Operating Segments (Details) 2 (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
Operating Segments
Segment operating income									$ 162,541	$ 116,961	$ 94,620
Special charges	(9,204)	(4,654)	(32,127)	(6,482)	(7,499)	0	0	0	(52,467)	(7,499)	0
Asset impairment charges	(846)	0	(671)	0	0	0	0	(332)	(1,517)	(332)	(8,785)
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net									784	4,101	1,197
Interest expense									(19,793)	(10,811)	(10,414)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments									89,548	102,420	76,618
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	329,016				242,587				329,016	242,587	237,646
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									802,362	613,250	556,407
Property, plant and equipment, net	158,973				121,333				158,973	121,333	124,124
Germany [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	42,434				33,278				42,434	33,278	32,993
All other countries with less than 10 percent of total
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									1,083,877	830,835	700,418
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 127,609				$ 87,976				$ 127,609	$ 87,976	$ 80,529