Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 132,235	$ 111,162	$ 94,416
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75,393	75,616	63,948
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	644	(131)	(188)
Stock-based compensation	6,590	6,686	5,499
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(3,558)	(5,115)	(2,695)
Deferred income taxes	(10,321)	16,358	17,233
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	229	282	237
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(49,393)	(40,688)	37,760
Inventories	(76,643)	5,896	52,586
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	27,679	34,426	(44,834)
Current income taxes	19,064	998	(4,034)
Retirement benefit obligations	(8,322)	(13,672)	(3,343)
Other	1,026	(7,246)	2,642
Net cash provided by operating activities	114,623	184,572	219,227
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(48,255)	(28,104)	(28,947)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	59	312	16,637
Business acquisitions, net of cash and marketable securities acquired	(38,698)	(25,000)	(749,820)
Business acquisitions, marketable securities acquired	(8,463)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	8,217	0	0
Proceeds from disposal of Fuel & Pneumatics product line	0	660	48,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(87,140)	(52,132)	(714,130)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(18,581)	(17,085)	(16,864)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	2,482	1,999	4,631
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(6,837)	(4,513)	(866)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	3,558	5,115	2,695
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	(8,120)	0
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	620,000
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	164,557	106,019	145,702
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(182,728)	(83,980)	(149,731)
Payments of long-term debt	(18,430)	(128,420)	(92,392)
Payments of long-term debt assumed in MPC acquisition	0	0	(18,610)
Payments for cash flow hedge	0	0	(1,308)
Debt financing costs	0	0	(5,892)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(55,979)	(128,985)	487,365
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,544)	1,261	(1,432)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(31,040)	4,716	(8,970)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	105,579	100,863	109,833
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 74,539	$ 105,579	$ 100,863