Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010	Nov. 28, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 124,361	$ 96,351	$ 71,830
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	26,826	26,119	26,005
Amortization	5,609	4,802	4,957
Other noncash items	281	(101)	(332)
Net loss (gain) on disposition of plant assets	452	337	(47)
Impairment of long-lived assets	87	276	1,200
Stock-based compensation expense	5,477	4,602	4,088
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(5,100)	(2,500)	(1,854)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Short-term investments	0	32,171	(24,902)
Accounts receivable	(16,918)	(26,442)	38,194
Inventories	(16,782)	(26,244)	6,057
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,864)	1,165	1,426
Other noncurrent assets	746	(376)	1,060
Accounts payable, accrured liabilities and other liabilities	(16,054)	36,790	(23,499)
Pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities, net	(5,958)	4,120	6,950
Income taxes	9,055	(6,823)	3,422
Deferred income taxes	9,231	(845)	(862)
Net cash provided by operating activities	119,449	143,402	113,693
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	149	(1,119)	(289)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(16,758)	0	(7,326)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(22,486)	(23,371)	(21,740)
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets	327	2,296	815
Investment in affiliate	496	199	1,794
Proceeds from insurance claims	200	557	500
Other, net	0	0	(65)
Net cash used in investing activities	(39,064)	(21,836)	(29,899)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under multicurrency revolving credit agreement	0	(35,000)	(40,000)
Borrowings under long-term debt	0	0	8,410
Payments on long-term debt	(1,853)	(164)	(838)
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans	8,449	7,290	3,616
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	0	(732)	(4,592)
Purchase of treasury stock	(29,317)	(16,277)	(19,767)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	5,100	2,500	1,854
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	(321)	0	0
Cash dividends paid	(21,961)	(20,143)	(18,682)
Net cash used in financing activities	(39,903)	(62,526)	(69,999)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,505)	(1,295)	4,767
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	38,977	57,745	18,562
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	117,022	59,277	40,715
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	155,999	117,022	59,277
Cash paid during the period for interest	300	1,318	834
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 37,959	$ 54,560	$ 32,208