BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) - Summary of Segment Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 1,827,009	$ 1,784,490
Assets of discontinued operations	4,241	4,289
Total Assets	1,831,250	1,788,779
Home And Building Products [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,020,849	908,386
Telephonics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	299,058	296,919
Plastics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	421,892	422,730
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,741,799	1,628,035
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 85,210	$ 156,455