Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 500,535	$ 363,071	$ 1,372,984	$ 1,042,540
Segment operating income	42,969	30,961	114,222	81,380
North America Adhesives [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	190,234	124,289	501,712	354,268
Inter-Segment Revenue	14,229	17,211	43,615	44,693
Segment operating income	30,478	20,018	73,089	52,104
Construction Products [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	37,590	35,264	109,763	100,566
Inter-Segment Revenue	25	306	234	481
Segment operating income	1,299	1,541	4,919	3,724
EIMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	177,493	117,118	482,087	339,633
Inter-Segment Revenue	2,225	2,592	6,581	7,908
Segment operating income	6,269	6,221	22,302	15,428
Latin America Adhesives [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	39,572	36,182	113,724	104,182
Inter-Segment Revenue	0	174	0	738
Segment operating income	3,310	1,291	9,426	4,851
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	55,646	50,218	165,698	143,891
Inter-Segment Revenue	3,289	2,776	11,339	7,121
Segment operating income	$ 1,613	$ 1,890	$ 4,486	$ 5,273