BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) - Summary of Segment Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 1,743,011	$ 1,779,909
Assets of discontinued operations	2,178	2,187
Total Assets	1,745,189	1,782,096
Home And Building Products [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,027,389	1,020,297
Telephonics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	318,290	334,631
Plastics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	358,387	365,920
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,704,066	1,720,848
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 38,945	$ 59,061