Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010	Nov. 28, 2009
Other income (expense), net [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net	$ (1,488)	$ (136)	$ (3,600)
Interest income	2,094	646	1,099
Roanoke litigation settlement	0	0	18,750
Gain on disposal of fixed assets	2,398	1,588	359
Other, net	1,586	474	(625)
Other income (expense), net	4,590	2,572	15,983
Research and development expense	20,949	19,294	16,992
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	72,317	64,404
Finished goods	86,558	76,450
LIFO reserve	(22,882)	(19,233)
Total inventories	135,993	121,621
Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Other receivables	12,839	11,386
Prepaid income taxes	16,697	19,694
Deferred income tax asset	7,370	9,525
Prepaid expenses	23,119	16,659
Other current assets	148	435
Total other current assets	60,173	57,699
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	44,749	44,530
Buildings and improvements	238,930	232,132
Machinery and equipment	540,080	517,664
Construction in progress	14,336	12,478
Total, at cost	838,095	806,804
Accumulated depreciation	(582,212)	(555,729)
Property, plant and equipment, net	255,883	251,075	253,300
Other Assets [Abstract]
Investments and company owned life insurance	14,180	15,071
Equity method investments	40,823	36,341
Cost method investments	3,571	3,579
Long-term deferred tax asset	51,567	49,849
Prepaid pension costs	4,093	5,386
Other long-term assets	19,397	18,052
Total other assets	133,631	128,278
Income taxes payable [Abstract]
Current Income Taxes Payable	9,855	3,319
Current deferred income tax liability	1,952	1,612
Total Income taxes payable	11,807	4,931
Other accrued expenses [Abstract]
Taxes other than income taxes	7,337	6,338
Interest	2,357	2,307
Product liability	1,058	1,753
Accrued expenses	20,310	18,509
Total other accrued expenses	31,062	28,907
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation	1,400	1,369
Long-term deferred tax liability	8,666	7,636
Long-term deferred compensation	4,419	4,225
Product liability	0	400
Postretirement other than pension	16,129	20,082
Other long-term liabilities	11,869	10,256
Total other liabilities	42,483	43,968
Trade Accounts Receivable Allowance [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	5,895	7,119	5,563
Charged to expense	1,021	1,222	5,139
Write-offs/adjustments	(2,298)	(2,201)	(3,931)
Effect of exchange rates	24	(245)	348
Balance at end of year	4,642	5,895	7,119
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	53,759	50,370	79,010
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(176)	(218)	(249)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(142,568)	(136,696)	(137,838)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(88,985)	(86,544)	(59,077)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax On Cash Flow Hedges Effect	68	84	96
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax On Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans	77,586	73,983	76,990
Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	53,739	50,357	79,023
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(176)	(218)	(249)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(142,568)	(136,696)	(137,838)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(89,005)	(86,557)	(59,064)
Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	20	13	(13)
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	0	0	0
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	0	0	0
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 20	$ 13	$ (13)