Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 02, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 154,299	$ 154,649
Trade receivables, net of allowances	315,475	217,424
Inventories	212,364	116,443
Other current assets	59,434	55,590
Current assets of discontinued operations	44,649	52,484
Total current assets	786,221	596,590
Property, plant and equipment	874,406	792,544
Accumulated depreciation	(551,785)	(549,957)
Property, plant and equipment, net	322,621	242,587
Goodwill	228,894	114,895
Other intangibles, net	234,194	126,710
Other assets	146,729	130,068
Long-term assets of discontinued operations	16,744	16,859
Total assets	1,735,403	1,227,709
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	24,508	28,310
Current maturities of long-term debt	110,000	24,375
Trade payables	173,471	104,418
Accrued compensation	56,193	43,077
Income taxes payable	8,495	7,240
Other accrued expenses	35,185	24,965
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	18,860	22,600
Total current liabilities	426,712	254,985
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	482,293	179,611
Accrued pension liabilities	51,394	39,877
Other liabilities	66,125	41,028
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	3,678	2,744
Total liabilities	1,030,202	518,245
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	3,702	3,887
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900
Common stock	49,919	49,450
Additional paid-in capital	34,367	23,770
Retained earnings	730,204	720,989
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(113,363)	(89,005)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	701,127	705,204
Non-controlling interests	372	373
Total equity	701,499	705,577
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$ 1,735,403	$ 1,227,709