Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Other income (expense), net [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net	$ (1,204)	$ (1,488)	$ (136)
Interest income	1,731	2,265	879
Gain on disposal of fixed assets	555	1,736	562
Other, net	(298)	1,588	(108)
Other income (expense), net	784	4,101	1,197
Research and development expense	21,254	20,751	19,105
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	110,820	63,895
Finished goods	119,123	75,430
LIFO reserve	(21,412)	(22,882)
Total inventories	208,531	116,443
Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Other receivables	13,127	11,858
Prepaid income taxes	6,674	14,203
Deferred income tax asset	15,804	7,051
Prepaid expenses	32,573	22,478
Assets held for sale	2,047	0
Total other current assets	70,225	55,590
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	59,102	43,291
Buildings and improvements	260,328	223,783
Machinery and equipment	567,145	512,087
Construction in progress	21,145	13,383
Total, at cost	907,720	792,544
Accumulated depreciation	(578,704)	(549,957)
Property, plant and equipment, net	329,016	242,587	237,646
Other Assets [Abstract]
Investments and company owned life insurance	13,192	14,180
Equity method investments	45,259	40,823
Cost method investments	2,085	3,571
Long-term deferred tax asset	83,717	51,104
Prepaid pension costs	328	4,093
Other long-term assets	23,814	16,297
Total other assets	168,395	130,068
Income taxes payable [Abstract]
Current Income Taxes Payable	23,679	6,186
Current deferred income tax liability	1,186	1,054
Total Income taxes payable	24,865	7,240
Other accrued expenses [Abstract]
Taxes other than income taxes	12,195	6,253
Interest	4,617	2,357
Product liability	3,172	1,058
Accrued expenses	25,621	15,297
Total other accrued expenses	45,605	24,965
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation	3,623	1,400
Long-term deferred tax liability	23,757	8,534
Long-term deferred compensation	4,294	4,419
Longterm Involuntary Termination Benefits	3,337	0
Postretirement other than pension	20,307	16,129
Other long-term liabilities	12,872	10,546
Total other liabilities	68,190	41,028
Trade Accounts Receivable Allowance [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	4,272	5,507	6,557
Charged to expense	3,680	925	1,118
Write-offs/adjustments	(368)	(2,187)	(1,917)
Effect of exchange rates	(71)	27	(251)
Balance at end of year	7,513	4,272	5,507
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	50,802	53,759	50,370
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(135)	(176)	(218)
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	(394)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(189,851)	(142,568)	(136,696)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(139,578)	(88,985)	(86,544)
Taxes on interest rate swap	52	68	84
Tax on cash-flow hedges	248
Taxes on defined benefit pension plans adjustment	103,661	77,586	73,983
Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	50,754	53,739	50,357
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(135)	(176)	(218)
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	(394)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(189,851)	(142,568)	(136,696)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(139,626)	(89,005)	(86,557)
Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	48	20	13
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	0	0	0
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	0
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	0	0	0
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 48	$ 20	$ 13