Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 163,131	$ 200,436
Trade receivables, net of allowances	308,343	320,152
Inventories	229,442	208,531
Other current assets	77,857	70,225
Current assets of discontinued operations	1,865	0
Total current assets	780,638	799,344
Property, plant and equipment	921,972	907,720
Accumulated depreciation	(583,437)	(578,704)
Property, plant and equipment, net	338,535	329,016
Goodwill	251,158	254,345
Other intangibles, net	226,988	233,355
Other assets	168,091	168,395
Long-term assets of discontinued operations	0	1,865
Total assets	1,765,410	1,786,320
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	21,682	22,613
Current maturities of long-term debt	15,000	22,500
Trade payables	167,926	163,062
Accrued compensation	52,837	71,400
Income taxes payable	16,931	24,865
Other accrued expenses	42,427	45,605
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	5,000	74
Total current liabilities	321,803	350,119
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	474,299	475,112
Accrued pension liabilities	99,840	105,220
Other liabilities	64,808	68,190
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	0	5,000
Total liabilities	960,750	1,003,641
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable non-controlling interest	4,086	3,981
H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized 10,045,900
Common stock	50,314	49,903
Additional paid-in capital	44,333	37,965
Retained earnings	846,402	830,031
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(140,899)	(139,626)
Total H.B. Fuller stockholders' equity	800,150	778,273
Non-controlling interests	424	425
Total equity	800,574	778,698
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity	$ 1,765,410	$ 1,786,320