BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Detail) - Summary of segment assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 1,788,588	$ 1,802,669
Assets of discontinued operations	3,221	3,523
Consolidated total	1,791,809	1,806,192
Home And Building Products [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	988,515	943,766
Telephonics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	287,360	255,420
Plastics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	422,263	430,395
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,698,138	1,629,581
Corporate [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 90,450	$ 173,088