Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012	Mar. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Aug. 27, 2011	May 28, 2011	Feb. 26, 2011	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 513,255	$ 500,535	$ 526,995	$ 345,454	$ 401,545	$ 363,071	$ 368,360	$ 311,109	$ 1,886,239	$ 1,444,085	$ 1,256,825
Segment operating income									162,541	116,961	94,620
Depreciation and amortization									54,490	39,050	38,808
Total assets	1,786,320				1,227,709				1,786,320	1,227,709	1,153,457
Capital expenditures									39,197	33,792	34,547
North America Adhesives [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue									682,981	489,903	445,081
Inter-segment sales									57,304	60,793	46,130
Segment operating income									99,150	73,508	68,278
Depreciation and amortization									16,835	10,519	10,866
Total assets	367,808				189,371				367,808	189,371	169,410
Capital expenditures									14,641	3,989	5,283
Construction Products [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue									147,080	134,591	122,210
Inter-segment sales									462	686	262
Segment operating income									8,334	2,992	2,072
Depreciation and amortization									11,001	11,000	11,424
Total assets	179,508				180,861				179,508	180,861	185,736
Capital expenditures									1,923	3,936	921
EIMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue									672,423	473,763	404,801
Inter-segment sales									9,228	10,031	9,846
Segment operating income									34,483	24,590	11,975
Depreciation and amortization									18,399	10,748	11,240
Total assets	674,665				344,935				674,665	344,935	294,105
Capital expenditures									14,628	16,458	10,080
Latin America Adhesives [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue									155,634	147,140	129,849
Segment operating income									13,218	8,002	6,944
Depreciation and amortization									2,017	1,703	1,788
Total assets	97,445				91,321				97,445	91,321	92,967
Capital expenditures									1,770	1,202	1,555
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue									228,121	198,688	154,884
Inter-segment sales									14,818	9,334	7,027
Segment operating income									7,356	7,869	5,351
Depreciation and amortization									6,238	5,080	3,490
Total assets	197,999				150,949				197,999	150,949	145,152
Capital expenditures									3,832	3,511	10,673
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Total assets	267,030				200,929				267,030	200,929	200,296
Capital expenditures									2,403	4,696	6,035
Discontinuted Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 1,865				$ 69,343				$ 1,865	$ 69,343	$ 65,791