Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 114,182	$ 93,477
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	57,680	56,220
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	116	(78)
Stock-based compensation	8,739	7,355
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(2,638)	(4,755)
Deferred income taxes	(5,749)	(36)
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	73	128
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	57,151	24,584
Inventories	(38,860)	(20,164)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(6,434)	(16,320)
Current income taxes	16,130	(2,543)
Retirement benefit obligations	(2,676)	(3,290)
Other	(13,824)	(1,561)
Net cash provided by operating activities	183,890	133,017
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(104,530)	(78,515)
Proceeds from sale of assets	258	354
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(198,860)
Net cash used in investing activities	(104,272)	(277,021)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(16,021)	(16,421)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	8,380	7,439
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(141,488)	(45,754)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	2,638	4,755
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	356,071	97,072
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(191,069)	(62,329)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	250,000	200,000
Payments of long-term debt	(300,000)	(41,875)
Payments of debt financing costs	(1,297)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(32,786)	142,887
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	454	260
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	47,286	(857)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,556	61,829
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 95,842	$ 60,972