BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS, INVESTMENTS AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Note)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 03, 2012
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS INVESTMENTS AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS, INVESTMENTS AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS, INVESTMENTS AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Business Acquisitions On December 30, 2011, the Company purchased certain assets of PDDA Filtration, Inc. (“PDDA”), a privately-held provider of filtration solutions, for $530. PDDA specializes in liquid process filtration products, serving customers in diverse industries including chemical processing, food and beverage, oil and gas, power generation, water, wine and biofuel production. The purchased assets were combined into the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment. The acquisition is not material to the results of the Company. An allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition has been made to major categories of assets and liabilities. Inventory acquired was valued at $80. Acquired intangible assets included customer relationships valued at $400 which are being amortized over their estimated useful life of five years and a non-compete agreement valued at $50 being amortized over three years. A contingent liability of $200 for a potential earn-out payment was also recognized. The Company did not recognize any goodwill in connection with this acquisition. On December 29, 2010, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests in TransWeb LLC (“TransWeb”), a privately-owned manufacturer of media used in a variety of end-use applications, including respirators and heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") filters. Founded in 1996 and based in Vineland, New Jersey, TransWeb had supplied media to a subsidiary of the Company for several years prior to the acquisition. TransWeb was acquired to expand the Company’s technology capabilities in the area of media development and to enhance the product offerings of the Company's filtration operating companies. TransWeb’s results are included in the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition. Net sales and Operating profit attributable to TransWeb for the three months ended March 3, 2012 were $2,906 and $276 , respectively. Net sales and Operating profit attributable to TransWeb for the three months ended February 26, 2011 were $2,375 and $334, respectively. The base purchase price to acquire TransWeb was $30,017, excluding cash acquired. Of the base purchase price, the Company withheld payment of $17,000 pending resolution of 3M litigation, which funds may be used by the Company in connection with the same (see Note 11). A contingent liability for a potential earn-out payment to one of the former owners, recorded on the acquisition date at fair value by applying the income approach, was also recognized. The acquisition-date estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payment of $1,018 was recorded as a component of the consideration transferred in exchange for the equity interests of TransWeb in accordance with accounting guidance. The contingent liability for the earn-out payment will continue to be accounted for and measured at fair value until the contingency is settled during fiscal year 2016. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration payment is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined by accounting literature (see Note 6). The contingent consideration payment is revalued to its current fair value at each reporting date. Any increase or decrease in the fair value, as a result of changes in significant inputs such as the discount rate, the discount period or other factors used in the calculation, is recognized in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the period the estimated fair value changes. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model with a discount rate of 11.9%. At March 3, 2012, the fair value of the contingent consideration payment (see Note 6) was $1,186 and is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Investments Effective May 1, 2008, the Company acquired a 30% share in BioProcessH2O LLC (“BPH”), a Rhode Island-based manufacturer of industrial waste water and water reuse filtration systems, for $4,000. Under the terms of the agreement with BPH, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to acquire additional ownership shares and eventually complete ownership of BPH over several years at a price based on, among other factors, BPH’s operating income. The investment, with a carrying amount of $3,171 and $3,229, at March 3, 2012 and December 3, 2011, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The carrying amount is adjusted each period to recognize the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of BPH, included in Other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, based on the percentage of ownership, as well as the receipt of any dividends. During the three months ended ended March 3, 2012 and February 26, 2011, the Company did not receive any dividends from BPH. The equity investment is periodically reviewed for indicators of impairment. The Company also owns a 15% share in BioProcess Algae LLC (“Algae”), a Delaware-based company developing technology to grow and harvest algae which can be used to consume carbon dioxide and also be used as a renewable energy source. The investment, with a carrying amount of $698 and $698, at March 3, 2012 and December 3, 2011, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets, is being accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, the Company recognizes dividends as income when received and reviews the cost basis of the investment for impairment if factors indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred. During the three months ended March 3, 2012 and February 26, 2011, the Company received dividends from Algae of $1,200 and $0, respectively, which is included in Other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests In March 2007, the Company acquired an 80% ownership share in Sinfa SA (“SINFA”), a manufacturer of automotive and heavy-duty engine filters based in Casablanca, Morocco. As part of the purchase agreement, the Company and the noncontrolling owners each have an option to require the purchase of the remaining 20% ownership shares by the Company after December 31, 2012 which would result in SINFA becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. The remaining 20% of SINFA owned by the noncontrolling owners has been reported as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified as mezzanine equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The Redeemable noncontrolling interests will be accreted to the redemption price, through equity, at the point at which the redemption becomes probable. The Company has not recorded any accretion to date.

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS, INVESTMENTS AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Business Acquisitions

On December 30, 2011, the Company purchased certain assets of PDDA Filtration, Inc. (“PDDA”), a privately-held provider of filtration solutions, for $530. PDDA specializes in liquid process filtration products, serving customers in diverse industries including chemical processing, food and beverage, oil and gas, power generation, water, wine and biofuel production. The purchased assets were combined into the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment. The acquisition is not material to the results of the Company. An allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition has been made to major categories of assets and liabilities. Inventory acquired was valued at $80. Acquired intangible assets included customer relationships valued at $400 which are being amortized over their estimated useful life of five years and a non-compete agreement valued at $50 being amortized over three years. A contingent liability of $200 for a potential earn-out payment was also recognized. The Company did not recognize any goodwill in connection with this acquisition.

On December 29, 2010, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests in TransWeb LLC (“TransWeb”), a privately-owned manufacturer of media used in a variety of end-use applications, including respirators and heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") filters. Founded in 1996 and based in Vineland, New Jersey, TransWeb had supplied media to a subsidiary of the Company for several years prior to the acquisition. TransWeb was acquired to expand the Company’s technology capabilities in the area of media development and to enhance the product offerings of the Company's filtration operating companies. TransWeb’s results are included in the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment from the date of acquisition. Net sales and Operating profit attributable to TransWeb for the three months ended March 3, 2012 were $2,906 and $276 , respectively. Net sales and Operating profit attributable to TransWeb for the three months ended February 26, 2011 were $2,375 and $334, respectively.

The base purchase price to acquire TransWeb was $30,017, excluding cash acquired. Of the base purchase price, the Company withheld payment of $17,000 pending resolution of 3M litigation, which funds may be used by the Company in connection with the same (see Note 11). A contingent liability for a potential earn-out payment to one of the former owners, recorded on the acquisition date at fair value by applying the income approach, was also recognized. The acquisition-date estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payment of $1,018 was recorded as a component of the consideration transferred in exchange for the equity interests of TransWeb in accordance with accounting guidance. The contingent liability for the earn-out payment will continue to be accounted for and measured at fair value until the contingency is settled during fiscal year 2016. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration payment is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined by accounting literature (see Note 6). The contingent consideration payment is revalued to its current fair value at each reporting date. Any increase or decrease in the fair value, as a result of changes in significant inputs such as the discount rate, the discount period or other factors used in the calculation, is recognized in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the period the estimated fair value changes. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model with a discount rate of 11.9%. At March 3, 2012, the fair value of the contingent consideration payment (see Note 6) was $1,186 and is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Investments

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company acquired a 30% share in BioProcessH2O LLC (“BPH”), a Rhode Island-based manufacturer of industrial waste water and water reuse filtration systems, for $4,000. Under the terms of the agreement with BPH, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to acquire additional ownership shares and eventually complete ownership of BPH over several years at a price based on, among other factors, BPH’s operating income. The investment, with a carrying amount of $3,171 and $3,229, at March 3, 2012 and December 3, 2011, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The carrying amount is adjusted each period to recognize the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of BPH, included in Other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, based on the percentage of ownership, as well as the receipt of any dividends. During the three months ended ended March 3, 2012 and February 26, 2011, the Company did not receive any dividends from BPH. The equity investment is periodically reviewed for indicators of impairment.

The Company also owns a 15% share in BioProcess Algae LLC (“Algae”), a Delaware-based company developing technology to grow and harvest algae which can be used to consume carbon dioxide and also be used as a renewable energy source. The investment, with a carrying amount of $698 and $698, at March 3, 2012 and December 3, 2011, respectively, included in Other noncurrent assets, is being accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, the Company recognizes dividends as income when received and reviews the cost basis of the investment for impairment if factors indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred. During the three months ended March 3, 2012 and February 26, 2011, the Company received dividends from Algae of $1,200 and $0, respectively, which is included in Other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

In March 2007, the Company acquired an 80% ownership share in Sinfa SA (“SINFA”), a manufacturer of automotive and heavy-duty engine filters based in Casablanca, Morocco. As part of the purchase agreement, the Company and the noncontrolling owners each have an option to require the purchase of the remaining 20% ownership shares by the Company after December 31, 2012 which would result in SINFA becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. The remaining 20% of SINFA owned by the noncontrolling owners has been reported as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified as mezzanine equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The Redeemable noncontrolling interests will be accreted to the redemption price, through equity, at the point at which the redemption becomes probable. The Company has not recorded any accretion to date.