Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$ 120,497	$ 152,462	$ 136,021
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	75,000	67,084	64,963
Amortization	33,073	33,732	31,364
Deferred income taxes	(8,216)	(4,113)	2,923
Equity-based compensation expense	6,620	6,226	6,952
Goodwill impairment	38,200	0	0
Other	7,620	3,077	1,399
Changes in assets and liabilities providing (using) cash, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Receivables	(58,368)	(53,424)	(31,493)
Inventories	(6,871)	(21,289)	(38,816)
Accounts payable	10,543	(7,602)	9,299
Customer advances	32,437	11,508	22,301
Accrued liabilities	1,053	986	29,890
Pension and postretirement obligations	8,174	27,122	(35,437)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(8,485)	(1,429)	(3,176)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	251,277	214,340	196,190
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(69,157)	(104,089)	(37,841)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(93,174)	(107,030)	(83,695)
Other	(11,067)	(4,454)	298
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(173,398)	(215,573)	(121,238)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term borrowings	16,124	81,849	4,952
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit	897,162	805,859	676,930
Payments on revolving lines of credit	(782,617)	(848,505)	(714,452)
Payments on long-term debt	(3,113)	(1,335)	(8,117)
Repayments of Subordinated Debt	(187,000)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock	10,725	2,227	1,912
Purchase of outstanding shares for treasury	(11,614)	(1,400)	(30,078)
Proceeds from sale of stock held by Stock Employee Compensation Trust	781	1,766	2,852
Purchase of stock held by Stock Employee Compensation Trust	(9,676)	(2,929)	(3,992)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	1,089	360	135
Other financing transactions	(3,949)	(470)	(2,933)
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(72,088)	37,422	(72,791)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,458	(1,027)	(903)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	8,249	35,162	1,258
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	148,841	113,679	112,421
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	157,090	148,841	113,679
Cash paid for:
Interest	29,320	32,636	34,582
Income taxes, net of refunds	54,461	69,480	32,112
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Treasury shares issued as consideration for acquisitions	0	(46)	18,785
Unsecured notes issued as partial consideration for acquisitions	$ 8,450	$ 0	$ 0