CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 53,703	$ 45,882	$ 42,512
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(776)
Depreciation and amortization	32,229	23,568	18,584
Stock compensation expense	5,444	4,704	4,779
Changes in assets and liabilities	(17,889)	1,746	(745)
Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision	1,360	(2,993)	1,417
Pension contributions	(2,677)	0	(650)
Other	(4,830)	952	(144)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	67,340	73,859	64,977
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	0	776
Net cash provided by operating activities	67,340	73,859	65,753
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(198,628)	(82,062)	(20,500)
Capital expenditures	(29,728)	(13,843)	(12,444)
Additions to capitalized software	(9,002)	(8,665)	(6,901)
Proceeds from sale of land	1,184	0	0
Proceeds from life insurance	2,307	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations	(233,867)	(104,570)	(39,845)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	0	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities	(233,867)	(104,570)	(39,845)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	257,000	140,000	106,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(92,000)	(80,000)	(96,000)
Dividends paid	(8,257)	(8,248)	(8,369)
Purchases of shares into treasury	0	(4,303)	(18,248)
Debt issuance costs	0	(1,097)	0
Other	20	(128)	(24)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	156,763	46,224	(16,641)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,455	(1,099)	(4,987)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,309)	14,414	4,280
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	53,825	39,411	35,131
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	45,516	53,825	39,411
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(23,587)	(9,088)	3,848
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, net	(18,540)	(359)	(589)
Inventories	3,959	1,101	(5,494)
Other assets and liabilities	4,928	772	1,420
Accounts payable	8,735	(1,953)	(2,496)
Advance payments on long-term contracts, net	6,264	(2,439)	3,591
Accrued expenses	5,644	4,042	(7,045)
Deferred revenue and costs, net	1,650	5,460	1,183
Pension obligations	(6,942)	4,210	4,837
Changes in assets and liabilities	(17,889)	1,746	(745)
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	3,731	1,361	876
Income taxes paid (including state & foreign)	$ 25,674	$ 22,631	$ 13,611