Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 155,121	$ 200,436
Trade receivables, net	331,125	320,152
Inventories	221,537	208,531
Other current assets	85,046	70,225
Current assets of discontinuted operations	1,865	0
Total current assets	794,694	799,344
Property, plant and equipment, net	434,387	329,016
Goodwill	263,103	254,345
Other intangibles, net	219,401	233,355
Other assets	161,443	168,395
Long-term assets of discontinued operations	0	1,865
Total assets	1,873,028	1,786,320
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	20,589	22,613
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	22,500
Trade payables	201,575	163,062
Accrued compensation	76,218	71,400
Income taxes payable	10,830	24,865
Other accrued expenses	46,566	45,605
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	5,000	74
Total current liabilities	360,778	350,119
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	472,315	475,112
Accrued pension liabilities	52,922	105,220
Other liabilities	51,835	68,190
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	0	5,000
Total liabilities	937,850	1,003,641
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	4,717	3,981
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900	0	0
Common stock	50,229	49,903
Additional paid-in capital	44,490	37,965
Retained earnings	907,308	830,031
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(71,962)	(139,626)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	930,065	778,273
Non-controlling interests	396	425
Total equity	930,461	778,698
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$ 1,873,028	$ 1,786,320