CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 101,881	$ 92,545	$ 82,320
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	55,409	50,523	48,343
Stock compensation expense	8,599	8,910	7,320
Changes in assets and liabilities	(29,385)	(68,821)	(11,654)
Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision	(8,962)	(6,267)	8,946
Net cash provided by operating activities	127,542	76,890	135,275
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(56,383)	(17,694)	(10,906)
Capital expenditures	(36,166)	(22,377)	(32,101)
Additions to capitalized software	(12,090)	(12,397)	(12,912)
Net cash used by investing activities	(104,639)	(52,468)	(55,919)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	217,000	103,000	100,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(197,000)	(154,000)	(101,000)
Dividends paid	(8,246)	(8,252)	(8,268)
Purchases of common stock into treasury	(7,998)	(12,401)	(19,878)
Debt issuance costs	(2,988)	(1,826)
Other	(1,541)	(4,851)	(2,976)
Net cash used by financing activities	(773)	(78,330)	(32,122)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,967	(1,950)	(5,742)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	24,097	(55,858)	41,492
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	41,866	97,724	56,232
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	65,963	41,866	97,724
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(40,928)	(32,151)	(17,676)
Contract assets and liabilities, net	20,869	(26,025)	(12,419)
Inventories	(23,486)	(18,466)	(13,788)
Other assets and liabilities	(8,407)	434	9,412
Accounts payable	10,702	7,045	21,985
Accrued expenses	11,865	342	832
Changes in assets and liabilities	(29,385)	(68,821)	(11,654)
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	14,535	8,662	2,835
Income taxes paid (including state & foreign)	$ 38,007	$ 30,244	$ 9,856