Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 03, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 149,877	$ 156,149
Trade receivables, net of allowances	244,641	244,275
Inventories	163,466	135,993
Other current assets	69,240	60,173
Total current assets	627,224	596,590
Property, plant and equipment	839,974	838,096
Accumulated depreciation	(587,081)	(582,213)
Property, plant and equipment, net	252,893	255,883
Goodwill	114,819	114,895
Other intangibles, net	124,563	126,710
Other assets	136,158	133,631
Total assets	1,255,657	1,227,709
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	28,397	28,310
Current maturities of long-term debt	26,250	24,375
Trade payables	136,137	116,354
Accrued compensation	33,377	43,077
Income taxes payable	13,391	11,807
Other accrued expenses	32,280	31,062
Total current liabilities	269,832	254,985
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	172,956	179,611
Accrued pension liabilities	39,156	41,166
Other liabilities	41,875	42,483
Total liabilities	523,819	518,245
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	3,861	3,887
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900
Common stock	49,876	49,450
Additional paid-in capital	31,153	23,770
Retained earnings	732,544	720,989
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(85,971)	(89,005)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	727,602	705,204
Non-controlling interests	375	373
Total equity	727,977	705,577
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$ 1,255,657	$ 1,227,709