BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Detail) - Summary of segment assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 1,792,609	$ 1,860,198
Assets of discontinued operations	4,277	5,056
Consolidated total	1,796,886	1,865,254
Home And Building Products [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	963,998	972,714
Telephonics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	253,709	288,968
Plastics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	425,447	450,452
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,643,154	1,712,134
Corporate [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 149,455	$ 148,064