Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 200,436	$ 154,649
Trade receivables, net	320,152	217,424
Inventories	208,531	116,443
Other current assets	70,225	55,590
Current assets of discontinuted operations	0	52,484
Total current assets	799,344	596,590
Property, plant and equipment, net	329,016	242,587
Goodwill	254,345	114,895
Other intangibles, net	233,355	126,710
Other assets	168,395	130,068
Long-term assets of discontinued operations	1,865	16,859
Total assets	1,786,320	1,227,709
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	22,613	28,310
Current maturities of long-term debt	22,500	24,375
Trade payables	163,062	104,418
Accrued compensation	71,400	43,077
Income taxes payable	24,865	7,240
Other accrued expenses	45,605	24,965
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	74	22,600
Total current liabilities	350,119	254,985
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	475,112	179,611
Accrued pension liabilities	105,220	39,877
Other liabilities	68,190	41,028
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	5,000	2,744
Total liabilities	1,003,641	518,245
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	3,981	3,887
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900	0	0
Common stock	49,903	49,450
Additional paid-in capital	37,965	23,770
Retained earnings	830,031	720,989
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(139,626)	(89,005)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	778,273	705,204
Non-controlling interests	425	373
Total equity	778,698	705,577
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$ 1,786,320	$ 1,227,709