Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 138,279	$ 117,691
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	59,587	49,921
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(3,598)	(4,188)
Stock-based compensation	15,580	13,267
Deferred income taxes	(1,585)	(87,338)
(Gain) loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	(54)	39
Proceeds from formation of joint venture (Note 4)	0	250,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	26,052	40,012
Inventories	(48,075)	(56,187)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,345	(6,548)
Current income taxes	8,066	58,184
Retirement benefit obligations	(2,321)	(2,903)
Other	(10,478)	(9,469)
Net cash provided by operating activities	183,798	362,481
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(65,075)	(128,628)
Net proceeds from sale of assets	3,697	5,747
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	5,002	0
Purchases of short-term investments	(7,344)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(63,720)	(122,881)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(22,076)	(19,841)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	12,554	12,532
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(61,782)	(125,542)
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	1,106,000	560,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(1,145,800)	(520,596)
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(307)	(107,188)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(111,411)	(200,635)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(755)	(3,048)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	7,912	35,917
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	81,090	82,202
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 89,002	$ 118,119