Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 123,340	$ 124,361	$ 96,351
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	25,925	26,826	26,119
Amortization	5,890	5,609	4,802
Other noncash items	(26)	281	(101)
Net (gain) loss on disposition of assets	(725)	452	337
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	87	276
Stock-based compensation expense	6,226	5,477	4,602
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(2,007)	(5,100)	(2,500)
Deferred income taxes	9,272	9,231	(845)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Short-term investments	0	0	32,171
Accounts receivable	(7,666)	(16,918)	(26,442)
Inventories	(8,320)	(16,782)	(26,244)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(329)	(1,864)	1,165
Other noncurrent assets	(2,836)	746	(376)
Accounts payable, accrured liabilities and other liabilities	(5,650)	(15,954)	36,790
Pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities, net	(13,349)	(5,958)	4,120
Income taxes	6,104	9,055	(6,823)
Net cash provided by operating activities	135,849	119,549	143,402
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	240	149	(1,119)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(14,493)	(16,758)	0
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(36,468)	(22,486)	(23,371)
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets	534	327	2,296
Investment in affiliate	1,023	596	199
Proceeds from insurance claims	0	200	557
Net cash used in investing activities	(51,210)	(39,164)	(21,836)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments under multicurrency revolving credit agreement	0	0	(35,000)
Payments on long-term debt	(1,418)	(1,853)	(164)
Payments of financing costs	(564)	0	0
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans	6,415	8,449	7,290
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(732)
Payments for repurchase of common stock	(37,320)	(29,317)	(16,277)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,007	5,100	2,500
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	(321)	0
Cash dividends paid	(24,911)	(21,961)	(20,143)
Net cash used in financing activities	(55,791)	(39,903)	(62,526)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	649	(1,505)	(1,295)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	29,497	38,977	57,745
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	155,999	117,022	59,277
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	185,496	155,999	117,022
Cash paid during the period for interest	397	300	1,318
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 43,821	$ 37,959	$ 54,560