Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Common Shares Held in Treasury
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 53,409	$ 5,335	$ 7,032	$ 54,122	$ (12,702)	$ (378)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	6,548	0	0	6,548	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	204	0	0	0	204	0
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	212	0	0	0	212	0
Interest rate swap agreement adjustment, net of tax	(58)	0	0	0	(58)	0
Dividend declared	(1,073)	0	0	(1,073)	0	0
Performance and restricted share expense	936	0	936	0	0	0
Share transactions under employee stock plans	(36)	31	(445)	0	0	378
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	60,142	5,366	7,523	59,597	(12,344)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	10,234	0	0	10,234	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(284)	0	0	0	(284)	0
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	2,854	0	0	0	2,854	0
Interest rate swap agreement adjustment, net of tax	31	0	0	0	31	0
Dividend declared	(1,081)	0	0	(1,081)	0	0
Performance and restricted share expense	298	0	298	0	0	0
Share transactions under employee stock plans	(181)	41	(222)	0	0	0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	72,013	5,407	7,599	68,750	(9,743)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	5,023		0	5,023	0	0
Retirement liability adjustment, net of tax	(891)	0	0	0	(891)	0
Interest rate swap agreement adjustment, net of tax	21	0	0	0	21	0
Dividend declared	(1,090)	0	0	(1,090)	0	0
Performance and restricted share expense	1,801	0	1,801	0	0	0
Share transactions under employee stock plans	(257)	41	(298)	0	0	0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 76,620	$ 5,448	$ 9,102	$ 72,683	$ (10,613)	$ 0