Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 84,653	$ 66,644
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	39,007	32,621
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(3,662)	(1,601)
Stock-based compensation	13,763	11,422
Deferred income taxes	4,589	(81,496)
(Gain) loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	(36)	57
Proceeds from formation of joint venture (Note 4)	0	250,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	61,324	53,666
Inventories	(48,022)	(45,918)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(23,834)	(10,734)
Current income taxes	3,339	91,800
Retirement benefit obligations	(1,715)	(1,969)
Other	588	(2,810)
Net cash provided by operating activities	129,994	361,682
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(43,053)	(99,316)
Net proceeds from sale of assets	3,682	2,112
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	4,994	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,377)	(97,204)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(14,415)	(13,086)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	11,223	5,288
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(61,782)	(117,820)
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	684,200	300,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(706,600)	(385,596)
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(204)	(50,075)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(87,578)	(261,289)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(10,176)	(646)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(2,137)	2,543
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	81,090	82,202
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 78,953	$ 84,745