impairment(12,575)— — — (12,575)
Foreign currency translation(1,605)1,629 (409)(95)(480)
Balance at September 26, 2020$195,784 $118,968 $77,116 $30,079 $421,947 

The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed during the third quarter of 2020, using primarily the discounted cash flow method. The estimated fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying value, so no goodwill was impaired.


18


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

In April 2020, the price of a barrel of oil began a large decline and various economic forecasts show the lower price of oil will continue into the next few years. This lower price for oil and a revised assessment of the Australian market performed in conjunction with the executed restructuring activities required the Company to re-assess the financial projections for the Access Systems reporting unit. This resulted in lower projected net sales, operating income, and cash flows for this reporting unit, resulting in the need for an interim impairment test. The results of the test showed that the reporting unit's carrying value was higher than its estimated fair value. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $12,575 impairment of access system's goodwill in the second quarter of 2020.
(5) CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
    The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds) for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019 were as follows:
20202019
Interest
$20,298 $19,440 
Income taxes
35,803 39,850 
(6) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS):
Basic EPSDilutive
Effect of
Stock
Options
Diluted EPS
Thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2020:
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
$39,342 $— $39,342 
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
21,309 107 21,416 
Per share amount
$1.85 $(0.01)$1.84 
Thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2019:
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
$38,045 $— $38,045 
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
21,556 128 21,684 
Per share amount
$1.76 $(0.01)$1.75 
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
$104,878 $— $104,878 
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
21,358 95 21,453 
Per share amount
$4.91 $(0.02)$4.89 
Thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2019:
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
$113,868 $— $113,868 
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's)
21,725 101 21,826 
Per share amount
$5.24 $(0.02)$5.22 

    At September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, there were 296,966 and 177,153 outstanding stock options with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.
19


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

(7) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
    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 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 are as follows:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:Balance sheet locationSeptember 26, 2020December 28, 2019
Foreign currency forward contracts
Prepaid expenses and other assets
$1,021 $2,119 
Cross currency swap contracts
Prepaid expenses and other assets
2,527 1,128 
$3,548 $3,247 
    Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019 are as follows:
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
Statements of earnings locationSeptember 26, 2020September 28, 2019September 26, 2020September 28, 2019
Commodity forward contracts
Product cost of sales
$— $(1,329)$— $(1,425)
Foreign currency forward contracts
Other income116 123 146 827 
Foreign currency forward contracts
Product sales
1,017 — 1,169 — 
Interest rate hedge amortization
Interest expense
(16)(16)(48)(48)
Cross currency swap contracts
Interest expense
649 769 2,111 2,096 
$1,766 $(453)$3,378 $1,450 
    
Cash Flow Hedges
    In 2019, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (HRC) forward contracts that qualified as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of $12,128 for the purchase of 3,500 short tons for each month from May 2019 to September 2019. The gain/(loss) realized upon settlement is recorded in product cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings over average inventory turns. The forward contracts were closed out in the third quarter of 2019.
    In May 2020, a Brazilian subsidiary with a Real functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a customer order with components purchased in Euros. The forward contract, which qualifies as a cash flow hedge, has a final maturity date of December 2020 and a notional amount to buy 4,500 euros in exchange for a stated amount of Brazilian Real. In March 2020, a subsidiary with a Euro functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward contract, which qualifies as a cash flow hedge, has a final maturity date of June 2021 and a notional amount to sell $27,500 in exchange for a stated amount of Euros.
    Net Investment Hedges
20


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

    In the second quarter of 2020, the Company early settled their Australian dollar denominated forward currency contracts and received proceeds of $11,983. In the second quarter of 2019, all existing net investment hedges were early settled and the Company received proceeds of $11,184. The proceeds/gain from these settlements will remain in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
    In the second quarter of 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps (“CCS”), swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish krone (DKK) and Euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company's Euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. Interest is exchanged twice per year on April 1 and October 1.
    Key terms of the two CCS are as follows:
CurrencyNotional AmountTermination DateSwapped Interest RateSet Settlement Amount
Danish Krone (DKK)$50,000 April 1, 20242.68%DKK 333,625
Euro$80,000 April 1, 20242.825%€71,550

    The Company designated the full notional amount of the two CCS ($130,000) as a hedge of the net investment in certain Danish and European subsidiaries under the spot method, with all changes in the fair value of the CCS that are included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to 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.
(8) BUSINESS SEGMENTS
    The Company has four reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and the allocation of capital within the segment. Net corporate expense is net of certain service-related expenses that are allocated to business units generally on the basis of employee headcounts.

Reportable segments are as follows:

    ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered metal and composite poles, 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 utility transmission, distribution, substations, and renewable energy generation equipment;
    COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, painting, and anodizing services to preserve and protect metal products; 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.
    The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based upon operating income and invested capital. The Company does not allocate interest expense, non-operating income and deductions, or income taxes to its business segments.
21


VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

Summary by Business
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
September 26,
2020
September 28,
2019
SALES:
Engineered Support Structures segment:
Lighting, Traffic, and Highway Safety Products
$181,571 $191,262 $534,585 $530,021 
    Communication Products
50,677 48,391 139,759 138,710 
Access Systems
23,408 28,405 65,439 88,363 
Engineered Support Structures segment
255,656 268,058 739,783 757,094 
Utility Support Structures segment:
Steel
156,082 153,433 482,430 460,309 
Concrete
39,215 28,011 120,653 88,415 
Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions
43,287 3,418 56,830 43,642 
Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures
35,809 20,096 71,265 66,343 
Utility Support Structures segment
274,393 204,958 731,178 658,709 
Coatings segment
87,886 92,957 255,976 278,142 
Irrigation segment:
    North America
75,803 82,840 281,397 294,127 
    International
63,406 61,340 165,171 158,054 
        Irrigation segment
139,209 144,180 446,568 452,181 
Total
757,144 710,153 2,173,505 2,146,126 
INTERSEGMENT SALES:
Engineered Support Structures segment
711 1,564 8,599 5,066 
Utility Support Structures segment
1,914 762 7,278 2,246 
Coatings segment
19,188 16,035 56,021 49,900 
Irrigation segment
1,361 1,452 4,629 5,564 
Total
23,174 19,813 76,527 62,776 
NET SALES:
Engineered Support Structures segment
254,945 266,494 731,184 752,028 
Utility Support Structures segment
272,479 204,196 723,900 656,463 
Coatings segment
68,698 76,922 199,955 228,242 
Irrigation segment
137,848 142,728 441,939 446,617 
Total
$733,970 $690,340 $2,096,978 $2,083,350 
OPERATING INCOME:
Engineered Support Structures segment
$25,434 $21,825 $46,183 $55,152 
Utility Support Structures segment
25,881 20,362 75,255 61,443 
Coatings segment
12,416 13,865 33,618 39,037 
Irrigation segment
14,687 18,204 60,701 59,868 
Corporate(16,939)(13,192)(43,943)(38,360)
Total$61,479 $61,064 $171,814 $177,140 

22


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, the continuing and developing effects of COVID-19 including the effects of the outbreak on the general economy and the specific effects on the Company's business and that of its customers and suppliers, 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 28, 2019. Segment net sales in the table below and elsewhere are presented net of intersegment sales. See Note 8 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on segment sales and intersegment sales.
23


Results of Operations (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)    
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
September 26, 2020September 28, 2019% Incr. (Decr.)September 26, 2020September 28, 2019% Incr. (Decr.)
Consolidated
Net sales
$734.0 $690.3 6.3 %$2,097.0 $2,083.4 0.7 %
Gross profit
190.7 173.3 10.0 %560.9 516.1 8.7 %
as a percent of sales    
26.0 %25.1 %26.7 %24.8 %
SG&A expense (1)129.3 112.2 15.2 %389.1 $339.0 14.8 %
as a percent of sales    
17.6 %16.3 %18.6 %16.3 %
Operating income
61.5 61.1 0.7 %171.8 177.1 (3.0)%
as a percent of sales    
8.4 %8.9 %8.2 %8.5 %
Net interest expense
10.0 9.0 11.1 %28.6 27.2 5.1 %
Effective tax rate
23.0 %24.5 %26.9 %24.7 %
Net earnings
$39.3 $38.0 3.4 %$104.9 $113.9 (7.9)%
Diluted earnings per share
$1.84 $1.75 5.1 %$4.89 $5.22 (6.3)%
Engineered Support Structures (ESS)
Net sales
$255.0 $266.5 (4.3)%$731.2 $752.0 (2.8)%
Gross profit
71.3 62.4 14.3 %201.4 177.8 13.3 %
SG&A expense
45.8 40.5 13.1 %155.2 122.6 26.6 %
Operating income
25.5 21.9 16.4 %46.2 55.2 (16.3)%
Utility Support Structures (Utility)
Net sales
$272.5 $204.2 33.4 %$723.9 $656.5 10.3 %
Gross profit
54.7 44.0 24.3 %156.1 133.6 16.8 %
SG&A expense
28.8 23.7 21.5 %80.8 72.2 11.9 %
Operating income
25.9 20.3 27.6 %75.3 61.4 22.6 %
Coatings
Net sales
$68.7 $76.9 (10.7)%$200.0 $228.3 (12.4)%
Gross profit
22.6 24.0 (5.8)%64.2 71.7 (10.5)%
SG&A expense
10.2 10.1 1.0 %30.6 32.7 (6.4)%
Operating income
12.4 13.9 (10.8)%33.6 39.0 (13.8)%
Irrigation
Net sales
$137.8 $142.7 (3.4)%$441.9 $446.6 (1.1)%
Gross profit
42.2 42.9 (1.6)%139.2 133.0 4.7 %
SG&A expense
27.5 24.7 11.3 %78.5 73.1 7.4 %
Operating income
14.7 18.2 (19.2)%60.7 59.9 1.3 %
Net corporate expense
SG&A
$17.0 $13.2 28.8 %$44.0 $38.4 14.6 %
Operating loss
(17.0)(13.2)(28.8)%(44.0)(38.4)(14.6)%
(1) The thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 includes impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.
24


Overview
On a consolidated basis, net sales were higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019, due to higher sales in the Utility segment that was partially offset by lower sales in ESS, Coatings, and Irrigation segments. The change in net sales in the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2020, as compared with the same periods in 2019, is as follows:
Third quarter
TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigation
Sales - 2019$690.3 $266.5 $204.2 $76.9 $142.7 
Volume60.0 (17.2)83.2 (8.9)2.9 
Pricing/mix(16.8)2.5 (17.2)— (2.1)
Acquisition/(divestiture)2.3 — 1.7 — 0.6 
Currency translation(1.8)3.2 0.6 0.7 (6.3)
Sales - 2020$734.0 $255.0 $272.5 $68.7 $137.8 
    
Year-to-date
TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigation
Sales - 2019$2083.4 $752.0 $656.5 $228.3 $446.6 
Volume50.9 (20.8)76.2 (22.3)17.8 
Pricing/mix(16.2)5.7 (11.9)(3.6)(6.4)
Acquisition/(divestiture)4.6 2.6 3.5 — (1.5)
Currency translation(25.7)(8.3)(0.4)(2.4)(14.6)
Sales - 2020$2,097.0 $731.2 $723.9 $200.0 $441.9 

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 result in operating income changes.
    Average steel prices for both hot rolled coil and plate were lower in North America and China in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, contributing to lower cost of sales and improved gross profit.
    
    The Company acquired the following businesses:

In the first quarter of 2020, we acquired the remaining 49% of AgSense that the Company did not own (Irrigation).
In the first quarter of 2020, we acquired 16% of the remaining 25% of Convert Italia that the Company did not own (Utility).
Energia Solar Do Brasil ("Solbras") in the second quarter of 2020, a leading provider of solar energy solutions for agriculture (Irrigation).

COVID-19 Impact on Financial Results and Liquidity

We are considered an essential business because of the products and services that serve critical infrastructure sectors as defined by many governments around the world. All our manufacturing facilities are open and fully operational as of September 26, 2020. Our manufacturing facilities in Argentina, France, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, and South Africa were temporarily closed for part of of the first half of 2020 due to government mandates. We continue to monitor incidence of COVID-19 on a continuous basis, particularly in areas reporting recent increases in infection. To protect the
25


safety, health and well-being of employees, customers, suppliers and communities, CDC and WHO guidelines are being followed in all facilities.

We generated strong cash flows from operating activities during the first three quarters of 2020 and expect cash flows from operating activities, net of capital expenditures, to be in excess of net earnings for the full fiscal 2020 year. Our main focus is to maintain liquidity to support the working capital needs of our operations and maintain our investment grade credit rating.

The ultimate magnitude of COVID-19, including the extent of its impact on the Company’s financial and operational results, cash balances and available borrowings on our line of credit, will be determined by the length of time the pandemic continues, its effect on the demand for the Company’s products and services and supply chain, as well as the effect of governmental regulations imposed in response to the pandemic.
    
Currency Translation

    In the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, we realized a decrease in operating profit, as compared with 2019, due in part to currency translation effects associated with a stronger U.S. dollar against most foreign currencies. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:
    
TotalESSUtilityCoatingsIrrigationCorporate
Third quarter$(1.4)$— $(0.2)$0.1 $(1.3)$— 
 
Year-to-date$(2.7)$(0.6)$— $(0.2)$(1.9)$— 

Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income

    At a consolidated level, gross profit as a percent of sales was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared with the same periods in 2019, due to lower raw material costs across the Company, improved selling prices across our infrastructure businesses, and improved volumes for the Irrigation segment and associated operating leverage of fixed costs. In the third quarter of 2020 as compared to 2019, gross profit was higher for ESS and Utility but lower for Coatings and Irrigation. On a year-to-date basis, gross profit improved for the ESS, Utility, and Irrigation segments in 2020, but was lower for Coatings due to lower sales volumes.
    SG&A expenses increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019. The increase was due to recording a partial impairment of goodwill and tradename for the Access Systems business, higher compensation related costs including sales commissions for the North American infrastructure businesses, higher incentives due to improved operations, and restructuring activities. These increases were partially offset by lower travel costs, foreign currency translation effects, and reduced SG&A deferred compensation expense in the first three quarters of 2020 (offset by an increase of the same amount in other expense).

    In the third quarter of 2020, as compared to the third quarter of 2019, operating income was higher in the Utility and ESS segments and lower for the Irrigation and Coatings segments. The overall increase in operating income in the third quarter can be attributed to higher utility sales volumes and an approximate $7.0 million loss recognized on certain access systems projects in 2019 that did not recur. Operating income decreased in the first three quarters of 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, due to the goodwill and tradename impairment for the Access Systems business, certain restructuring activities, and lower volumes for the Coatings businesses. The decrease was partially offset by lower raw material costs and improved sales volumes in the Irrigation and Utility segments.

Net Interest Expense and Debt
    
    Net interest expense in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020 was higher than the same periods in 2019. Interest income was lower in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to lower interest rates.



26


Other Income/Expenses

    The change in other income/expenses in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, was due to the change in valuation of deferred compensation assets which resulted in additional other income of $0.5 million and reduced other income of $3.7 million, respectively. This amount is shown as "Gain on investments (unrealized)" on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. The change related to deferred compensation assets are offset by an opposite change of the same amount in SG&A expense. The remaining change was due to fluctuations in foreign currency transaction gains/losses that was less favorable in 2020.

Income Tax Expense
    
    Our effective income tax rate in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020 was 23.0% and 26.9%, compared to 24.5% and 24.7% in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2019. On a year-to-date basis, the increase in the effective tax rate is a result of the partial impairment of goodwill and tradename for the Access Systems business that is not fully tax deductible. An increase in the U.K. corporate tax rate effective in the third quarter of 2020 provided a one time deferred tax benefit of $1.5 million reducing the effective tax rate.

    Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests was lower in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease can be attributed to the acquisition of the remaining noncontrolling interests of AgSense and partial acquisition of the noncontrolling interest of Convert in the first quarter of 2020.

Cash Flows from Operations
    Our cash flows provided by operations was $273.0 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2020, as compared with $239.2 million provided by operations in the first three quarters of 2019. The increase in operating cash flow in the first three quarters of 2020, as compared with 2019, was due to improved working capital management. Working capital is higher primarily due to an increase in cash balances.

ESS segment
    Net sales were lower in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020 as compared to 2019, primarily driven by lower sales volumes. Lighting, traffic, and highway safety product sales and access systems sales volumes were lower in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to 2019, while communication product sales volumes were higher. In the first three quarters of 2020, sales were higher for the lighting, traffic, and highway safety and communication products businesses and lower for access systems.
     Global lighting, traffic, and highway safety product sales in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020 was modestly lower by $9.7 million and higher by $4.6 million, as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2019. Sales volumes decreased in North America in the third quarter of 2020, attributable to higher shipments in the third quarter of 2019 resulting from the recovery from a flood event in early 2019 at one of our facilities. On a year-to-date basis, sales volumes in North America increased due to strong backlogs in transportation markets. Europe sales volumes were lower in the third quarter and first three quarters due to the ceasing of operations in Morocco, the temporary plant shutdown and continued slower markets in France due to COVID-19, and unfavorable foreign currency translation effects. Lighting, traffic, and highway safety product sales in the Asia-Pacific region decreased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due primarily to continued market weakness in India attributed to COVID-19.
Communication product line sales were higher by $2.3 million and $1.1 million in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared with the same periods in 2019. Communication product sales in Europe improved due to an increase in volume in the U.K. and Asia-Pacific sales volumes increased marginally. In North America, communication product sales volumes decreased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020 due to lower demand for communication components.
Access Systems product line net sales decreased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, by $5.0 million and $22.9 million. The product line exited selling detention center systems and portions of the industrial product line which contributed to the sales decline along with unfavorable foreign currency translation effects. For the first half of 2020, subdued construction spending in Australia also contributed to a decrease in sales volume.
27



Gross profit was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to lower cost of raw materials across the segment and an approximate $7.0 million loss recognized on certain access systems projects in the third quarter of 2019 that did not recur. SG&A spending was higher in the third quarter of 2020 versus 2019 due to higher sales commissions and incentives due to improved operations in North America. For the first three quarters of 2020, SG&A also increased due to recording a partial goodwill and tradename impairment for the Access Systems business of $16.6 million, Operating income decreased in the first three quarters of 2020 due to the goodwill and tradename impairment of the Access Systems business, partially offset by lower raw material costs for all businesses and a loss recorded on certain access systems projects in third quarter of 2019.
    Utility segment
    In the Utility segment, sales increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared with 2019, due to large project work for the international solar tracking solutions product line and improved sales volumes for steel and concrete structures in North America. 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. This resulted in a decrease to the average selling prices for our steel utility structures product line for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared with 2019.
    Offshore and solar tracking solutions sales increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to a large increase in sales volumes in the third quarter. The increase for both businesses can be attributed to large projects in the third quarter of 2020.
    Gross profit increased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to higher sales volumes and its associated operating leverage of fixed costs. In addition, the business incurred approximately $3.0 million of inspection costs during 2019 to finalize the requirements from a 2015 commercial settlement. Partially offsetting that 2019 charge was a $2.8 million impairment of a facility in 2020 that is classified as an asset held for sale. SG&A expense was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared with 2019, due to higher incentives due to improved operating results in North America and a $2.7 million allowance recognized in third quarter 2020 against an international accounts receivable. The increase in operating income for the third quarter 2020, as compared with 2019, is primarily due to higher sales volumes. The improvement in operating income margin in 2020 versus 2019 is also attributed to disciplined product pricing; gross profit margins increased as lower raw material costs was slightly more than the effect on net sales from lower average selling prices.     
Coatings segment
    Coatings segment sales decreased in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019, due to lower volumes in North America and Asia, reduced sales pricing attributed to lower zinc costs, and unfavorable foreign currency translation. Sales volumes decreased in North America in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due primarily to decreased industrial production attributed largely to the economic impacts from COVID-19. In Asia-Pacific region, sales volumes improved in Australia, which were more than offset by decreased volumes in Asia that were impacted by the continued slowdown caused by the economic impacts from COVID-19. Sales pricing also declined in Asia-Pacific due to lower zinc costs and customer mix.
    SG&A expense was flat for the third quarter and lower in the first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to one-time expenses associated with a legal settlement in 2019. Operating income was lower in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, compared to the same periods in 2019, due to sales volume decreases in North America and Asia and the associated operating deleverage of fixed costs.
    Irrigation segment
    The decrease in Irrigation segment net sales in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, is primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency translation effects (primarily Brazil real) that were partially offset by sales volume improvements in international markets. Brazil, Australia, and Argentina drove the sales volume improvements for international irrigation along with the acquisition of Solbras, which was partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects from a weaker Brazil real and South African rand. In North America, slightly higher sales volumes for systems was more than offset by decrease in sales volumes of other products, including industrial tubing. For the first three quarters of 2020, sales of technology-related products and services continue to increase, as growers continued adoption of technology to reduce costs and enhance profitability.
28


    SG&A was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, due to higher product development expenses. Operating income for the segment decreased in the third quarter due to higher product development expenses and unfavorable currency translation effects. Operating income increased in the first three quarters of 2020 over 2019, as a result of lower raw material costs and higher sales volumes in international markets.
    Net corporate expense
Corporate SG&A expense was higher in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019. The increase the third quarter is attributed to higher incentive accruals related to improved business performance. The increase in the first three quarters of 2020 is due to higher incentive expense, partially offset by the change in valuation of deferred compensation assets which resulted in lower expense of $3.7 million. The change in deferred compensation plan assets is offset by the same amount in other income/expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
Working Capital and Operating Cash Flows-Net working capital was $934.2 million at September 26, 2020, as compared to $918.4 million at December 28, 2019. The increase in net working capital in 2020 is attributed to an increase in cash balances. Cash flow provided by operations was $273.0 million in the first three quarters of 2020, as compared with $239.2 million in the first three quarters of 2019. The increase in operating cash flows in 2020, as compared to 2019, was primarily the result of improved working capital management.
Investing Cash Flows-Capital spending in the first three quarters of fiscal 2020 was $71.0 million, as compared to $72.0 million for the same period in 2019. The decrease in investing cash outflows in the first three quarters quarter of 2020, as compared to 2019, can be attributed to a reduction in cash paid for acquisitions. We expect our capital expenditures to be between $85.0 million and $95.0 million for fiscal 2020.
Financing Cash Flows-Our total interest-bearing debt was $795.9 million at September 26, 2020 and $787.5 million at December 28, 2019. Financing cash outflows were $110.0 million and $82.7 million in the first three quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in financing cash outflows in the first three quarters of 2020, as compared to 2019, was due to the higher amounts paid to purchase noncontrolling interests and lower net borrowings.
Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

We are providing the following information in compliance with Rule 3-10 and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X with respect to our two tranches of senior unsecured notes. 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”). The Parent is the Issuer of the notes and consolidates all Guarantors.

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

Combined financial information is as follows:





29



Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019
Thirteen weeks endedThirty-nine weeks ended
Dollars in thousandsSeptember 26, 2020September 28, 2019September 26, 2020September 28, 2019
Net sales
$438,947 $433,533 $1,377,294 $1,314,108 
Gross Profit
115,116114,538385,314340,645
Operating income
35,26144,846149,866137,343
Net earnings
13,76024,08387,23582,349
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.13,75924,08387,24982,349

Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019

Dollars in thousandsSeptember 26, 2020December 28, 2019
Current assets$777,934 $728,457 
Noncurrent assets374,796 354,173 
Current liabilities295,544 312,984 
Noncurrent liabilities1,121,280 1,076,491 
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries1,585 — 
Included in noncurrent assets is a due from non-guarantor subsidiaries receivable of $83,977 and $54,915 at September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019. Included in noncurrent liabilities is a due to non-guarantor subsidiaries payable of $262,680 and $249,056 at September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019.
Financing and Capital
The Board of Directors authorized the purchase of $250 million of the Company's shares without an expiration date in October 2018. 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. Share repurchases were temporarily suspended at the end of the first quarter of 2020 until September 2020 as a precaution to preserve liquidity. We acquired 251,136 treasury shares for approximately $28.0 million under our share repurchase program during the first three quarters of 2020. As of September 26, 2020, we have approximately $176.4 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 ratings were Baa3 by Moody's Investors Services, Inc., BBB- rating by Fitch Rating Services, 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.

30


Our debt financing at September 26, 2020 is primarily long-term debt consisting of:
$450 million face value ($436.5 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.00% per annum and are due in October 2044.
$305 million face value ($297.6 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. Both tranches of these notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.

    At September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we had $41.9 million and $29.0 million outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit agreement, respectively. The revolving credit agreement contains certain financial covenants that may limit our additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At September 26, 2020, we had the ability to borrow $542.6 million under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $15.5 million associated with certain insurance obligations and international sales commitments. We also maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $134.2 million, $120.0 million of which was unused at September 26, 2020.

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.
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 September 26, 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants related to the debt agreements. The key covenant calculations at September 26, 2020 were as follows (in 000's):

Interest-bearing debt$795,937 
Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters344,627 
Leverage ratio2.31 
Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters$344,627 
Interest expense-last four quarters40,748 
Interest earned ratio8.46 
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The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters (October 29, 2019 through September 26, 2020) is as follows. The last four quarters information ended September 26, 2020 is calculated by taking the full fiscal year ended December 28, 2019, subtracting the first three quarters ended September 28, 2019, and adding the first three quarters ended September 26, 2020.
Net cash flows from operations$341,430 
Interest expense40,748 
Income tax expense50,613 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment(2,811)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets(16,638)
Change in investment85 
Deferred income tax benefit6,908 
Noncontrolling interest(2,481)
Stock-based compensation(11,434)
Pension plan expense5,532 
Contribution to pension plan18,433 
Changes in assets and liabilities(112,236)
Other1,351 
EBITDA 319,500 
Cash restructuring expenses5,678 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets16,638 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment2,811 
Adjusted EBITDA$344,627 

Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.$144,778 
Interest expense40,748 
Income tax expense50,613 
Depreciation and amortization expense83,361 
EBITDA319,500 
Cash restructuring expenses5,678 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets16,638 
Impairment of property, plant, and equipment2,811 
Adjusted EBITDA$344,627 

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 have cash balances of $443.1 million at September 26, 2020, approximately $221.7 million is held in our non-U.S. subsidiaries. If we distributed our foreign cash balances certain taxes would be applicable. At September 26, 2020, we have a liability for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $3.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Financial Obligations and Financial Commitments
    There have been no material changes to our financial obligations and financial commitments as described on page 34-35 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019.
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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
There have been no material changes in our off balance sheet arrangements as described on page 35 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019.
Critical Accounting Policies
There were no changes in our critical accounting policies as described on pages 37-40 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 during the nine months ended September 26, 2020, with the exception of the change in method of accounting for certain inventory, previously accounted for on the LIFO basis, so that now all inventory is valued on the FIFO basis.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
    There were no material changes in the company's market risk during the quarter ended September 26, 2020. For additional information, refer to the section "Risk Management" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019.


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.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A – Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. See the discussion of the Company’s risk factors under Part I, Item 1A in each of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2020.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
PeriodTotal 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)
June 28, 2020 to July 25, 2020— $— — $176,445,000 
July 26, 2020 to August 29, 2020— — — 176,445,000 
August 30, 2020 to September 26, 202060,645 124.08 60,645 176,445,000 
Total
60,645 $124.08 60,645 $176,445,000 
(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 and again on October 31, 2018, 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 September 26, 2020, we have acquired 6,173,590 shares for approximately $823.6 million under this share repurchase program.

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Item 6. Exhibits
(a)    Exhibits
Exhibit No.Description
List of Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries. This document was filed as Exhibit 22.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 001-31429) for the quarter ended March 28, 2020 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
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
101The following financial information from Valmont's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2020, formatted in Inline 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.
104Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
_____________________________________________

*    Filed herewith
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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/ AVNER M. APPLBAUM
Avner M. Applbaum
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dated this 27th day of October, 2020.









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