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 of engineered metal and composite poles, towers, and components for global lighting, traffic, and wireless communication markets, engineered access systems, integrated structure solutions for smart cities, and highway safety products; UTILITY SUPPORT STRUCTURES: This segment consists of the manufacture of engineered steel and concrete structures for the global utility transmission, distribution, and generation applications, renewable energy generation equipment, and inspection services; COATINGS: This segment consists of galvanizing, painting, and anodizing services; and IRRIGATION: This segment consists of the manufacture of agricultural irrigation equipment, parts, services, tubular products, water management solutions, and technology for precision agriculture. In addition to these four reportable segments, the Company had other businesses and activities that individually are not more than 10% of consolidated sales, operating income or assets. This includes the manufacture of forged steel grinding media for the mining industry and is reported in the "Other" category until its divestiture in 2018. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based upon operating income and invested capital. The Company does not allocate LIFO expense, interest expense, non-operating income and deductions, or income taxes to its business segments. (20) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) Summary by Business 2018 2017 2016 SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment: Lighting, Traffic, and Roadway Products $ 706,582 $ 633,178 $ 612,868 Communication Products 149,817 171,718 162,148 Access Systems 130,481 133,206 131,703 Engineered Support Structures segment 986,880 938,102 906,719 Utility Support Structures segment: Steel 637,979 658,604 538,284 Concrete 111,875 99,738 90,256 Engineered Solar Tracker Solutions 16,760   Offshore and Other Complex Steel Structures 92,559 100,773 107,824 Utility Support Structures segment 859,173 859,115 736,364 Coatings segment 353,351 318,891 289,481 Irrigation segment: North America 386,683 369,832 351,436 International 246,983 282,598 223,768 Irrigation segment 633,666 652,430 575,204 Other 23,080 76,300 83,110 Total 2,856,150 2,844,838 2,590,878 INTERSEGMENT SALES: Engineered Support Structures 19,522 25,862 15,620 Utility Support Structures 3,967 2,871 747 Coatings 66,612 62,080 45,604 Irrigation 8,905 8,058 7,231 Total 99,006 98,871 69,202 NET SALES: Engineered Support Structures segment 967,358 912,240 891,099 Utility Support Structures segment 855,206 856,244 735,617 Coatings segment 286,739 256,811 243,877 Irrigation segment 624,761 644,372 567,973 Other 23,080 76,300 83,110 Total $ 2,757,144 $ 2,745,967 $ 2,521,676 (20) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) 2018 2017 2016 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS): Engineered Support Structures $ 34,776 $ 62,960 $ 72,273 Utility Support Structures 64,766 97,853 71,171 Coatings 55,325 50,179 46,596 Irrigation 97,722 101,498 90,945 Other (913 ) 2,134 8,730 Adjustment to LIFO inventory valuation method (9,892 ) (5,680 ) (2,972 ) Corporate (39,504 ) (41,864 ) (41,369 ) Total 202,280 267,080 245,374 Interest expense, net (39,569 ) (39,908 ) (41,304 ) Costs associated with refinancing of debt (14,820 )   Loss from divestiture of grinding media business (6,084 )   Other 1,634 1,292 16,384 Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated subsidiaries $ 143,441 $ 228,464 $ 220,454 TOTAL ASSETS: Engineered Support Structures $ 867,735 $ 846,881 $ 776,161 Utility Support Structures 700,915 597,231 544,015 Coatings 294,951 288,890 274,666 Irrigation 347,894 369,798 313,982 Other  68,934 65,296 Corporate 318,779 430,516 417,611 Total $ 2,530,274 $ 2,602,250 $ 2,391,731 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: Engineered Support Structures $ 26,783 $ 16,433 $ 13,313 Utility Support Structures 17,442 14,012 7,969 Coatings 10,320 11,080 24,873 Irrigation 7,249 7,055 8,836 Other 7 2,376 1,601 Corporate 10,184 4,310 1,328 Total $ 71,985 $ 55,266 $ 57,920 (20) BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Continued) 2018 2017 2016 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: Engineered Support Structures $ 27,274 $ 27,637 $ 27,824 Utility Support Structures 23,618 25,079 24,639 Coatings 15,956 15,115 12,883 Irrigation 11,335 11,173 12,097 Other 775 2,486 2,502 Corporate 3,869 3,467 2,472 Total $ 82,827 $ 84,957 $ 82,417 Summary by Geographical Area by Location of Valmont Facilities: 2018 2017 2016 NET SALES: United States $ 1,771,390 $ 1,702,826 $ 1,535,321 Australia 325,553 356,959 315,470 Denmark 92,559 100,773 99,719 Other 567,642 585,409 571,166 Total $ 2,757,144 $ 2,745,967 $ 2,521,676 LONG-LIVED ASSETS: United States $ 624,143 $ 544,724 $ 568,085 Australia 168,438 227,483 216,416 Denmark 64,497 90,372 85,654 Other 332,556 267,106 268,360 Total $ 1,189,634 $ 1,129,685 $ 1,138,515 No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2018 , 2017 , or 2016 . 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 12% of the Company's net sales in 2018; no other foreign country accounted for more than 5% of the Companys 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.