CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 50,182	$ 31,128	$ 8,875
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	12,520	11,528	11,316
Amortization	423	561	559
Change in long-term obligations	(245)
Stock compensation expense	2,079	1,752	1,537
Excess tax benefit from option exercises	(1,147)	(166)
Deferred revenue	(2,500)	(2,500)	(2,500)
Deferred income taxes	5,658	9,044	2,661
Loss on disposition of property	203	145	232
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(12,700)	(24,806)	(15,786)
Inventories	(12,326)	(17,859)	(49,483)
Other assets	1,309	805	(2,130)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(17,242)	17,966	10,481
Income taxes	(5)	(1,540)	23,653
Accrued pension and postretirement benefits	(5,428)	(6,454)	(8,434)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	20,781	19,604	(19,019)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(25,937)	(14,445)	(12,340)
Change in restricted cash		110	110
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,937)	(14,335)	(12,230)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(10,803)	(9,758)	(9,707)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,635	706
Excess tax benefit from option exercises	1,147	166
Payment for debt issuance cost		(330)
Payments on long-term obligations	(123)	(85)	(159)
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,144)	(9,301)	(9,866)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(22)	126	(12)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents:	(13,322)	(3,906)	(41,127)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	60,062	63,968	105,095
End of period	46,740	60,062	63,968
Cash paid during period for:
Interest (net of capitalized interest)	22	33	40
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	21,341	10,736	(19,460)
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid	$ 2,360	$ 1,539	$ 916