Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2016	Nov. 28, 2015	Nov. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 139,390	$ 134,913	$ 144,183
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	34,022	31,075	30,065
Amortization	24,580	25,528	20,362
Other noncash items	(4,337)	(268)	995
Net loss (gain) on disposition of assets	927	(2,144)	67
Net gain on disposition of J.L. Clark	0	(12,132)	0
Impairment of investments	0	6,729	0
Bargain purchase gain	0	0	(2,815)
Stock-based compensation expense	6,507	9,093	7,278
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(2,194)	(1,246)	(2,769)
Deferred income taxes	6,126	3,452	911
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	27,679	31,782	(28,748)
Inventories	36,416	(22,058)	(7,846)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,151	(13,490)	(7,004)
Other noncurrent assets	1,903	(10,809)	(2,384)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(2,188)	(18,221)	2,591
Pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities, net	941	1,207	915
Income taxes	12,475	(9,666)	545
Net cash provided by operating activities	285,398	153,745	156,346
Cash flows from investing activities:
Restricted cash	(143)	0	1,339
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(19,299)	(20,882)	(595,328)
Business dispositions, net of cash paid	0	45,232	0
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	(30,924)	(64,535)	(69,681)
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets	1,323	7,469	491
Investment in affiliates	0	(525)	(1,073)
Net cash used in investing activities	(49,043)	(33,241)	(664,252)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings (payments) under revolving credit agreement	(112,000)	197,000	(50,000)
Borrowings under term loan facility	0	0	315,000
Payments on term loan facility	(7,500)	(195,000)	(20,000)
Payments on long-term debt, including business acquisition-related seller financing	(305)	(8,665)	(1,620)
Payments of financing costs	0	(50)	(752)
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans	34,075	8,106	12,076
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	0	(1,239)	0
Payments for repurchase of common stock	(73,901)	(70,777)	(32,822)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,194	1,246	2,769
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	(172)	(206)	(166)
Cash dividends paid	(44,375)	(40,972)	(35,805)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(201,984)	(110,557)	188,680
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,022)	(2,482)	1,728
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	33,349	7,465	(317,498)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	101,529	94,064	411,562
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	134,878	101,529	94,064
Cash paid during the period for interest	6,762	4,874	3,028
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 44,151	$ 70,146	$ 67,534