Note 11 - Other Financial Data (Detail) - Balance Sheet Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Accounts receivable, net:
Accounts receivable	$ 34,432	$ 43,261
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(846)	(1,123)
Total	33,586	42,138
Inventories, net:
Raw materials	32,047	38,911
Work in process	3,226	3,634
Finished goods	30,942	23,229
Total	66,215	65,774
Other current assets:
Current deferred tax asset	2,139	3,958
Prepaid insurance	1,461	1,755
Other	1,306	1,433
Total	4,906	7,146
Other assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies, net of loans of $30 and $486	5,813	5,146
Capitalized financing costs, net	223	274
Other	349	348
Total	6,385	5,768
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Land and land improvements	9,175	9,131
Buildings	41,985	41,585
Machinery and equipment	125,959	121,321
Construction in progress	3,527	5,270
	180,646	177,307
Less accumulated depreciation	(93,702)	(89,591)
Total	86,944	87,716
Accrued expenses:
Salaries, wages and related expenses	2,231	1,342
Pension plan	1,371	1,442
Customer rebates	652	716
Property taxes	392	1,233
Workers' compensation	308	327
Interest	34	29
Other	721	788
Total	5,709	5,877
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation	7,801	7,487
Deferred income taxes	5,181	4,087
Total	$ 12,982	$ 11,574