Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total stockholders equity	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Unrealized Derivative Gains (Losses) [Member]	Minimum Retirement Benefit Liability Adjustments [Member]	Deferred Compensation in Equity [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	Treasury Stock Held for Deferred Compensaton [Member]	Total
Balances at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 1,008,115	$ 106	$ 97,826	$ (11,723)	$ 17,447	$ (376)	$ (28,794)	$ 4,344	$ 1,069,811	$ (147,905)	$ (4,344)
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2012										(4,536,000)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2012		72,960,000
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2012											(276,000)
Net earnings	27,368								27,368			27,368
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	5,326			5,326	5,063	26	237
Cash dividends paid	(5,474)								(5,474)
Purchases of treasury stock	(3,978)									(3,978)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares										(109,000)
Sales of treasury stock	2,727		(4,509)							7,236
Sales of treasury stock, shares										252,000
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options	2,088		2,088
Stock-based compensation	3,438		3,438
Transfer of stock to deferred compensation plan	20		8					22		12	(22)
Transfer of stock to deferred compensation plan, shares										1,000	(1,000)
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan								21			(21)
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan								(1)			1
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	1,039,630	106	98,851	(6,397)	22,510	(350)	(28,557)	4,386	1,091,705	(144,635)	(4,386)
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012										(4,392,000)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		72,960,000
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012											(277,000)
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	1,142,545	106	101,147	15,115	25,742	43	(10,670)	4,007	1,193,887	(167,710)	(4,007)	1,142,545
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013										(4,883,000)		(4,883,000)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013		72,960,000										72,960,000
Balance, Preferred Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013												0
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013											(232,000)	(232,000)
Net earnings	23,383								23,383			23,383
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	4,972			4,972	4,907	16	49
Cash dividends paid	(5,448)								(5,448)
Purchases of treasury stock	(43,616)									(43,616)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares										(1,037,000)
Sales of treasury stock	4,122		(825)							4,947
Sales of treasury stock, shares										158,000
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options	280		280
Stock-based compensation	3,894		3,894
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan								145			(145)
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan, shares											(3,000)
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan								(1)			1
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,130,132	$ 106	$ 104,496	$ 20,087	$ 30,649	$ 59	$ (10,621)	$ 4,151	$ 1,211,822	$ (206,379)	$ (4,151)	$ 1,130,132
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2013										(5,762,000)		(5,762,000)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		72,960,000										72,960,000
Balance, Preferred Stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2013												0
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013											(235,000)	(235,000)