Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 90,545	$ 78,487
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	57,299	56,455
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	429	(99)
Stock-based compensation	5,370	5,186
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(2,581)	(1,588)
Deferred income taxes	(1,011)	5,135
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	172	185
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(11,922)	7,342
Inventories	(77,389)	6,347
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(16,126)	10,587
Current income taxes	10,434	6,871
Retirement benefit obligations	(3,230)	(277)
Other	(5,190)	(13,022)
Net cash provided by operating activities	46,800	161,609
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(32,640)	(18,834)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	30	268
Business acquisitions, net of cash and marketable securities acquired	(38,698)	(25,000)
Business acquisitions, marketable securities acquired	(8,463)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	8,217
Proceeds from disposal of Fuel & Pneumatics product line		660
Net cash used in investing activities	(71,554)	(42,906)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(13,764)	(12,971)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	2,078	2,709
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(6,837)	(2,383)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	2,581	1,588
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(8,120)
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	126,098	71,653
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(103,158)	(71,653)
Payments of long-term debt	(16,500)	(118,492)
Net cash used in financing activities	(9,502)	(137,669)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,275	(3,189)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(32,981)	(22,155)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	105,579	100,863
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 72,598	$ 78,708