Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 28, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,609	$ 133,277
Trade receivables (net of allowances $5,066 and $5,895, for May 28, 2011 and November 27, 2010, respectively)	245,182	221,020
Inventories	151,849	121,621
Other current assets	54,220	57,699
Total current assets	588,860	533,617
Property, plant and equipment	838,267	806,804
Accumulated depreciation	(581,673)	(555,729)
Property, plant and equipment, net	256,594	251,075
Goodwill	120,488	108,970
Other intangibles, net	129,939	131,517
Other assets	153,978	128,278
Total assets	1,249,859	1,153,457
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	27,814	27,243
Current maturities of long-term debt	22,500	22,500
Trade payables	133,869	102,107
Accrued compensation	37,125	45,645
Income taxes payable	5,151	4,931
Other accrued expenses	25,735	28,907
Total current liabilities	252,194	231,333
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	189,521	200,978
Accrued pension liabilities	39,070	42,788
Other liabilities	44,931	43,968
Total liabilities	525,716	519,067
Commitments and contingencies	-	-
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, Shares authorized 160,000,000, Shares outstanding 49,348,077 and 49,194,251, for May 28, 2011 and November 27, 2010, respectively	49,348	49,194
Additional paid-in capital	25,316	22,701
Retained earnings	678,848	646,596
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(31,421)	(86,557)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	722,091	631,934
Non-controlling interests	2,052	2,456
Total equity	724,143	634,390
Total liabilities and total equity	$ 1,249,859	$ 1,153,457