CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
2021 Message to Fellow Stakeholders and Form 10K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 25, 2021
A MESSAGE TO OUR
STAKEHOLDERS
Stephen G. Kaniewski
President &
Chief Executive Officer
We began 2021 celebrating our 75th anniversary as a company,
commemorating our long history of delivering unparalleled
his expertise and leadership for over 40 years as a board
member. His legacy will continue through Valmont, the
service to our customers that improves lives around the world.
individuals who knew him and the entire Omaha community.
Valmont was founded by Robert B. Daugherty, an entrepreneur
with a vision to bring innovation to agriculture and a dedication
to water conservation. Those early roots grew into a lifelong
commitment to sustainability for Valmont and shaped the
principles of our company to do more with less by innovating
through technology, as conveyed in our tagline: Conserving
Resources. Improving Life.®
Reflecting on the last twelve months, I am extremely proud
of our 11,000 global employees. Often in business we are
presented with challenges in which we must come together
to surpass and emerge stronger. Guided by our core values
of passion, integrity, continuous improvement and delivering
results, our strong team was able to minimize the macro-
economic impacts throughout the year with strategic
initiatives. We implemented work-from-home measures for
administrative employees and factory protocols to ensure
the health and safety of our employees during the pandemic.
We employed disciplined pricing and purchasing actions to
combat broad-based inflation. And our global operations and
production teams successfully managed through unique
supply chain dynamics.
Since our founding, we have built a diversified and
complementary portfolio of businesses, infused technology
across all segments and maintained financial discipline.
We stay true to our core values and build upon our proven
corporate strategies. As a result, Valmont has grown into a
global leader in both infrastructure development and
advancing agricultural productivity.
Through the year’s events, we displayed the resiliency
critical to remaining a leader in our markets. Our shared
vision enabled us to deliver record net sales of $3.5 billion
and return on invested capital of 10.1% (11.7% adjusted).
Importantly, we continued making growth investments in
our businesses, including the transformative acquisition of
Prospera Technologies, Ltd. We recognized operating
margin improvement and ended the year with positive
operating cash flows, despite elevated working capital levels
due to rapid inflation and strategic purchasing of raw materials
to serve our customers. Global backlog at the end of the year
exceeded $1.6 billion, reflecting the strong end-market
demand across our businesses. In summary, we executed
another very strong financial and operational year in 2021,
2021 was also the year we said goodbye to a dear friend and
adding to our five-year history of delivering approximately
influential colleague, Walter Scott Jr. — he guided Valmont with
13% compounded returns to shareholders.
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
Delivering on Our Commitments
2021 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
$3.5B1
Revenues of $3.5 billion–An increase of 20.9% from fiscal 2020
GAAP
Adjusted2
GAAP
Adjusted2
$286.8M $334.0M
8.2% 9.5%
Operating Income
Operating Margin
GAAP
Adjusted2
GAAP
Adjusted3
$9.10 $10.92
10.1% 11.7%
Earnings per Diluted Share
After-Tax Return on Invested Capital
43.4%
One Year Total Shareholder Return for Fiscal Year Ending December 25, 2021
Compounded Annual Total Return to Shareholders of 12.8% Over the Past 5 Years
1Segment results are detailed in the 2021 fourth quarter earnings results and the attached 2021 10-K
2Excludes expenses for impairment of long-lived assets, write-off of a receivable, severance and other non-recurring expenses; see reconciliation provided on the financial highlights page.
3 Calculation of average invested capital is on page 31 of the attached Form 10-K. The adjusted after-tax return on invested capital presented is further calculated by using adjusted operating
income of $334.0 million, an adjusted tax rate of 23.6% (adjusted to exclude expenses for impairment of long-lived assets, write-off of a receivable, severance and other non-recurring
expenses) for an adjusted after-tax return on invested capital of 11.7%.
Focusing on Our Businesses:
INFRASTRUCTURE AND AGRICULTURE
Infrastructure
Utility: ushering in the grid of the future
Our Utility Support Structures segment achieved nearly 11.9%
growth year-over-year, with net sales growing to $1.12 billion,
driven by strong underlying demand from utilities’ increasing
investments in grid hardening and resiliency. North American
utilities have been increasing their planned investments in
transmission and distribution projects, exceeding recent years
of higher capital spending which is supporting higher demand
going forward. We strategically increased capacity with the
groundbreaking of a new spun concrete distribution pole plant
in Bristol, Indiana. While rapid raw material inflation impacted
operating margins, we continued to raise prices throughout
the year to offset these impacts. Profitability improvement is
expected as contractual pricing mechanisms become more
aligned with cost inflation in future quarters. This year, we
accelerated growth and new product innovation within our
global generation products to support renewable energy
markets and were disciplined in our approach of strategically
accepting projects that met our profitability targets. In
2021, we built a backlog of both utility scale and distributed
generation projects, while investing in a strong team of sales
and engineering talent, positioning us well for future growth.
ESS: protecting and connecting people and places
Our Engineered Support Structures segment recognized net
sales of $1.06 billion, growth of nearly 6.9% year-over-year
from the benefits of favorable pricing and higher volumes.
Improvements in commercial lighting markets offset softer
transportation sales in North American markets, as pandemic-
related delays impacted timing of road and construction
projects. Wireless communication product sales grew 26%
due to increased capital investments from wireless carriers
and favorable pricing. The build-out of 5G will continue to
provide a tailwind in 2022 and beyond. Profitability in this seg-
ment improved to nearly 11% in 2021, due to favorable pricing,
enhanced productivity and improved ship-complete and on-
time delivery metrics, as well as improved fixed cost leverage
throughout the year.
Coatings: extending the life of metal
Our Coatings segment delivered net sales of $386.3 million,
a growth of nearly 11.9% year-over-year, as global economies
improved significantly from the COVID-19 induced slowdown
in 2020. Favorable pricing and higher volumes, including
intersegment sales, contributed to this growth, as we continue
to maximize our coatings facilities footprint to support both
external customers and internal steel products produced by
our other segments. Additionally, during the second quarter,
we commenced operations at a new greenfield facility near
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This facility has been built with
enhanced processes to generate less heat and humidity and
provide additional recycling opportunities, aligning well with
our ESG principles, while supporting economic development
in this region.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides
longer-term funding stability resulting in a multi-year tailwind
for all of infrastructure. Areas of emphasis include updating
aging infrastructure, reducing traffic congestion and carbon
emissions, hardening the electrical grid and increasing access
to wireless connectivity nationwide. We expect our Coatings
segment could benefit near the end of 2022, with Utility
Support Structures and Engineered Support Structures
segments benefiting for many years ahead. We remain
confident in a robust market going forward and in our ability
to execute and deliver results.
This year, we created a global, cross-functional partnership between our Utility solar
team and world-class Valley Irrigation dealer network to deliver integrated solutions.
We demonstrated how technology deployment and renewable energy work together
by transforming arid land of the Sudan Desert into a prosperous and sustainable
region for agricultural production. Our teams made reliable irrigation possible, off-grid,
by installing a photovoltaic power plant which provides energy to power center pivot
irrigation. Projects like this enhance productivity, empower local communities and
support both our own and our customers’ ESG initiatives.
Focusing on Our Businesses:
INFRASTRUCTURE AND AGRICULTURE
Agriculture
Irrigation: increasing ag productivity
Our Irrigation segment delivered record net sales of $1.02
billion, driven by strong underlying agriculture fundamentals
globally. In North America, demand strengthened as net farm
income levels positively impacted farmer sentiment, leading
to nearly 60% sales growth year-over-year. International sales
also improved significantly, growing more than 80% year-over-
year, led by strong demand in Brazil, Europe and
Australia and ongoing deliveries of the large project for
the Egypt market. Over the past year, we improved our
positioning in key growth markets by localizing additional
operations in Dubai and increasing our capacity in Brazil.
As in our infrastructure businesses, we took decisive pricing
actions by implementing multiple price increases to mitigate
rising input costs. Additionally, we were pleased with the sales
growth of industrial tubing products this year.
We have accelerated our investment in artificial intelligence
(AI), machine learning (ML) and connected crop management
through both organic and inorganic actions. Our technology
sales grew more than 45% year-over-year, and we are very
excited about its growth potential.
We acquired Prospera Technologies Ltd. for $300 million, creating
the largest global, vertically integrated AI company in agriculture.
Building on our successful two-year partnership, we are
accelerating adoption of real-time in-season crop management
solutions under a recurring revenue model. This highly
differentiated solution expands our total addressable market by
pursuing opportunities beyond traditional, pivot-based irrigated
acres and provides great returns for our growers. Additionally, we
acquired PivoTrac, a subscription-based ag tech company that
provides remote sensing and monitoring solutions for the
Southwest U.S. market. With these acquisitions we have grown
our Ag Tech team to over 200, adding substantial talent in
machine learning, computer vision, agronomy and data science.
We have advanced our strategy of enabling future growth through
subscription-based data analytics and insights by providing a
solution no one else in the industry can offer. It is this type of
competitive advantage, supported by our capital allocation
strategy, that positions Valmont to win in the market.
Capital Allocation:
A BALANCED APPROACH; ACQUISITION HIGHLIGHTS
Our approach to capital allocation is to effectively balance
capital invested to grow the business with the return of capital
to shareholders. This structured and disciplined framework
provides more than just a healthy and clean balance sheet.
Properly employed, it becomes the backbone supporting
strategic growth as the balance sheet is used to reinvest in
our business, supporting organic growth projects as well as
strategic acquisitions that expand our market presence and
bring a high return on invested capital.
Acquisitions are more than just a path to growth. We view
them as a means to add capability that is difficult to replicate.
This past year we completed two key acquisitions, Prospera
and PivoTrac, both providing new technology in addition to
expanding our addressable markets. These businesses, now
a part of our growing family, expand our earnings power and
increase our cash flow, providing more capital with which to
fund our growth strategy. And the unique capabilities they
contribute establishes a new foothold to innovate and bring
new solutions to our customers.
Organic growth is funded primarily through targeted
investments in capital expenditures to support strategic
initiatives. In addition to growth, we also prioritize investment
opportunities to support digital customer experience,
Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing and ESG-related
initiatives. These are identified and selected through a
robust internal process that instills a disciplined approach
to investments, maximizing our returns.
The other objective of our capital allocation strategy is to
return cash to shareholders through share repurchases and
dividends. In 2021, we returned $67.5 million to shareholders
through a combination of opportunistic share repurchases
and consistent, growing dividends. For dividends, our goal is
to increase them over time as a function of earnings growth,
raising our payout ratio to align with our strategy of increasing
returns to shareholders. In February 2021, we increased
our dividend by 11%, while increasing our payout ratio
target from 15% to 22%. In summary, we are maintaining a
disciplined and balanced capital allocation driven by
increasing ROIC and creating stakeholder value.
$488M of Capital Deployed
in 2021
SHARE
REPURCHASE
$26M
DIVIDENDS
$41M
Share
Purchases
$63M
Aquisitions
ACQUISITIONS
$313M
$82M
CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES
$108M
Capital
Expenditures
Acquisitions
• 2021 CapEx of $108M in line
with expectations
• Investments to support strategic growth
initiatives and Industry 4.0 advanced
manufacturing
• 2021 included Prospera Technologies
and PivoTrac
• Strategic fit + market expansion
• Returns exceeding cost of capital
within three years
Share
Repurchases
• Opportunistic approach, supported
by free cash flow
• ~$122M remained on current authorization
at 12/25/21
Dividends
• 11% dividend increase announced
February 2021
• Payout ratio target: 22% of earnings
• Year End payout: ~19%
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CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
Valmont at a Glance:
GLOBAL SECULAR GROWTH DRIVERS
Valmont has an enduring commitment to conserving resources and improving life. We create vital infrastructure and
advance agricultural productivity to meet the increasing demands of an ever-changing world. Our long-term drivers remain
intact; shorter term is also opportunistic with each of our businesses trending upward in their cycles, providing market
tailwinds heading into 2022.
Engineered Support Structures
Irrigation
• Ongoing investment in sustainable transportation
infrastructure, including lighting systems, long-
lasting bridge systems and vibration mitigation
technology
• Unprecedented demand for improved wireless
network structures and components including rural
broadband and urban densification
• Rapid acceleration of 5G network deployment
• Increasing demand for integrated smart
technology solutions
Utility Support Structures
• Need to replace aging infrastructure resulting from
long-term underinvestment in electric grids
• Increasing load growth in developing markets requires
enhanced grid resiliency for uninterrupted power
• Increasing customer demand around the globe for
sustainable solutions to conserve resources at every
level of the value chain
• Growing populations, combined with constrained
available farmland, require greater efficiency and
crop yields
• Continuing labor shortages in the midst of a
global pandemic, as well as rising farm labor
and input costs
• Innovation toward predictive, autonomous crop
management through technologies including
artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Transforming traditional irrigation into fully
connected crop management that optimizes water
application and conserves inputs such as energy
and labor.
• Heightened demand for renewable energy sources
with distributed generation
Coatings
• Replacement of wood distribution and transmission
poles with stronger materials that reduce landfill waste
• Expanded offerings of prefabricated and packaged
turnkey substations
• Demand for quicker, safer and more accurate
inspection services with unmanned aerial services
and drone technology
• Protection of critical infrastructure from corrosion
and premature obsolescence
• Efficient deployment of tax dollars for low-carbon
infrastructure investment
• Developing economies’ need for new infrastructure,
as well as mature economies’ responsible replacement
of aging infrastructure
• Demand for sustainable, limited-maintenance materials
with a low lifecycle cost with 100% recyclability
• Innovative digital transformation for lean processes,
focused customer communication and product tracking
• Sophisticated data analytics, enhanced by machine
learning and artificial intelligence, help us identify future
customer and operational innovations
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
$3.5
Billion Dollars
in Net Sales
100+
Countries
of Operation
22
Countries with
Valmont Facilities
85
4
11,000+
Manufacturing
Segments in which
Facilities Worldwide
we do Business
Global
Employees
2021 REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHY
72%
AMERICAS
14%
EMEA
14%
APAC
Valmont Manufacturing Facilities (85)
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
I am proud to have announced our 2025 sustainability goals
for carbon intensity, global electricity, global combustion fuel,
and diversity.
Our 2025 Goals:
• 10% reduction in Scope I/II carbon intensity
• 12% additional reduction in normalized
global electrical usage
• 19% reduction in Scope I mobile source combustion
fuel carbon emissions
• 50% increase in people of color representation, double
by 2030
SUSTAINABILITY
Our tagline of Conserving Resources. Improving Life.® is at the
core of everything we do, as our products and services align
to critical ESG principles such as manufacturing irrigation
systems that reduce inputs and enhance food security as well
as providing infrastructure solutions that support clean energy,
connectivity and longevity. This commitment goes far beyond
compliance as our operational excellence is infused with ESG
principles. With everything we do, we look through a lens of
sustainability to become more efficient, enhance our employees’
experience, and ultimately provide value to our shareholders.
We are continuously improving to minimize our environmental
impact while providing differentiated and enhanced offerings
to our customers.
We are pleased that our efforts are being acknowledged
externally. One example is with Institutional Shareholder
Services, or ISS. Our environment and social quality scores
improved significantly in 2021, from a 6 to a 2 for environment,
from a 6 to a 4 for social, and governance has held steady at a
solid 2. While this is a continuous journey, we are proud of the
progress we have made so far.
I encourage you to read more about our commitment to
ESG in our upcoming 2022 Valmont Sustainability Report and
at our dedicated sustainability website. The accomplishments
and stories we share highlight the innovative ways we are
exploiting our footprint to make tangible differences in
communities around the globe.
Sustainability:
OUR 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Reduced normalized electricity by ~28% since 2018 baseline, surpassing our
Global Electricity Goal of 8% reduction
• Since 2018 Valmont has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by over 5,900 metric tons.
Climate initiatives implemented at the site and enterprise level resulted in a 22.08 MT CO2/$M reduction
in carbon emissions for 2021, beating the annual target by 24%
• Of our 85 Green Teams, we recognized our manufacturing facility in Maarheeze, Netherlands, with our annual
Sustainability Award for their dramatic improvements in key sustainability and employee engagement metrics
• Completed an electric vehicle program at our largest manufacturing facility in Valley, Nebraska,
replacing onsite gas-powered vehicles and removing the onsite gasoline tank
• Our one-megawatt solar field went live in Valley, Nebraska, utilizing our own TRJ solar tracker solution,
providing carbon free power that will offset approximately 6% of energy on campus yearly
• Guided by our Inclusion and Diversity Chair, Valmont expanded its Employee Resource Groups this
year to include: African American Network Team (AANT), Hispanic Organization for Leadership and
Advancement (HOLA), Indian-American Leadership Council (INDUS), Valmont Young Professionals,
PRIDE, and SALUTE
• 86% of our employee global workforce completed our bi-annual employee engagement survey, up 3% from
2019; positive results indicated Valmont employees felt: clarity of direction, opportunities in growth and
development, ample resources and confidence in direct supervisors
• Completed construction of a new global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska which was built to achieve
LEED silver, WELL and JUST certifications
• Our board is 27% female and 18% ethnically diverse, representing a broad set of professional experiences
and backgrounds core to Valmont operations
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
STRATEGY FOR
SUSTAINABLE, LONG-TERM PROFITABLE GROWTH
We held our most recent Investor Day in May. It is always an honor to represent Valmont to the investment community, outlining our
strategy and growth opportunities. During the event, we presented the next evolution of our strategy with a focus on three strategic pillars.
Elevating ESG: Operational Excellence with ESG Focus
For years we have focused on doing what we do better, pushing us to deliver higher quality products,
meet or exceed customer expectations and become a premium solutions provider. This operational
excellence focus is derived from Industry 4.0 principles and Lean methodology supported by Agile
project management. We are leveraging our resources around the globe as we continue our digital
transformation initiative, which will provide efficiency, savings, and scale for Valmont while enhancing
our customer experience.
Over time, ESG has expanded to include productivity and growth, representing a move from simply
reporting environmental impacts to enabling resource optimization and empowering our talented
team. It drives everything we do, including employee engagement, and provides us with a valuable
competitive advantage within our markets. Together, operational excellence with a focus on ESG will
elevate our performance and enable us to accomplish more by working with increased discipline
around how we best serve our stakeholders long term.
Accelerating Growth: Expanding Markets that We Serve
We have a diversified business with strategic focus areas that provide a clear line of sight to expand
market presence and accelerate growth. In our Utility Support Structures segment, we are growing our
services and technology while focusing on grid resiliency and renewable generation. Our Engineered
Support Structures growth areas are infrastructure renewal to enable economic development,
coupled with global 5G deployment and smart city designs. Our Coatings segment protects critical
infrastructure and we’re expanding in targeted geographies while differentiating through our customer
experience. Finally, our Irrigation segment is expanding through digital crop management solutions
which provide food security and resource conservation. Our focus on these areas will expand our
addressable markets and accelerate our growth, further differentiating our brand and supporting
our leadership position in the markets we serve.
Optimizing Talent and Technology: Accelerating Innovation
Trends in global technology provide the framework for how we think about delivering our solutions to
the market. Four trends are essential for our business: Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Recurring Revenue
Services, and Digital Customer Experience. Our leadership team is aligned with using these technology
trends to drive creative disruption across our organization. This vision is cascading throughout the
organization, supporting initiatives that will help us transform while staying close to our core values.
We recognize that being at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies aids our talent strategy and is a
competitive advantage in attracting and retaining the best and brightest. We continue to prioritize
promotions within the company, encouraging our talent to expand their skills and develop their careers
with new opportunities within the company. By enhancing our talent development process across the
organization, we can identify and develop talent early in an employee’s career and align their interests
with needs of the business.
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
OUR COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM SHAREHOLDER VALUE CREATION;
NEW 3 TO 5 YEAR FINANCIAL GOALS ANNOUNCED IN 2021
The past two years have demonstrated just how rapidly the
work. Together, we are delivering on our financial commitments,
world can change. At Valmont, we have been learning and
bringing innovation to our customers and fostering a culture
adapting for 75 years, and have proven that change is not
of collaboration that encompasses our core values. I am proud
new for us. We not only change with the times but change in
of the results and accomplishments of Valmont.
anticipation for challenges ahead. To stay relevant in the
future, we will continue to innovate and adapt faster than ever
to help our customers solve their biggest problems.
Based upon the exceptional performance of our entire team
and the positive outlook for end market demand, we have
defined a new set of 3-to-5-year financial targets (from Base
Our response to recent events has shown the strength and
Year 2020).
resiliency of our team, our commitment to our customers
and our ability to successfully execute and deliver in difficult
situations. I want to thank all our team members for their hard
I am confident in our teams’ ability to meet these targets,
once again raising the bar on what we are able to accomplish
together.
Our 3 to 5 Year Financial Targets:
Revenue Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of
7 – 12%
EPS CAGR of
13 – 15%
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of
>11%
Free Cash Flow Conversion of 1
>1.0X
NET EARNINGS
(over the 5-year period)
Operating Margin of
>12%
1 Long-term, multi-year goal
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
LOOKING AHEAD
We enter 2022 with strong momentum. We made great
businesses better, brought solutions to the world’s most
critical problems and improved the quality of life for individuals
Our core values, dedicated employees, and shared vision of
Conserving Resources. Improving Life.® have served us well
for 75 years. I am confident that together we can achieve our
around the world. Our core values continue to guide us and
goals for growth, profits, and capital to shareholders, and are
our simplified strategy provides the framework to drive our
well on our way to serve our customers in even better ways in
performance and maximize the positive impact we have for
the next 75 years.
our stakeholders. We are confident in our ability to deliver solid
operating results with margin expansion, growing free cash
flow, and a higher return on invested capital. As always, we
remain committed to a balanced capital allocation approach
that grows our business and continues returning cash
to shareholders.
Thank you for your continued support.
Stephen G. Kaniewski
We stand beside our colleagues across time, and appreciate
President & Chief Executive Officer
their dedication to improving our businesses and overcoming
unique challenges to strengthen and carry Valmont forward.
$ GAAP $ ADJUSTED
$3,502
$2,895
$2,767
334.01
$268.51
$286.8
$227.9
$225.9
$10.924
$8.184
$9.10
$6.73
$6.57
2021
2020
Net Sales
2019
Dollars in millions, expect per share amounts
OPERATING RESULTS
Net sales
Operating income1
Net earnings 2,4
Diluted earnings per share4
Dividends per share
FINANCIAL POSITION
Total shareholders’ equity
Invested capital3
OPERATING PROFITS
Gross profit as a % of net sales
Operating income as a % of net sales
Adjusted operating income as a % of net sales1
Net earnings as a % of net sales
Adjusted net earnings as a % of net sales 4
Return on invested capital3
Adjusted return on invested capital 5
YEAR-END DATA
Shares outstanding (OOO’s)
Approximate number of shareholders
Number of employees
2021
2020
Operating Income
2019
2021
2020
Diluted Earnings Per Share
2019
2021
$ 3,501.6
286.8
195.6
9.10
2.00
$ 1,413.6
2,379.0
25.2%
8.2%
9.5%
5.6%
6.7%
10.1%
11.7%
21,493
25,765
11,041
2020
$ 2,895.4
225.9
140.7
6.57
1.80
$ 1,207.8
1,974.2
26.4%
7.8%
9.3%
4.9%
6.1%
8.7%
10.3%
21,225
17,768
10,844
2019
$ 2,767.0
227.9
146.4
6.73
1.50
$ 1,189.7
1,977.2
24.7%
8.2%
8.2%
5.3%
5.3%
8.9%
8.9%
21,544
21,631
10,398
1Fiscal 2021 GAAP operating income included impairment costs of long-lived assets for offshore structures of $27.9 million (pre-tax), intangible amortization and stock-based compensation for Prospera of $8.6 million
(pre-tax), receivable write-off of $5.5 million (pre-tax), acquisition diligence expense of $1.1 million (pre-tax) and severance expense of $4.1 million (pre-tax). On an adjusted basis operating income was $334.0 million. Fiscal
2020 GAAP operating income included restructuring and asset impairment costs of $25.9 million (pre-tax), goodwill and intangible asset impairments of $16.6 million (pre-tax). On an adjusted basis, operating
income was $268.5 million. Adjusted operating income excludes the above amounts for each respective year.
2Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc.
3See Item 7, Selected Financial Measures, in the company’s Form 10-K for calculation of invested capital and return on invested capital.
4Fiscal 2021 GAAP net earnings included impairment costs of long-lived Offshore structures assets of $21.7 million after-tax ($1.01 per share), intangible amortization and stock-based compensation for Prospera of $6.6
million after-tax ($0.31 per share), receivable write-off of $4.2 million after-tax ($.20 per share), acquisition diligence expense of $0.9 million after-tax ($0.04 per share), severance expense of $3.1 million after-tax ($0.14),
impact of UK tax rate change of $2.8 million ($0.13 per share) and valuation allowance against deferred tax asset of $5.1 million ($0.24 per share). Fiscal 2020 included impairments of goodwill and intangible assets of
$16.2 million after-tax ($0.76 per share), restructuring and asset impairment costs of $18.2 million ($0.85 per share). Adjusted net earnings excludes the above amounts for each respective year.
5Calculation of average invested capital is on page 31 of the attached Form 10-K. The adjusted after-tax return on invested capital presented is further calculated by using the adjusted operating income and adjusted tax rate
for each applicable year.
For more information on the footnotes above and the reasons why we believe the non-GAAP measures are useful, please see Item 7 and Item 8 of the attached 2021 form 10-K
Conserving Resources. Improving Life.®
OUR LEADERSHIP
Corporate Management
Executive Officers
Stephen G. Kaniewski
President
& Chief Executive Officer
Avner M. Applbaum
Executive Vice President
& Chief Financial Officer
Diane Larkin
Executive Vice President
Global Operations
Renee L. Campbell
Senior Vice President
Investor Relations &
Treasurer
Claudio O. Laterreur
Senior Vice President
Information Technology &
Chief Information Officer
Ellen S. Dasher
Vice President
Global Taxation
Aaron M. Schapper
Group President,
Infrastructure
Timothy P. Francis
Senior Vice President
& Corporate Controller
T. Mitchell Parnell
Senior Vice President
Human Resources
R. Andrew Massey
Vice President
Chief Legal Officer
& Corporate Secretary
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
Board of Directors
Mogen C. Bay
Chairman
Valmont Industries, Inc.
Catherine J. Paglia
Lead Director
Enterprise Asset
Management
Audit Committee
Human Resources
Committee
K.R. Den Daas
Retired CEO, Quality
Light Source
Retired EVP
Phillips Lighting B.V.
of the Netherlands
Chair, Audit Committee
ESG Committee
Governance &
Nominating Committee
Ritu Favre
EVP & GM
National Instruments
Semiconductor &
Electronics, Aerospace,
Defense & Government
& Transportation
Business Units at NI
Chair, ESG Committee
Governance &
Nominating Committee
Dr. Theodor W. Freye
Retired CEO
of CLAAS KgaA
ESG Committee
Governance &
Nominating Committee
Stephen G. Kaniewski
President & CEO
Valmont Industries, Inc.
Richard Lanoha
President & CEO
Kiewit Corporation
Human Resources
Committee
James B. Milliken
Chancellor
University of Texas
System
Audit Committee
ESG Committee
Chair, Governance &
Nominating Committee
Daniel P. Neary
Former Chairman &
Retired CEO
Mutual of Omaha
Audit Committee
ESG Committee
Chair, Human
Resources Committee
Joan Robinson-Berry
Retired SVP & Chief
Engineer
The Boeing Company
Human Resources
Committee
Clark T. Randt, Jr.
President,
Randt & Co LLC
Former U.S.
Ambassador to
the People’s Republic
of China
ESG Committee
Governance &
Nominating Committee
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
CONTACT INFORMATION
Shareholder and Investor Relations
Corporate Headquarters
Valmont’s common stock trades on the New York Stock
Valmont Industries, Inc.
Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol VMI.
We make available, free of charge through our website
at valmont.com, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and
amendments to those reports filed or
furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably
practicable after such material is electronically filed with or
15000 Valmont Plaza
Omaha, NE 68154 USA
+1 402.963.1000
valmont.com
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
We have also posted on our website our (1) Corporate
Governance Principles, (2) Charters for the Audit Committee,
ESG Committee, Human Resources Committee and
Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board,
(3) Code of Business Conduct and (4) Code of Ethics for
Senior Officers applicable to the Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller. Valmont
shareholders may also obtain copies of these items at
no charge by contacting:
Renee L. Campbell
SVP Investor Relations & Treasurer
Valmont Industries, Inc.
15000 Valmont Plaza
Omaha, NE 68154 USA
+1 402.963.1000
InvestorRelations@valmont.com
Omaha, Nebraska USA
Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar
Address Inquiries To:
Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.
PO Box 1342
Brentwood, New York 11717-0718 USA
+1 844.202.5345 or +1 720.414.6878
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of Valmont® shareholders
will be held at 1:00 p.m. CDT, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022,
at 15000 Valmont Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska USA.
CONSERVING RESOURCES. IMPROVING LIFE.®
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021
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.
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
15000 Valmont Plaza,
Omaha, Nebraska
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
47-0351813
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
68154
(Zip Code)
(402) 963-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock $1.00 par value
Symbol
VMI
Name of exchange on which
registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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, or 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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Emerging Growth Company
☒
☐
Accelerated filer
☐
Non‑accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with
any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has file a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal
control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that
prepared or issued its audit report Yes ☒ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
At February 17, 2022 there were 21,279,858 of the Company’s common shares outstanding. The aggregate market value of the voting stock
held by non-affiliates of the Company based on the closing sale price the common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 26,
2021 was $4,941,040,230.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 26, 2022 (the “Proxy Statement”), to be filed
within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021, are incorporated by reference in Part III.
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VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1
Business ............................................................................................................................
Item 1A Risk Factors .......................................................................................................................
Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments .............................................................................................
Properties ..........................................................................................................................
Item 2
Legal Proceedings .............................................................................................................
Item 3
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures ...................................................................................................
PART II
Item 5 Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities ......................................................................................
Reserved ............................................................................................................................
Item 6
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ..........................................
Item 8
Item 9
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .................................................................
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure ........................................................................................................................
Item 9A Controls and Procedures ...................................................................................................
Item 9B Other Information ..............................................................................................................
Item 9C Disclosures Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections ............................
Part III
Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11 Executive Compensation ...................................................................................................
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters ........................................................................................................
Item 13 .. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ..................
Item 14
Principal Accountant Fees and Services ...........................................................................
Part IV
Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules .....................................................................
Form 10-K Summary ........................................................................................................
Item 16
1
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
General
PART I
We are a diversified producer of products and services for infrastructure and agriculture markets. Our Infrastructure
products and services are delivered through the Engineered Support Structures segment, the Utility Support Structure
segment, and the Coatings segment. Our Irrigation products and services are delivered through the Irrigation segment. In
2021, the Company operated and reported its results in the following four reporting segments:
•
•
•
•
Engineered Support Structures (ESS);
Utility Support Structures (Utility);
Coatings; and
Irrigation
Our ESS segment offers solutions to help make roadways safer, infrastructure smarter, and increases connectivity
through the following products: outdoor lighting, traffic control, and roadway safety structures, wireless communication
structures and components, and engineered access systems. Our Utility segment helps deliver power with products to better
harden grids to make infrastructure more resilient by selling structures to support electrical transmission, distribution lines,
and substation conversion and storage. Our Irrigation segment produces mechanized irrigation equipment and related services
to help deliver water, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to agricultural crops that save time, conserve water, energy, and
other input costs while also assisting in increasing yields. This segment also develops technology for better precision
application including predictive, autonomous crop management. Our Coatings segment provides coatings services for
Valmont and other industrial customers, to assist in extending the lifespan of infrastructure.
Customers and end-users of our products include municipalities and government entities globally, manufacturers of
commercial lighting fixtures (OEM), contractors, telecommunications and utility companies, and large farming operations, as
well as the general manufacturing sector. In 2021, approximately 34% of our net sales were either sold in markets or
produced by our manufacturing plants outside of North America.
We were founded in 1946, went public in 1968 and our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker:
VMI).
Business Strategy
Our strategy is to pursue growth opportunities that leverage our existing product portfolio, knowledge of our
principal end-markets and customers and engineering capability to increase our sales, earnings and cash flow, including:
Increasing the Market Penetration of our Existing Products. Our strategy is to increase our market penetration by
differentiating our products from our competitors’ products through superior customer service, engineering proficiency,
technological innovation and consistent high quality. Our Irrigation segment experienced sales volume growth in 2021 which
we believe was partially due to the continuing importance of our precision agriculture/technology offerings.
Bringing our Existing Products to New Markets. Our strategy is to expand the sales of our existing products into
geographic areas where we do not currently serve and where end-users do not currently purchase our type of product. For
example, we have expanded our geographic presence in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa for lighting structures.
This strategy led to us building manufacturing presences in China and India to expand our offering of pole structures for
lighting, utility and wireless communication to these markets. Our Irrigation segment has a long history of developing new
emerging markets for mechanized irrigation around the world. In 2020, we secured a $240 million multi-year order for the
Egypt market.
Developing New Products for Markets that We Currently Serve. Our strategy is to grow by developing new
products for markets using our comprehensive understanding of end-user requirements and leveraging longstanding
relationships with key distributors and end-users. In recent years we developed and sold structures for tramway applications
in Europe, spun concrete distribution poles for the Utility markets, and began offering concealment solutions for the wireless
communication markets.
2
Developing New Products for New Markets or Leveraging Core Competencies to Further Diversify our Business is
a path to increase sales. For example, the establishment and growth of our Coatings segment was based on using our
expertise in galvanizing to develop what is now a global business segment. The decorative lighting market has different
requirements and preferences than our traditional transportation and commercial markets. In 2021, we acquired Prospera
Technologies, Ltd., an artificial intelligence technology company focused on machine learning and computer vision in
agriculture providing an opportunity to grow recurring revenue through agronomy monitoring software solutions. In 2020,
we acquired Solbras®, a provider of solar energy solutions for agriculture and during 2018, we acquired Convert Italia SpA, a
provider of engineered single axis solar tracking solutions. These furthered our commitment to renewable energy which we
believe will provide us future growth opportunities through the ability to bring power to underserved regions and transform
unproductive land into efficient cropland.
Acquisitions
We have grown internally and by acquisition. Our significant business expansions during the past five years include the
following (including the segment where the business reports):
2017
•
Acquisition of a highway safety business (Aircon) that manufactures guardrails, structural metal products, and solar
structural products in India (ESS)
2018
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acquisition of an integrator of prepackaged pump stations (Torrent Engineering and Equipment) located in Indiana
(Irrigation)
Acquisition of a worldwide provider of parts for agricultural irrigation equipment, Irrigation Components
International (ICI), located in the United States (Irrigation)
Acquisition of an engineering and manufacturer of overhead sign structures (Walpar) located in Southeast United
States (ESS)
Acquisition of 75% of a provider of engineered solar tracker solutions (Convert Italia SpA) headquartered in
Italy (Utility)
Acquisition of a steel lattice structures producer (Derit) located in India (Utility)
Acquisition of a galvanizing business (CSP Coating Systems) located in New Zealand (Coatings)
2019
•
•
•
•
Acquisition of a wireless communication concealment solutions provider (Larson Camouflage) headquartered in
Arizona (ESS)
Acquisition of the remaining 4.8% not previously owned of Valmont SM (Utility)
Acquisition of a galvanizing business (United Galvanizing) located in Texas (Coatings)
Acquisition of a manufacturer and distributor of wireless site components and safety products (Connect-It Wireless,
Inc.) located in Florida (ESS)
2020
•
•
•
Acquisition of the remaining 49% not previously owned of AgSense LLC (Irrigation)
Acquisition of 55% of a provider of solar solutions for Agriculture (Solbras) located in Brazil (Irrigation)
Acquisition of KC Utility Packaging, LLC, a utility substation product provider (Utility)
2021
•
•
Acquisition of Prospera Technologies, Ltd, an artificial intelligence company in agriculture located in Israel
(Irrigation)
Acquisition of PivoTrac, a remote monitoring Irrigation service company in Texas (Irrigation)
Divestitures
In 2018, the Company divested of Donhad, a grinding media producer in Australia.
3
Segments
The Company has four reportable segments based on our management structure. Each segment is global in nature with a
manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment.
Our reportable segments are as follows:
Engineered Support Structures: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of engineered poles,
towers, and components for lighting, transportation, 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
utility markets, including transmission, distribution, substation products, and renewable energy generation equipment;
Coatings: This segment consists of galvanizing, CorroCote, anodizing, and powder coating services to preserve and
protect metal products; and
Irrigation: This segment consists of the manufacture of center pivots and linear irrigation equipment for agricultural
markets, including parts, services, and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for water management and
precision agriculture.
Information concerning the principal products produced and services rendered, markets, competition and distribution
methods for each of our four reportable segments is set forth below.
Engineered Support Structures Segment (ESS)
Products Produced—We design, engineer, and manufacture steel, aluminum, wood, and composite poles and
structures for a wide range of lighting and highway transportation applications. The demand for these products is driven by
infrastructure, commercial and residential construction and by consumers’ desire for well-lit streets, highways, parking lots
and common areas. Valmont structures help keep these areas safer, provide technologically advanced solutions for smart
cities, and support 24-hour convenience. Beyond design, technical, and engineering needs, customers also want products that
are visually appealing and meet local aesthetic requirements. In Europe, Valmont is a leader in decorative lighting poles,
which provide an attractive yet functional solution for our customers. We are leveraging this expertise to expand our
decorative product sales in North America, and the Middle East.
Valmont traffic and overhead sign structures contribute to the orderly flow of automobile traffic. These poles, which
support traffic signals and overhead signs, are engineered to meet customer specifications to ensure the proper function and
safety of the structure. Product engineering takes into account factors such as weather (e.g. wind, ice) and the products loaded
on the structure (e.g. lighting fixtures, traffic signals, overhead signs) to determine the design of the pole. Valmont has
expanded its capabilities in the traffic market with the development of patented vibration mitigation technology which
continuously improves the safety of traffic and roadway structures by reducing the effects of wind and fatigue. Our
transportation segment also includes highway safety system products that are designed and engineered to enhance roadway
safety. These systems include guard rail barriers, wire rope safety barriers, crash attenuation barriers and other products.
Additionally, Valmont has expanded into the bridge market with the development of our Con-Struct Bridge system. These
steel systems are effective, long lasting, and can be installed quickly to reduce costs and expand the life of the structure.
We also engineer, manufacture, and distribute a broad range of structures (poles and towers), camouflage
concealment solutions, and components serving the wireless communication market supporting expanded 5G customer needs.
A wireless communication cell site mainly consists of a steel pole or tower, shelter (enclosure where the radio equipment is
located), antennas (devices that receive and transmit data and voice information to and from wireless communication devices)
and components (items that are used to mount antennas to a structure and to connect cabling and other parts from the
antennas to the shelter). Larger monopole structures are engineered and designed to customer specifications, which include
factors such as the number of antennas on the structure and wind and soil conditions. Due to the size of these monopole
structures, design is important to ensure each structure meets performance and safety specifications.
We also produce and distribute access systems that allow people to move safely and effectively in an industrial,
infrastructure or commercial facility. Products offered in this product line include floor gratings, handrails, barriers and
sunscreens. We also produce a line of engineered products which are used in architectural and decorative applications.
Examples of these products are perforated metal sun screens and facades that can be used on building structures to improve
shading and aesthetics. We do not provide any significant installation services on the structures we sell or manufacture.
4
Markets—The key markets for our products and solutions are the transportation, construction, and industrial
markets. The transportation market includes street and highway lighting, traffic control, and bridges; all of which are
supported through both state and federal government spending programs. For example, the U.S. government will fund
infrastructure improvement through the newly passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bill will allocate funding
to reinforce the nation’s bridges, increase safety for the travelling public, update airport, ports, and waterways, and improve
the highway and roads systems. Many products from our transportation product portfolio will be utilized when making these
enhancements including traffic structures, bridge systems, roadway and street lighting, highmast lighting, etc. Matching
funding from the various states may be required as a condition of federal funding. Additionally, public and private
partnerships have recently emerged as an additional funding source. In the United States, there are approximately 4 million
miles of public roadways, with approximately 24% carrying over 80% of the traffic. Accordingly, the need to improve traffic
flow through traffic controls and lighting is a priority for many communities. Transportation markets in other areas of the
world are also heavily funded by local and national governments.
The construction market is mostly funded privately and includes lighting for applications such as parking lots,
shopping centers, sports stadiums and business parks. This market is driven by macro-economic factors such as general
economic growth rates, interest rates and the commercial construction economy. Valmont has many long-standing
relationships with OEM (also manufacture light fixtures and equipment) who also serve this market. Industrial markets for
access systems are typically driven by infrastructure, industrial and commercial construction spending. Customers include
construction firms or installers who participate in these markets, natural gas and mineral exploration companies, resellers
such as steel service centers, and end users.
The market for our communication products is driven by increased demand for wireless communication and data.
Customers are wireless network providers and organizations that own cell sites and attach antennas from multiple carriers to
the pole or tower structure (build to suit companies). We also sell products to state and federal governments for two-way
radio communication, radar, broadcasting and security applications. We believe long-term growth should mainly be driven by
increased usage and technologies such as 5G, which demand higher network density. Improved emergency response
systems, as part of the U.S. Homeland Security initiatives, creates additional demand.
All of the products that we manufacture in this segment are parts of government or customer investments in basic
infrastructure. The total cost of these investments can be substantial, so access to capital is often important to fund
infrastructure needs. Demand can be cyclical in these markets due to overall economic conditions. Additionally, projects can
sometimes be delayed due to funding or other issues.
Competition—Our competitive strategy in all of the markets we serve is to provide high value to the customer at the
appropriate price. We compete on the basis of product quality, high levels of customer service, timely, complete, and accurate
delivery of the product and design capability to provide the best solutions to our customers. There are numerous competitors
in our markets, most of which are relatively small companies. Companies compete on the basis of price, product quality,
reliable delivery, engineering design, and unique product features. Pricing can be very competitive, especially when demand
is weak or when strong local currencies result in increased competition from imported products.
Distribution Methods—Sales and distribution activities are handled through a combination of a direct sales force and
commissioned agents. Lighting agents represent Valmont as well as lighting fixture and traffic signal lines and sell other
related products. Sales are typically to electrical distributors, who provide the pole, fixtures and other equipment to the end
user as a complete package. Commercial lighting, wireless communication products and components, access systems and
highway safety sales are normally made through Valmont sales employees, who work on a salary plus incentive, although
some sales are made through independent, commissioned sales agents.
Utility Support Structures Segment (Utility)
Products Produced—We engineer and manufacture steel, pre-stressed concrete, composite, and hybrid structures
(concrete base section and steel upper sections). These products are used to support the lines and equipment that carry power
for electrical transmission, substation and distribution applications. Transmission refers to moving power from where it is
produced to where it is used. Substations transfer high voltage electricity to low voltage transmission. Electrical distribution
carries electricity from the substation to the end-user. These innovative structures are offered to address the growing need for
grid hardening across the globe, where fires, storms, and floods have recently occurred with increasing regularity.
5
Utility structures can be very large, so product design engineering is important to the function and safety of the
structure. Our engineering process takes into account weather and loading conditions, such as wind speeds, ice loads and the
power lines attached to the structure, in order to arrive at the final design. In Northern Europe, we produce utility structures
for offshore and onshore wind energy. We also manufacture complex steel structures such as rotor houses for wind turbines.
Our solar single-axis “tracker” product is an integrated system of steel structures, electric motors, and electronic
controllers. Trackers move solar panels throughout the day to maintain an optimal orientation to the sun, which materially
increases their energy production. Solar energy projects utilizing trackers generate approximately 20% more energy
compared to traditional fixed tilt ground-mounted systems, according to Wood Mackenzie. Our trackers utilize a simple,
modular design allowing ease of installation and low operational maintenance. Further, the flexibility of our trackers’ design
allows for improved site utilization, which is especially valuable to our customers considering that solar projects are being
constructed on increasingly challenging sites today. We sell our products to engineering, procurement and construction firms
(“EPCs”) that build solar energy projects as well as solar developers, independent power producers, and utilities.
Markets—Our sales in this segment are mainly in North America, where the key drivers in the utility business are
significant upgrades in the electrical grid to support enhanced reliability standards, policy changes encouraging more
generation from renewable energy sources, interconnection of regional grids to share more efficient generation to the benefit
of the consumer and increased electrical consumption which has outpaced the transmission investment in the past decades.
According to the Edison Electric Institute, the electrical transmission grid in the U.S. requires significant investment in the
coming years to respond to the compelling industry drivers and lack of investment prior to 2008. In international markets,
electrical consumption is expected to increase. This will require substantial investment in new electricity generation capacity
and growth in transmission grid development. We expect these factors to result in increased demand for electrical utility
structures to transport electricity from source to user, as is used in the U.S. markets today. As utilities increase development
of large-scale solar power and micro-grid applications, single axis tracker solutions will be an essential tool for achieving
higher energy production. Sales of complex steel structures, wind turbine towers, rotor houses, and utility transmission
structures mainly occur within Europe. Approximately 35% of all ground-mounted solar energy projects constructed globally
during 2019 utilized trackers according to Wood Mackenzie. Our solar tracker products are used in some of the largest solar
projects in the world with over a decade of track record, which is unique in the single-axis solar tracker industry.
Competition—Our competitive strategy in this segment is to provide high value solutions to the customer at the
appropriate price. We compete on the basis of product quality, engineering expertise, high levels of customer service, and
reliable and timely delivery of the product. There are a number of competitors in North America, but there are many
competitors in international markets. Companies compete on the basis of price, quality and service. Utility sales are often
made through a competitive bid process, whereby the lowest bidder is awarded the contract, provided the competitor meets
all other qualifying criteria. In weak markets, price is a more important criteria in the bid process. We also sell on a preferred-
provider basis to certain large utility customers. These contractual arrangements often last between 3 and 5 years and are
frequently renewed. For offshore and other complex steel structures, we compete on price based on our ability to co-engineer
and design solutions with customers. We are one of a limited number of competitors that can execute advanced order
production of complex steel constructions that require a high degree of engineering and complex manufacturing
customization.
Distribution Methods—Products are normally sold directly to electrical utilities or energy providers with some sales
sold through commissioned sales agents.
Coatings Segment (Coatings)
Services Rendered—We add finishes to metals that inhibit corrosion, extend service lives and enhance the aesthetics
of a wide range of materials and products. We take unfinished products from our customers and return them with a
galvanized, anodized or painted finish. Hot-dip galvanizing is a process that protects and prolongs the life of steel with a zinc
coating that is bonded to the product surface to inhibit rust and corrosion. CorroCote adds a protection to steel for those
products that are anchored below ground against the corrosive effects of soil and underground moisture. Anodizing is a
process applied to aluminum that oxidizes the surface of the aluminum in a controlled manner, which protects the aluminum
from corrosion and allows the material to be dyed a variety of colors. We also paint products using powder coating for a
number of industries and markets.
Markets—Markets for our products are varied and our profitability is not substantially dependent on any one
industry or external customer. However, a meaningful percentage of demand is internal, driven by Valmont's other segments.
Demand for coatings services generally follows the local industrial economies. Galvanizing is used in a wide variety of
6
industrial applications where corrosion protection of steel is desired. While markets are varied, our markets for anodized or
painted products are more directly dependent on consumer markets than industrial markets.
Competition—The Coatings markets traditionally have been very fragmented, with a large number of competitors.
Most of these competitors are relatively small, privately held companies who compete on the basis of price and personal
relationships with their customers. As a result of ongoing industry consolidation, there are also several (public and private)
multi-facility competitors. Our strategy is to compete on the basis of quality of the coating finish and timely delivery of the
coated product to the customer. We also use the production capacity at our network of plants to ensure that the customer
receives quality, timely service.
Distribution Methods—Due to freight costs, a galvanizing location has an effective service area of an approximate
300 to 500 mile radius. While we believe that we are globally one of the largest custom galvanizers, our sales are a small
percentage of the total market. Sales and customer service are provided directly to the user by a direct sales force, generally
assigned to each specific location.
Irrigation Segment (Irrigation)
Products Produced—We manufacture and distribute mechanical irrigation equipment and related service parts under
the “Valley” brand name. A Valley irrigation machine is powered by electricity (via solar, grid, or diesel generator) and
propels itself over a farm field and applies water and chemicals to crops. Water and, in some instances, chemicals are applied
through sprinklers attached to a pipeline that is supported by a series of towers, each of which is propelled via a drive train
and tires. A standard mechanized irrigation machine (also known as a “center pivot”) rotates in a circle, although we also
manufacture and distribute center pivot extensions that can irrigate corners of square and rectangular farm fields as well as
conform to irregular field boundaries (referred to as a “corner” machine). Our irrigation machines can also irrigate fields by
moving up and down the field as opposed to rotating in a circle (referred to as a “linear” machine). Irrigation machines can be
configured to irrigate fields in size from 4 acres to over 500 acres, with a standard size in the U.S. configured for a 160-acre
tract of ground. The irrigation machine used in international markets is substantially the same as the one produced for the
North American market. We also manufacture tubular products for industrial customers primarily in the agriculture industry
as well as in the transportation and other industries.
Our remote management capabilities allow control of pivots and a variety of other farm equipment on any web-
connected device and our suite of advanced technology solutions offers capabilities to assist in reducing water and energy
use. Our crop anomaly detection can alert growers of pivot-related water issues with artificial intelligence and machine
learning (in select markets) to help farmers determine where and how much to irrigate. During fiscal 2021, we purchased
Prospera Technologies Ltd, a leading global artificial intelligence and machine learning provider of advanced agronomy
monitoring solutions. Irrigation net sales in 2021, 2020, and 2019 included technology sales of $97.9 million, $67.1 million,
and $56.7 million, respectively. We also sell solar energy solutions for agriculture primarily in international markets.
Other Types of Irrigation — There are other forms of irrigation available to farmers, two of the most prevalent being
flood irrigation and drip irrigation. In flood irrigation, water is applied through a pipe or canal at the top of the field and
allowed to run down the field by gravity. Drip irrigation involves plastic pipe or tape resting on the surface of the field or
buried a few inches below ground level, with water being applied gradually. We estimate that center pivot and linear
irrigation comprises 50% of the irrigated acreage in North America. International markets use predominantly flood irrigation.
Markets—Market drivers in North America and international markets are essentially the same. Since the purchase of
an irrigation machine is a capital expenditure, the purchase decision is based on the expected return on investment. The
benefits a grower may realize through investment in mechanical irrigation include improved yields through better irrigation,
cost savings through reduced labor and lower water and energy usage. The purchase decision is also affected by current and
expected net farm income, commodity prices, interest rates, the status of government support programs and water regulations
in local areas. In many international markets, the relative strength or weakness of local currencies as compared with the U.S.
dollar may affect net farm income, since export markets are generally denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition, governments
are sponsoring irrigation projects for self-sufficiency in food production.
The demand for mechanized irrigation comes from the following sources:
•
•
conversion from flood irrigation
replacement of existing mechanized irrigation machines
7
•
converting land that is not irrigated to mechanized irrigation
One of the key drivers in our Irrigation segment worldwide is that the usable water supply is limited. We estimate
that:
•
•
•
only 2.5% of total worldwide water supply is freshwater
of that 2.5%, only 30% of freshwater is available to humans
the largest user of that freshwater is agriculture
We believe these factors, along with the trends of a growing worldwide population, improving diets, and
governments' efforts to address food security, reflect the need to use water more efficiently while increasing food production
to feed this growing population. We believe that mechanized irrigation can improve water application efficiency by 40-90%
compared with traditional irrigation methods by applying water uniformly near the root zone and reducing water runoff.
Furthermore, reduced water runoff improves water quality in nearby rivers, aquifers and streams, thereby providing
environmental benefits in addition to conservation of water.
Competition—In North America, there are a number of entities that provide irrigation products and services to
agricultural customers. We believe we are the leader of the four main participants in the mechanized irrigation business.
Participants compete for sales on the basis of product innovation and features, product durability and reliability, price, quality
and service capabilities of the local dealer. Pricing can become very competitive, especially in periods when market demand
is low. In international markets, our competitors are a combination of our major U.S. competitors and privately‑owned local
companies. Competitive factors are similar to those in North America, although pricing tends to be a more prevalent
competitive strategy in international markets. Since competition in international markets is local, we believe local
manufacturing capability is important to competing effectively in international markets and we have that capability in key
regions.
Distribution Methods—We market our irrigation machines, technology offerings, and service parts through
independent dealers. There are approximately 270 dealer locations in North America, with another approximately 400 dealers
serving international markets in over 60 countries. The dealer determines the grower’s requirements, designs the
configuration of the machine, installs the machine (including providing ancillary products that deliver water and electrical
power to the machine) and provides after‑sales service. Our dealer network is supported and trained by our technical and
sales teams. Our international dealers are supported through our regional headquarters in South America, South Africa,
Western Europe, Australia, China and the United Arab Emirates as well as the home office in Valley, Nebraska.
General
Certain information generally applicable to each of our four reportable segments is set forth below.
Suppliers and Availability of Raw Materials.
Hot rolled steel coil and plate, zinc and other carbon steel products are the primary raw materials utilized in the
manufacture of finished products for all segments. We purchase these essential items from steel mills, steel service centers,
and zinc producers and these materials are usually readily available. While we may experience increased lead times to acquire
materials and volatility in our purchase costs, we do not believe that key raw materials would be unavailable for extended
periods. We have not experienced extended or wide-spread shortages of steel in the past several years, due to what we believe
are strong relationships with some of the major steel producers. In the past several years, we experienced volatility in zinc
and natural gas prices, but we did not experience any disruptions to our operations due to availability.
Patents, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions.
We have a number of patents for our manufacturing machinery, poles, highway guardrail, and irrigation designs. We
also have a number of registered trademarks. We do not believe the loss of any individual patent or trademark would have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
8
Seasonal Factors in Business.
Sales can be somewhat seasonal based upon the agricultural growing season and the infrastructure construction
season. Sales of mechanized irrigation equipment to farmers are traditionally higher during the spring and fall and lower in
the summer. Sales of infrastructure products are traditionally higher in the summer and fall and lower in the winter.
Customers.
We are not dependent for a material part of any segment’s business upon a single customer or upon very few
customers. The loss of any one customer would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of
operations or liquidity.
Backlog.
The backlog of orders for the principal products manufactured and marketed was $1,621.9 million at the end of the
2021 fiscal year and $1,139.1 million at the end of the 2020 fiscal year. An order is reported in our backlog upon receipt of a
purchase order from the customer or execution of a sales order contract. We anticipate that most of the 2021 backlog of
orders will be filled during fiscal year 2022. At year-end, the segments with backlog were as follows (dollar amounts in
millions):
Engineered Support Structures
Utility Support Structures
Irrigation
Coatings
12/25/2021
12/26/2020
$
$
376.9 $
773.9
471.0
0.1
1,621.9 $
247.1
563.3
328.3
0.4
1,139.1
Environmental Disclosure.
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to environmental protection and the
discharge of materials into the environment. Although we continually incur expenses and make capital expenditures related to
environmental protection, we do not anticipate that future expenditures should materially impact our financial condition,
results of operations, or liquidity.
Number of Employees.
At December 25, 2021, we had 11,041 employees.
Human Capital Resources.
Our policies and practices with respect to human capital resources are generally set forth in our Code of Business
Conduct, our Human Rights Policy, and the principles described on the “About Us” page on our website www.valmont.com.
Essential to our success is a company-wide commitment to customer service and innovation, and the ability to be the best
cost producer for all products and services we provide. Our employees are the cornerstone of our accomplishments, we pride
ourselves on being people of passion and integrity who excel and deliver results. Our Code of Business Conduct and our
culture require each employee to act responsibly and to treat each other fairly and with the utmost respect.
Our businesses require skilled workers and management in order to meet our customer’s needs, grow our sales and
maintain competitive advantages. We require employees with skills in engineering, welding, equipment maintenance and the
operation of complex manufacturing machinery. Management talent is critical as well, to help grow our businesses and
effectively plan for succession of key employees upon retirement.
9
At December 25, 2021 we had approximately 6,080 employees in the United States and 4,959 employees in foreign
countries. The Company places a high value on diversity and inclusion, encouraging employees with diverse backgrounds
and experiences who share a common interest in profitable development, improving corporate culture, and delivering
sustainable business results.
We have adopted a Human Rights Policy which is published on our website. We expect our employees, suppliers,
vendors, dealers and distributors to share our commitment to human rights. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of age,
race, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender
identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are committed to voluntary employment, and we strictly prohibit all forms of compulsory labor, including child
labor, forced labor, slavery and human trafficking. We respect internally recognized human rights standards, and this policy
is guided by the U.N. Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.
We require full compliance with applicable, wage, work hours, overtime and benefit laws. We are committed to
creating a culture where a healthy and safe workplace is recognized by everyone as essential to our success. Any employee
can always contact our compliance officer, and confidential reporting of a situation or to ask a question is available on a
secure website maintained by a third party. Employees are eligible for health insurance, paid and unpaid leaves, retirement
plan and life and disability / accident coverage.
When positions come open at Valmont, we try first to fill them from within. We like to reward the hard-working
members of our Valmont family with new opportunities that are not only a chance to expand their worlds, but to also
recognize and reward their dedication. We have found them to be our richest talent resource.
Our program for succession and management development has our highest level of attention with our CEO
responsible for reporting on the program directly to our board of directors.
For additional information, please see the “About Us” and "Sustainability" pages on our website and section titled
“Governance, Human Capital and Sustainability Highlights” in the Company’s 2022 Proxy Statement.
(d)
Available Information
We make available, free of charge on the Investors page of our website at www.valmont.com, our annual report on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such
material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The following risk factors describe various risks that may affect our business, financial condition and operations.
Economic and Business Risks
The ultimate consumers of our products operate in cyclical industries that have been subject to significant downturns
which have adversely impacted our sales in the past and may again in the future.
Our sales are sensitive to the market conditions present in the industries in which the ultimate consumers of our
products operate, which in some cases have been highly cyclical and subject to substantial downturns. For example, a
significant portion of our sales of support structures is to the electric utility industry. Our sales to the U.S. electric utility
industry were over $750 million in 2021. Purchases of our products are deferrable to the extent that utilities may reduce
capital expenditures for reasons such as unfavorable regulatory environments, a slow U.S. economy or financing constraints.
In the event of weakness in the demand for utility structures due to reduced or delayed spending for electrical generation and
transmission projects, our sales and operating income likely will decrease.
The end users of our mechanized irrigation equipment are farmers. Accordingly, economic changes within the
agriculture industry, particularly the level of farm income, may affect sales of these products. From time to time, lower levels
of farm income resulted in reduced demand for our mechanized irrigation and tubing products. Farm income decreases when
10
commodity prices, acreage planted, crop yields, government subsidies and export levels decrease. In addition, weather
conditions, such as extreme drought may result in reduced availability of water for irrigation, and can affect farmers’ buying
decisions. Farm income can also decrease as farmers’ operating costs increase. Increases in oil and natural gas prices result in
higher costs of energy and nitrogen‑based fertilizer (which uses natural gas as a major ingredient).
Furthermore, uncertainty as to future government agricultural policies may cause indecision on the part of farmers.
The status and trend of government farm supports, financing aids and policies regarding the ability to use water for
agricultural irrigation can affect the demand for our irrigation equipment. In the United States, certain parts of the country are
considering policies that would restrict usage of water for irrigation. All of these factors may cause farmers to delay capital
expenditures for farm equipment. Consequently, downturns in the agricultural industry will likely result in a slower, and
possibly a negative, rate of growth in irrigation equipment and tubing sales. As of December 2021, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (the “USDA”) estimated U.S. 2021 net farm income to be $116.8 billion, an increase of 23 percent from the
USDA’s estimated U.S. 2020 net farm income of $94.8 billion. The increase is primarily related to an increase in cash
receipts from crops and livestock that is offsetting a portion of the decrease in government support payments. If estimates
hold, U.S. net farm income in 2021 will be the highest level since 2013.
We have also experienced cyclical demand for those of our products that we sell to the wireless communications
industry. Sales of wireless structures and components to wireless carriers and build-to-suit companies that serve the wireless
communications industry have historically been cyclical. These customers may elect to curtail spending on new capacity to
focus on cash flow and capital management. Changes in the competitive structure of the wireless industry, due to industry
consolidation or reorganization, may interrupt capital plans of the wireless carriers as they assess their networks.
The engineered access systems product lines are partially dependent on investment spending by our customers in the
oil, natural gas, and other mined mineral exploration industries, most specifically in the Asia Pacific region. During periods
of continued low oil and natural gas prices, these customers may elect to curtail spending on new exploration sites which will
cause us to experience lower demand for these specific product lines.
Due to the cyclical nature of these markets, we have experienced, and in the future we may experience, significant
fluctuations in our sales and operating income with respect to a substantial portion of our total product offering, and such
fluctuations could be material and adverse to our overall financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
Changes in prices and reduced availability of key commodities such as steel, aluminum, zinc, natural gas and fuel may
increase our operating costs and likely reduce our net sales and profitability.
Hot rolled steel coil and other carbon steel products have historically constituted approximately one-third of the cost
of manufacturing our products. We also use large quantities of aluminum for lighting structures and zinc for the galvanization
of most of our steel products. Our facilities use large quantities of natural gas for heating and processing tanks in our
galvanizing operations. We use gasoline and diesel fuel to transport raw materials to our locations and to deliver finished
goods to our customers. The markets for these commodities can be volatile. The following factors increase the cost and
reduce the availability of these commodities:
•
•
•
•
•
increased demand, which occurs when we and other industries require greater quantities of these commodities,
which can result in higher prices and lengthen the time it takes to receive these commodities from suppliers;
lower production levels of these commodities, due to reduced production capacities or shortages of materials
needed to produce these commodities (such as coke and scrap steel for the production of steel) which could
result in reduced supplies of these commodities, higher costs for us and increased lead times;
increased cost of major inputs, such as scrap steel, coke, iron ore and energy;
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates can impact the relative cost of these commodities, which may affect the
cost effectiveness of imported materials and limit our options in acquiring these commodities; and
international trade disputes, import duties, tariffs, and quotas, since we import some steel and aluminum
finished components/products for various product lines.
11
Increases in the selling prices of our products may not fully recover higher commodity costs and generally lag
increases in our costs of these commodities. Consequently, an increase in these commodities will increase our operating costs
and likely reduce our profitability.
Rising steel prices in 2021 put pressure on gross profit margins, especially in our Utility Support Structures segment.
The elapsed time between the release of a customer's purchase order and the manufacturing of the product ordered can be
several months. As some of the sales in the Engineered Support Structures and Utility Support Structures segments are fixed
price contracts, rapid increases in steel costs likely will result in lower operating income. Steel prices for both hot rolled coil
and plate can also decrease substantially in a given period, which occurred in North America in 2019. Decreases in our
product sales pricing and volumes offset the increase in gross profit realized from the lower steel prices. Steel is most
significant for our Utility Support Structures segment where the cost of steel has been approximately 50% of the net sales, on
average. Assuming a similar sales mix, a hypothetical 20% change in the price of steel would have affected our net sales
from our utility support structures segment by approximately $75 million for the year ended December 25, 2021.
We believe the volatility over the past several years was due to significant increases in global steel production and
rapid changes in consumption (especially in rapidly growing economies, such as China and India). The speed with which
steel suppliers impose price increases on us may prevent us from fully recovering these price increases particularly in our
lighting and traffic and utility businesses. In the same respect, rapid decreases in the price of steel can also result in reduced
operating margins in our utility businesses due to the long production lead times.
Demand for our infrastructure products including coating services is highly dependent upon the overall level of
infrastructure spending.
We manufacture and distribute engineered infrastructure products for lighting and traffic, utility and other specialty
applications. Our Coatings segments serve many construction‑related industries. Because these products are used primarily in
infrastructure construction, sales in these businesses are highly correlated with the level of construction activity, which
historically has been cyclical. Construction activity by our private and government customers is affected by and can decline
because of, a number of factors, including (but not limited to):
•
•
•
weakness in the general economy, which may negatively affect tax revenues, resulting in reduced funds
available for construction;
interest rate increases, which increase the cost of construction financing; and
adverse weather conditions which slow construction activity.
The current economic uncertainty in the United States and Europe will have some negative effect on our business. In
our North American lighting product line, some of our lighting structure sales are for new residential and commercial areas.
When residential and commercial construction is weak, we have experienced some negative impact on our light pole sales to
these markets. In a broader sense, in the event of an overall downturn in the economies in Europe, Australia or China, we
may experience decreased demand if our customers in these countries have difficulty securing credit for their purchases from
us.
In addition, sales in our Engineered Support Structures segment, particularly our lighting, traffic and highway safety
products, are highly dependent upon federal, state, local and foreign government spending on infrastructure development
projects, such as the U.S. federal highway funding. The level of spending on such projects may decline for a number of
reasons beyond our control, including, among other things, budgetary constraints affecting government spending generally or
transportation agencies in particular, decreases in tax revenues and changes in the political climate, including legislative
delays, with respect to infrastructure appropriations.
12
We are subject to currency fluctuations from our international sales, which can negatively impact our reported earnings.
We sell our products in many countries around the world. Approximately 35% of our fiscal 2021 sales were in
markets outside the United States and are often made in foreign currencies, mainly the Australian dollar, euro, Brazilian real,
Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi and South African rand. Because our financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars,
fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies have had and will continue to have an
impact on our reported earnings. If the U.S. dollar weakens or strengthens versus the foreign currencies mentioned above, the
result will be an increase or decrease in our reported sales and earnings, respectively. Currency fluctuations have affected our
financial performance in the past and may affect our financial performance in any given period. In cases where local
currencies are strong, the relative cost of goods imported from outside our country of operation becomes lower and affects
our ability to compete profitably in our home markets.
We also face risks arising from the imposition of foreign exchange controls and currency devaluations. Exchange
controls may limit our ability to convert foreign currencies into U.S. dollars or to remit dividends and other payments by our
foreign subsidiaries or businesses located in or conducted within a country imposing controls. Currency devaluations result in
a diminished value of funds denominated in the currency of the country instituting the devaluation. Actions of this nature
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition in any given period.
COVID-19 has impacted and is expected to continue to impact our business, including the supply chain, product demand,
logistics, and facility operations and the duration, unknown at this time, of the challenges associated with the virus may
result in significant adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
COVID-19 impacted and may continue to impact our business, including the normal operations of our facilities,
overall demand for our products, changes to supply chain availability and costs, logistics delays, including temporary
closures as may be mandated or otherwise made necessary by governmental authorities, and any additional carryover of
economic effects. All of our operations may be affected by COVID-19 isolation measures. We have implemented domestic
and international travel restrictions for our employees, and thousands of our employees are expected to continue to work
remotely through the height of this pandemic.
Our businesses support critical infrastructure sectors as defined by the Department of Homeland Security
(CISA.gov) and similar global agencies. These sectors are deemed vital, such that their incapacitation would have a
debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety or any combination thereof.
The duration of the virus outbreak continues to be evaluated by governments and experts and as a consequence we
cannot at this time determine the overall ultimate impact on the Company. The extent of the impact will depend on future
developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. The duration, unknown at this time, of the challenges
associated with the virus may result in significant adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of
operations.
In addition to the discussion above of Economic and Business Risks, please see our further discussion on interest
rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices included in “MARKET RISK” within "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 in this report.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We may lose some of our foreign investment or our foreign sales and profits may decline because of risks of doing
business in foreign markets, including trade relations and tariffs.
We are an international manufacturing company with operations around the world. At December 25, 2021, we
operated over 80 manufacturing plants, located on six continents, and sold our products in more than 100 countries. In 2021,
approximately 34% of our net sales were either sold in markets or produced by our manufacturing plants outside of North
America (primarily the United States, Canada, and Mexico). We have operations in geographic markets that have recently
experienced political instability, such as the Middle East, and economic uncertainty, such as Western Europe, and health
issues, such as the outbreak and spread of coronavirus in China. Our geographic diversity also requires that we hire, train and
retain competent management for the various local markets.
Demand for our products and our profitability are affected by trade relations between countries. We also have a
significant manufacturing presence in Australia, Europe and China. These operations are affected by U.S. trade policies, such
13
as additional tariffs on a broad range of imports, and retaliatory actions by foreign countries, most recently China, which have
impacted sales of our products. In addition, there can be a derived indirect impact on demand for our products arising from
quotas, restrictions, and retaliatory tariffs (e.g. China tariffs on imported soybeans affects U.S. net farm income).
We expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of our net sales in the future.
Accordingly, our foreign business operations and our foreign sales and profits are subject to the following potential risks:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
political and economic instability, resulting in the reduction of the value of, or the loss of, our investment;
recessions in economies of countries in which we have business operations, decreasing our international sales;
natural disasters and public health issues in our geographic markets, negatively impacting our workforce,
manufacturing capability, and sales;
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing our foreign operations, increasing our foreign operating costs and
decreasing profits;
potential violation of local laws or unsanctioned management actions that could affect our profitability or ability
to compete in certain markets;
difficulties in enforcing our rights outside the United States for patents on our manufacturing machinery, poles
and irrigation designs;
increases in tariffs, export controls, taxes and other trade barriers reducing our international sales and our profit
on these sales; and
acts of war or terrorism.
As a result, we may lose some of our foreign investment or our foreign sales and profits may be materially reduced
because of risks of doing business in foreign markets.
Design patent litigation related to guardrails could reduce demand for such products and raise litigation risk.
Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in India, New Zealand, and Australia manufacture highway safety
products, primarily for sale in non-U.S. markets, and license certain design patents related to guardrails to third parties.
There are currently domestic U.S. product liability lawsuits against some companies that manufacture and install certain
guardrail products. Such lawsuits, some of which have at times involved a foreign subsidiary based on its design patent, could
lead to a decline in demand for such products or approval for use of such products by government purchasers both
domestically and internationally, and potentially raise litigation risk for foreign subsidiaries and negatively impact their sales
and license fees.
Failure to comply with any applicable anti-corruption legislation could result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse
effect on our business.
We must comply with all applicable laws, which include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK
Bribery Act or other anti-corruption laws. These anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries
from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence government officials or private
individuals for the purpose of obtaining or retaining a business advantage regardless of whether those practices are legal or
culturally expected in a particular jurisdiction. Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the global enforcement of
anti-corruption laws. Although we have a compliance program in place designed to reduce the likelihood of potential
violations of such laws, violations of these laws could result in criminal or civil sanctions and an adverse effect on the
company’s reputation, business and results of operations and financial condition.
14
We could incur substantial costs as the result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws.
Our facilities and operations are subject to U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to the protection of the
environment, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of
hazardous substances and wastes, and the cleanup of contamination. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or
with the permits required for our operations, could result in fines or civil or criminal sanctions, third party claims for property
damage or personal injury, and investigation and cleanup costs. Potentially significant expenditures could be required in order
to comply with environmental laws that regulators may adopt or impose in the future.
Certain of our facilities have been in operation for many years and, over time, we and other predecessor operators of
these facilities have generated, used, handled and disposed of hazardous and other regulated wastes. We detected
contaminants at some of our present and former sites, principally in connection with historical operations. In addition, from
time to time we have been named as a potentially responsible party under Superfund or similar state laws. While we are not
aware of any contaminated sites that are not provided for in our financial statements, including third‑party sites, at which we
may have material obligations, the discovery of additional contaminants or the imposition of additional cleanup obligations at
these sites could result in significant liability beyond amounts provided for in our financial statements.
Liquidity and Capital Recourses Risk
We have, from time to time, maintained a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness, which could impair our ability
to operate our business and react to changes in our business, remain in compliance with debt covenants and make
payments on our debt.
As of December 25, 2021, we had $965.4 million of total indebtedness outstanding. We had $590.5 million of
capacity to borrow under our revolving credit facility at December 25, 2021. We normally borrow money to make business
acquisitions and major capital expenditures. From time to time, our borrowings have been significant. Our level of
indebtedness could have important consequences, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
our ability to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements could be affected and any failure to comply with
the requirements, including significant financial and other restrictive covenants, of any of our debt agreements
and could result in an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness;
a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations will be required to make interest and principal payments
and will not be available for operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansion, or general corporate
and other purposes, including possible future acquisitions that we believe would be beneficial to our business;
our ability to obtain additional financing in the future may be impaired;
we may be more highly leveraged than our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;
our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry may be limited; and
our degree of leverage may make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business, our industry or
the economy in general.
We had $177 million of cash at December 25, 2021. Approximately 96% of our consolidated cash balances are
outside the United States and most of our interest‑bearing debt is borrowed by U.S. entities. In the event that we would have
to repatriate cash from international operations to meet cash needs in the U.S., we may be subject to legal, contractual or
other restrictions. In addition, as we use cash for acquisitions and other purposes, any of these factors could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects.
The restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements could limit our ability to obtain future financings, make
needed capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business, or the economy in general, or otherwise conduct
necessary corporate activities. These covenants may prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise.
A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the applicable debt agreement. A default, if not
waived, could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the agreement and in a default with respect to, and
acceleration of, the debt outstanding under our other debt agreements. The accelerated debt would become immediately due
15
and payable. If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if
new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are favorable to us.
We assumed an underfunded pension liability as part of the 2010 Delta acquisition and the combined company may be
required to increase funding of the plan and/or be subject to restrictions on the use of excess cash.
Delta is the sponsor of a United Kingdom defined benefit pension plan that, as of December 25, 2021, covered
approximately 6,500 inactive or retired former Delta employees. The plan has no active employees as members. At
December 25, 2021, this plan was, for accounting purposes, underfunded by approximately £0.3 million ($0.5 million). The
current agreement with the trustees of the pension plan for annual funding is approximately £13.1 million ($17.5 million) in
respect of the funding shortfall and approximately £1.3 million ($1.7 million) in respect of administrative expenses. Although
this funding obligation was considered in the acquisition price for the Delta shares, the underfunded position may adversely
affect the combined company as follows:
•
•
Laws and regulations in the United Kingdom normally require the plan trustees and us to agree on a new
funding plan every three years. The next funding plan will be developed in 2022. Changes in actuarial
assumptions, including future discount, inflation and interest rates, investment returns and mortality rates, may
increase the underfunded position of the pension plan and cause the combined company to increase its funding
levels in the pension plan to cover underfunded liabilities.
The United Kingdom regulates the pension plan and the trustees represent the interests of covered workers.
Laws and regulations, under certain circumstances, could create an immediate funding obligation to the pension
plan which could be significantly greater than the £0.3 million ($0.5 million) assumed for accounting purposes
as of December 25, 2021. Such immediate funding is calculated by reference to the cost of buying out liabilities
on the insurance market, and could affect our ability to fund the Company’s future growth of the business or
finance other obligations.
General Risks
Our businesses require skilled labor and management talent and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified
employees.
Our businesses require skilled factory workers and management in order to meet our customer’s needs, grow our
sales and maintain competitive advantages. Skills such as welding, equipment maintenance and operating complex
manufacturing machinery may be in short supply in certain geographic areas, leading to shortages of skilled labor and/or
increased labor costs. Management talent is critical as well, to help grow our businesses and effectively plan for succession of
key employees upon retirement. In some geographic areas, skilled management talent for certain positions may be difficult to
find. To the extent we have difficulty in finding and retaining these skills in the workforce, there may be an adverse effect on
our ability to grow profitably in the future.
We face strong competition in our markets.
We face competitive pressures from a variety of companies in each of the markets we serve. Our competitors
include companies who provide the technologies that we provide as well as companies who provide competing technologies,
such as drip irrigation. Our competitors include international, national, and local manufacturers, some of whom may have
greater financial, manufacturing, marketing and technical resources than we do, or greater penetration in or familiarity with a
particular geographic market than we have.
In addition, certain of our competitors, particularly with respect to our utility and wireless communication product
lines, have sought bankruptcy protection in recent years, and may emerge with reduced debt service obligations, which could
allow them to operate at pricing levels that put pressures on our margins. Some of our customers have moved manufacturing
operations or product sourcing overseas, which can negatively impact our sales of galvanizing and anodizing services.
To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in manufacturing, product development and customer
service, and we may need to reduce our prices, particularly with respect to customers in industries that are experiencing
downturns. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to maintain our competitive position in each of the markets that
we serve.
16
We may not realize the improved operating results that we anticipate from acquisitions we may make in the future, and we
may experience difficulties in integrating the acquired businesses or may inherit significant liabilities related to such
businesses.
We explore opportunities to acquire businesses that we believe are related to our core competencies from time to
time, some of which may be material to us. We expect such acquisitions will produce operating results better than those
historically experienced or presently expected to be experienced in the future by us in the absence of the acquisition. We
cannot provide assurance that this assumption will prove correct with respect to any acquisition.
For example, in 2021, we acquired Prospera Technology Ltd, an integrated artificial intelligence (AI) technologies
company that provides real-time crop analysis and anomaly detection solutions in agricultural fields. To provide these
services, Prospera develops algorithms that can detect, with a high accuracy, field anomalies caused by pests, disease or water
issues. We store, process and transmit agricultural field data. A failure to integrate innovative acquisitions such as Prospera
could negatively impact future growth in our technology sales.
Any future acquisitions may present significant challenges for our management due to the time and resources
required to properly integrate management, employees, information systems, accounting controls, personnel and
administrative functions of the acquired business with those of Valmont and to manage the combined company on a going
forward basis. We may not be able to completely integrate and streamline overlapping functions or, if such activities are
successfully accomplished, such integration may be more costly to accomplish than presently contemplated. We may also
have difficulty in successfully integrating the product offerings of Valmont and acquired businesses to improve our collective
product offering. Our efforts to integrate acquired businesses could be affected by a number of factors beyond our control,
including general economic conditions. In addition, the process of integrating acquired businesses could cause the
interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our existing business. The diversion of management’s attention and
any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the integration of acquired businesses could adversely impact our
business, results of operations and liquidity, and the benefits we anticipate may never materialize. These factors are relevant
to any acquisition we undertake.
In addition, although we conduct reviews of businesses we acquire, we may be subject to unexpected claims or
liabilities, including environmental cleanup costs, as a result of these acquisitions. Such claims or liabilities could be costly to
defend or resolve and be material in amount, and thus could materially and adversely affect our business and results of
operations and liquidity.
We may incur significant warranty or contract management costs.
In our Utility Support Structures segment, we manufacture large structures for electrical transmission. These
products may be highly engineered for very large, complex contracts and subject to terms and conditions that penalize us for
late delivery and result in consequential and compensatory damages. From time to time, we may have a product quality issue
on a large utility structures order and the costs of curing that issue may be significant. Our products in the Engineered
Support Structures segment include structures for a wide range of outdoor lighting, traffic, and wireless communication
applications.
Our Irrigation products carry warranty provisions, some of which may span several years. In the event we have
wide-spread product reliability issues with certain components, we may be required to incur significant costs to remedy the
situation.
Our operations could be adversely affected if our information technology systems are compromised or otherwise subjected
to cyber crimes.
Cyber crime continually increases in sophistication and may pose a significant risk to the security of our information
technology systems and networks, which if breached could materially adversely affect the confidentiality, availability and
integrity of our data. Our operations involve transferring data across national borders, and we must comply with increasingly
complex and rigorous standards to protect business and personal data in the U.S. and foreign countries, including members of
the European Union. Additionally, our operations also include innovative technologies, such as Prospera Technology Ltd, an
integrated AI technologies company. Successful cybersecurity attacks or other security incidents could result in the loss of
key innovations in artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), or other disruptive technologies; the loss of access to critical
data or systems through ransomware, crypto mining, destructive attacks, or other means; and business delays, service or
system disruptions or denials of service. We protect our sensitive information and confidential personal data, our facilities
17
and information technology systems, but we may be vulnerable to future security breaches. This could lead to legal risk,
fines and penalties, negative publicity, theft, modification or destruction of proprietary information or key information,
manufacture of defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions, which could adversely affect our
reputation, competitiveness and results of operations.
Regulatory and business developments regarding climate change could adversely impact our operations and demand for
our products.
Regulatory and business developments regarding climate change could adversely impact our operations. We follow
the scientific discussion on climate change and related legislative and regulatory enactments, including those under
consideration, to deliberate the potential impact on our operations and demand for our products. The scientific discussion on
the presence and scope of climate change and the attention that domestic and international legislatures and regulatory
authorities have given to enacting or considering laws or rules related to climate change are expected to continue. The
production and market for our products are subject to the impact of laws and rules related to climate change. Our customers,
and our operating segments, are exposed to risks of increased costs to comply with such laws and rules, including increased
costs for raw materials and transportation, as well as exposure to damage to our respective business reputations upon any
failure of compliance. Other adverse consequences of climate change could include an increased frequency of severe weather
events and rising sea levels that could affect operations at our manufacturing facilities, the price of insuring company assets,
or other unforeseen disruptions of the Company’s operations, systems, property, or equipment.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
In the second quarter of 2021, we moved our corporate headquarters to a new leased facility in Omaha, Nebraska,
under a lease expiring in 2046. The Company’s reportable segments are located at the corporate headquarters. We also
maintain a management headquarters in Sydney, Australia. Most of our significant manufacturing locations are owned or are
subject to long-term renewable leases. Our principal manufacturing locations are in Valley, Nebraska, McCook, Nebraska,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brenham, Texas, Charmeil, France, Monterrey, Mexico, Siedlce, Poland, and Shanghai, China. All of these
facilities are owned by us. We believe that our manufacturing capabilities and capacities are adequate for us to effectively
serve our customers. Our capital spending programs consist of investment for replacement, achieving operational efficiencies
and expanding capacities where needed. Our principal operating locations by reportable segment are listed below.
Engineered Support Structures segment North America manufacturing locations are in Nebraska, Texas, Alabama,
Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, Arizona and Canada. The largest of these operations are in Valley,
Nebraska and Brenham, Texas, both of which are owned facilities. We have communication components distribution
locations in New York, California, Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Georgia, and Texas. International locations are in France,
the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, England, Germany, Poland, Morocco, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand,
Malaysia, India and China. The largest of these operations are in Charmeil, France and Shanghai, China, both of which are
owned facilities.
Utility Support Structures segment North America manufacturing locations are in Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
California, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas, Nebraska and Mexico. The largest of these operations are in Tulsa,
Oklahoma and Monterrey, Mexico. The Tulsa and Monterrey facilities are owned. The largest principal international
manufacturing location is Denmark which is owned and there are also manufacturing locations in China, Italy and India.
Coatings segment North America operations include U.S. operations located in Nebraska, California, Minnesota,
Iowa, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Florida and South
Carolina and two locations near Toronto, Canada. International operations are located in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia,
the Philippines and India.
Irrigation segment North America manufacturing operations are located in Valley, Nebraska, McCook, Nebraska
and Indiana. Our principal manufacturing operations serving international markets are located in Uberaba, Brazil, Jebel Ali,
18
United Arab Emirates, Shandong, China and a technology R&D center in Israel. All facilities are owned except for China and
Israel, which are leased.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are not a party to, nor are any of our properties subject to, any material legal proceedings. We are, from time to
time, engaged in routine litigation incidental to our businesses.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not Applicable.
Information about our Executive Officers
Our current executive officers, their ages, positions held, and the business experience of each during the past five
years are, as follows:
Stephen G. Kaniewski, age 50, President and Chief Executive Officer since December 31, 2017, previously
President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2016. Utility Support Structures Group President, August 2015
to October 2016. Vice President of Global Operations for the Irrigation segment in 2014.
Avner M. Applbaum, age 50, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2020. Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Double E Company, an equipment manufacturer from 2017 to
March 2020. Chief Financial Officer of Aerostar Aerospace, a manufacturer of high-complexity parts from 2016 to
2017.
Diane Larkin, age 57, Executive Vice President Global Operations since June 2020. Senior Vice President of
Operations and Global Supply for Pentair from 2017 to 2020. She held other operational leadership roles at Pentair
from 2009 to 2017.
Aaron Schapper, age 48, Executive Vice President, Infrastructure since February 2020. Utility Support Structures
Group President October 2016 to February 2020. General Manager, International Irrigation, October 2011 to
October 2016.
Renee L. Campbell, age 52, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer since February 2022. Vice
President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications 2017 - 2022. Director of Global Treasury, Intrado
(formerly West Corporation) 2016-2017.
Timothy P. Francis, age 45, Senior Vice President and Controller since June 2014.
T. Mitchell Parnell, age 56, Senior Vice President Human Resources since January 2019. Vice President Human
Resources, Valmont Engineered Support Structures 2016 - 2018.
Claudio O. Laterreur, age 55, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since May 2019. US Industrial
Products Partner at IBM and North America Vice President for manufacturing at Neoris, from 2013 to 2019.
R. Andrew Massey, age 52, Vice President and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer since 2006.
Ellen S. Dasher, age 52, Vice President Global Taxation since December 2015, previously Assistant Director of
Taxation.
19
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VMI”. We had approximately
25,765 shareholders of common stock at December 25, 2021.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a)
Total Number
of
Shares
Purchased
(b)
Average Price
paid per share
(c)
Total Number
of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
(d)
Approximate Dollar
Value of Maximum
Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
— $
8,777
—
—
227.22
—
— $
8,777
—
123,856,000
121,862,000
121,862,000
121,862,000
Period
September 26, 2021 to October 23, 2021 ......
October 24, 2021 to November 27, 2021 .....
November 28, 2021 to December 25, 2021 ..
Total ..............................................................
8,777 $
227.22
8,777 $
On May 13, 2014, we announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered both the quarterly dividend rate as
well as a share repurchase program. The Board of Directors at that time 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 additional purchases of up to $250 million of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration
date bringing total authorization to $1.0 billion. As of December 25, 2021, we have acquired 6,475,406 shares for
approximately $878.0 million under this share repurchase program.
20
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATION.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Forward‑Looking Statements
Management’s discussion and analysis, and other sections of this annual report, contain forward‑looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward‑looking statements are based on
assumptions that management has made in light of experience in the industries in which the Company operates, as well as
management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors believed to
be appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks,
uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions. Management believes that these
forward‑looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. Many factors could affect the Company’s actual financial
results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward‑looking statements. These factors include,
among other things, risk factors described from time to time in the Company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as well as future economic and market circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial
results, operating efficiencies, availability and price of raw materials, availability and market acceptance of new products,
product pricing, domestic and international competitive environments, and actions and policy changes of domestic and
foreign governments.
The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment
and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial position. This discussion should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes.
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2021 and 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between
2021 and 2020. Discussions of 2019 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2020 and 2019 that are not included in this
Form 10-K can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" in
Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
21
General
Consolidated
2021
2020
Change
2021 - 2020
2019
Change
2020 - 2019
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts
$ 2,895.4
20.9 % $ 2,767.0
Net sales ........................................................................................................... $ 3,501.6
Gross profit .......................................................................................................
883.9
as a percent of sales
.................................................................................
SG&A expense .................................................................................................
as a percent of sales
.................................................................................
Operating income .............................................................................................
as a percent of sales
.................................................................................
Net interest expense .........................................................................................
Effective tax rate ..............................................................................................
25.2 %
597.1
17.1 %
286.8
8.2 %
41.4
23.6 %
765.5
26.4 %
539.6
18.6 %
225.9
7.8 %
38.7
25.7 %
4.6 %
12.1 %
15.5 %
682.7
24.7 %
10.7 %
454.8
18.6 %
16.4 %
27.0 %
227.9
(0.9) %
8.2 %
7.0 %
36.2
6.9 %
23.9 %
(3.9) %
(2.4) %
13.2 %
12.2 %
9.8 %
14.8 %
(1.9) %
18.5 %
26.1 %
(0.5) %
(10.3) %
(8.3) %
0.5 %
(15.7) %
10.6 %
14.8 %
14.0 %
15.9 %
— %
37.6 %
37.6 %
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc .......................................
195.6
140.7
39.0 %
146.4
Diluted earnings per share ................................................................................ $
9.10
$
6.57
38.5 % $
6.73
Utility Support Structures Segment
Net sales ........................................................................................................... $ 1,121.0
Gross profit .......................................................................................................
197.1
SG&A expense .................................................................................................
Operating income .............................................................................................
129.5
67.6
$ 1,002.2
11.9 % $
885.6
210.4
109.6
100.8
(6.3) %
187.6
18.2 %
(32.9) %
99.8
87.8
$
983.5
8.2 % $ 1,002.1
271.4
206.1
65.3
269.6
86.4
43.4
43.0
$
9.1 %
229.0
(12.4) %
163.4
76.9 %
65.6
10.9 % $
6.7 %
300.6
94.2
(3.5) %
17.0 %
43.2
51.0
$
640.1
58.9 % $
578.7
197.3
114.2
83.1
—
66.3
50.9 %
171.9
40.6 %
100.2
65.0 %
71.7
—
$
—
27.5 %
48.2
(66.3)
26.2 %
(48.2)
Engineered Support Structures Segment
Net sales ........................................................................................................... $ 1,064.4
Gross profit .......................................................................................................
296.1
SG&A expense .................................................................................................
Operating income .............................................................................................
Coatings Segment
Net sales ........................................................................................................... $
Gross profit .......................................................................................................
SG&A expense .................................................................................................
Operating income .............................................................................................
180.6
115.5
299.1
92.2
41.9
50.3
Irrigation Segment
Net sales ........................................................................................................... $ 1,017.1
Gross profit .......................................................................................................
297.7
SG&A expense .................................................................................................
Operating income .............................................................................................
Net corporate expense
Gross profit ....................................................................................................... $
SG&A expense .................................................................................................
Operating loss ...................................................................................................
160.6
137.1
0.8
$
84.5
(83.7)
22
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL 2021 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2020
Overview
The increase in net sales in 2021, as compared with 2020, was due to higher sales in all segments. The changes in
net sales in 2021, as compared with 2020, were as follows:
Sales - 2020
Volume
Pricing/mix
Acquisition
Currency translation
Total
Utility
ESS
Coatings
Irrigation
$ 2,895.3 $ 1,002.1 $
983.5 $
269.6 $
241.4
321.3
10.9
32.7
44.6
69.7
2.2
2.4
(29.6)
(0.4)
85.5
—
25.0
21.6
—
8.3
640.1
226.8
144.5
8.7
(3.0)
Sales - 2021
$ 3,501.6 $ 1,121.0 $ 1,064.4 $
299.1 $ 1,017.1
Volume effects are estimated based on a physical production or sales measure. Since products we sell are not
uniform in nature, pricing and mix relate to a combination of changes in sales prices and the attributes of the product sold.
Accordingly, pricing and mix changes do not necessarily result in operating income changes.
Average steel prices for both hot rolled coil and plate were higher in 2021, as compared to 2020, contributing to
higher cost of sales and lower gross profit margin for the Utility and Irrigation segments and the overall Company as raw
material cost inflation was not fully recovered through selling pricing mechanisms.
Items Impacting Comparability
Items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for 2021 included the following:
•
•
•
charges totaling pre-tax $27.9 million ($21.7 million after-tax) related to the impairment of the Offshore and other
complex steel structures long-lived assets. In addition, income tax expense of $5.1 million to establish a valuation
allowance related to the tax assets of the associated product line,
Stock based compensation expense of $5.2 million ($4.8 million after-tax) for the employees from the recently
acquired Prospera subsidiary, and
charges totaling $5.5 million ($4.3 million after-tax) related to the write-off of a receivable.
Items of note impacting the comparability of results from net earnings for 2020 included the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
charges totaling $16.6 million ($16.2 million after-tax) related to the impairment of goodwill and tradenames for the
Access Systems reporting unit (ESS segment),
charges totaling $23.1 million ($17.3 million after-tax) related to our 2020 restructuring plan.
Acquisitions
The Company acquired the following businesses in 2021 and 2020:
Prospera in the second quarter of 2021 for $300 million. Prospera is a privately-held Israeli-based artificial
intelligence company focused on machine learning and computer vision in agriculture (Irrigation),
PivoTrac in the second quarter of 2021 for $12.5 million. PivoTrac is an agricultural technology company that
offers solutions focused on remote monitoring of center pivot irrigation machines (Irrigation),
Energia Solar Do Brasil ("Solbras") in the second quarter of 2020 for $4.3 million. Solbras is a leading provider of
solar energy solutions for agriculture (Irrigation), and
Remaining 49% of AgSense LLC in the first quarter of 2020 for $44.0 million (Irrigation).
23
COVID-19 Impact on Financial Results and Liquidity
During 2020 and to a lesser extent in 2021, the effects of COVID and the related actions of governments and other
authorities to contain COVID affected and continue to affect the company’s operations, results, and cash flows. 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 were open and fully operational as of December 25,
2021. We continue to monitor incidence of COVID-19 on a continuous basis, particularly in areas reporting recent increases
in infection. To protect the safety, health and well-being of employees, customers, suppliers and communities, CDC and
WHO guidelines are being followed in all facilities.
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.
Fiscal 2020 Restructuring Plan
During 2020, the Company executed certain regional restructuring activities (the "2020 Plan") primarily in the ESS
and Utility segments and a U.S. specific early retirement program covering all segments. The increase in 2021 gross profit
and operating income due to the 2020 restructuring expense that did not recur in 2021 by segment is as follows:
Total
ESS
Utility
Coatings
Irrigation Corporate
Gross profit
Operating Income
$
$
6.8 $
23.1 $
1.0 $
7.6 $
4.2 $
6.6 $
1.6 $
3.9 $
— $
3.0 $
—
2.0
Currency Translation
In 2021, we realized a reduction in operating profit, as compared with fiscal 2020, due to currency translation
effects. The breakdown of this effect by segment was as follows:
Total
ESS
Utility
Coatings
Irrigation Corporate
Full year
$
0.9 $
1.4 $
(0.6) $
1.4 $
(0.3) $
(1)
Gross Profit, SG&A, and Operating Income
At a consolidated level, gross profit as a percent of sales was lower in 2021, as compared with 2020, due to higher
raw material costs which were partially offset by an increase in average selling prices across all segments. Gross profit
increased for the ESS, Coatings, and Irrigation segments in 2021, but was lower for the Utility segment which recognized a
$21.4 million impairment of property, plant, and equipment at the Offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit
during 2021.
The Company saw an increase in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense in 2021, as compared to
2020. The increase was primarily due to the SG&A attributed to the Prospera acquisition (acquired in May 2021) and higher
incentives and stock-based compensation due to improved operations, and the $5.5 million write off of an international
accounts receivable in the Utility segment. These increases in SG&A were partially offset by $16.3 million of restructuring
expense (mostly severance) recognized during 2020 that did not recur in 2021. Impairments of intangible assets (and
goodwill in 2020) of $6.5 million and $16.6 million were recognized in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Net Interest Expense and Debt
Net interest expense in 2021 was higher than 2020, due to higher average borrowings during the year. Interest
income was lower in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to lower interest rates.
24
Other Income/Expense
The change in other income/expenses in 2021, as compared to 2020, was due to an increase of approximately $7.3
million of income recognized from the Delta pension plan.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate in 2021 and 2020 was 23.6% and 25.7%, respectively. In 2021, the decrease in the
effective tax rate was the result of a U.S. tax benefit related to foreign taxes paid which was offset by a valuation allowance
recorded against the Offshore and other complex steel structures' deferred tax assets. In 2020, the effective tax rate was
impacted by the partial impairment of goodwill and tradename for the Access Systems business that was not fully tax
deductible.
Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests was comparable in 2021 with 2020.
Cash Flows from Operations
Our cash flows provided by operations was $65.9 million in fiscal 2021, as compared with $316.3 million provided
by operations in fiscal 2020. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2021, as compared with 2020, was due to the $289.9
million increase in inventory and the $69.3 million increase in accounts receivable partially offset by the increase in accounts
payable and accrued expenses of $119.3 million and the early payment (December 2020) of the required 2021 annual
contribution to the Delta pension plan that did not occur in 2021.
Engineered Support Structures (ESS) segment
Net sales were higher in 2021 as compared to 2020, primarily driven by an increase in average selling prices across
all product lines, and favorable foreign currency translation effects which offset the decrease in sales volumes for the lighting,
traffic, and highway product line. Sales amounts were higher for the communication products and access systems product
lines while comparable for lighting, traffic, and highway products' line year over year. Customer pricing actions were taken
across all product lines during 2021 to counter the significant inflation seen in materials, most specifically steel.
Lighting, traffic, and highway safety product sales in 2021 were $0.4 million higher, as compared to 2020. In North
America, sales decreased slightly as declines in volumes within the transportation markets were partially offset by increased
higher average selling pricing year over year. Lighting, traffic, and highway safety product sales in international markets
increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to favorable foreign currency translation effects of approximately $18 million,
slightly higher average selling prices, and slightly lower sales volumes.
Communication product line sales were higher by $50 million in 2021 as compared with 2020. In North America,
communication product sales volumes increased due to strong demand from 5G and other connectivity initiatives and an
increase in average selling prices. Communication product line sales within international markets increased modestly in 2021
mostly attributed to an increase in volume.
Access Systems product line net sales increased by $17.5 million in 2021, as compared to 2020. Favorable foreign
currency translation effects were approximately $6 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, with the majority of the remaining
increase in 2021 attributed to improved sales volumes.
Gross profit was higher in 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily from the sales volume increase in the
communication product line. SG&A was lower in 2021 versus 2020 due primarily to recording a partial goodwill and
tradename impairment for the Access Systems business of $16.6 million during 2020. Operating income increased in 2021
due the gross profit contribution from the increase in sales volumes and the lower SG&A due to the goodwill and tradename
impairment of the Access Systems business and other restructuring costs recognized in 2020 that did not recur in 2021.
Utility Support Structures (Utility) segment
In the Utility segment, sales increased in 2021, as compared with 2020, due primarily to an increase in average
selling prices for the steel structures product line. A number of our sales contracts in North America contain provisions that
25
tie the sales price to published steel index pricing at the time our customer issues their purchase order. Our average selling
prices for the steel structures product line were higher during the second half of 2021, as compared to 2020, reflecting the
significant inflation seen in the cost of steel during 2021.
Offshore and other complex steel structures sales was comparable in 2021 to 2020 and solar tracking solutions sales
decreased $23.5 million in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to a decrease in sales volumes attributed to less large projects.
Gross profit decreased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due primarily to the $21.4 million impairment of long-lived
asset for the offshore steel structures product line. SG&A expense was higher in 2021, as compared with 2020, primarily due
to $6.5 million of impairments of Offshore and other complex steel structures intangible assets and a $5.5 million write-off of
an account receivable. These increases in SG&A were partially offset by the 2020 restructuring actions, including the early
retirement program, which resulted in $2.5 million of expense during 2020 that did not recur in 2021. Operating income
decreased in 2021 primarily due to the $27.9 million impairment of long-lived assets for the Offshore and other complex steel
structures reporting unit.
Coatings segment
Coatings segment sales increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to higher average selling prices and favorable
foreign currency translation. In North America, higher average selling prices helped to counteract the higher cost of zinc that
incurred throughout the year. North America continued to see decreased industrial production attributed largely to the
economic impacts from COVID-19, but not to the severity of 2020. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales volumes improved in all
regions, primarily due to an increase in average sales price, higher volumes, and favorable foreign currency translation.
SG&A expense decreased in 2021, as compared to 2020. SG&A expense in 2020 included $2.4 million of non-
recurring costs related to closing down a Coatings location in North America and the early retirement program that did not
recur in 2021. Operating income was higher in 2021, compared to 2020, due to the higher average selling prices and foreign
currency translation in North America and Asia and the lower SG&A expense, partially offset by startup costs incurred in
2021 related to the new Pittsburgh facility.
Irrigation segment
Irrigation segment net sales increased in 2021, as compared to 2020, primarily due to higher sales volumes in almost
all markets, as well as higher average selling prices. Net sales also increased slightly due to the continuing increase in sales of
technology-related products and services, strengthened by our acquisitions of Prospera and PivoTrac. The sales increase for
international irrigation of $215.7 million was primarily due to deliveries on the multi-year Egypt project and higher sales
volumes in Brazil. In North America, higher sales volumes for irrigation systems and parts were driven by improved
agricultural commodity prices. Average selling prices for the North American tubular product line were up substantially in
2021, versus 2020, to reflect the inflation seen in the cost of steel during 2021.
SG&A was higher in 2021, as compared to 2020, due to approximately $20.0 million of SG&A from recently
acquired Prospera and PivoTrac, higher compensation costs, and higher incentives due to improved business performance.
These increases were somewhat offset by one-time costs associated with the early retirement program incurred in 2020.
Operating income increased in 2021 over 2020, as improved global sales volumes and pricing more than offset increases in
the cost of steel.
Net corporate expense
Corporate SG&A expense was higher in 2021 as compared to 2020. The increase can be attributed to higher
incentive expenses due to improved business performance, an increase in stock compensation expense, an increase in
acquisition diligence expense, as well as an increase in rent expense with the new corporate headquarters lease. The increase
was partially offset by $1.7 million of non-recurring severance costs from the 2020 early retirement program and the change
in valuation of deferred compensation plan assets which resulted in lower expense in 2021, as compared to 2020. The change
in deferred compensation plan assets is offset by the same amount in other income/expenses.
26
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Capital Allocation Philosophy
We have historically funded our growth, capital spending and acquisitions through a combination of operating cash
flows and debt financing. The following are the capital allocation/priorities for cash generated:
• working capital and capital expenditure investments necessary for future sales growth;
•
•
•
dividends on common stock in the range of 20% of the prior year's fully diluted net earnings;
acquisitions; and
return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases.
We also announced our intention to manage our capital structure to maintain our investment grade debt rating. Our
most recent ratings were Baa3 by Moody's Investors Services, Inc., BBB- by Fitch Ratings, and BBB+ by Standard and
Poor's Rating Services. We would be willing to allow our debt rating to fall to BBB- to finance a special acquisition or other
opportunity. We expect to maintain a ratio of debt to invested capital which will support our current investment grade debt
rating.
The Board of Directors in May 2014 authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of the Company's outstanding
common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated
transactions. The Board of Directors authorized an additional $250 million of share purchases, without an expiration date in
both February 2015 and again in October 2018. The 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 repurchases and
may discontinue the program at any time. As of December 25, 2021, we have acquired approximately 6.5 million shares for
approximately $878.0 million under this share repurchase program.
Sources of Financing
Our debt financing at December 25, 2021 consisted primarily of long‑term debt and borrowings on our revolving
credit facility. Our long‑term debt as of December 25, 2021, principally consisted of:
•
•
$450 million face value ($436.9 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 ($297.7 million carrying value) of senior unsecured notes that bear interest at 5.25% per
annum and are due in October 2054.
We are allowed to repurchase the notes subject to the payment of a make-whole premium. Both tranches of these
notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries.
Our revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party
thereto, had a maturity date of October 18, 2022. On October 18, 2021, we along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries
Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., as borrowers, entered into an amendment and restatement of
our revolving credit agreement with our lenders. The term was extended to October 18, 2026.
The revolving credit facility provides for $800 million of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available
borrowings thereunder to $400 million in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $300
million at any time, subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The Company and our wholly-owned
subsidiaries Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., are authorized borrowers under the credit
facility. The obligations arising under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries Valmont Telecommunications, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland
Pty. Ltd.
27
The interest rate on our borrowings will be, at our option, either:
(a) term SOFR (based on a 1, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus a 10 basis point
adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's
senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors
Service, Inc.;
(b) the higher of
•
•
•
the prime lending rate,
the overnight bank rate plus 50 basis points, and
term SOFR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 100 basis points,
plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured, long-term
debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; or
(c) daily simple SOFR plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on
the credit rating of the Company's senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating
Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc.
A commitment fee is also required under the revolving credit facility which accrues at 10 to 25 basis points,
depending on the credit rating of our senior, unsecured long-term debt published by Standard and Poor's Rating Services and
Moody's Investor Services, Inc., on the average daily unused portion of the commitments under the revolving credit
agreement.
At December 25, 2021, we had outstanding borrowings of $218.9 million under the revolving credit facility. The
revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2026 and contains a financial covenant that may limit our
additional borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 25, 2021, we had the ability to borrow $590.5 million
under this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $0.7 million associated with certain insurance obligations.
We also maintain certain short‑term bank lines of credit totaling $137.8 million; $124.4 million of which was unused at
December 25, 2021.
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 revolving credit facility requires maintenance of a financial leverage ratio, measured as of the last day of each of
our fiscal quarters, of 3.50:1 or less. The leverage ratio is the ratio of: (a) interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in
excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million); to (b) adjusted EBITDA. The debt agreements provide a modification
of the definition of “EBITDA” to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and
allow for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in
nature. The leverage ratio is permitted to increase from 3.50:1 to 3:75:1 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters after certain
material acquisitions.
The amended and restated revolving credit agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants or
credit facilities of this type, including, among others, limitations on us and our subsidiaries with respect to indebtedness,
liens, mergers and acquisitions, investments, dispositions of assets, restricted payments, transactions with affiliates and
prepayments of indebtedness. The amended and restated revolving credit agreement also provides for acceleration of the
obligations thereunder and exercise of other enforcement remedies upon the occurrence of customary events of default
(subject to customary grace periods, as applicable).
At December 25, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants related to these debt agreements.
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA-last four quarters and the Leverage ratio are presented under the column for
fiscal 2021 in footnotes (b) and (c) to the tables below in Selected Financial Measures.
28
Cash Uses
Our principal cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, payments of principal and interest on
our debt, payments of taxes, contributions to pension plan, and, if market conditions warrant, occasional investments in, or
acquisitions of, business ventures. In addition, we regularly evaluate our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock, all
consistent with the terms of our debt agreements.
Cash requirements for fiscal 2022 are expected to consist primarily of capital expenditures, Delta pension plan
contributions, operating leases, and interest on outstanding debt. The Company also has unconditional purchase commitments
that relate to purchase orders for zinc, aluminum and steel, all of which we plan to use in 2022. We believe the quantities
under contract are reasonable in light of normal fluctuations in business levels and we expect to use the commodities under
contract during the contract period. Total capital expenditures for fiscal 2022 are expected to be approximately $115 million.
The following table summarizes current and long-term material cash requirements as of December 25, 2021 (in
millions of dollars):
Total
Contractual Obligations
Long‑term debt ........................................ $
Interest1
....................................................
Delta pension plan contributions .............
Operating leases .......................................
Total contractual cash obligations ........... $ 2,466.4 $
1,075.6
175.8
235.4
979.6 $
Next 12
months
Thereafter
4.9 $
974.7
1,034.2
41.4
156.3
19.5
23.2
212.2
89.0 $ 2,377.4
1 Interest expense amount assumes that long-term debt will be held to maturity.
Our businesses are cyclical, but we have diversity in our markets, from a product, customer and a geographical
standpoint. We have demonstrated the ability to effectively manage through business cycles and maintain liquidity. We have
consistently generated operating cash flows in excess of our capital expenditures. Based on our available credit facilities,
recent issuance of senior unsecured notes and our history of positive operational cash flows, we believe that we have
adequate liquidity to meet our needs for fiscal 2022 and beyond.
We have cash balances of $177.2 million at December 25, 2021, approximately $169.5 million is held in our non-
U.S. subsidiaries. If we distributed our foreign cash balances certain taxes would be applicable. At December 25, 2021, we
have a liability for foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes of $2.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flow data:
Net cash flows from operating activities .......................... $
Net cash flows from investing activities ..........................
2021
2020
2019
65,938 $ 316,294 $
307,614
(417,308)
(104,029)
(168,150)
(98,950)
Net cash flows from financing activities ..........................
133,500
(173,756)
Operating Cash Flows and Working Capital- Cash generated from operating activities totaled $65.9 million in 2021,
compared with $316.3 million in 2020 and $307.6 million in 2019. Net working capital was $946.9 million at December 25,
2021, as compared with $881.3 million at December 26, 2020. The increase in net working capital in 2021 was attributed to
an increase in inventory (primarily driven by the impact of higher steel costs) and receivables (primarily driven by higher
sales in the fourth quarter), somewhat offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued compensation and benefits
(primarily driven by higher accrual for incentives earned during 2021) and the use of cash to facilitate our investing and
financing activities. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2021 was favorably impacted by the required 2021 annual
contribution to the Delta pension plan being made early in December 2020.
Investing Cash Flows- Cash used in investing activities totaled $417.3 million in 2021, compared to $104.0 million
in 2020. Investing activities in 2021 primarily included capital spending of $107.8 million and the acquisition of two
29
businesses within the Irrigation segment for $312.5 million. In 2020, investing activities primarily included capital spending
of $106.7 million, acquisitions of $15.9 million, proceeds from the settlement of a net investment hedge of $12.0 million, and
proceeds from the sale of assets of $10.9 million.
Financing Cash Flows- Cash provided by financing activities totaled $133.5 million in 2021, compared to cash used
in financing activities of $173.8 million in 2020. Our total interest‑bearing debt increased to $965.4 million at December 25,
2021, from $766.3 million at December 26, 2020. Financing cash inflows in 2021 primarily consisted of proceeds from long-
term debt borrowings of $312.5 million, offset by payments on long-term debt of $91.3 million, dividends paid of $41.4
million, net payments on short-term agreements of $20.2 million, and the purchase of treasury shares of $26.1 million.
During 2020, the Company had proceeds from long-term debt borrowings of $88.9 million and net proceeds of $13.0 million
from short-term agreements. This was reduced primarily by the repayment of long-term debt of $121.7 million, dividends
paid of $36.9 million, the purchase of noncontrolling interest of $59.4 million and the purchase of treasury shares of $56.5
million.
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:
Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
For the three year period ended December 25, 2021
Dollars in thousands
2021
2020
2019
Net sales .................................................................... $ 2,139,427 $ 1,854,141 $ 1,751.899
Gross Profit ...............................................................
Operating income ......................................................
Net earnings ..............................................................
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. ...
574,128
208,041
120,655
120,458
512,880
180,206
106,404
102,266
454,295
178,990
109,908
109,908
Supplemental Combined Parent and Guarantors Financial Information
December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020
Dollars in thousands
2021
2020
Current assets ............................................................... $ 801,797
Noncurrent assets .........................................................
807,294
Current liabilities ..........................................................
383,394
$ 738,437
701,571
321,979
Noncurrent liabilities ....................................................
1,305,756
1,100,657
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries ....
1,844
1,738
Included in noncurrent assets is a due from non-guarantor subsidiaries receivable of $93,613 and $88,309 at
December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020. Included in noncurrent liabilities is a due to non-guarantor subsidiaries payable
of $236,577 and $262,935 at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020
30
Selected Financial Measures
We are including the following financial measures for the company.
Dollars in thousands
2021
2020
2019
Total invested capital(a) ................................................... $ 2,378,992
Return on invested capital(a) ............................................
10.1 %
$ 1,974,162
$ 1,977,223
8.7 %
8.9 %
Adjusted EBITDA(b) ....................................................... $ 448,864
$ 368,493
$
328,165
Leverage ratio (c) ................................................................
1.87
1.13
1.47
(a)
Return on Invested Capital is calculated as Operating Income (after-tax) divided by the average of beginning and ending Invested
Capital. Invested Capital represents total assets minus total liabilities (excluding interest-bearing debt). Return on Invested
Capital is one of our key operating ratios, as it allows investors to analyze our operating performance in light of the amount of
investment required to generate our operating profit. Return on Invested Capital is also a measurement used to determine
management incentives. Return on Invested Capital is a non-GAAP measure. Accordingly, Invested Capital and Return on
Invested Capital should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other
income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The table
below shows how Invested Capital and Return on Invested Capital are calculated from our income statement and balance sheet.
Dollars in thousands
2021
2020
2019
Operating income ................................................................... $ 286,785
Adjusted effective tax rate1
Tax effect on operating income .............................................
....................................................
23.6 %
(67,681)
$ 225,953
$ 227,905
24.2 %
23.9 %
(54,681)
(54,469)
After-tax operating income ....................................................
219,104
171,272
173,436
Average invested capital ........................................................
2,176,577
1,975,693
1,953,120
Return on invested capital ......................................................
10.1 %
8.7 %
8.9 %
Total assets .............................................................................
3,447,249
2,953,160
2,807,216
Less: Accounts payable ..........................................................
(347,841)
(268,099)
(197,957)
Less: Accrued expenses .........................................................
(253,330)
(227,735)
(167,264)
Less: Defined benefit pension liability ..................................
(536)
(118,523)
(140,007)
Less: Deferred compensation .................................................
Less: Other noncurrent liabilities ...........................................
Less: Dividends payable ........................................................
(35,373)
(89,207)
(10,616)
(44,519)
(58,657)
(9,556)
(45,114)
(8,904)
(8,079)
Less: Lease liability ...............................................................
(147,759)
(80,202)
(85,817)
Less: Contract liability ...........................................................
(135,746)
(130,018)
(117,945)
Less: Deferred tax liability .....................................................
(47,849)
Total Invested capital ............................................................. $ 2,378,992
Beginning of year invested capital ......................................... $ 1,974,162
Average invested capital ........................................................ $ 2,176,577
(41,689)
(58,906)
$ 1,974,162
$ 1,977,223
$ 1,977,223
$ 1,929,016
$ 1,975,693
$ 1,953,120
1 The adjusted effective tax rate for 2020 excludes the effects of the $12,575 goodwill impairment which is not deductible for income tax
purposes. The effective tax rate in 2020 including the impairments is 25.7%.
Return on invested capital, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
(b)
Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is one of our key financial ratios in that it is the
basis for determining our maximum borrowing capacity at any one time. Our bank credit agreements contain a financial covenant that
our total interest‑bearing debt not exceed 3.50x Adjusted EBITDA (or 3.75x Adjusted EBITDA after certain material acquisitions) for
the most recent four quarters. These bank credit agreements allow us to add estimated EBITDA from acquired businesses for periods we
did not own the acquired businesses. The bank credit agreements also provide for an adjustment to EBITDA, subject to certain specified
limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature. If this financial covenant is violated, we may incur additional
financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Adjusted EBITDA is non-GAAP measure and, accordingly, should
not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in
accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
31
Dollars in thousands
2021
2020
2019
Net cash flows from operations ........................................................................................ $ 65,938 $ 316,294 $ 307,614
Interest expense ................................................................................................................
42,612
41,075
40,153
Income tax expense ..........................................................................................................
Loss on investment ...........................................................................................................
Impairment of long-lived assets .......................................................................................
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit ............................................................................
Noncontrolling interest .....................................................................................................
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries .........................................................
Pension plan expense .......................................................................................................
Contribution to pension plan ............................................................................................
61,414
49,615
47,753
—
(39)
(27,911)
(20,389)
172
—
(71)
1,397
(1,486)
(2,095)
(1,456)
(5,697)
—
(1,004)
14,567
7,311
—
513
1,924
35,399
18,461
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions ........................................................
264,558
(98,994)
(81,831)
Other .................................................................................................................................
17
(60)
2,513
EBITDA ...........................................................................................................................
420,953
329,149
328,165
Impairment of long-lived assets .......................................................................................
27,911
20,389
—
Cash restructuring expenses .............................................................................................
—
Adjusted EBITDA ............................................................................................................ $ 448,864 $ 368,493 $ 328,165
18,955
—
2021
20201
20191
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. ...................................................... $ 195,630 $ 140,693 $ 146,408
Interest expense ................................................................................................................
41,075
40,153
42,612
Income tax expense ..........................................................................................................
Stock based compensation ...............................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization expense ...........................................................................
61,414
28,720
92,577
49,615
14,874
82,892
47,753
11,587
82,264
EBITDA ...........................................................................................................................
420,953
329,149
328,165
Impairment of long-lived assets ......................................................................................
27,911
20,389
—
Cash restructuring expenses .............................................................................................
—
Adjusted EBITDA ............................................................................................................ $ 448,864 $ 368,493 $ 328,165
18,955
—
Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. In October 2021, our revolving credit facility was
amended to allow the Company to add-back any non-cash stock-based compensation in any trailing twelve month period and allow for an adjustment to
EBITDA, subject to certain limitations, for non-cash charges or gains that are non-recurring in nature.
(c)
Leverage ratio is calculated as the sum of interest-bearing debt minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50 million (but not exceeding $500 million);
divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The leverage ratio is one of the key financial ratios in the covenants under our major debt agreements and the ratio
cannot exceed 3.5 (or 3.75x after certain material acquisitions) for any reporting period (four quarters). If those covenants are violated, we may
incur additional financing costs or be required to pay the debt before its maturity date. Leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure and, accordingly,
should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operations or other income or cash flow data prepared in
accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our operating performance or liquidity. The calculation of this ratio is as follows:
Dollars in thousands
Interest-bearing debt .............................................................................. $
Less: Cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50 million ....................
Net indebtedness ....................................................................................
Adjusted EBITDA .................................................................................
Leverage Ratio .......................................................................................
2021
20201
20191
965,395 $
766,326 $
787,478
127,232
838,163
448,864
1.87
350,726
415,600
368,493
1.13
303,542
483,936
328,165
1.47
Leverage ratio, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
1
Calculated in accordance with the terms of the credit facility as in effect on December 25, 2021.
32
MARKET RISK
Changes in Prices
Certain key materials we use are commodities traded in worldwide markets and are subject to fluctuations in price.
The most significant materials are steel, aluminum, zinc and natural gas. Over the last several years, prices for these
commodities have been volatile. The volatility in these prices was due to such factors as fluctuations in supply and demand
conditions, government tariffs and the costs of steel‑making inputs. Steel is most significant for our Utility Support
Structures segment where the cost of steel has been approximately 50% of the net sales, on average. In 2018, we began using
steel hot rolled coil derivative contracts on a limited basis to mitigate the impact of rising steel prices on operating income.
Assuming a similar sales mix, a hypothetical 20% change in the price of steel would have affected our net sales from our
Utility Support Structures segment by approximately $75 million for the year ended December 25, 2021.
We have also experienced volatility in natural gas prices in the past several years. Our main strategies in managing
these risks are a combination of fixed price purchase contracts with our vendors to reduce the volatility in our purchase prices
and sales price increases where possible. We use natural gas swap contracts on a limited basis to mitigate the impact of rising
gas prices on our operating income.
Risk Management
Market Risk—The principal market risks affecting us are exposure to interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates
and commodity prices. At times, we utilize derivative financial instruments to hedge these exposures, but we do not use
derivatives for trading purposes.
Interest Rates—Our interest‑bearing debt at December 25, 2021 was primarily fixed rate debt and borrowings on our
revolving credit facility. Our notes payable, revolving credit facility, and a small portion of our long-term debt accrue interest
at a variable rate. Assuming average interest rates and borrowings on variable rate debt, a hypothetical 10% change in interest
rates would have affected our interest expense in 2021 and 2020 by approximately $0.4 million. Likewise, we have excess
cash balances on deposit in interest‑bearing accounts in financial institutions. An increase or decrease in interest rates of ten
basis points would have impacted our annual interest earnings in 2021 and 2020 by approximately $0.2 million and
$0.3 million, respectively.
Foreign Exchange—Exposures to transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency
are not material, and therefore the potential exchange losses in future earnings, fair value and cash flows from these
transactions are not material. The Company is also exposed to investment risk related to foreign operations. From time to
time, as market conditions indicate, we will enter into foreign currency contracts to manage the risks associated with
anticipated future transactions, current balance sheet positions, and foreign subsidiary investments that are in currencies other
than the functional currencies of our businesses. At December 25, 2021, the Company had two outstanding 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 2019 in
order to mitigate foreign currency risk on the Company's Euro and DKK investments and to reduce interest expense. The
notional of the Euro and DKK CCS are $80.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and mature in 2024. In 2019, the
Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts which mitigate foreign currency risk of the Company's
investment in its Australian denominated businesses. The forward contracts, which qualified as net investment hedges, were
settled in 2020 with the Company receiving $12.0 million. Much of our cash in non-U.S. entities is denominated in foreign
currencies, where fluctuations in exchange rates will impact our cash balances in U.S. dollar terms. A hypothetical 10%
change in the value of the U.S. dollar would impact our reported cash balance by approximately $13.6 million in 2021 and
$16.6 million in 2020.
We manage our investment risk in foreign operations by borrowing in the functional currencies of the foreign
entities or by utilizing hedging instruments (as discussed above) where appropriate. The following table indicates the change
33
in the recorded value of our most significant investments at year-end assuming a hypothetical 10% change in the value of the
U.S. Dollar.
2021
2020
(in millions)
Australian dollar ................................... $ 11.6 $ 15.0
11.3
Euro ......................................................
5.5
Danish krone .........................................
6.7
Chinese renminbi ..................................
3.6
Canadian dollar .....................................
8.4
U.K. pound ...........................................
3.4
Brazilian real .........................................
8.6
2.4
6.2
3.6
16.8
4.5
Commodity risk— Steel hot rolled coil is a significant commodity input used by all of our segments in the
manufacture of our products, with the exception of Coatings. Steel prices are volatile and we may utilize derivative
instruments to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price orders. In 2021, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil
forward contracts which qualified as a cash flow hedge of the variability in the cash flows attributable to future steel
purchases. At December, 25, 2021, we had open forward contracts with a notional amount of $69.7 million for the total
purchase of 55,600 short tons from January 2022 to December 2022.
Natural gas is a significant commodity used in our factories, especially in our Coatings segment galvanizing
operations, where natural gas is used to heat tanks that enable the hot-dipped galvanizing process. Natural gas prices are
volatile and we mitigate some of this volatility through the use of derivative commodity instruments. Our current policy is to
manage this commodity price risk for 0-75% of our U.S. natural gas requirements for the upcoming 6-12 months through the
purchase of natural gas swaps based on NYMEX futures prices for delivery in the month being hedged. The objective of this
policy is to mitigate the impact on our earnings of sudden, significant increases in the price of natural gas. At December 25,
2021, we have open natural gas swaps for 360,000 MMBtu.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following accounting policies involve judgments and estimates used in preparation of the consolidated financial
statements. There is a substantial amount of management judgment used in preparing financial statements. We must make
estimates on a number of items, such as impairments of long-lived assets, income taxes, revenue recognition for the product
lines recognized over time, inventory obsolescence, and pension benefits. We base our estimates on our experience and on
other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Further, we re-evaluate our estimates from time to
time and as circumstances change. Actual results may differ under different assumptions or conditions. The selection and
application of our critical accounting policies are discussed annually with our audit committee.
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Our long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, right-of-use (lease) assets, and goodwill
and intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions. We have assigned useful lives to our property, plant and equipment
and certain intangible assets ranging from 3 to 40 years. In November 2021, we obtained clarifying information on the
amount of duties that the European Union would impose on imports of steel wind towers. A resulting impairment test (based
on estimated undiscounted future cash flows) was required for our Offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit.
The undiscounted cash flows of its long-lived assets were less than the carrying values which required us to estimate their fair
value and we recognized a pre-tax $27.9 million impairment of the long-lived assets (customer relationship intangible asset,
trade name, and property, plant and equipment). Impairment losses of $3.8 million were recorded in 2020 as facilities were
closed and certain fixed assets were no longer expected to be used as a result of our restructuring plans. Upon adoption of
ASC 842, Leases in 2019, the Company impaired the right-of-use asset for one of our galvanizing facilities in Australia as it
was determined that it would not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the carrying value.
We identified thirteen reporting units for purposes of evaluating goodwill and we annually evaluate our reporting
units for goodwill impairment during the third fiscal quarter, which usually coincides with our strategic planning process.
For twelve of the reporting units, we estimate the value of the reporting units using after-tax cash flows from operations (less
34
capital expenses) discounted to present value ("discounted cash flows"). The key assumptions in the discounted cash flow
analysis are the discount rate and the projected cash flows. We also use sensitivity analysis to determine the impact of
changes in discount rates and cash flow forecasts on the valuation of the reporting units. For our solar tracking structure
reporting unit, we project meaningful annual revenue growth for the foreseeable future due to strong market conditions.
Therefore, we valued this reporting unit using a blend of both the discounted cash flows and a market approach. The market
valuation approach estimates the value for this reporting unit using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (EBITDA). We analyze EBITDA multiples for other industrial companies with similar product lines in
determining what to use in the model. The key assumption in the market approach analysis are the selection of
industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA.
For both the 2021 and 2020 annual impairment test, the estimated fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded
their respective carrying value, so no goodwill was impaired during our annual impairment test in 2021 or 2020. A $12.6
million impairment of our access systems reporting unit was recognized as a result of an interim impairment test during
second quarter of 2020.
If our assumptions on discount rates and future cash flows change as a result of events or circumstances, and we
believe these assets may have declined in value, then we may record impairment charges, resulting in lower profits. Our
reporting units are all cyclical and their sales and profitability may fluctuate from year to year. The Company continues to
monitor changes in the global economy that could impact future operating results of its reporting units. If such conditions
arise, the Company will test a given reporting unit for impairment prior to the annual test. In the evaluation of our reporting
units, we look at the long-term prospects for the reporting unit and recognize that current performance may not be the best
indicator of future prospects or value, which requires management judgment.
Our indefinite‑lived intangible assets consist of trade names. We assess the values of these assets apart from
goodwill as part of the annual impairment testing. We use the relief-from-royalty method to evaluate our trade names, under
which the value of a trade name is determined based on a royalty that could be charged to a third party for using the trade
name in question. The royalty, which is based on a reasonable rate applied against estimated future sales, is tax-effected and
discounted to present value. The most significant assumptions in this evaluation include estimated future sales, the royalty
rate and the after-tax discount rate.
We performed our annual impairment test of all trade names in the third quarter of 2021 and determined none were
impaired. As a result of a fourth quarter 2021 interim impairment test of the long-lived assets of the Offshore and other
complex steel structures reporting unit, we recognized an impairment of approximately $2 million.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. We write
down slow-moving and obsolete inventory by the difference between the value of the inventory and our estimate of the
reduced value based on potential future uses, the likelihood that overstocked inventory will be sold and the expected selling
prices of the inventory. If our ability to realize value on slow-moving or obsolete inventory is less favorable than assumed,
additional inventory write downs may be required.
Income Taxes
We record valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be
realized. We consider future taxable income expectations and tax-planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation
allowance. If we estimate a deferred tax asset is not likely to be fully realized in the future, a valuation allowance to decrease
the amount of the deferred tax asset would decrease net earnings in the period the determination was made. Likewise, if we
subsequently determine that we are able to realize all or part of a net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment reducing
the valuation allowance would increase net earnings in the period such determination was made.
At December 25, 2021, we had approximately $83.7 million in deferred tax assets relating to tax credits and loss
carryforwards, with a valuation allowance of $49.7 million, including $8.4 million in valuation allowances related to capital
loss carryforwards, which are unlikely ever to be realized. If circumstances related to our deferred tax assets change in the
future, we may be required to increase or decrease the valuation allowance on these assets, resulting in an increase or
decrease in income tax expense and a reduction or increase in net income. Also, we consider the earnings in our greater than
50% owned non-U.S. subsidiaries to not be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, we have a deferred tax liability of $3.4
million related to these unremitted foreign earnings for future taxes that will be incurred when cash is repatriated.
35
We are subject to examination by taxing authorities in the various countries in which we operate. The tax years
subject to examination vary by jurisdiction. We regularly consider the likelihood of additional income tax assessments in
each of these taxing jurisdictions based on our experiences related to prior audits and our understanding of the facts and
circumstances of the related tax issues. We include in current income tax expense any changes to accruals for potential tax
deficiencies. If our judgments related to tax deficiencies differ from our actual experience, our income tax expense could
increase or decrease in a given fiscal period.
Pension Benefits
Delta Ltd. maintains a defined benefit pension plan for qualifying employees in the United Kingdom. There are no
active employees as members in the plan. Independent actuaries assist in properly measuring the liabilities and expenses
associated with accounting for pension benefits to eligible employees. In order to use actuarial methods to value the liabilities
and expenses, we must make several assumptions. The critical assumptions used to measure pension obligations and expenses
are the discount rate and expected rate of return on pension assets.
We evaluate our critical assumptions at least annually. Key assumptions are based on the following factors:
• Discount rate is based on the yields available on AA-rated corporate bonds with durational periods similar to
that of the pension liabilities.
• Expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking into
consideration current and expected market conditions. Most of the assets in the pension plan are invested in
corporate bonds, the expected return of which are estimated based on the yield available on AA rated corporate
bonds. The long-term expected returns on equities are based on historic performance over the long-term.
•
Inflation is based on the estimated change in the consumer price index (“CPI”) or the retail price index (“RPI”),
depending on the relevant plan provisions.
The discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation was 1.9% at December 25, 2020. The following
tables present the key assumptions used to measure the pension benefit for 2022 and the estimated impact relative to a change
in those assumptions for 2022:
Assumptions
Discount rate ....................................................................
Expected return on plan assets .........................................
Inflation - CPI ..................................................................
Inflation - RPI ..................................................................
Pension
1.90 %
3.48 %
2.70 %
3.30 %
Assumptions In Millions of Dollars
0.25% increase in discount rate ........................................ $
0.25% decrease in expected return on plan assets ............ $
0.25% increase in inflation ............................................... $
Decrease
in Pension
Benefit
1.0
1.8
0.4
Revenue Recognition
We determine the appropriate revenue recognition for our contracts by analyzing the type, terms and conditions of
each contract or arrangement with a customer. We have no contracts with customers, under any product line, where we could
earn variable consideration. With the exception of our Utility segment and the wireless communication structures product
line, our inventory is interchangeable for a variety of the product line’s customers. There is one performance obligation for
revenue recognition. Our Irrigation and Coatings segments recognize revenue at a point in time, which is when the service
has been performed or when the goods ship; this is the same time that the customer is billed. Lighting, traffic, highway safety,
and access system product lines within the ESS segment recognize revenue and bill customers at a point in time, which is
typically when the product ships or when it is delivered, as stipulated in the customer contract.
36
The following provides additional information about our contracts with utility and wireless communication
structures customers, where the revenue is recognized over time, the judgments we make in accounting for those contracts,
and the resulting amounts recognized in our financial statements.
Accounting for utility structures and wireless communication monopole contracts: Steel and concrete utility and wireless
communication monopole structures are engineered to customer specifications resulting in limited ability to sell the
structure to a different customer if an order is canceled after production commences. The continuous transfer of control
to the customer is evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to-
date plus a reasonable profit as the products do not have an alternative use to us. Since control is transferring over time,
revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. We have
certain wireless communication structures customers' contracts where we do not have the right to payment for work
performed. In those instances, we recognize revenue at a point in time which is time of shipment of the structure.
The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment. For our steel and
concrete utility and wireless communication structure product lines, we recognize revenue on an inputs basis, using total
production hours incurred to-date for each order as a percentage of total hours estimated to produce the order. The
completion percentage is applied to the order’s total revenue and total estimated costs to determine reported revenue,
cost of goods sold and gross profit. Our enterprise resource planning (ERP) system captures the total costs incurred to-
date and the total production hours, both incurred to-date and forecast to complete. Revenue from the Offshore and other
complex steel structures business is also recognized using an inputs method, based on the cost-to-cost measure of
progress. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the
ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation.
Management must make assumptions and estimates regarding manufacturing labor hours and wages, the usage
and cost of materials, and manufacturing burden / overhead recovery rates for each production facility. For our steel,
concrete and wireless communication structures, production of an order, once started, is typically completed within three
months. Projected profitability on open production orders is reviewed and updated monthly. We elected the practical
expedient to not disclose the partially satisfied performance obligation at the end of the period when the contract has an
original expected duration of one year or less.
We also have a few steel structure customer orders in a fiscal year that require one or two years to complete, due
to the quantity of structures. Burden rates and routed production hours, per structure, will be adjusted if and when actual
costs incurred are significantly higher than what had been originally projected. This resets the timing of revenue
recognition for future periods so it is better aligned with the new production schedule. For our Offshore and other
complex steel structures business, we update the estimates of total costs to complete each order quarterly. Based on these
updates, revenue in the current period may reflect adjustments for amounts that had been previously recognized. During
fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, there were no changes to inputs/estimates which resulted in adjustments to revenue for
production that occurred prior to the beginning of the year. A provision for loss on the performance obligation is
recognized if and when an order is projected to be at a loss, whether or not production has started.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The information required is included under the captioned paragraph, “MARKET RISK” on page 33 of this report.
37
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included herein as listed
below:
Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34) .....................................................
Consolidated Statements of Earnings—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 ............................................
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 ....................
Consolidated Balance Sheets—December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 ............................................................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 ........................................
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 .........................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 .................................
Page
39
41
42
43
44
45
46
38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Valmont Industries, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Valmont Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company")
as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income,
cash flows, and shareholders' equity, for each of the three years in the period ended December 25, 2021, and the related notes
and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 25, 2021
and December 26, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 25, 2021, in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in
Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission and our report dated February 23, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control
over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due
to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also
included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that
was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that
are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The
communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole,
and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or
on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Goodwill — Refer to Notes 1 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company has goodwill, which is allocated among thirteen reporting units. The Company evaluates its thirteen reporting
units for goodwill impairment during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or when events or changes in circumstances
indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Twelve reporting units are evaluated using after-tax cash flows from
operations (less capital expenses) discounted to present value (“discounted cash flows”). The solar tracking structure
reporting unit was valued using a blend of both the discounted cash flows and a market approach. The market valuation
approach estimates the value for this reporting unit using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA). The EBITDA multiples are analyzed against other industrial companies with similar product lines.
These valuation methods require management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to projected cash flows,
selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA, and discount rates. The estimated fair
value of all reporting units exceeded their respective carrying value as of the measurement date and, therefore, no impairment
was recognized.
39
We identified goodwill for certain reporting units as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and
assumptions made by management to estimate fair value and the difference between the fair values and the carrying values of
certain reporting units as of August 28, 2021. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of
effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the
reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to certain assumptions within the projected cash flows,
selection of industrial companies within similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA, and discount rates.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the goodwill impairment assessment for certain reporting units included the following, among
others:
• We tested the effectiveness of internal controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those
over the projected cash flows, selection of industrial companies with similar product lines and forecasted EBITDA,
and discount rates.
• We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast cash flows by comparing actual results to management’s
historical forecasts.
• We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s projected cash flows by comparing to (1) historical results, (2)
internal communications to management and the Board of Directors, (3) industry reports and (4) information
included in Company press releases to analysts and investors.
• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the discount rates, including testing the underlying
source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and developing a range of independent
estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management.
• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the industrial companies with similar product lines and
forecasted EBITDA, including testing the underlying source information and mathematical accuracy of the
calculations.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
February 23, 2022
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1996.
40
Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2021
2020
2019
Product sales ......................................................................... $ 3,159,605 $ 2,594,855 $ 2,434,190
Services sales ........................................................................
341,970
Net sales ...........................................................................
3,501,575
Product cost of sales .............................................................
2,395,630
Services cost of sales ............................................................
222,056
300,500
2,895,355
1,936,024
193,817
332,786
2,766,976
1,863,780
220,515
Total cost of sales .............................................................
2,617,686
2,129,841
2,084,295
Gross profit ......................................................................
Selling, general and administrative expenses .......................
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets .......................
883,889
590,608
6,496
Operating income .............................................................
286,785
765,514
522,923
16,638
225,953
682,681
454,776
—
227,905
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense ................................................................
(42,612)
(41,075)
(40,153)
Interest income .................................................................
Gain on investments - unrealized .....................................
Other ................................................................................
1,192
1,920
12,798
2,374
2,443
3,073
3,942
5,960
2,204
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of
nonconsolidated subsidiaries .............................................
260,083
192,768
199,858
(26,702)
(33,185)
(28,047)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current .............................................................................
61,343
Deferred ...........................................................................
71
61,414
51,012
(1,397)
49,615
46,267
1,486
47,753
Earnings before equity in earnings of nonconsolidated
subsidiaries ........................................................................
198,669
143,153
152,105
Equity in loss of nonconsolidated subsidiaries .....................
(944)
(1,004)
—
Net earnings .....................................................................
197,725
142,149
152,105
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests ........
(2,095)
(1,456)
(5,697)
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. ...... $
195,630 $
140,693 $
146,408
Earnings per share:
Basic ................................................................................. $
Diluted .............................................................................. $
9.23 $
9.10 $
6.60 $
6.57 $
6.76
6.73
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
41
Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Net earnings .................................................................................................... $
2021
197,725 $
2020
142,149 $
2019
152,105
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Unrealized translation gains (losses) .................................................
Gain/(loss) on hedging activities:
Commodity hedges
Realized (gain) loss on commodity hedges recorded in earnings
Unrealized gain (loss) on cross currency swaps
Cash flow hedges
Realized (gain) loss on cash flow hedges recorded in earnings
Amortization cost included in interest expense
Unrealized gain on net investment hedges, net of tax expense (benefit)
of $— in 2021, $2,428 in 2020, $384 in 2019 ........................................
Actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit pension plan, net of tax expense
(benefit) of $25,736 in 2021, $(4,183) in 2020, $(2,710) in 2019 ............
Other comprehensive income (loss) .............................................................
Comprehensive income ...................................................................................
(31,405)
(31,405) $
21,483
21,483 $
$
20,019
(25,821)
6,093
—
—
(64)
—
227
76,718
45,540
243,265
—
—
(5,751)
1,598
(1,598)
(64)
7,289
1,474
(17,349)
5,608
147,757
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests ........
(976)
(3,428)
(2,506)
(2,506)
(2,130)
2,130
1,815
—
—
(64)
1,154
2,905
(10,828)
(10,429)
141,676
(5,505)
Comprehensive income attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. .................... $
242,289 $
144,329 $
136,171
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
42
Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020
(Dollars in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
2021
2020
Current assets:
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents .................................................................................................... $
Receivables, less allowance of $18,050 in 2021 and $15,952 in 2020 .................................
Inventories ............................................................................................................................
Contract asset - costs and profits in excess of billings .........................................................
Prepaid expenses and other assets ........................................................................................
Refundable income taxes ......................................................................................................
Total current assets ............................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, at cost ......................................................................................
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization .................................................................
Net property, plant and equipment ....................................................................................
Goodwill ....................................................................................................................................
Other intangible assets, net ........................................................................................................
Other assets ...............................................................................................................................
400,726
511,714
448,941
123,495
59,804
9,945
1,554,625
1,341,380
743,653
597,727
430,322
167,193
203,293
Total assets ........................................................................................................................ $ 3,447,249 $ 2,953,160
177,232 $
571,593
728,834
142,643
83,646
8,815
1,712,763
1,422,101
823,496
598,605
708,566
175,364
251,951
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt ................................................................................. $
Notes payable to banks .........................................................................................................
Accounts payable ..................................................................................................................
Accrued employee compensation and benefits .....................................................................
Contract liabilities ................................................................................................................
Other accrued expenses ........................................................................................................
Dividends payable ................................................................................................................
Total current liabilities ......................................................................................................
Deferred income taxes ...............................................................................................................
Long-term debt, excluding current installments .......................................................................
Defined benefit pension liability ...............................................................................................
Operating lease liabilities ..........................................................................................................
Deferred compensation .............................................................................................................
Other noncurrent liabilities ........................................................................................................
Shareholders’ equity:
4,884 $
13,439
347,841
144,559
135,746
108,771
10,616
765,856
47,849
947,072
536
147,759
35,373
89,207
2,748
35,147
268,099
137,939
130,018
89,796
9,556
673,303
41,689
728,431
118,523
80,202
44,519
58,657
27,900
Authorized 75,000,000 shares; 27,900,000 issued ............................................................
335
Additional paid-in capital .....................................................................................................
2,245,035
Retained earnings ..................................................................................................................
(309,786)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ...............................................................................
(781,422)
Cost of treasury stock, common shares of 6,619,860 in 2021 and 6,674,866 in 2020 .........
1,182,062
Total Valmont Industries, Inc. shareholders’ equity .........................................................
25,774
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries ................................................................
1,207,836
Total shareholders’ equity .................................................................................................
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity .......................................................................... $ 3,447,249 $ 2,953,160
27,900
1,479
2,394,307
(263,127)
(773,712)
1,386,847
26,750
1,413,597
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
43
Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings ......................................................................................................... $ 197,725 $ 142,149 $ 152,105
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operations:
2021
2020
2019
Depreciation and amortization .........................................................................
Noncash loss on trading securities ..................................................................
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan ...................................................
Impairment of long-lived assets .......................................................................
Stock-based compensation ...............................................................................
Defined benefit pension plan benefit ................................................................
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment ........................................
Equity in earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries .........................................
Deferred income taxes ......................................................................................
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Receivables ..................................................................................................
Inventories ...................................................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other assets (current and non-current) ......................
Contract asset ...............................................................................................
Accounts payable .........................................................................................
Accrued expenses ........................................................................................
Contract liabilities ........................................................................................
Other noncurrent liabilities ..........................................................................
Income taxes payable (refundable) ..............................................................
Net cash flows from operating activities ..................................................
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment ..........................................................
Proceeds from sale of assets ................................................................................
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired .......................................................................
Settlement of net investment hedge .....................................................................
Investments in nonconsolidated subsidiaries .......................................................
Other, net ..............................................................................................................
Net cash flows used in investing activities ...............................................
Cash flows from financing activities:
92,577
—
(1,924)
27,911
28,720
(14,567)
(961)
944
71
(69,275)
(289,942)
(36,066)
(21,579)
89,418
30,556
6,589
20,181
5,560
65,938
(107,790)
1,745
(312,500)
—
—
1,237
(417,308)
82,892
39
(35,399)
20,389
14,874
(7,311)
60
1,004
(1,397)
(24,403)
(21,888)
(10,633)
19,835
33,044
52,548
12,072
46,712
(8,293)
316,294
82,264
(172)
(18,461)
—
11,587
(513)
(2,513)
—
1,486
5,408
22,128
4,413
(29,274)
(21,410)
(4,255)
113,039
(1,274)
(6,944)
307,614
(106,700)
10,860
(15,862)
11,983
(1,283)
(3,027)
(104,029)
(97,425)
5,556
(81,841)
11,184
(6,169)
545
(168,150)
20,990
(7,946)
88,872
(121,665)
5,821
(26,062)
312,485
(91,313)
(2,267)
(41,412)
13,195
Proceeds from short-term agreements .................................................................
(1,868)
Principal payments on short-term agreements .....................................................
31,000
Proceeds from long-term borrowings ..................................................................
(10,768)
Principal payments on long-term borrowings ......................................................
—
Debt issuance costs ..............................................................................................
(32,642)
Dividends paid .....................................................................................................
(7,737)
Dividends to noncontrolling interest ....................................................................
(27,845)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest ....................................................................
13,619
Proceeds from exercises under stock plans ..........................................................
(62,915)
Purchase of treasury shares ..................................................................................
(12,989)
Purchase of common treasury shares—stock plan exercises ...............................
(98,950)
Net cash flows provided by (used) in financing activities .......................
(182)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents ................................
40,332
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ..................................................................
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of year ..............................
313,210
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of year ........................................ $ 177,232 $ 400,726 $ 353,542
(36,930)
(5,642)
(59,416)
18,961
(56,491)
(14,489)
(173,756)
8,675
47,184
353,542
—
—
23,895
(26,100)
(21,547)
133,500
(5,624)
(223,494)
400,726
—
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
44
Valmont Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Common
stock
Additional
paid-in
capital
Retained
earnings
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Noncontrolling
interest in
consolidated
subsidiaries
Total
shareholders’
equity
Treasury
stock
Balance at December 29, 2018 .......................... $ 27,900
$
—
$ 2,067,811
$
(303,185) $ (692,549) $
75,761
$
1,175,738
Net earnings .........................................................
Other comprehensive income (loss) .....................
Cash dividends declared ($1.50 per share)......
Dividends to noncontrolling interests .............
Purchase of noncontrolling interest .................
Cumulative impact of ASC 606 adoption .......
Impact of ASU 2016-16 adoption ...................
Purchase of treasury shares; 491,045 shares
acquired ...........................................................
Stock plan exercises, 90,868 shares acquired .
Stock options exercised; 119,789 shares
issued ...............................................................
Stock option expense .......................................
Stock awards; 60,021 shares issued ................
0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
0
—
—
—
277
—
—
—
—
(3,756)
2,772
707
146,408
—
(32,503)
—
—
—
(8,886)
—
—
972
—
—
—
(10,237)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(62,915)
(12,989)
16,403
8,108
5,697
(192)
(7,737)
(28,122)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
152,105
(10,429)
(32,503)
(7,737)
(27,845)
—
(8,886)
(62,915)
(12,989)
13,619
2,772
8,815
Balance at December 28, 2019 ..........................
27,900
0
2,173,802
(313,422)
(743,942)
45,407
1,189,745
Net earnings .........................................................
Other comprehensive income (loss) .....................
Cash dividends declared ($1.80 per share)......
Dividends to noncontrolling interests .............
Purchase of noncontrolling interest .................
Addition of noncontrolling interest .................
Purchase of treasury shares; 441,119 shares
acquired ...........................................................
Stock plan exercises; 88,411 shares acquired .
Stock options exercised; 147,014 shares
issued ...............................................................
Stock option expense .......................................
Stock awards; 65,248 shares issued ................
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(6,335)
2,628
4,042
140,693
—
(38,393)
—
(31,067)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3,636
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(56,491)
(14,489)
25,296
—
8,204
Balance at December 26, 2020 .........................
27,900
335
2,245,035
(309,786)
(781,422)
Net earnings .....................................................
Other comprehensive income ...............................
Cash dividends declared ($2.00 per share)......
Purchase of treasury shares; 111,833 shares
acquired ...........................................................
Stock plan exercises; 90,292 shares issued .....
Stock options exercised; 169,908 shares
issued ...............................................................
Stock option expense .......................................
Stock awards; 88,395 shares issued ...............
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
195,630
—
(42,472)
—
—
(15,357)
(3,886)
2,538
13,963
—
—
—
46,659
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(26,100)
(21,547)
43,138
—
12,219
1,456
1,972
—
(5,642)
(22,544)
5,125
—
—
—
—
—
25,774
2,095
(1,119)
—
—
—
—
—
—
142,149
5,608
(38,393)
(5,642)
(53,611)
5,125
(56,491)
(14,489)
18,961
2,628
12,246
1,207,836
197,725
45,540
(42,472)
(26,100)
(21,547)
23,895
2,538
26,182
Balance at December 25, 2021 ...................... $ 27,900
$
1,479
$ 2,394,307
$
(263,127) $ (773,712) $
26,750
$
1,413,597
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
45
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its wholly and
majority‑owned subsidiaries (the Company). Investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates and joint ventures are accounted
for by the equity method. Investments in less than 20% owned affiliates are accounted for by the cost method. All
intercompany items have been eliminated.
Cash overdrafts
Cash book overdrafts totaling $19,670 and $16,979 were classified as accounts payable at December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020, respectively. The Company’s policy is to report the change in book overdrafts as an operating activity in
the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Segments
The Company has four reportable segments based on its management structure. Each segment is global in nature
with a manager responsible for segment operational performance and allocation of capital within the segment. Reportable
segments are as follows:
ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture 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 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, tubular
products, water management solutions, and technology for precision agriculture.
Fiscal Year
The Company operates on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the last Saturday in December.
Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 consisted of
52 weeks.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are reported on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are
maintained in amounts considered to be appropriate in relation to the outstanding receivables based on age of the receivable,
economic conditions and customer credit quality. As the Company’s international business has grown, the exposure to
potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas
of political instability, or with governments with which the Company has limited experience, or where there is a lack of
transparency as to the current credit condition of governmental units.
46
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following table details the balances of our allowance for doubtful receivables and changes therein:
For periods ended:
December 25, 2021 ......................... $
December 26, 2020 .........................
December 28, 2019 .........................
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
Charged to
Profit and
Loss
15,952 $
9,548
8,277
3,379 $
7,957
2,543
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
(339)
260
(76)
Deductions
from
Reserves
Balance at
Close of
Period
$
(942) $ 18,050
15,952
9,548
(1,813)
(1,196)
The Company sells trade accounts receivable at a discount under uncommitted trade accounts receivable sale
programs to third party financial institutions without recourse. As these accounts receivable are sold without recourse, the
Company does not retain the associated risks following the transfer of such accounts receivable to the financial institutions.
Transfers of accounts receivable are accounted for as sales and, accordingly, accounts receivables sold are excluded
from Accounts receivable – net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and cash proceeds are reflected in Cash flows from
operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The difference between the carrying amount of the trade
accounts receivables sold and the cash received, or discount, is recorded in Other expenses on the Consolidated Statement of
Operations.
For the period ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold trade accounts receivable of $25.4 million. The
Company did not sell trade accounts receivable in 2020. The fees associated with trade accounts receivables sold are
immaterial.
Inventories
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) 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.
Long-Lived Assets
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. The Company generally uses the straight-line method
in computing depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax
purposes. The annual provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally in accordance with the
following ranges of asset lives: buildings and improvements 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment 3 to 12 years,
transportation equipment 3 to 24 years, office furniture and equipment 3 to 7 years and intangible assets 5 to 20 years.
Depreciation expense in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $70,223, $63,890 and $64,177, respectively.
An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated
future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its
estimated fair value. The Company recognized a pre-tax $27,900 impairment of long-lived assets (property, plant, and
equipment, customer relationship intangible asset, and trade name) in 2021 when it determined that its offshore and other
complex steel structures reporting unit will not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the carrying values. An impairment
test was required in November 2021 when the Company received clarifying information on the competitive environment of
this reporting unit in Europe. Impairment losses were recorded in 2020 as facilities were closed and future plans for certain
fixed assets changed in connection with the Company's restructuring plans. Upon adoption of ASC 842, Leases in 2019, the
Company impaired the right-of-use (lease) asset for one of its galvanizing facilities in Australia as it will not generate
sufficient cash flows to recover the carrying value.
47
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the third fiscal quarter of each year, or
when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Reporting units are evaluated
using after-tax operating cash flows (less capital expenditures) discounted to present value ("discounted cash flows"). For the
solar tracking reporting unit, the Company valued this reporting unit using a blend of the discounted cash flows and multiple
of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) approach. Indefinite‑lived intangible assets are
assessed separately from goodwill as part of the annual impairment testing, using a relief-from-royalty method. If the
underlying assumptions related to the valuation of a reporting unit’s goodwill or an indefinite‑lived intangible asset change
materially before or after the annual impairment testing, the reporting unit or asset is evaluated for potential impairment. In
these evaluations, management considers recent operating performance, expected future performance, industry conditions and
other indicators of potential impairment. See footnote 7 for details of impairments recognized during 2021 and 2020.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using
enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the
period that includes the enactment date.
Warranties
The Company's provision for product warranty reflects management's best estimate of probable liability under its
product warranties. Estimated future warranty costs are recorded at the time a sale is recognized. Future warranty liability is
determined based on applying historical claim rate experience to units sold that are still within the warranty period. In
addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims.
Pension Benefits
Certain expenses are incurred in connection with a defined benefit pension plan. In order to measure expense and
the related benefit obligation, various assumptions are made including discount rates used to value the obligation, expected
return on plan assets used to fund these expenses and estimated future inflation rates. These assumptions are based on
historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. An actuarial analysis is used to measure the expense and
liability associated with pension benefits.
Derivative Instruments
The Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risk associated with fluctuation in interest
rates, foreign currency rates or commodities. Where applicable, the Company may elect to account for such derivatives as
either a cash flow, fair value, or net investment hedge.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related
activity and changes in net actuarial gains/losses from a pension plan. Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries are
translated using the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in
48
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
effect on the balance sheet dates. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the
following:
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
Gain on
Hedging
Activities
Defined
Benefit
Pension Plan
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 26, 2020 ........................... $
Current-period comprehensive income (loss) .....
Balance at December 25, 2021 ........................... $
(213,064) $
(30,286)
(243,350) $
15,550 $
227
15,777 $
(112,272) $
76,718
(35,554) $
(309,786)
46,659
(263,127)
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. On December 25, 2021, we had approximately $165,657 of remaining
performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more. We expect to recognize the
majority of our remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 24 months. 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 from transfer of goods.
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
49
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
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 monopole product line has large regional customers who have unique
product specifications for these larger 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. For wireless communication towers and components, 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.
The global Coatings segment revenues are derived by providing coating services to customers’ products, which
include galvanizing, anodizing, and powder coating. Revenue is recognized once the coating service has been performed and
the goods are ready to be picked up or delivered to the customer which is the same time that the customer is billed.
The global Irrigation segment revenues are derived from the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment and
related parts and services for the agricultural industry and tubular products for industrial customers. Revenue recognition for
the irrigation segment is generally upon shipment of the goods to the customer which is the same point in time that the
customer is billed. The remote monitoring subscription services are primarily billed annually and revenue is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the subsequent twelve months.
Disaggregation of revenue by product line is disclosed in the Segment footnote. A breakdown by segment of
revenue recognized over time and revenue recognized at a point in time for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020 is as follows:
Fiscal Year 2021
Fiscal Year 2020
Fiscal Year 2019
Over
Time
Point in
Time
Point in
Time
47,450 $ 838,158
50,020
952,056
300,640
—
13,734
564,918
Total ....................................... $ 2,384,575 $ 1,117,000 $ 1,921,328 $ 974,027 $ 1,865,064 $ 901,912
Utility Support Structures ........... $
Engineered Support Structures ....
Coatings ......................................
Irrigation ......................................
86,382 $ 915,756 $
940,513
269,602
624,831
1,026,312
299,081
996,278
43,010
—
15,261
38,128
—
20,772
62,904 $ 1,058,100 $
Point in
Time
Over
Time
Over
Time
The Company's contract asset as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 was $142,643 and $123,495,
respectively. Both steel and concrete Utility customers in North America 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.
50
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, total contract liabilities were $213,203 and $170,919, respectively.
At December 25, 2021, $135,746 is recorded as contract liabilities and $77,457 is recorded as other noncurrent liabilities on
the condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the
Company recognized $105,406 and $74,319 of revenue that was included in the liability as of December 26, 2020 and
December 28, 2019. The revenue recognized was due to applying advance payments received for performance obligations
completed during the period. At December 25, 2021, the Company had $165,657 of remaining performance obligations on
contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more and expects to complete the remaining performance
obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 24 months.
Use of Estimates
Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets
and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare
these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Equity Method Investments
The Company has equity method investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries which are recorded within "Other
assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Treasury Stock
Repurchased shares are recorded as “Treasury Stock” and result in a reduction of “Shareholders’ Equity.” When
treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the last-in, first-out method, and the difference between the repurchase cost
and re-issuance price is charged or credited to “Additional Paid-In Capital.”
In May 2014, the Company announced a capital allocation philosophy which covered a share repurchase program.
Specifically, the Board of Directors at that time authorized the purchase of up to $500,000 of the Company's outstanding
common stock from time to time over twelve months at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately-negotiated
transactions. In February 2015 and again in October 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional purchase of up to
$250,000 of the Company's outstanding common stock with no stated expiration date. As of December 25, 2021, the
Company has acquired 6,475,406 shares for approximately $878,138 under this share repurchase program.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are charged to operations in the year incurred. These costs are a component of
“Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Research and development
expenses were approximately $37,000 in 2021, $21,400 in 2020, and $13,900 in 2019.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12 (ASU 2019-12), Income Taxes
(Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting and disclosure requirements for
income taxes by clarifying existing guidance to improve consistency in application of Accounting Standards Codification
(ASC) 740. The Company adopted this ASU on the first day of fiscal 2021. The adoption of ASU No. 2019-12 did not have a
significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (not yet adopted)
In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 (ASU 2020-04), Reference Rate
Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional
expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that
51
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate
reform. This guidance can be adopted on a prospective basis no later than December 31, 2022, with early adoption permitted.
The Company does not expect ASU 2020-04 to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements and related
disclosures.
(2) ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions of Businesses
On May 12, 2021, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of Prospera Technologies, Ltd. ("Prospera"), an
artificial intelligence company focused on machine learning and computer vision in agriculture, for $300,000 in cash (net of
cash acquired). The acquisition of Prospera, located in Tel Aviv, Israel, was made to allow the Company to accelerate
innovation with machine learning for agronomy and is reported in the Irrigation segment. In the purchase price allocation,
goodwill of $273,453, developed technology of $32,900, trade name of $2,850, property, plant, and equipment of $1,063, and
a deferred tax liability of $8,223 were recorded with the remainder to net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax
purposes, the trade name will be amortized over 7 years, and the developed technology asset will be amortized over 5 years.
The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify
for separate recognition. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2021.
On April 20, 2021 the Company acquired the assets of PivoTrac for $12,500 in cash. The agreed upon purchase
price was $14,000, with $1,500 being held back for seller representations and warranties that will be settled within 12 months
of the acquisition date. The acquisition of PivoTrac, located in Texas, was made to allow the Company to advance its
technology strategy and increase its number of connected agricultural devices and is reported in the Irrigation segment. The
preliminary fair values assigned were $10,800 for goodwill, $2,627 for customer relationships, 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 amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify
for separate recognition. The Company expects the purchase price allocation to be finalized in the second quarter of 2022.
On May 29, 2020, the Company acquired 55% of Energia Solar do Brasil ("Solbras") for $4,308. Approximately
$646 of the purchase price was contingent on seller representations and warranties and was settled for the full amount in the
second quarter of 2021. Solbras is a leading provider of solar energy solutions for agriculture. In the purchase price
allocation, goodwill of $3,341 and customer relationships of $3,718 were recorded and the remainder to 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, was made to allow 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
finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2020.
On March 6, 2020, the Company acquired 75% of KC Utility Packaging, LLC for $4,200. Approximately $400 of
the purchase price was contingent on seller representations and warranties and was settled for the full amount in the first
quarter of 2021. The Company name was subsequently changed to Valmont Substations LLC. The acquisition was made to
expand the Company's utility substation product offering. In the purchase price allocation, goodwill of $1,100, customer
relationships of $4,000, and other intangibles of $500 were recorded. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in
the fourth quarter of 2020.
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 to net
working capital. A portion of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily
attributable to anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. Connect-It is included
in the ESS segment and was acquired to expand the Company's wireless component distribution network. The purchase price
allocation was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2019.
52
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
On February 11, 2019, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of United Galvanizing ("United"), a provider
of coatings services for $26,000 in cash. The agreed upon purchase price was $28,000, with $2,000 being contingent on seller
representations and warranties that was settled in the first quarter of 2020 for $1,522. The acquisition of United, located in
Houston, Texas further expanded the Company's galvanizing footprint in North America and is reported in the Coatings
segment. The fair values assigned were $12,374 for goodwill, $3,170 for customer relationships, trade name of $894, $10,987
for property, plant, and equipment, and the remainder to net working capital. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and
the customer relationship will be amortized over 10 years. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to
anticipated synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. The trade name has an indefinite life.
The Company finalized the purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Acquisition-related costs incurred for the above acquisitions were insignificant for all years presented.
Proforma disclosures were omitted for the 2021 and 2020 acquisitions as the 2021 acquisitions of Prospera and
PivoTrac and the 2020 acquisitions of Solbras and Valmont Substation do not have a significant impact on the Company's
financial results. The proforma effect of 2019 acquisitions on the 2019 Consolidated Statements of Earnings is as follows:
Fifty-two
Weeks Ended
December 28,
2019
Net sales ..........................................................
$
2,772,150
Net earnings .....................................................
Earnings per share-diluted ...............................
146,941
6.75
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 accounting for owning 100% of
AgSense resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax asset of approximately $7,700.
In December 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 40% of Torrent Engineering and Equipment that it did not
own for $3,500. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company acquired 16% of the remaining 25% that it did not own of Convert
Italia for a cash payment of $11,750. The purchase agreement also settled the escrow funds which the Company had paid at
date of acquisition.
53
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(3) RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES
During 2020, the Company executed certain regional restructuring activities (the "2020 Plan") primarily in the ESS
and Utility segments and a U.S. specific early retirement program covering all segments. The 2020 Plan included the closure
of one U.S. Coatings facility. All 2020 restructuring activities were completed by December 26, 2020. The Company
recorded the following pre-tax expenses:
ESS
Utility
Coatings
Irrigation
Other/
Corporate
TOTAL
Severance
Other cash restructuring expenses
Impairments of fixed assets/net
loss on disposals
Total cost of sales
Severance
Other cash restructuring expenses
Impairments of assets/net loss on
disposals
Total selling, general and
administrative expenses
$
474
181
$ 241
$
1,070
$
424
596
345
2,866
1,000
4,177
4,441
2,393
1,700
71
540
1,560
2,231
160
443
—
—
$
—
—
—
—
2,968
—
—
$
—
—
—
—
1,761
244
—
6,584
2,464
2,391
2,968
2,005
Consolidated total
$ 7,584
$ 6,641
$ 3,951
$
2,968
$
2,005
$
1,139
1,847
3,751
6,737
13,794
2,175
443
16,412
23,149
Change in the current liabilities recorded for the restructuring plans were as follows:
Balance at
December 26,
2020
Recognized
Restructuring
Expense
Costs Paid or
Otherwise
Settled
Balance at
December 25,
2021
Severance
$
12,660
$
(12,660) $
—
54
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(4) CASH FLOW SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three
months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest and income taxes (net of refunds)
for the fifty-two weeks ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, and December 28, 2019 were as follows:
2021
2020
2019
Interest .................................................................. $ 41,159 $ 40,209 $ 39,032
43,629
Income taxes .........................................................
54,801
60,366
The acquisitions in 2020 and 2019 included hold back payments contingent on seller representations and warranties
of $1,046 and $5,456, respectively. The 2020 hold back payments were released from a trust in the first half of 2021 and the
2019 hold back payments were paid in the first quarter of 2020 and are shown as an investing use of cash in the acquisitions
line item of the consolidated statements of cash flows.
(5) INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020:
Raw materials and purchased parts ........................................ $
Work-in-process .....................................................................
Finished goods and manufactured goods ...............................
$
2021
278,107 $
63,628
387,099
728,834 $
2020
155,512
33,632
259,797
448,941
(6) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consist of the following:
2021
2020
Land and improvements ...................................................................... $ 112,236 $ 114,831
373,271
Buildings and improvements ...............................................................
616,765
Machinery and equipment ...................................................................
28,610
Transportation equipment ....................................................................
101,487
Office furniture and equipment ...........................................................
106,416
Construction in progress ......................................................................
$ 1,422,101 $ 1,341,380
413,884
672,319
27,020
117,757
78,885
55
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(7) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortized Intangible Assets
The components of amortized intangible assets at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 were as follows:
December 25, 2021
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Customer Relationships ...................................................... $ 224,597 $
Patents & Proprietary Technology .....................................
Trade Name ........................................................................
Other ...................................................................................
58,699
2,850
4,534
$ 290,680 $
160,626
13,955
183
3,959
178,723
December 26, 2020
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Customer Relationships ........................................................ $ 237,232 $
Patents & Proprietary Technology ........................................
Other .....................................................................................
26,208
7,602
$ 271,042 $
155,760
8,301
6,786
170,847
Weighted
Average
Life
13 years
9 years
7 years
6 years
Weighted
Average
Life
13 years
14 years
4 years
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $21,320, $18,147 and $18,087 for the fiscal years ended
December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an
impairment test was required when the Company received clarifying information on the competitive environment of the
Valmont SM business in Europe. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $4,483 was recognized against the
remaining net book value of the Valmont SM customer relationship.
Estimated annual amortization expense related to finite‑lived intangible assets is as follows:
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2022 .......................................................................................... $
2023 ..........................................................................................
2024 ..........................................................................................
2025 ..........................................................................................
2026 ..........................................................................................
19,466
17,692
15,768
14,301
10,123
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.
56
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Non-amortized intangible assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. The carrying values of these trade names at December 25,
2021 and December 26, 2020 were as follows:
December 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
Newmark ........................................................................................................... $
Webforge ...........................................................................................................
Valmont SM ......................................................................................................
Ingal EPS/Ingal Civil Products .........................................................................
Shakespeare .......................................................................................................
Walpar ...............................................................................................................
Convert ..............................................................................................................
Other ..................................................................................................................
$
11,111 $
7,877
6,082
7,637
4,000
3,500
8,479
14,721
63,407 $
11,111
7,972
8,720
7,730
4,000
3,500
9,137
14,828
66,998
Year
Acquired
2004
2010
2014
2010
2014
2018
2018
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 as of August 28, 2021. The values of each trade name were
determined using the relief-from-royalty method. Based on this evaluation, no trade names were determined to be impaired.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an impairment test was required when the Company received clarifying information
on the competitive environment of the Valmont SM business in Europe. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately
$2,013 was recognized against the Valmont SM trade name. In conjunction with an interim second quarter 2020 goodwill
impairment test, impairment indicators were noted for the Webforge and Locker trade names requiring an interim impairment
test. As a result, an impairment charge of approximately $3,900 was recognized against these two trade names in fiscal 2020.
Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 was as follows:
Engineered
Support
Structures
Segment
Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
Coatings
Segment
Irrigation
Segment
Total
Gross balance at December 26, 2020 $ 232,323 $ 135,335 $ 94,309 $ 30,177 $ 492,144
(61,822)
Accumulated impairment losses .......
30,177 $ 430,322
Balance at December 26, 2020 ..........
Acquisitions ......................................
(31,245)
201,078
(16,222)
78,087
120,980
(14,355)
284,253
284,253
—
—
—
—
Foreign currency translation .............
(6,009)
Balance at December 25, 2021 ....... $ 199,446 $ 117,724 $ 77,884 $ 313,512 $ 708,566
(1,632)
(3,256)
(918)
(203)
57
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Engineered
Support
Structures
Segment
Utility
Support
Structures
Segment
Coatings
Segment
Irrigation
Segment
Total
Gross balance at December 28, 2019 $ 228,634 $ 130,594 $ 93,747 $ 25,136 $ 478,111
(49,247)
Accumulated impairment losses ........
428,864
Balance at December 28, 2019 ...........
6,138
Acquisitions .......................................
(12,575)
Impairment ........................................
7,895
Foreign currency translation ..............
Balance at December 26, 2020 .......... $ 201,078 $ 120,980 $ 78,087 $ 30,177 $ 430,322
(14,355)
116,239
1,100
—
3,641
(16,222)
77,525
—
—
562
—
25,136
5,038
—
3
(18,670)
209,964
—
(12,575)
3,689
The Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill was performed as of August 28, 2021, using primarily the
discounted cash flow method. The solar tracking structure reporting unit projects meaningful annual revenue growth for the
foreseeable future due to strong market conditions. Therefore, we valued this reporting unit using a blend of both the
discounted cash flows and a market approach. The market valuation approach estimates the terminal value for this reporting
unit using a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). During fiscal 2021, no
goodwill impairment was recorded.
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.
(8) BANK CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
The Company maintains various lines of credit for short-term borrowings totaling $137,818 available at
December 25, 2021. As of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, $13,439 and $35,147 was outstanding and recorded
as notes payable to banks in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The interest rates charged on these lines of credit
vary in relation to the banks’ costs of funds. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 6.31% at
December 25, 2021. The unused and available borrowings under the lines of credit were $124,379 at December 25, 2021. The
lines of credit can be modified at any time at the option of the banks. The Company pays no fees in connection with unused
lines of credit.
(9) INCOME TAXES
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries are as follows:
2021
2020
2019
United States .......................................... $ 202,051 $ 169,281 $ 166,108
33,750
Foreign ...................................................
$ 260,083 $ 192,768 $ 199,858
58,032
23,487
58
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of:
Current:
Federal ........................................... $
State ...............................................
Foreign ..........................................
Non-current:
Deferred:
Federal ...........................................
State ...............................................
Foreign ..........................................
$
2021
2020
2019
30,031 $
8,891
20,644
59,566
1,777
4,587
558
(5,074)
71
61,414 $
30,431 $
8,302
12,730
51,463
(451)
(6,086)
(822)
5,511
(1,397)
49,615 $
27,809
5,568
13,130
46,507
(240)
47
160
1,279
1,486
47,753
The reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate follows:
Statutory federal income tax rate ......................................................
State income taxes, net of federal benefit .........................................
Carryforwards, credits and changes in valuation allowances ...........
Foreign tax rate differences ..............................................................
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits ..............................................
Goodwill and intangible impairment ...............................................
Other .................................................................................................
2021
2020
2019
21.0 %
2.9
1.5
(0.1)
0.7
—
(2.4)
23.6 %
21.0 %
3.5
(1.6)
(1.7)
0.2
2.4
1.9
25.7 %
21.0 %
2.5
(1.0)
0.3
(0.1)
—
1.2
23.9 %
Fiscal 2021 includes $1,894 of U.S. tax benefits related to foreign taxes paid offset by $5,102 of valuation allowance
recorded against the Offshore and other complex steel structures deferred tax assets. Fiscal year 2020 includes $4,651 of tax
expense related to non-tax deductible impairment of goodwill. Fiscal year 2020 also includes $1,100 of tax expense
primarily related to restructuring charges for which no tax benefits have been recorded due to the increase in valuation
allowance.
59
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and (b) operating loss and tax
credit carryforwards. The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred income tax assets/liabilities
are as follows:
Deferred income tax assets:
2021
2020
Accrued expenses and allowances .......................................... $ 21,241 $
Tax credits and loss carryforwards .........................................
Defined benefit pension liability ............................................
Inventory allowances ..............................................................
Accrued compensation and benefits .......................................
Lease liabilities .......................................................................
Deferred compensation ...........................................................
Gross deferred income tax assets ........................................
Valuation allowance ...............................................................
Net deferred income tax assets ...........................................
83,690
134
2,818
24,302
41,128
10,893
184,206
129,950
(54,256)
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment ................................................
Intangible assets ......................................................................
Inventory allowances ..............................................................
Lease assets ............................................................................
Other deferred tax liabilities ...................................................
Total deferred income tax liabilities ...................................
Net deferred income tax asset (liability) ............................. $
37,686
48,244
—
41,128
5,041
132,099
(2,149) $
17,203
81,912
30,623
—
23,545
23,715
13,883
190,881
(44,451)
146,430
35,701
43,699
5,705
23,715
5,248
114,068
32,362
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented as follows on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Balance Sheet Caption
Other assets ............................................................................................................... $
Deferred income taxes ..............................................................................................
Net deferred income tax asset (liability) .............................................................. $
2021
45,700 $
(47,849)
(2,149) $
2020
74,051
(41,689)
32,362
Management of the Company has reviewed recent operating results and projected future operating results. The
Company's belief that realization of its net deferred tax assets is more likely than not is based on, among other factors,
changes in operations that have occurred in recent years and available tax planning strategies. At December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020 respectively, there were $83,690 and $81,912 relating to tax credits and loss carryforwards.
Valuation allowances have been established for certain losses that reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will,
more likely than not, be realized. During fiscal 2021, it was determined no longer more likely than not that the Offshore and
complex steel structures reporting unit, based in Denmark, would generate future taxable income so a valuation allowance of
$5,102 was recognized against their tax loss carryforwards. Also in 2021, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of
$6,472 against the tax attributes related to the acquisition of Prospera. The deferred tax assets at December 25, 2021 that are
associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards not reduced by valuation allowances expire in periods starting in 2023.
Uncertain tax positions included in other non-current liabilities are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (1) the
Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits
of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company would
60
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with
the related tax authority.
The following summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits in 2021 and 2020, in thousands:
Gross unrecognized tax benefits—beginning of year ............................................................ $
Gross increases—tax positions in prior period ......................................................................
Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period .....................................................................
Gross increases—current‑period tax positions ......................................................................
Settlements with taxing authorities ........................................................................................
Lapse of statute of limitations ...............................................................................................
Gross unrecognized tax benefits—end of year ...................................................................... $
1,864 $
1,315
(6)
240
—
(749)
2,664 $
2,300
—
(1)
398
(183)
(650)
1,864
2021
2020
There are approximately $406 of uncertain tax positions for which reversal is reasonably possible during the next
12 months due to the closing of the statute of limitations. The nature of these uncertain tax positions is generally the
computation of a tax deduction or tax credit. During 2021, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax
benefit of $749 with $592 recorded as a reduction of income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the
United States. During 2020, the Company recorded a reduction of its gross unrecognized tax benefit of $650, with $513
recorded as a reduction of its income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in the United States. In
addition to these amounts, there was an aggregate of $1,758 and $845 of interest and penalties at December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020, respectively. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties directly related to income taxes as
income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax years 2017
and forward remain open under U.S. statutes of limitation. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized,
would affect the effective tax rate was $4,324 and $2,547 at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively.
(10) LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt is as follows:
December 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044(a) ...................................................... $
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054(b) ......................................................
Unamortized discount on 5.00% and 5.25% senior unsecured notes (a)(b) ....
Revolving credit agreement (c) ........................................................................
Other notes .......................................................................................................
Debt issuance costs ...........................................................................................
Long-term debt ............................................................................................
Less current installments of long-term debt .....................................................
Long-term debt, excluding current installments ......................................... $
450,000 $
305,000
(20,436)
218,897
5,684
(7,189)
951,956
4,884
947,072 $
450,000
305,000
(20,799)
—
4,483
(7,505)
731,179
2,748
728,431
(a)
The 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 include an aggregate principal amount of $450,000 on which interest is
paid and an unamortized discount balance of $13,120 at December 25, 2021. The notes bear interest at 5.000% per
annum and are due on October 1, 2044. The discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense as
interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or
in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest.
These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
61
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(b)
(c)
The 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2054 include an aggregate principal amount of $305,000 on which interest is
paid and an unamortized discount balance of $7,316 at December 25, 2021. The notes bear interest at 5.250% per
annum and are due on October 1, 2054. The discount will be amortized and recognized as interest expense as
interest payments are made over the term of the notes. The notes may be repurchased prior to maturity in whole, or
in part, at any time at 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest.
These notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
On October 18, 2021, we along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont
Group Pty. Ltd., as borrowers, entered into an amendment and restatement of our revolving credit agreement with
our lenders. The maturity date of the revolving credit facility was extended to October 18, 2026. The credit facility
provides for $800,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit loans with available borrowings thereunder to
$400,000 in foreign currencies. We may increase the credit facility by up to an additional $300,000 at any time,
subject to lenders increasing the amount of their commitments. The interest rate on the borrowings will be, at the
Company's option, either:
(i)
term SOFR (based on a 1, 3 or 6 month interest period, as selected by the Company) plus a 10 basis point
adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's
senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors
Service, Inc.;
(ii)
the higher of
•
•
•
the prime lending rate,
the overnight bank rate plus 50 basis points, and
term SOFR (based on a 1 month interest period) plus 110 basis points,
plus, in each case, 0 to 62.5 basis points, depending on the credit rating of the Company's senior,
unsecured, debt published by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service,
Inc.; or
(iii)
daily simple SOFR plus a 10 basis point adjustment plus a spread of 100 to 162.5 basis points, depending
on the credit rating of the Company's senior, unsecured, long-term debt published by Standard & Poor's
Rating Services and Mood's Investors Service, Inc.
At December 25, 2021, the Company had $218,897 outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. The
revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 18, 2026, and contains a financial covenant that may limit additional
borrowing capability under the agreement. At December 25, 2021, the Company had the ability to borrow $590,521 under
this facility, after consideration of standby letters of credit of $744 associated with certain insurance obligations. We also
maintain certain short-term bank lines of credit totaling $137,818, $124,379 of which was unused at December 25, 2021.
The revolving credit facility includes a financial leverage covenant. The Company was in compliance with this
covenant at December 25, 2021. The minimum aggregate maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following
2021 are: $4,884, $601, $179, $20 and $218,897.
The obligations arising under the 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044, the 5.25% senior unsecured notes due
2054, and the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Valmont
Telecommunications, Inc., Valmont Coatings, Inc., Valmont Newmark, Inc., and Valmont Queensland Pty. Ltd.
62
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company maintains stock‑based compensation plans approved by the shareholders, which provide that the
Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and bonuses of common stock. At December 25, 2021,
266,739 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the plans. Shares and options issued and available are
subject to changes in capitalization. The Company’s policy is to issue shares upon exercise of stock options or vesting of
restricted stock units or issuance of restricted stock from treasury shares held by the Company.
Under the stock option plans, the exercise price of each option equals the market price at the time of the grant.
Options vest beginning on the first anniversary of the grant in equal amounts over three years or on the fifth anniversary of the
grant. Expiration of grants is seven to ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in
equal installments over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. The Company recorded $28,720, $14,874
and $11,587 of compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) in the 2021, 2020 and 2019
fiscal years for all share-based compensation programs, respectively. The associated tax benefits recorded in the 2021, 2020
and 2019 fiscal years was $7,180, $3,719 and $2,897, respectively.
At December 25, 2021, the amount of unrecognized stock option compensation expense, to be recognized over a
weighted average period of 2.38 years, was approximately $6,028.
The Company uses a binomial option pricing model to value its stock options. The fair value of each option grant
made in 2021, 2020 and 2019 was estimated using the following assumptions:
Expected volatility ...................................................
Risk-free interest rate ..............................................
Expected life from vesting date ............................... 4.0 yrs
Dividend yield .........................................................
2019
2021
2020
33.01 % 33.72 % 33.13 %
1.69 %
1.26 % 0.43 %
3.0 yrs
4.0 yrs
1.07 %
1.20 % 1.24 %
63
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Following is a summary of the stock option activity during 2019, 2020 and 2021:
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Number of
Shares
Outstanding at December 29, 2018 ...................................................
Granted ..............................................................................................
Exercised ...........................................................................................
Forfeited ............................................................................................
Outstanding at December 28, 2019 ...................................................
Options vested or expected to vest at December 28, 2019 ................
Options exercisable at December 28, 2019 .......................................
57,648
578,413 $ 127.74
147.31
(119,789) 113.02
(27,712) 137.07
488,560 $ 133.13
478,575 $ 133.21
341,828 $ 133.32
The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2019 was $37.85.
4.04 $
3.99
3.19
9,291
9,078
6,470
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Number of
Shares
Outstanding at December 28, 2019 ..........................................................
Granted .....................................................................................................
Exercised ..................................................................................................
Forfeited ...................................................................................................
Outstanding at December 26, 2020 ..........................................................
Options vested or expected to vest at December 26, 2020 .......................
Options exercisable at December 26, 2020 ..............................................
66,231
488,560 $ 133.13
168.80
(147,014) 125.43
(8,212) 137.49
399,565 $ 141.79
389,633 $ 141.56
254,498 $ 138.64
The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2020 was $45.49.
4.88 $ 12,103
11,890
4.81
8,510
3.38
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Number of
Shares
Outstanding at December 26, 2020 ..........................................................
Granted .....................................................................................................
Exercised ..................................................................................................
Forfeited ...................................................................................................
Outstanding at December 25, 2021 ..........................................................
Options vested or expected to vest at December 25, 2021 .......................
Options exercisable at December 25, 2021 ..............................................
47,223
399,565 $ 141.79
252.89
(169,908) 135.76
(416) 132.84
276,464 $ 164.48
268,338 $ 163.42
154,860 $ 142.15
The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during 2021 was $67.81.
5.88 $ 22,586
22,188
5.80
15,896
4.00
64
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
In accordance with shareholder-approved plans, the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors may grant
stock under various stock‑based compensation arrangements, including restricted stock awards, restricted stock units,
performance based restricted stock units, and stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses. Under such arrangements, stock or cash (as
applicable) is issued without direct cost to the employee. The restricted stock units are settled in Company stock when the
restriction period ends. Restricted stock units and awards generally vest in equal installments over three years beginning on the
first anniversary of the grant. All cash-settled restricted stock units are marked-to-market and presented within other accrued
expenses and noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. During fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company
granted restricted stock units to directors and certain management employees as follows (which are not included in the above
stock plan activity tables):
2019
78,318
Shares granted .....................................................................................................................
Weighted‑average per share price on grant date ................................................................. $ 236.28 $ 161.73 $ 145.89
Recognized compensation expense ..................................................................................... $ 16,147 $ 9,081 $ 8,815
2021
216,971
2020
85,251
During the second half of 2021, the Company granted 159,982 restricted shares, worth $36,916, to certain employees
of Prospera. These restricted shares vest in equal installments over four years, and require the employees to continue
employment over those four years. As such, the related compensation expense will be incurred over the vesting period.
At December 25, 2021 the amount of deferred stock‑based compensation granted, to be recognized over a
weighted‑average period of 3.21 years, was approximately $55,838.
Performance-based restricted stock units (PSU) awards consist of shares of our stock which are payable upon the
determination that the Company achieve certain established performance targets and can range from 0% to 200% of the
targeted payout based on the actual results. PSU's granted in 2021 have a performance period of three years. The fair value of
each PSU granted is equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. PSUs granted generally have a
three years period cliff vesting schedule; however, according to the grant agreements, if certain conditions are met, the
employee (or beneficiary) will receive a prorated amount of the award based on active employment during the service period.
During fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company granted PSU awards as follows (which are not included in the
above stock plan activity tables):
2019
31,344
Shares granted .....................................................................................................................
Weighted‑average per share price on grant date ................................................................. $ 230.40 $ 125.41 $ 136.14
Recognized compensation expense ..................................................................................... $ 10,035 $ 3,165 $ —
2021
41,060
2020
35,181
65
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(12) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table provides a reconciliation between Basic and Diluted earnings per share (EPS):
Dilutive
Effect of
Stock
Options
Diluted
EPS
Basic EPS
2021:
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. ................................................. $ 195,630 $
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) .............................................................
Per share amount ........................................................................................................ $
2020:
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. ................................................. $ 140,693 $
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) .............................................................
Per share amount ........................................................................................................ $
2019:
21,193
21,315
6.60 $
9.23 $
Net earnings attributable to Valmont Industries, Inc. .............................................. $ 146,408 $
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) ..........................................................
Per share amount ..................................................................................................... $
21,659
6.76 $
— $ 195,630
21,493
300
9.10
0.13 $
— $ 140,693
21,425
110
6.57
0.03 $
— $ 146,408
21,769
110
6.73
0.03 $
Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2021 was impacted by impairments of long-lived
assets (customer relationship intangible asset, trade name, and property, plant and equipment) associated with the Offshore
and other complex steel structures reporting unit of $21,678 after-tax ($1.01 per share) and a valuation allowance against the
deferred tax assets of the Offshore and other complex steel structures reporting unit of $5,076 after-tax ($0.24 per share).
Basic and diluted net earnings and earnings per share in fiscal 2020 was impacted by impairments of goodwill and intangible
assets in fiscal 2020 of $16,220 after-tax ($0.76 per share) and restructuring expenses of $17,324 after-tax ($0.81 per share).
Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly
earnings per share may not equal the total for the year.
At the end of fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 there were 47,223, 0, and 130,704 outstanding stock options,
respectively, with exercise prices exceeding the market price of common stock that were excluded from the computation of
diluted earnings per share, respectively.
(13) EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Established under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k), the Valmont Employee Retirement Savings Plan
(“VERSP”) is a defined contribution plan available to all eligible employees. Participants can elect to contribute up to 60% of
annual pay, on a pretax and/or after-tax basis. The Company also makes contributions to the Plan and a non-qualified
deferred compensation plan for certain Company executives. The 2021, 2020 and 2019 Company contributions to these plans
amounted to approximately $16,000, $14,800 and $12,600 respectively.
The Company sponsors a fully‑funded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain Company executives
who otherwise would be limited in receiving company contributions into VERSP under Internal Revenue Service regulations.
The invested assets and related liabilities of these participants were $29,982 and $35,125 at December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020, respectively. Such amounts are included in “Other assets” and “Deferred compensation” on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts distributed from the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan to
participants under the transition rules of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code were approximately $8,900 and $5,067 at
December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively. All distributions were made in cash.
66
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(14) DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, notes payable to banks and
accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair values of each of the
Company’s long-term debt instruments are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument
discounted using the Company’s current borrowing rate for similar debt instruments of comparable maturity (Level 2). The
fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and the underlying assumptions are subject to change based on
market conditions. At December 25, 2021, the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt was $951,956 with an
estimated fair value of approximately $1,175,332. At December 26, 2020, the carrying amount of the Company’s long-term
debt was $731,179 with an estimated fair value of approximately $884,846.
For financial reporting purposes, a three‑level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of
inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date is used. Inputs refers broadly to the assumptions that
market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Financial assets and liabilities
carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
• Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
• Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
• Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value
measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Trading Securities: The assets and liabilities recorded for the investments held in the Valmont Deferred
Compensation Plan of $29,982 ($35,125 in 2020) represent mutual funds, invested in debt and equity securities, classified as
trading securities, considering the employee’s ability to change investment allocation of their deferred compensation at any
time. The Company's remaining ownership in Delta EMD Pty. Ltd. (JSE:DTA) of $94 ($202 in 2020) is recorded at fair value
at December 25, 2021. Quoted market prices are available for these securities in an active market and therefore categorized as
a Level 1 input. These securities are included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward and cross currency
contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price
and the market-based forward rate.
Carrying Value
December 25,
2021
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Trading securities ...................................... $
Derivative financial instruments, net ........ $
30,076 $
(4,007) $
30,076 $
— $
— $
(4,007) $
—
—
Carrying Value
December 26,
2020
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Trading securities ...................................... $
Derivative financial instruments, net ........ $
35,327 $
(5,911) $
35,327 $
— $
— $
(5,911) $
—
—
67
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(15) 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. The Company had open foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market at
December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, which are insignificant and thus excluded from the tables below. 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 December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 are as follows:
Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments:
Balance sheet location
December 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
Commodity forward contracts ............. Accrued expenses ........................................ $
Foreign currency forward contracts .....
Prepaid expenses and other assets ............
Foreign currency forward contracts ..... Accrued expenses .....................................
Prepaid expenses and other assets ............
Cross currency swap contracts ............
Accrued expenses .....................................
Cross currency swap contracts ............
$
(5,802) $
149
(118)
1,764
—
(4,007) $
—
724
—
600
(7,235)
(5,911)
Gains (losses) on derivatives recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended
December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and December 28, 2019 are as follows:
Statements of earnings location
Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments:
Commodity forward contracts ................ Product cost of sales ..................... $
Foreign currency forward contracts ........ Product Sales ................................
Foreign currency forward contracts ........ Other income (expense) ...............
Interest expense ............................
Interest rate contracts ..............................
Interest expense ............................
Cross currency swap contracts ................
$
2021
25,821 $
—
(40)
(64)
2,780
28,497 $
2020
2019
— $
1,598
187
(64)
2,738
4,459 $
(2,130)
—
950
(64)
2,823
1,579
Cash Flow Hedges
During 2021, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (HRC) forward contracts that qualify as a cash flow
hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. The forward contracts had a notional amount of
$93,498 for the total purchase of 86,100 short tons from May 2021 to December 2022. The gain (loss) realized upon
settlement will be recorded in product cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings over average
inventory turns.
In 2019, the Company entered into steel hot rolled coil (HRC) forward contracts which qualified as a cash flow
hedge of the variability in the cash flows attributable to future steel purchases. In 2019, 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)
68
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
realized upon settlement was recorded in product cost of sales in the consolidated statements of earnings over average
inventory turns.
During 2021, a Brazilian subsidiary with a Real functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts
to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a customer order with components purchased in Euros. The forward contracts,
which qualify as a cash flow hedge, matured in July and September 2021 and had notional amounts to buy 3,800 euros in
exchange for a stated amount of Brazilian Real. During 2021, a subsidiary with a Euro functional currency entered into a
foreign currency forward contract to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S.
dollars. The forward contract, which qualifies as a fair value hedge, matured in December 2021 and a notional amount to sell
$2,000 in exchange for a stated amount of Euros.
In 2020, a Brazilian subsidiary with a Real functional currency entered into foreign currency forward contracts to
mitigate foreign currency risk related to a customer order with components purchased in Euros. The forward contracts, which
qualify as a cash flow hedge, matured in December 2020 and a notional amount to buy 4,500 euros in exchange for a stated
amount of Brazilian Real. In 2020, a subsidiary with a Euro functional currency entered into foreign currency forward
contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk related to a large customer order denominated in U.S. dollars. The forward
contracts, which qualify as a cash flow hedge, matured in June 2021 and a notional amount to sell $27,500 in exchange for a
stated amount of Euros.
Net Investment Hedges
In the second quarter of 2020, the Company early settled its Australian dollar denominated foreign currency forward
contracts and received proceeds of $11,983. In 2019, all net investment hedges incepted in 2018 were early settled and the
Company received proceeds of $11,184. Amounts will remain in OCI until either the sale or substantially complete
liquidation of the related subsidiaries.
In the second quarter of 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-for-fixed cross currency swaps ("CCS"),
swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments on a portion of its 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2044 for Danish
krone (DKK) and euro denominated payments. The CCS were entered into in order to mitigate foreign currency risk on 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:
Currency
Danish Krone (DKK)
Euro
Notional
Amount
$
$
50,000
80,000
Termination Date
Swapped
Interest Rate
Net Settlement
Amount
April 1, 2024
April 1, 2024
2.68%
2.825%
DKK 333,625
€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.
(16) GUARANTEES
The Company’s product warranty accrual reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product
warranties. Historical product claims data is used to estimate the cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized.
69
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Changes in the product warranty accrual, which is recorded in “Accrued expenses”, for the years ended
December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, were as follows:
Balance, beginning of period ........................................................................................................... $
Payments made ................................................................................................................................
Change in liability for warranties issued during the period .............................................................
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties ................................................................................
Balance, end of period ..................................................................................................................... $
2021
14,787 $
(6,444)
13,534
(569)
21,308 $
2020
13,532
(10,228)
12,287
(804)
14,787
(17) COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
Various claims and lawsuits are pending against Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The Company cannot fully
determine the effect of all asserted and unasserted claims on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or
liquidity. Where asserted and unasserted claims are considered probable and reasonably estimable, a liability has been
recorded. We do not expect that any known lawsuits, claims, environmental costs, commitments, or contingent liabilities
will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
70
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(18) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
Delta Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the sponsor of the Delta Pension Plan ("Plan"). The Plan
provides defined benefit retirement income to eligible employees in the United Kingdom. Pension retirement benefits to
qualified employees are 1.67% of final salary per year of service upon reaching the age of 65 years. This Plan has no active
employees as members at December 25, 2021.
Funded Status
The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of the pension plan as an asset or liability. The
funded status represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and the fair value of the plan assets.
The PBO is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants, including the effect of assumed future salary
increases (if applicable) and inflation. Plan assets are measured at fair value. Because the pension plan is denominated in
British pounds sterling, the Company used exchange rates of $1.356/£ and $1.308/£ to translate the net pension liability into
U.S. dollars at December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, respectively. The PBO was $761,706 at December 25, 2021. The
net funded status of $536 at December 25, 2021 is recorded as a noncurrent liability reflecting, in part, a significant actuarial
gain for the period from December 26, 2020 to December 25, 2021 attributed to an increase in the discount rate.
Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets—The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is the
present value of benefits earned to date, assuming no future compensation growth.
As there are no active employees in the plan, the ABO is equal to the PBO for all years presented. The underfunded ABO
represents the difference between the PBO and the fair value of plan assets.
Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 28, 2019 to
December 26, 2020 were as follows:
Projected
Benefit
Obligation
Plan
Assets
Funded
status
Fair Value at December 28, 2019 .............................................. $ 744,403 $ 604,396 $ (140,007)
Employer contributions ..............................................................
Interest cost ................................................................................
Prior service costs - GMP equalization ......................................
Actual return on plan assets .......................................................
Benefits paid ..............................................................................
Actuarial (gain) loss ..................................................................
Currency translation ...................................................................
Fair Value at December 26, 2020 .............................................. $ 860,173 $ 741,650 $ (118,523)
35,399
—
—
89,988
(18,212)
—
30,079
(18,212)
87,855
32,224
—
12,954
949
—
71
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Changes in the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the pension plan for the period from December 26, 2020 to
December 25, 2021 were as follows:
Projected
Benefit
Obligation
Plan
Assets
Funded
status
Fair Value at December 26, 2020 .............................................. $ 860,173 $ 741,650 $ (118,523)
Employer contributions ..............................................................
Interest cost ................................................................................
Actual return on plan assets .......................................................
Benefits paid ..............................................................................
Actuarial (gain) ..........................................................................
Currency translation ...................................................................
Fair Value at December 25, 2021 .............................................. $ 761,706 $ 761,170 $
1,924
—
48,637
(22,952)
—
(8,089)
(22,952)
(77,379)
(8,032)
—
9,896
—
(536)
Actuarial gain decreased the projected benefit obligation resulted from an increase in the discount rate to 1.90% in
2021 versus 1.40%.
Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020 consisted of actuarial gains (losses):
Balance December 28, 2019 .................................................... $ (143,726)
(16,731)
Actuarial gain (loss) .................................................................
(814)
Prior service costs - GMP equalization ...................................
(3,987)
Currency translation gain (loss) ...............................................
(165,258)
Balance December 26, 2020 ....................................................
102,529
Actuarial gain ..........................................................................
550
Prior service costs amortization ...............................................
1,239
Currency translation gain ........................................................
(60,940)
Balance December 25, 2021 .................................................... $
Assumptions—The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 25, 2021
and December 26, 2020 were as follows:
Percentages
Discount rate ...........................................................................
Salary increase ........................................................................
CPI inflation ............................................................................
RPI inflation ............................................................................
2021
2020
1.90 %
N/A
2.70 %
3.30 %
1.40 %
N/A
2.00 %
2.90 %
Expense
Pension expense is determined based upon the annual service cost of benefits (the actuarial cost of benefits earned
during a period) and the interest cost on those liabilities, less the expected return on plan assets. The expected long-term rate
of return on plan assets is applied to the fair value of plan assets. Differences in actual experience in relation to assumptions
are not recognized in net earnings immediately, but are deferred and, if necessary, amortized as pension expense.
72
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
The components of the net periodic pension expense for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021 and
December 26, 2020 were as follows:
Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
2021
2020
Interest cost ............................................................................................. $
Expected return on plan assets ...............................................................
Amortization of prior service cost ..........................................................
Amortization of actuarial loss ................................................................
Net periodic benefit expense (benefit) ........................................................ $
9,896 $
(27,763)
550
2,750
(14,567) $
12,954
(23,215)
513
2,437
(7,311)
Assumptions—The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense are as follows for fiscal 2021
and 2020:
Percentages
Discount rate ...............................................................................................
Expected return on plan assets ....................................................................
CPI Inflation ................................................................................................
RPI Inflation ................................................................................................
2021
2020
1.15 %
3.96 %
2.00 %
2.90 %
2.05 %
4.18 %
2.15 %
3.05 %
The discount rate is based on the yields of AA-rated corporate bonds with durational periods similar to that of the
pension liabilities. The expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking
into account current and expected market conditions. The expected return of plan assets decreased from 3.96% to 3.48% for
2022 as the projected returns on the corporate bond plan assets is expected to decrease. Inflation is based on expected
changes in the consumer price index or the retail price index in the U.K. depending on the relevant plan provisions.
Cash Contributions
The Company completed negotiations with Plan trustees in 2019 regarding annual funding for the Plan. The annual
contributions into the Plan are $17,765 (/£13,100) per annum as part of the Plan’s recovery plan, along with a contribution to
cover the administrative costs of the Plan of approximately $1,763 (/£1,300) per annum. In December 2020, the Company
made its required 2021 annual contribution in addition to the required 2020 annual contribution that was made earlier in fiscal
2020.
Benefit Payments
The following table details expected pension benefit payments for the years 2022 through 2031:
2022 ............................................................................ $
2023 ............................................................................
2024 ............................................................................
2025 ............................................................................
2026 ............................................................................
Years 2027 - 2031 .........................................................
23,045
23,850
24,650
25,455
26,260
144,400
Asset Allocation Strategy
The investment strategy for pension plan assets is to maintain a diversified portfolio consisting of
•
Long-term fixed‑income securities that are investment grade or government‑backed in nature;
73
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
•
•
Common stock mutual funds in U.K. and non-U.K. companies, and;
Diversified growth funds, which are invested in a number of investments, including common stock, fixed
income funds, properties and commodities.
The Plan, as required by U.K. law, has an independent trustee that sets investment policy. The general strategy is to
invest approximately 50% of the assets of the plan in common stock mutual funds and diversified growth funds, with the
remainder of the investments in long-term fixed income securities, including corporate bonds and index-linked U.K. gilts.
The trustees regularly consult with representatives of the plan sponsor and independent advisors on such matters.
The pension plan investments are held in a trust. The weighted‑average maturity of the corporate bond portfolio was
13 years at December 25, 2021.
Fair Value Measurements
The pension plan assets are valued at fair value. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used
for the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation
hierarchy.
Leveraged inflation-linked gilts (LDIs)—LDIs are a combination of U.K. government-backed securities (such as
bonds or other fixed income securities issued directly by the U.K. Treasury) money market instruments, and derivatives
combined to give leveraged exposure to changes in the U.K. long-term interest and inflation rates. These funds are expected
to offset a proportion of the impact changes in the long-term interest and inflation rates in the U.K. have on the pension plan's
benefit plan obligation liability. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using net asset value (NAV) for each
investment.
Temporary Cash Investments– These investments consist of British pound sterling, reported in terms of U.S.
dollars based on currency exchange rates readily available in active markets. These temporary cash investments are classified
as Level 1 investments.
Corporate Bonds—Corporate bonds and debentures consist of fixed income securities issued by U.K. corporations.
The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment.
Corporate Stock—This investment category consists of common and preferred stock, including mutual funds,
issued by U.K. and non-U.K. corporations. The fair value recorded by the Plan is calculated using NAV for each investment.
Secured income asset (SIA) funds - This investment category consists of holdings which will have a high level of
expected inflation linkage. Examples of underlying assets classes are rental streams and infrastructure debt. Due to the
private nature of these investments, pricing inputs are not readily observable. Asset valuations are developed by the fund
manager. These valuations are based on the application of public market multiples to private company cash flows, market
transactions that provide valuation information for comparable companies, and other methods. The fair value recorded by the
Plan is calculated using NAV.
74
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
At December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
were as follows:
December 31, 2021
Plan assets at fair value:
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Inputs (Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Temporary cash investments .................................... $
Total plan net assets at fair value ............................. $
14,000 $
14,000 $
— $
— $
— $
14,000
— $
14,000
Plan assets at NAV:
Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds .......................
Corporate bonds .......................................................
Corporate stock .........................................................
Secured income asset funds ......................................
Total plan assets at NAV ..........................................
Total plan assets .....................................................
December 31, 2020
Plan assets at fair value:
283,288
107,945
212,730
143,207
747,170
$ 761,170
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Inputs (Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Temporary cash investments .................................... $
Total plan net assets at fair value ............................. $
31,935 $
31,935 $
— $
— $
— $
31,935
— $
31,935
Plan assets at NAV:
Leveraged inflation-linked gilt funds .......................
Corporate bonds .......................................................
Corporate stock .........................................................
Secured income asset funds ......................................
Total plan assets at NAV ..........................................
Total plan assets .....................................................
171,013
115,577
309,987
113,138
709,715
$ 741,650
75
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(19) LEASES
The Company has operating leases for plant locations, corporate offices, sales offices, and certain equipment.
Outstanding leases at December 25, 2021 have remaining lease terms of one year to twenty-five years, some of which include
options to extend leases for up to ten years. The Company does not have any financing leases. The Company elected practical
expedients not to reassess whether existing contracts are or contain leases, to not reassess the lease classification of any
existing leases, to not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases, to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in
assessing impairment of the right-of-use asset, and to not separate lease and non-lease components for all classes of
underlying assets.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in other assets,
accrued expenses, and lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying
asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make future lease payments arising from the lease.
Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease
payments over the lease term. The Company used its collateralized incremental borrowing rate in determining the present
value of future lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes any lease
incentives and impairments. Some of the Company's facility leases include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably
certain that the option will be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company commenced on a new corporate headquarters operating lease with straight-line annual expense of
approximately $5,100, a 2% annual increase in lease payment, and a 25 year term during 2021. In recognition of this lease,
an operating lease asset of $71,853 and an operating long-term liability of $71,196 was recognized.
Lease cost and other information related to the Company's operating leases at December 25, 2021 and December 26,
2020 are as follows:
Fifty-Two
weeks ended
December 25,
2021
Fifty-Two
weeks ended
December 26,
2020
Operating lease cost .................................................................................... $
27,421
Operating cash outflows from operating leases .......................................... $
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations ............................. $
Weighted average remaining lease term .....................................................
Weighted average discount rate ..................................................................
27,793
86,481
17 years
4.0 %
$
$
$
23,976
25,390
6,131
11 years
3.5 %
Operating lease cost includes approximately $1,500 for short-term lease costs and approximately $3,600 for variable
lease payments in 2021.
As part of the adoption of ASC 842 in 2019, the Company evaluated the historical and projected cash flow
generation of the operations at each of its long-term leased facilities. It was determined that one of those facilities, a
galvanizing operation in Melbourne, Australia, would not generate sufficient cash flows on an undiscounted cash flow basis
to recover the carrying value of the right of use asset. The Company then estimated a value for this operation using a
discounted cash flow model. The result was an impairment of the right-of-use lease asset of approximately $12,063. The
after-tax balance of $8,444 was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings for the transition adjustment of adoption.
76
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020
is as follows:
Operating lease assets ....................................... Other assets .......................... $
152,664 $
77,566
Classification
December 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
Operating lease short-term liabilities ............... Accrued expenses ................
Operating lease long-term liabilities ................ Operating lease liabilities .....
16,754
147,759
Total lease liabilities .....................................
$
164,513 $
14,658
80,202
94,860
Minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 25, 2021 are as follows:
Fiscal year ending:
2022 ............................................................................................................................................... $
2023 ...............................................................................................................................................
2024 ...............................................................................................................................................
2025 ...............................................................................................................................................
2026 ...............................................................................................................................................
Subsequent ............................................................................................................................................
Total minimum lease payments ............................................................................................................ $
Less: Interest ....................................................................................................................................... $
Present value of minimum lease payments ........................................................................................... $
23,217
19,087
16,066
15,148
13,531
148,326
235,375
70,862
164,513
77
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(20) 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 and sales dollars.
Reportable segments are as follows:
ENGINEERED SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture and distribution of
engineered 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, concrete
and composite structures for utility markets, including 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 center pivot and linear irrigation equipment for
agricultural markets, including parts, services and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for water
management and precision agriculture.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1. The Company evaluates
the performance of its business segments based upon operating income and invested capital. The Company's operating income
for segment purposes excludes unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense, non-operating
income and deductions, or income taxes.
78
$ 630,892
122,032
47,450
90,206
890,580
708,853
188,912
114,525
1,012,290
367,835
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Summary by Business
SALES:
Utility Support Structures segment:
2021
2020
2019
Steel ................................................................................................... $
Concrete ............................................................................................
Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions ..................................................
Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures ..................................
Utility Support Structures segment ................................................
770,104
165,501
62,904
123,001
1,121,510
$ 635,220
160,544
86,382
120,063
1,002,209
Engineered Support Structures segment:
Lighting, Traffic, and Highway Safety Products ............................
Communication Products ................................................................
Access Systems ...............................................................................
Engineered Support Structures segment ......................................
Coatings segment ...................................................................................
Irrigation segment: .................................................................................
North America ...................................................................................
International .......................................................................................
Irrigation segment ..........................................................................
Total ...............................................................................................
INTERSEGMENT SALES:
717,650
240,171
106,940
1,064,761
386,313
717,216
190,203
88,421
995,840
345,312
545,574
483,143
1,028,717
3,601,301
378,424
267,407
645,831
2,989,192
378,613
206,583
585,196
2,855,901
Utility Support Structures ..................................................................
Engineered Support Structures ..........................................................
Coatings .............................................................................................
Irrigation ............................................................................................
Total ...............................................................................................
506
321
87,232
11,667
99,726
NET SALES:
Utility Support Structures segment ........................................................
Engineered Support Structures segment ................................................
Coatings segment ...................................................................................
Irrigation segment ..................................................................................
1,121,004
1,064,440
299,081
1,017,050
Total ............................................................................................... $ 3,501,575
71
12,317
75,710
5,739
93,837
4,972
10,214
67,195
6,544
88,925
1,002,138
983,523
269,602
640,092
$ 2,895,355
885,608
1,002,076
300,640
578,652
$ 2,766,976
79
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):
Utility Support Structures .................................................................................... $
Engineered Support Structures ............................................................................
Coatings ...............................................................................................................
Irrigation ..............................................................................................................
Corporate ..............................................................................................................
Total .................................................................................................................
Interest expense, net .................................................................................................
Other .........................................................................................................................
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated
2021
2020
2019
67,624 $ 100,855 $
115,417
50,365
137,027
(83,648)
286,785
(41,420)
14,718
65,342
42,975
83,046
(66,265)
225,953
(38,701)
5,516
87,788
65,627
51,008
71,687
(48,205)
227,905
(36,211)
8,164
subsidiaries ............................................................................................................ $ 260,083 $ 192,768 $ 199,858
TOTAL ASSETS:
Utility Support Structures .................................................................................... $ 827,083 $ 778,127 $ 742,194
944,428
Engineered Support Structures ............................................................................
363,070
Coatings ...............................................................................................................
347,887
Irrigation ..............................................................................................................
409,637
Corporate ..............................................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................................. $ 3,447,249 $ 2,953,160 $ 2,807,216
977,334
366,026
1,027,272
249,534
932,565
360,594
465,322
416,552
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Utility Support Structures ....................................................................................
Engineered Support Structures ............................................................................
Coatings ...............................................................................................................
Irrigation ..............................................................................................................
Corporate ..............................................................................................................
36,718
16,578
19,178
17,509
17,807
34,495
24,447
22,132
16,740
8,886
Total ................................................................................................................. $ 107,790 $ 106,700 $
26,306
25,344
23,610
15,644
6,521
97,425
80
VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three-year period ended December 25, 2021
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
Utility Support Structures.................................................................................. $
Engineered Support Structures ..........................................................................
Coatings .............................................................................................................
Irrigation ............................................................................................................
Corporate ...........................................................................................................
Total ............................................................................................................... $
24,075 $
24,733
16,928
17,813
9,028
92,577 $
23,641 $
25,399
15,793
12,098
5,961
82,892 $
23,779
26,280
15,907
10,943
5,355
82,264
2021
2020
2019
Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities:
NET SALES:
2021
2020
2019
United States ....................................................................................................... $ 2,260,198 $ 1,919,136 $ 1,872,840
255,271
Australia ..............................................................................................................
77,996
Brazil ...................................................................................................................
90,206
Denmark .............................................................................................................
470,663
Other ...................................................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................................ $ 3,501,575 $ 2,895,355 $ 2,766,976
252,253
103,591
120,063
500,312
297,720
200,402
123,001
620,254
LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
United States ....................................................................................................... $ 1,172,552 $ 748,886 $ 753,545
193,029
Australia ..............................................................................................................
7,963
Brazil ...................................................................................................................
58,435
Denmark .............................................................................................................
362,020
Other ...................................................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................................ $ 1,734,486 $ 1,398,535 $ 1,374,992
179,673
17,151
61,546
391,279
173,240
28,583
21,232
338,879
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2021, 2020, or 2019. Net sales by geographical area
are based on the location of the facility producing the sales and do not include sales to other operating units of the Company.
Australia accounted for approximately 9% of the Company's net sales in 2021; no other foreign country accounted for more
than 6% of the Company’s net sales.
Operating income by business segment are based on net sales less identifiable operating expenses and allocations and
includes profits recorded on sales to other operating units of the Company. Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and
equipment, net of depreciation, goodwill, other intangible assets and other assets. Long-lived assets by geographical area are
based on location of facilities.
81
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s
management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.
Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the
period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded,
processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company carried out an evaluation under
the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s
management used the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations (COSO) to perform this evaluation. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 25, 2021.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021 has been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, a copy of
which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
82
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Valmont Industries, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Valmont Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of
December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 25, 2021, of the Company and our
report dated February 23, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk
that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
February 23, 2022
83
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
Shareholder Return Performance Graphs
The graphs below compare the yearly change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common
stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P Mid Cap 400 Index and the S&P Mid Cap 400 Industrial Machinery Index
for the five and ten-year periods ended December 25, 2021. The Company was added to these indexes in 2009 by Standard &
Poor’s. The graphs assume that the beginning value of the investment in Valmont Common Stock and each index was $100
and that all dividends were reinvested.
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TEN YEAR COMPARISONValmont Industries, Inc.S&P MidCap 400 IndexS&P 400 Industrial MachineryDec 12Dec 13Dec 14Dec 15Dec 16Dec 17Dec 18Dec 19Dec 20Dec 21$0$100$200$300$400FIVE YEAR COMPARISONValmont Industries, Inc.S&P MidCap 400 IndexS&P 400 Industrial MachineryDec 17Dec 18Dec 19Dec 20Dec 21$0$50$100$150$200$250$300 ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not Applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Except for the information relating to the executive officers of the Company set forth in Part I of this 10-K Report,
the information called for by items 10, 11, and 13 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Certain Shareholders”,
“Corporate Governance”, “Board of Directors and Election of Directors”, "Board Committees", “Compensation Discussion
and Analysis”, "Compensation Risk Assessment", “Human Resources Committee Report”, "Pay Ratio Information",
“Summary Compensation Table”, “Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year 2021”, “Outstanding Equity Awards at
Fiscal Year-End”, “Options Exercised and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2021”, “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation”, “Director
Compensation”, and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” in the Proxy Statement.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers that applies to the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller and has posted the code on its website at www.valmont.com through the
“Investors Relations” link. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K relating
to amendments to or waivers from any provision of the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers applicable to the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Controller by posting that information on the Company’s Web site
at www.valmont.com through the “Investors Relations” link.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
See Item 10.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Incorporated herein by reference to “Certain Shareholders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the
Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
See Item 10.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
The information called for by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the sections titled “Ratification of
Appointment of Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement.
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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)(1)(2) Financial Statements and Schedules.
PART IV
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included herein as listed
below:
Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34) .............................................
Consolidated Statements of Earnings—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 .....................................
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 .............
Consolidated Balance Sheets—December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 ....................................................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 ................................
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 .................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Three-Year Period Ended December 25, 2021 ..........................
39
41
42
43
44
45
46
All other schedules have been omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is included in
the consolidated financial statements or related notes. Separate financial statements of the registrant have been omitted
because the registrant meets the requirements which permit omission.
(3)
Index to Exhibits
See exhibits listed under Part B below.
87
(b)
Exhibits
Exhibit 3.1 — The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. This document was filed as
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number
001-31429) for the quarter ended March 28, 2009 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 3.2 — The Company's By-Laws, as amended. This document was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2014 and is incorporated herein
(Commission file number 001-31429) by reference.
Exhibit 4.1 — Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2021, among the
Company, Valmont Industries Holland B.V. and Valmont Group Pty. Ltd., as Borrowers,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto. This
document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission
file number 001-31429) dated October 18, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit 4.2 — Indenture relating to senior debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the
Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association., as Trustee.
This document was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
(Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 12, 2010 and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
Exhibit 4.3 — First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2010, to indenture relating to senior debt,
dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party
thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. This document was filed as
Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429)
dated April 12, 2010 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 4.4 — Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 22, 2014, to Indenture relating to senior
debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party
thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. This document was filed as
Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429)
dated September 22, 2014 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 4.5 — Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 22, 2014, to Indenture relating to senior
debt, dated as of April 12, 2010, among Valmont Industries, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors party
thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. This document was filed as
Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429)
dated September 22, 2014 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 4.6 — Description of Registrant's Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. This document was filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the year ended December 28, 2019 and is
incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 10.1 — The Company's 2013 Stock Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 30, 2013 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit 10.2 — 2013 Stock Plan Amendment, dated December 17, 2015. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.7
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the
year ended December 26, 2015 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 10.3
The Company's 2018 Stock Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated March 12, 2018 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit 10.4* — Form of Stock Option Agreement.
Exhibit 10.5* — Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Domestic).
88
Exhibit 10.6* — Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Director).
Exhibit 10.7* — Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (International).
Exhibit 10.8 — The 2013 Valmont Executive Incentive Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 001-31429) dated April 30,
2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit 10.9 — The Amended Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. This
document was filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
(Commission file number 001-31429) for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 and is
incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 10.10 — VERSP Deferred Compensation Plan. This document was filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 001-31429) for the fiscal year
ended December 28, 2013 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Exhibit 21* — Subsidiaries of the Company.
Exhibit 22.1
List of Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries. This document was filed as Exhibit 22.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 001-31429) for the quarter
ended September 25, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit 23* — Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Exhibit 24* — Power of Attorney.
Exhibit 31.1* — Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
Exhibit 31.2* — Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
Exhibit 32.1* — Section 906 Certifications.
Exhibit 101 — The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 25, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting
Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income,(iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (vi) Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements, and (vii) document and entity information.
Exhibit 104 — Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
_____________________________________________
*
Filed herewith
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K, certain instruments with respect to the registrant’s long-term debt are
not filed with this Form 10-K. Valmont will furnish a copy of such long-term debt agreements to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request.
Management contracts and compensatory plans are set forth as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.10.
89
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not Applicable.
90
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the the 23rd day of February,
2022.
SIGNATURES
Valmont Industries, Inc.
By:
/s/ STEPHEN G. KANIEWSKI
Stephen G. Kaniewski
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date
2/23/2022
/s/ STEPHEN G. KANIEWSKI
Stephen G. Kaniewski
/s/ AVNER M. APPLBAUM
Avner M. Applbaum
/s/ TIMOTHY P. FRANCIS
Timothy P. Francis
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
2/23/2022
Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal
Accounting Officer)
2/23/2022
Mogens C. Bay*
K.R. den Daas*
Ritu C. Favre*
Theo W. Freye*
Richard A. Lanoha*
James B. Milliken*
Daniel P. Neary*
Catherine J. Paglia*
Clark T. Randt, Jr.*
Joan Robinson-Berry*
______________________________________________
*
Stephen G. Kaniewski, by signing his name hereto, signs the Annual Report on behalf of each of the directors
indicated on this the 23rd day of February, 2022. A Power of Attorney authorizing Stephen G. Kaniewski to sign the
Annual Report on Form 10-K on behalf of each of the indicated directors of Valmont Industries, Inc. has been filed
herein as Exhibit 24.
By:
/s/ STEPHEN G. KANIEWSKI
Stephen G. Kaniewski
Attorney-in-Fact
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