Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 46,548	$ 25,820
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,913	17,062
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(3,699)	(1,602)
Stock-based compensation	1,261	8,451
Deferred income taxes	4,777	9,768
(Gain) loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	(18)	29
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	87,615	74,717
Inventories	(37,632)	(25,091)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(54,563)	(56,816)
Current income taxes	(5,731)	(10,517)
Retirement benefit obligations	(897)	(874)
Other	(4,223)	(3,587)
Net cash provided by operating activities	52,351	37,360
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(21,058)	(33,131)
Net proceeds from sale of assets	3,682	1,852
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	758	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,618)	(31,279)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(6,779)	(6,321)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	4,843	1,252
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(24,004)	(30,712)
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	316,650	220,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(312,800)	(135,598)
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(102)	(50,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(22,192)	(1,379)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(13,746)	(2,482)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(205)	2,220
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	81,090	82,202
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 80,885	$ 84,422