CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 92,545	$ 82,320	$ 63,496
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	50,523	48,343	42,049
Stock compensation expense	8,910	7,320	6,914
Changes in assets and liabilities	(68,821)	(11,654)	15,671
Gain on sale of building and land			(1,950)
Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision	(6,267)	8,946	(3,041)
Net cash provided by operating activities	76,890	135,275	123,139
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(17,694)	(10,906)	(168,903)
Capital expenditures	(22,377)	(32,101)	(26,705)
Additions to capitalized software	(12,397)	(12,912)	(8,783)
Proceeds from sale of building and land			1,950
Net cash used by investing activities	(52,468)	(55,919)	(202,441)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	103,000	100,000	216,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(154,000)	(101,000)	(124,368)
Dividends paid	(8,252)	(8,268)	(8,336)
Purchases of common stock into treasury	(12,401)	(19,878)
Debt issuance costs	(1,826)
Other	(4,851)	(2,976)	(1,823)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(78,330)	(32,122)	81,473
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,950)	(5,742)	1,501
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(55,858)	41,492	3,672
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	97,724	56,232	52,560
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	41,866	97,724	56,232
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(32,151)	(17,676)	11,266
Contract assets and liabilities, net	(26,025)	(12,419)	8,794
Inventories	(18,466)	(13,788)	612
Other assets and liabilities	434	9,412	(477)
Accounts payable	7,045	21,985	(688)
Accrued expenses	342	832	(3,836)
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	8,662	2,835	590
Income taxes paid (including state & foreign)	$ 30,244	$ 9,856	$ 26,054