Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 207,745	$ 154,649
Trade receivables, net of allowances	319,190	217,424
Inventories	216,025	116,443
Other current assets	56,669	55,590
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	52,484
Total current assets	799,629	596,590
Property, plant and equipment	886,232	792,544
Accumulated depreciation	(565,383)	(549,957)
Property, plant and equipment, net	320,849	242,587
Goodwill	241,667	114,895
Other intangibles, net	231,529	126,710
Other assets	152,388	130,068
Long-term assets of discontinued operations	1,865	16,859
Total assets	1,747,927	1,227,709
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	27,187	28,310
Current maturities of long-term debt	30,000	24,375
Trade payables	163,274	104,418
Accrued compensation	55,561	43,077
Income taxes payable	16,199	7,240
Other accrued expenses	38,499	24,965
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	18,742	22,600
Total current liabilities	349,462	254,985
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	475,264	179,611
Accrued pension liabilities	52,032	39,877
Other liabilities	68,522	41,028
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	5,000	2,744
Total liabilities	950,280	518,245
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	3,797	3,887
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900
Common stock	49,855	49,450
Additional paid-in capital	34,985	23,770
Retained earnings	809,194	720,989
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(100,575)	(89,005)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	793,459	705,204
Non-controlling interests	391	373
Total equity	793,850	705,577
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$ 1,747,927	$ 1,227,709