INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Current [Abstract]
Federal	$ 15,306	$ 20,898	$ 15,896
State	3,004	3,191	1,584
Foreign	10,689	9,325	5,963
Total provision for income taxes, current	28,999	33,414	23,443
Deferred	9,557	5,225	7,870
Total	38,556	38,639	31,313
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits	10,743	9,516
Environmental reserve	2,430	2,649
Pension costs	25,524	19,112
Deferred compensation	1,037	5,898
Stock options	9,447	7,436
Other	22,790	16,162
Deferred tax assets	71,971	60,773
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(3,503)	(1,018)
Goodwill	(48,494)	(41,281)
Other	(1,441)	(2,203)
Deferred tax liabilities	(53,438)	(44,502)
Net deferred tax asset	18,533	16,271
Reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction (in hundredths)	2.50%	2.60%	2.90%
Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	(1.30%)	(0.70%)	(1.80%)
Other (in hundredths)	(1.80%)	(1.90%)	(1.70%)
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	34.40%	35.00%	34.40%
Foreign subsidiaries income before income taxes	36,870	36,040	24,815
Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance beginning of year	3,422	3,575	4,370
Increases for tax positions of prior years	0	437	120
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	(96)	(506)	(607)
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	202	355	674
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	(38)	(57)	(542)
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation	(562)	(382)	(440)
Balance end of year	2,928	3,422	3,575
Unrecognized tax benefits that could be recognized in the next 12 months	279
Increase (decrease) in interest and penalties on tax uncertainties	(570)
Total penalties and interest accrued	1,842	2,412
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized [Line Items]
Gross amount on which deferred tax liability is not recognized	$ 176,300
United States - Federal [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2008 and forward
United States - State [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2008 and forward
Canada [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2007 and forward
Europe [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2003 and forward
United Kingdom [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2009 and forward
Australia [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2007 and forward
Asia [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2005 and forward