Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 181,452	$ 165,844	$ 145,942
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75,235	77,353	74,233
Loss (gain) due to settlements or curtailments of postretirement plan (Note 17)	0	(7,539)	37
Impairment of long-lived asset held for sale (Note 9)	0	3,138	0
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(626)	166	(100)
Stock-based compensation	14,255	11,241	9,414
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(6,959)	(3,751)	(5,154)
Deferred income taxes	15,504	(6,704)	8,348
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	99	99	171
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	14,845	30,880	(9,774)
Inventories	(8,824)	(27,788)	(1,485)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,427	24,068	16,062
Current income taxes	(7,487)	9,378	(9,020)
Retirement benefit obligations	(4,537)	(2,788)	(15,974)
Other	13,045	(5,514)	9,892
Net cash provided by operating activities	287,429	268,083	222,592
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(286,612)	(207,106)	(141,600)
Proceeds from sale of assets	2,529	1,277	418
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	(198,860)
Net cash used in investing activities	(284,083)	(205,829)	(340,042)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(24,646)	(21,263)	(21,866)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	8,400	9,772	8,370
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(157,160)	(141,488)	(45,754)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	6,959	3,751	5,154
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	999,971	431,071	179,072
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(856,610)	(221,069)	(179,484)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	250,000	200,000
Payments of long-term debt	0	(300,000)	(41,875)
Proceeds from cash flow hedge	0	0	507
Payments of debt financing costs	(2,359)	(1,297)	(1,651)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,445)	9,477	102,473
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(10,986)	(5,000)	1,704
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(33,085)	66,731	(13,273)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	115,287	48,556	61,829
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 82,202	$ 115,287	$ 48,556