Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$ 47,812	$ 46,016
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	20,927	18,392
Amortization	2,720	2,992
Deferred income taxes	(4,547)	(1,342)
Equity-based compensation expense	4,165	2,974
Gain on sale of buildings	0	(9,503)
Other	(2,478)	1,145
Changes in assets and liabilities providing (using) cash:
Receivables	58,887	(27,387)
Unbilled receivables	(51,015)	(26,570)
Inventories	(46,852)	(44,435)
Accounts payable	(5,752)	(9,679)
Contract advances and progress billings	64,171	72,889
Accrued expenses	(31,814)	(35,186)
Accrued income taxes	12,324	12,632
Net pension and post retirement liabilities	2,957	3,988
Other assets and liabilities	(11,114)	1,157
Net cash provided by operating activities	60,391	8,083
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(5,212)	0
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(37,416)	(30,125)
Net proceeds from businesses sold	0	1,124
Net proceeds from buildings sold	0	7,432
Other investing transactions	(479)	(3,724)
Net cash used by investing activities	(43,107)	(25,293)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit	279,500	241,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit	(223,000)	(160,300)
Payments on long-term debt	0	(93)
Payments on finance lease obligations	(1,286)	(884)
Payment of dividends	(8,619)	(8,257)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock	581	1,869
Purchase of outstanding shares for treasury	(8,711)	(12,721)
Proceeds from sale of stock held by SECT	5,001	2,561
Purchase of stock held by SECT	(4,561)	(1,753)
Other financing transactions	0	(2,026)
Net cash provided by financing activities	38,905	59,396
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,495	4,492
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	57,684	46,678
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	69,144	117,328
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	126,828	164,006
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Treasury shares issued as compensation	2,574	1,532
Assets acquired through lease financing	$ 7,845	$ 5,970