CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 600,710	$ 300	$ 275,807	$ 403,241	$ (19,191)	$ (59,447)
Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2011		29,957
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net (loss) earnings	46,879	0	0	46,879	0	0
Translation adjustments	(2,018)	0	0	0	(2,018)	0
Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax	(4,171)	0	0	0	(4,171)	0
Interest rate swap, net of tax	(2)	0	0	0	2	0
Cash dividends declared	(8,554)	0	0	(8,554)	0	0
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit	3,868	0	3,585	0	0	283
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit (in Shares)		87
Purchases into treasury	(5,403)	0	0	0	0	(5,403)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	631,313	300	279,392	441,566	(25,378)	(64,567)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2012		30,044
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net (loss) earnings	(25,603)	0	0	(25,603)	0	0
Translation adjustments	644	0	0	0	644	0
Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax	8,078	0	0	0	8,078	0
Cash dividends declared	(8,451)	0	0	(8,451)	0	0
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit	5,436	1	5,173	0	0	262
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit (in Shares)		104
Purchases into treasury	(9,703)	0	0	0	0	(9,703)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	601,714	301	284,565	407,512	(16,656)	(74,008)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2013		30,148
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net (loss) earnings	410	0	0	410	0	0
Translation adjustments	(844)	0	0	0	(844)	0
Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax	(1,686)				(1,686)	0
Cash dividends declared	(8,471)	0	0	(8,471)	0	0
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit	1,018	1	740	0	0	277
Stock options and stock compensation plans, net of tax benefit (in Shares)		100
Purchases into treasury	(11,970)	0	0	0	0	(11,970)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 580,171	$ 302	$ 285,305	$ 399,451	$ (19,186)	$ (85,701)
Ending Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2014		30,248