Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations:
Net income including non-controlling interests	$ 97,186	$ 125,855	$ 89,047
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,211)	(57,568)	(8,832)
Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	39,149	38,713	28,888
Amortization	22,508	18,703	10,162
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	9,648	(16,820)	5,740
Income from equity method investments, net of dividends received	4,559	(4,436)	(4,482)
Share-based compensation	12,317	9,728	7,741
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions	(6,811)	(9,763)	(11,851)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan income (expense)	(1,777)	1,854	(1,620)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(2,676)	(1,263)	(1,140)
Non cash charge for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	189	3,228	0
Asset impairment charges	0	1,517	332
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions [Abstract]
Trade receivables, net	(7,281)	(17,341)	(18,428)
Inventories	(11,797)	(17,081)	(11,022)
Other assets	(13,848)	(4,313)	(775)
Trade payables	16,258	(4,845)	8,662
Accrued compensation	3,786	20,950	(3,387)
Other accrued expenses	4,793	4,909	1,652
Income taxes payable	(17,933)	15,173	6,464
Other liabilities	(3,263)	3,531	(2,948)
Other	(11,103)	(2,090)	(6,115)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	132,693	108,641	88,088
Cash flows from investing activities from continuing operations [Abstract]
Purchased property, plant and equipment	(124,288)	(35,913)	(32,834)
Purchased business, net of cash acquired	(8,614)	(412,606)	(6,000)
Purchased technology	(2,387)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,135	1,756	2,542
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(133,154)	(446,763)	(36,292)
Cash flows from financing activities from continuing operations [Abstract]
Proceeds from long-term debt	107,034	584,208	218,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(129,502)	(292,333)	(240,500)
Net proceeds from (payments on) notes payable	(545)	(5,837)	1,081
Dividends paid	(19,334)	(16,454)	(14,550)
Distribution to redeemable non-controlling interest	(244)	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	8,891	7,401	7,697
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	2,676	1,263	1,140
Purchased non-controlling interests	0	0	(8,600)
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable non-controlling interest	0	0	1,425
Repurchases of common stock	(17,638)	(4,333)	(8,510)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	(48,662)	273,915	(42,817)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,671	3,656	1,911
Net change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(46,452)	(60,551)	10,890
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations	1,137	(13,893)	13,452
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations including proceeds from sale of business	0	120,231	(1,470)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(45,315)	45,787	22,872
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	200,436	154,649	131,777
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	155,121	200,436	154,649
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Dividends paid with company stock	150	126	162
Cash paid for interest	23,574	19,816	13,235
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 41,920	$ 31,832	$ 16,607