Note 14 - Operating Segments - Reportable Operating Segment Financial Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 28, 2015 USD ($)		Nov. 29, 2014 USD ($)		Nov. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Americas Adhesives [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 876,810		$ 920,679		$ 902,573
Capital expenditures	9,775		18,045		26,225
Americas Adhesives [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Sales revenue	23,569		22,120		26,096
Americas Adhesives [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Assets	458,385	[1]	474,691	[1]	471,520	[1]
Americas Adhesives [Member]
Segment operating income	126,272		103,339		123,265
Depreciation and amortization	22,172		22,180		20,832
EIMEA [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Sales revenue	605,064		719,787		733,211
Capital expenditures	16,864		71,926		63,512
EIMEA [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Sales revenue	19,089		13,918		9,228
EIMEA [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Assets	669,883	[1]	787,194	[1]	759,757	[1]
EIMEA [Member]
Segment operating income	11,881		30,521		51,526
Depreciation and amortization	23,518		24,363		20,420
Asia Pacific [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Sales revenue	368,736		275,809		252,608
Capital expenditures	13,338		22,377		10,150
Asia Pacific [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Sales revenue	14,402		13,034		14,818
Asia Pacific [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Assets	551,410	[1]	238,627	[1]	218,471	[1]
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment operating income	17,174		9,317		9,771
Depreciation and amortization	15,966		7,230		6,522
Construction Products [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Sales revenue	233,050		188,179		158,576
Capital expenditures	13,925		2,073		1,737
Construction Products [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Sales revenue	1,474		800		462
Construction Products [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Assets	204,758	[1]	198,276	[1]	175,489	[1]
Construction Products [Member]
Segment operating income	15,158		6,664		10,940
Depreciation and amortization	13,234		11,751		11,021
Corporate Segment [Member]
Assets	157,816	[1]	168,353	[1]	245,926	[1]
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Capital expenditures	$ 4,722		25,373		22,664
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Assets		[1]	1,865	[1]	1,865	[1]
Sales revenue	$ 2,083,660		2,104,454		2,046,968
Segment operating income	170,485		149,841		195,502
Depreciation and amortization	74,890		65,524		58,795
Assets	2,042,252	[1]	1,869,006	[1]	1,873,028	[1]
Capital expenditures	$ 58,624		$ 139,794		$ 124,288

[1] Segment assets include primarily inventory, accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment and other miscellaneous assets. Corporate assets include primarily corporate property, plant and equipment, deferred tax assets, certain investments and other assets.