Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 145,942	$ 141,589	$ 132,235
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	74,233	68,617	75,393
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(100)	16	644
Stock-based compensation	9,414	8,628	6,590
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(5,154)	(3,990)	(3,558)
Deferred income taxes	8,348	(3,730)	(10,321)
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	171	174	229
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(9,774)	(59,061)	(49,393)
Inventories	(1,485)	(18,702)	(76,643)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,062	11,688	27,679
Current income taxes	(9,020)	7,594	19,064
Retirement benefit obligations	(15,937)	801	(8,322)
Other	9,892	(9,511)	1,026
Net cash provided by operating activities	222,592	144,113	114,623
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(141,600)	(64,900)	(48,255)
Proceeds from sale of assets	418	283	59
Business acquisitions, net of cash and marketable securities acquired	(198,860)	0	(38,698)
Business acquisitions, marketable securities acquired	0	0	(8,463)
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities	0	0	8,217
Net cash used in investing activities	(340,042)	(64,617)	(87,140)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(21,866)	(21,351)	(18,581)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	8,370	6,286	2,482
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(45,754)	(44,110)	(6,837)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	5,154	3,990	3,558
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	179,072	187,865	164,557
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(179,484)	(187,591)	(182,728)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	200,000	0	0
Payments of long-term debt	(41,875)	(33,365)	(18,430)
Proceeds from cash flow hedge	507	0	0
Payments of debt financing costs	(1,651)	(2,185)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	102,473	(90,461)	(55,979)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,704	(1,745)	(2,544)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(13,273)	(12,710)	(31,040)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	61,829	74,539	105,579
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 48,556	$ 61,829	$ 74,539