Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 23,383	$ 27,368
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	19,116	17,941
Net gain on sales of assets	(29)	(1)
Stock-based compensation	3,894	3,438
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(280)	(2,088)
Deferred income taxes	(413)	(2,058)
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	25	43
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	73,226	71,423
Inventories	(20,645)	(15,543)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(53,274)	(63,756)
Current income taxes	4,961	6,155
Retirement benefit obligations	(1,524)	(2,185)
Other	(4,007)	(763)
Net cash provided by operating activities	44,433	39,974
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(37,149)	(29,894)
Proceeds from sale of assets	40	11
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(198,860)
Net cash used in investing activities	(37,109)	(228,743)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(5,448)	(5,474)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	4,122	876
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(43,616)	0
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	280	2,088
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	165,094	15,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(71,094)	(15,329)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	250,000	200,000
Payments of long-term debt	(300,000)	(1,875)
Payments of debt financing costs	(1,297)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,959)	195,286
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	669	1,110
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	6,034	7,627
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,556	61,829
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 54,590	$ 69,456