Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 118,350	$ 123,340	$ 124,361
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	26,329	25,925	26,826
Amortization	5,904	5,890	5,609
Other noncash items	1,754	(26)	368
Net loss (gain) on disposition of assets	3,862	(725)	452
Stock-based compensation expense	5,060	6,226	5,477
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(8,528)	(2,007)	(5,100)
Deferred income taxes	1,216	9,272	9,231
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(11,044)	(7,666)	(16,918)
Inventories	(7,826)	(8,320)	(16,782)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,833)	(329)	(1,864)
Other noncurrent assets	1,396	(2,836)	746
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	8,363	(5,650)	(15,954)
Pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities, net	(20,616)	(13,349)	(5,958)
Income taxes	12,854	6,104	9,055
Net cash provided by operating activities	135,241	135,849	119,549
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	(197)	240	149
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(5,411)	(11,121)
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(44,651)	(36,468)	(22,486)
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets	3,373	534	327
Investment in affiliate	(615)	(1,023)	(596)
Proceeds from insurance claims	0	0	200
Net cash used in investing activities	(42,090)	(42,128)	(33,527)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under multicurrency revolving credit agreement	50,000	0	0
Borrowings under term loan facility	100,000	0	0
Payments on long-term debt, including business acquisition-related seller financing	(4,037)	(10,500)	(7,490)
Payments of financing costs	(298)	(564)	0
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans	35,047	6,415	8,449
Payments for repurchase of common stock	(27,708)	(37,320)	(29,317)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	8,528	2,007	5,100
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	(206)	0	(321)
Cash dividends paid	(28,744)	(24,911)	(21,961)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	132,582	(64,873)	(45,540)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	333	649	(1,505)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	226,066	29,497	38,977
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	185,496	155,999	117,022
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	411,562	185,496	155,999
Cash paid during the period for interest	374	397	300
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 42,602	$ 43,821	$ 37,959