Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$ 152,462	$ 136,021	$ 108,094
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	67,084	64,963	61,112
Amortization	33,732	31,364	30,104
Provisions for non-cash losses	69,041	71,993	54,204
Deferred income taxes	(4,113)	2,923	11,314
Equity-based compensation expense	6,226	6,952	5,445
Other	3,077	1,399	1,633
Changes in assets and liabilities providing (using) cash, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Receivables	(57,360)	(32,723)	(70,076)
Inventories	(37,274)	(56,382)	10,220
Accounts payable	(7,602)	9,299	28,945
Customer advances	11,508	22,301	7,563
Accrued liabilities	(48,134)	(23,307)	(32,711)
Pension and postretirement obligations	27,122	(35,437)	(17,463)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(1,429)	(3,176)	(3,128)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	214,340	196,190	195,256
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(104,089)	(37,841)	(29,843)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(107,030)	(83,695)	(65,949)
Other	(4,454)	298	(2,285)
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(215,573)	(121,238)	(98,077)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term borrowings	81,849	4,952	(15,830)
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit	805,859	676,930	543,319
Payments on revolving lines of credit	(848,505)	(714,452)	(591,505)
Payments on long-term debt	(1,335)	(8,117)	(2,795)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock	2,227	1,912	976
Purchase of outstanding shares for treasury	(1,400)	(30,078)	(534)
Proceeds from sale of stock held by Stock Employee Compensation Trust	1,766	2,852	1,732
Purchase of stock held by Stock Employee Compensation Trust	(2,929)	(3,992)	(1,296)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	360	135	6
Other financing transactions	(470)	(2,933)	0
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	37,422	(72,791)	(65,927)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,027)	(903)	(324)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	35,162	1,258	30,928
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	113,679	112,421	81,493
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	148,841	113,679	112,421
Cash paid for:
Interest	32,636	34,582	37,492
Income taxes, net of refunds	69,480	32,112	23,744
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Treasury shares issued as consideration for acquisitions	(46)	18,785	0
Unsecured notes issued as partial consideration for acquisitions	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,350