Stockholders' Equity (Table)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 01, 2012

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Common Shares Outstanding [Table Text Block]

Common Shares Outstanding	2012	2011	2010
Beginning balance	49,449,579	49,194,251	48,657,618
Stock options exercised	430,000	538,709	358,421
Shares swapped for stock option exercises	(3,619)	(11,017)	-
Deferred compensation paid	19,389	17,233	37,862
Restricted units vested	53,927	49,640	13,370
Restricted shares granted	128,427	145,038	155,757
Shares withheld for taxes	(54,289)	(48,675)	(17,804)
Restricted shares forfeited	(20,148)	(90,154)	(10,973)
Shares repurchased under repurchase plan	(100,000)	(345,446)	-
Ending balance	49,903,266	49,449,579	49,194,251

Repurchase Of Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]

	2012		2011		2010
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$	125,622	$	89,105	$	70,877
Decrease in additional paid-in-capital for repurchase of non-controlling interest		-		(6,610)		-
Change from net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and transfers to non-controlling interest	$	125,622	$	82,495	$	70,877