Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 180,378	$ 200,507	$ 180,838
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	116,131	80,917	69,036
Loss (gain) due to settlements or curtailments of postretirement plan	(330)	0	47
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(1,106)	(3,604)	(4,431)
Stock-based compensation	18,229	17,282	15,122
Deferred income taxes	(30,177)	22,772	(52,744)
(Gain) loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	1,467	(72)	21
Proceeds from formation of joint venture (Note 4)			250,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(6,494)	(53,151)	(9,190)
Inventories	(7,660)	(10,857)	(17,658)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(2,284)	64,659	17,461
Income taxes	35,641	3,323	(834)
Retirement benefit obligations	(4,653)	(2,932)	(3,416)
Other	150	(11,307)	(8,873)
Net cash provided by operating activities	299,292	307,537	435,379
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(127,140)	(92,336)	(175,692)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,923	3,743	6,664
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	9,088	5,313
Payments for purchases of short-term investments	(9,323)	(8,586)	(4,918)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(771,115)
Net cash used in investing activities	(896,567)	(91,866)	(173,946)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(34,003)	(29,745)	(26,606)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	9,132	14,195	15,892
Payments for repurchases of common stock	0	(71,751)	(125,541)
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	1,930,261	1,506,000	695,000
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(1,691,934)	(1,630,100)	(890,896)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	400,000		179,308
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(421)	(412)	(107,287)
Payments of debt financing costs	(1,494)		(863)
Payment for forward option derivative instrument	(5,543)
Net cash used in financing activities	605,998	(211,813)	(260,993)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(12,681)	2,604	(1,552)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(3,958)	6,462	(1,112)
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash at beginning of year	87,552	81,090	82,202
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash at end of period	$ 83,594	$ 87,552	$ 81,090