Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations:
Net income including non-controlling interests	$ 125,855	$ 89,047	$ 70,419
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(57,568)	(8,832)	(6,126)
Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	38,713	28,888	27,969
Amortization	18,703	10,162	10,839
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(16,820)	5,740	9,462
Income from equity method investments, net of dividends received	(4,436)	(4,482)	(5,569)
Share-based compensation	9,728	7,741	6,405
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions	(9,763)	(11,851)	(15,100)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan income (expense)	1,854	(1,620)	8,034
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(1,263)	(1,140)	(509)
Non cash charge for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	3,228	0	0
Asset impairment charges	1,517	332	8,785
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and discontinued operations [Abstract]
Trade receivables, net	(17,341)	(18,428)	(13,757)
Inventories	(17,081)	(11,022)	(4,074)
Other assets	(4,313)	(775)	(6,971)
Trade payables	(4,845)	8,662	(9,086)
Accrued compensation	20,950	(3,387)	2,785
Other accrued expenses	4,909	1,652	3,418
Income taxes payable	15,173	6,464	2,124
Other liabilities	3,531	(2,948)	(10,476)
Other	(2,090)	(6,115)	(6,361)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	108,641	88,088	72,211
Cash flows from investing activities from continuing operations [Abstract]
Purchased property, plant and equipment	(35,913)	(32,834)	(31,729)
Purchased business, net of cash acquired	(412,606)	(6,000)	(27,573)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,756	2,542	2,330
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations	(446,763)	(36,292)	(56,972)
Cash flows from financing activities from continuing operations [Abstract]
Proceeds from long-term debt	584,208	218,000	345,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(292,333)	(240,500)	(329,625)
Net proceeds from (payments on) notes payable	(5,837)	1,081	18,566
Dividends paid	(16,454)	(14,550)	(13,624)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	7,401	7,697	3,950
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	1,263	1,140	509
Purchased non-controlling interests	0	(8,600)	0
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable non-controlling interest	0	1,425	0
Repurchases of common stock	(4,333)	(8,510)	(377)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations	273,915	(42,817)	24,399
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,656	1,911	(5,278)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(60,551)	10,890	34,360
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations	(13,893)	13,452	(962)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations including proceeds from sale of business	120,231	(1,470)	(275)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	45,787	22,872	33,123
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	154,649	131,777	98,654
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	200,436	154,649	131,777
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Dividends paid with company stock	126	162	108
Cash paid for interest	19,967	13,349	12,095
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 31,832	$ 16,607	$ 13,768