The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

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- Definition

Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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- Definition

Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (107,895,000)	$ (101,572,000)	$ (98,064,000)	$ (93,761,000)
Property, plant and equipment - net	55,327,000	48,467,000	47,469,000	48,895,000
Depreciation of plant and equipment and amortization of leasehold improvements	8,000,000	7,700,000	7,600,000	9,200,000
Land and land improvements
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	16,045,000	15,963,000	15,821,000	15,292,000
Buildings and improvements
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	44,376,000	43,416,000	42,754,000	42,661,000
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	15 years
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	39 years
Machinery and other equipment
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	94,113,000	84,953,000	82,129,000	80,018,000
Machinery and other equipment \| Minimum
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	5 years
Machinery and other equipment \| Maximum
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	10 years
Leasehold improvements
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	$ 8,688,000	$ 5,707,000	$ 4,829,000	$ 4,685,000