Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Other income (expense), net [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net	$ (4,106)	$ (1,204)	$ (1,488)
Interest income	737	1,731	2,265
Gain on disposal of fixed assets	323	555	1,736
Other, net	(705)	(298)	1,588
Other income (expense), net	(3,751)	784	4,101
Research and development expense	24,570	21,254	20,751
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	119,536	110,820
Finished goods	122,584	119,123
LIFO reserve	(20,583)	(21,412)
Total inventories	221,537	208,531
Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Other receivables	20,728	13,127
Prepaid income taxes	8,604	6,674
Deferred income tax asset	18,867	15,804
Prepaid expenses	31,785	32,573
Assets held for sale	5,062	2,047
Total other current assets	85,046	70,225
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	57,991	59,102
Buildings and improvements	258,403	260,328
Machinery and equipment	603,520	567,145
Construction in progress	112,878	21,145
Total, at cost	1,032,792	907,720
Accumulated depreciation	(598,405)	(578,704)
Property, plant and equipment, net	434,387	329,016	242,587
Other Assets [Abstract]
Investments and company owned life insurance	11,963	13,192
Equity method investments	40,700	45,259
Cost method investments	1,674	2,085
Long-term deferred tax asset	28,465	83,717
Prepaid pension costs	38,363	328
Prepaid postretirement other than pension	6,858	0
Other long-term assets	33,420	23,814
Total other assets	161,443	168,395
Income taxes payable [Abstract]
Current Income Taxes Payable	8,936	23,679
Current deferred income tax liability	1,894	1,186
Total Income taxes payable	10,830	24,865
Other accrued expenses [Abstract]
Taxes other than income taxes	17,943	12,195
Interest	4,471	4,617
Product liability	1,175	3,172
Accrued expenses	22,977	25,621
Total other accrued expenses	46,566	45,605
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation	3,236	3,623
Long-term deferred tax liability	20,599	23,757
Long-term deferred compensation	5,285	4,294
Longterm Involuntary Termination Benefits	745	3,337
Postretirement other than pension	3,159	20,307
Other long-term liabilities	18,811	12,872
Total other liabilities	51,835	68,190
Trade Accounts Receivable Allowance [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	7,513	4,272	5,507
Charged to expense	3,267	3,680	925
Write-offs	(2,369)	(368)	(2,187)
Effect of exchange rates	127	(71)	27
Balance at end of year	8,538	7,513	4,272
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,871	50,802	53,759
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(94)	(135)	(176)
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	(91)	(394)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(121,655)	(189,851)	(142,568)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(71,969)	(139,578)	(88,985)
Taxes on interest rate swap	36	52	68
Tax on cash-flow hedges	57	248
Taxes on defined benefit pension plans adjustment	65,210	103,661	77,586
Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,878	50,754	53,739
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(94)	(135)	(176)
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	(91)	(394)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(121,655)	(189,851)	(142,568)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(71,962)	(139,626)	(89,005)
Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(7)	48	20
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	0	0	0
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	0	0
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	0	0	0
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (7)	$ 48	$ 20