COSTA MESA, Calif. - May 25, 2004 -- Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE: VMI) headquartered in Omaha, Neb., has acquired W.J. Whatley, Inc. of Commerce City, Colo. Transaction terms were not publicly disclosed.

RSM EquiCo Capital Markets led the negotiations and acted as the exclusive financial advisor to W.J. Whatley.

"With a rich history and quality product line, W.J. Whatley sought to align itself with a company that could provide international markets, broader distribution channels and additional manufacturing capabilities," said Paul Weisbrich, senior managing director of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets.

"RSM EquiCo Capital Markets launched an extensive search to find a buyer able to offer a full strategic fit while providing the necessary infrastructure and growth capital components," Weisbrich continued. "Valmont Industries, with its half billion-dollar market cap, global businesses and existing business lines, proved to be a perfect fit for the company.

"The acquisition provides Valmont Industries' Engineered Support Structures division with a highly valuable composite lighting pole production line and strengthens W.J. Whatley's position as an industry-leading manufacturer," Weisbrich added.

About W.J. Whatley, Inc.

W.J. Whatley is a leading manufacturer of high strength, lightweight and economical composite lighting poles, ornamental lamp posts and accessories. The company's products are widely used by major utility companies, municipalities, architects, lighting designers, electrical engineers, commercial and residential developers, home builders, and electrical contractors. W.J. Whatley pioneered the use of composite materials for lighting poles in America with its invention of a revolutionary filament winding manufacturing process in 1975.

About Valmont Industries, Inc.

Valmont Industries is an international manufacturer of tubing, coatings, irrigation equipment, and engineered support structures. The company operates 34 facilities in fourteen countries and employs over 5,200 personnel worldwide, including 1,500 located in Nebraska. Valmont Industries generated revenue of $838 million in FY 2003 and has a market capitalization of $505 million.

About RSM EquiCo, Inc.

RSM EquiCo is a leading global investment banking firm serving private middle-market companies throughout North America. With more than 400 professionals and support personnel, the firm specializes in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for non-public companies with up to $500 million in annual revenues. Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., RSM EquiCo is part of RSM McGladrey Business Services, a business segment of H&R Block Inc. For more information, log on to www.rsmequico.com.